JP3196071U - Outside-view device - Google Patents

Abstract

An outside-vehicle visual recognition device capable of improving the visibility on the passenger seat side outside a passenger compartment. In a vehicle exterior visual recognition device, a first concave lens is used for backward visual recognition, so that a driver can arbitrarily confirm a rear situation via a display convex lens during normal driving. can do. On the other hand, when the vehicle is stopped, it may be necessary to check the situation other than the rear and below. In this case, the second concave lens 5 is used as auxiliary visual recognition. When the optical path switching means M1 is employed, one display window is provided for two fields of view (the field of view from the first concave lens 3 and the field of view from the second concave lens 5) without using a mechanical shutter or a liquid crystal shutter. 2e is possible. [Selection] Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle exterior visual recognition device that enables a driver to visually recognize a vehicle exterior.

Conventionally, a right-left mirror attached to a door mirror has been disclosed as such a vehicle exterior viewing device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The straight left mirror described in Patent Document 1 is a front mirror that reflects light from the vicinity of the left front wheel portion of the vehicle toward the driver's viewpoint, and between the left front wheel portion and the left rear wheel portion of the vehicle. And a rear mirror that reflects light from the surroundings toward the driver's viewpoint. Thus, by providing two mirrors of the front mirror and the rear mirror, it is possible to appropriately ensure the vicinity of the left front wheel portion.

JP 2007-137316 A

However, in the above-described conventional outside-viewing device, if each mirror is a convex mirror in order to widen the field of view by each mirror, the reflected image is reduced. On the other hand, if each mirror is a concave mirror in order to enlarge the reflected image of each mirror, the field of view is narrowed. Moreover, since the direction of each mirror is restricted by the direction to be visually recognized and the position of the driver's viewpoint, the reflected image cannot be adjusted to be easily visible to the driver. Due to these restrictions, it is difficult to improve the visibility with the conventional vehicle outer mirror.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle exterior visualizing device that can improve the visibility on the passenger seat side outside the passenger compartment.

The present invention is a device for visually recognizing the outside of a passenger compartment, and includes a first concave lens for visually recognizing the rear from which light from the rear outside the passenger compartment is transmitted, and light from the lower side other than the rear outside the passenger compartment. A second concave lens for auxiliary viewing that passes through, a convex lens for display that the driver can visually recognize from the passenger compartment, a first optical path from the first concave lens to the convex lens, and a first optical path from the second concave lens to the convex lens. And optical path switching means for selectively switching between the two optical paths.

In this outside-viewing device, the first concave lens is used for backward viewing, so that during normal driving, the driver can arbitrarily check the rear situation via the display convex lens. On the other hand, when the vehicle is stopped, it may be necessary to check the situation other than the rear and below. In this case, the second concave lens is used as auxiliary visual recognition. If a light path switching unit that selectively switches between the first optical path from the first concave lens to the convex lens and the second optical path from the second concave lens to the convex lens is employed, a mechanical shutter or a liquid crystal shutter is not used. In both cases, a single display window (a window through which a convex lens can be visually recognized) can be provided for two fields of view (other than the rear and rear and below). As a related technique, for example, if there are a display window for a rear view and a display window for an auxiliary view, respectively, and the size of each display window is the same, the driver may mistake the display window. is there. On the other hand, in the present invention, since there is one display window, such a situation does not occur, and since there is only one display window, the layout of the display window in the vehicle interior is advantageous. Moreover, since there is one display window, the visibility on the passenger seat side outside the passenger compartment is improved. As an example of auxiliary visual recognition, there is a side or front side of the passenger seat side of the vehicle, which becomes a blind spot of the driver.

The optical path switching means includes a first reflecting mirror disposed in the middle of the first optical path and an actuator for moving the first reflecting mirror, and the first reflecting mirror is located in the middle of the second optical path. A second reflecting mirror is disposed between the mirror and the second concave lens, and the first reflecting mirror reflects the light from the second reflecting mirror toward the convex lens by the actuator; and the first concave lens It moves between the position where the light transmitted through is reflected toward the convex lens. In such a configuration, the degree of freedom in the layout of the second concave lens for auxiliary visual recognition can be increased by employing the second reflecting mirror. Furthermore, the first reflecting mirror is shared, contributing to simplification of the internal structure. The second concave lens in this case is advantageous for ensuring the visual recognition of the side of the passenger seat side of the vehicle, which is the blind spot of the driver.

The first reflecting mirror is arranged in the middle of the first optical path, and the optical path switching means is arranged in the middle of the optical path before reflection from the first concave lens to the first reflecting mirror, The second reflecting mirror is disposed at a position where the optical path and the second optical path intersect with each other, and an actuator that moves the second reflecting mirror. The second reflecting mirror is moved from the first concave lens to the first by the actuator. Between the position on the optical path leading to the first reflecting mirror and the position retracted from the optical path leading from the first concave lens to the first reflecting mirror. By adopting such a configuration, it is only necessary to put the second reflecting mirror in and out of the optical path, and the control and structure of the actuator can be simplified. The second concave lens in this case is advantageous for ensuring the visual recognition of the side of the passenger seat side of the vehicle, which is the blind spot of the driver.

The second concave lens is located on the extension of the optical path between the reflection mirror and the convex lens, and the optical path switching means includes the reflection mirror and the reflection mirror. The actuator is configured to move the mirror, and the actuator moves between the position on the optical path from the second concave lens to the convex lens and the position to retract from the optical path from the second concave lens to the convex lens. If such a configuration is adopted, only one reflecting mirror is required, and only the reflecting mirror needs to be taken in and out of the optical path, so that the control and structure of the actuator can be greatly simplified. In this case, the second concave lens is advantageous for ensuring visual confirmation of the front side of the passenger seat of the vehicle, which is a blind spot of the driver.

In addition, the first reflecting mirror disposed in the middle of the first optical path, and the first reflecting mirror disposed in the middle of the optical path before reflection from the first concave lens to the first reflecting mirror, and the first optical path and the second optical path. The optical path switching means comprising the second reflective mirror is a dimming mirror glass that enables transmission and reflection of light. By adopting such a configuration, switching between energization to the dimming mirror glass can instantaneously switch between backward visual recognition and auxiliary visual recognition, thus eliminating the need for an actuator. The second concave lens in this case is advantageous for ensuring the visual recognition of the side of the passenger seat side of the vehicle, which is the blind spot of the driver.

In addition, it has a reflecting mirror disposed in the middle of the first optical path, the concave lens is located on the extension of the optical path between the reflecting mirror and the convex lens, and the optical path switching means comprising the reflecting mirror is configured to transmit light. It is a dimming mirror glass that enables reflection. By adopting such a configuration, switching between energization to the dimming mirror glass can instantaneously switch between backward visual recognition and auxiliary visual recognition, thus eliminating the need for an actuator. In this case, the second concave lens is advantageous for ensuring visual confirmation of the front side of the passenger seat of the vehicle, which is a blind spot of the driver.

According to the present invention, the visibility on the passenger seat side outside the passenger compartment can be improved.

It is a side view which shows the vehicle carrying the exterior visual recognition apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the left front part of a vehicle interior. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the vehicle exterior visual recognition apparatus shown by FIG. 1 in the horizontal direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the vehicle-outside visual recognition apparatus shown by FIG. 1 in the perpendicular direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the vehicle exterior visual recognition apparatus shown by FIG. 1 in the horizontal direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the vehicle-outside visual recognition apparatus shown by FIG. 1 in the perpendicular direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the visual recognition apparatus outside a vehicle which concerns on 2nd Embodiment in the horizontal direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the vehicle-outside visual recognition apparatus shown by FIG. 7 in the perpendicular direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the vehicle-outside visual recognition apparatus shown by FIG. 7 in the horizontal direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the vehicle-outside visual recognition apparatus shown by FIG. 7 in the perpendicular direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the visual recognition apparatus outside a vehicle which concerns on 3rd Embodiment in the horizontal direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the vehicle-outside visual recognition apparatus shown by FIG. 11 in the perpendicular direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the in-vehicle visual recognition apparatus shown by FIG. 11 in the horizontal direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the vehicle-outside visual recognition apparatus shown by FIG. 11 in the perpendicular direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the visual recognition apparatus outside a vehicle which concerns on 4th Embodiment in the horizontal direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the visual recognition apparatus outside a vehicle which concerns on 5th Embodiment in the horizontal direction.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a vehicle exterior viewing device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1st Embodiment The vehicle exterior visual recognition device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is a front lower side other than the rear outside the vehicle interior and the rear outside the vehicle interior (the side on the passenger seat side of the vehicle 7 serving as the driver's blind spot). ), And the rear visual recognition optical system G1 and the lower visual recognition optical system G2 are accommodated in the housing 2. The outside visual recognition device 1 is provided above the front wheel 7 a on the passenger seat side of the vehicle 7. In the case of a right-hand drive vehicle, the outside-view device 1 is provided above the left front wheel 7 a of the vehicle 7. Although not shown, in the case of a left-hand drive vehicle, the outside-view device 1 is provided above the right front wheel of the vehicle 7.

The housing 2 attached to the left front portion of the vehicle 7 has an outer portion 2 a exposed from the body of the vehicle 7 and an inner portion 2 b disposed in the body of the vehicle 7. One housing space S is formed inside the housing 2 by the cooperation of the outer portion 2a and the inner portion 2b.

A light incident port 2c opened rearward is formed in the rear portion of the outer portion 2a of the housing 2, and a light incident port 2d opened downward is formed under the outer portion 2a of the housing 2. Is formed. The first concave lens 3 is disposed so as to block the light incident port 2c, and the second concave lens 5 is disposed so as to block the light incident port 2d. In addition, a light emission port (display window) 2e opened toward the vehicle interior is formed in the inner portion 2b of the housing 2. And the convex lens 4 is arrange | positioned so as to correspond to the light emission opening 2e. The light exit 2e is closed by a transparent panel (not shown) as a countermeasure against dust.

The concave lenses 3 and 5 are circular biconcave lenses made of acrylic, for example. The first concave lens 3 transmits light into the accommodation space S from the rear outside the passenger compartment, and is used for rearward viewing. The second concave lens 5 transmits light into the accommodation space S from the lower side other than the rear outside the passenger compartment, and is used as auxiliary visual recognition. In the housing space S, support members 8 and 9 are fixed to the housing 2, the outer peripheral portion of the first concave lens 3 is held by the support member 8, and the outer peripheral portion of the second concave lens 5 is held by the support member 9. ing. The material of the concave lenses 3 and 5 is not limited to acrylic, and may be other general optical materials, that is, glass, polycarbonate, polyolefin, and the like.

The display convex lens 4 that the driver can visually recognize from the room is a circular plano-convex lens made of, for example, acrylic, and the convex surface 4a of the convex lens 4 is directed to the vehicle interior so that the driver can visually recognize it. The convex lens 4 transmits light from the accommodation space S to the vehicle interior. A support member 10 is fixed to the housing 2 in the accommodation space S, and an outer peripheral portion of the convex lens 4 is held by the support member 10. The material of the convex lens 4 is not limited to acrylic, but may be other general optical materials, that is, glass, polycarbonate, polyolefin, or the like.

In the accommodation space S, there are a movable type first reflection mirror 12 and a fixed type second reflection mirror 13 that reflects the light incident from the second concave lens 5 toward the first reflection mirror 12. Has been placed. The first reflecting mirror 12 can move the mirror surface three-dimensionally by driving a motor. The second reflection mirror 13 used for downward visual recognition is a fixed type plane mirror in which a reflection film is formed on one surface of a glass disk, for example. The movable-type first reflection mirror 12 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the housing 2 via the actuator A1, and the fixed-type second reflection mirror 13 is held by a support member 15 erected on the housing 2. Has been.

The optical path switching means M1 including the first reflecting mirror 12 and the actuator A1 includes a first optical path L1 from the first concave lens 3 to the convex lens 4, and a second optical path L2 from the second concave lens 5 to the convex lens 4. And can be selectively switched. The first reflection mirror 12 is arranged in the middle of the first optical path L1, and the second reflection mirror 13 is arranged in the middle of the second optical path L2 with the first reflection mirror 12 and the second concave lens 5. It is arranged between.

Then, the first reflection mirror 12 is reflected by the actuator A1 so that the light from the second reflection mirror 13 is reflected toward the convex lens 4 (see FIGS. 5 and 6), and the light transmitted through the first concave lens 3. And a position where the light is reflected toward the convex lens 4 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). As the actuator A1 for operating the first reflecting mirror 12 three-dimensionally, a known technique for moving the mirror in the electric door mirror is used, and is disclosed in, for example, WO 2006/040799.

The optical path P1 between the first reflecting mirror 12 and the convex lens 4 is a common optical path for the first optical path L1 and the second optical path L2. On the other hand, in the first optical path L1, the optical path R1 between the first concave lens 3 and the first reflecting mirror 12 is an optical path occupied by the first optical path L1, and the second optical path L1 Of the optical path L2, optical paths Q1 and Q2 between the second concave lens 5 and the first reflecting mirror 12 are occupied by the second optical path L2.

In the outside-viewing device 1, the first concave lens 3 is used for rearward viewing. Therefore, during normal driving, the driver can arbitrarily confirm the rear situation through the display convex lens 4. it can. On the other hand, when the vehicle is stopped, it may be necessary to check the situation other than the rear and below. In this case, the second concave lens 5 is used as auxiliary visual recognition. When the optical path switching means M1 is employed, one display window is provided for two fields of view (the field of view from the first concave lens 3 and the field of view from the second concave lens 5) without using a mechanical shutter or a liquid crystal shutter. 2e is possible.

For example, as a related technology, if the display window for the rear view and the display window for the auxiliary view are present in the room, and the size of each display window is the same, the driver may mistake the display window. is there.

On the other hand, since the vehicle exterior visual recognition apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has one display window 2e, such a situation does not occur, and the layout of the light emission port (display window) 2e in the vehicle interior is the same. In addition, the first reflecting mirror 12 is shared, contributing to the simplification of the internal structure. Further, the auxiliary visual recognition is ensured by the configuration of the lenses 3, 4, 5 and the reflection mirrors 12, 13, and the single display window 2e improves the visibility on the passenger seat side outside the passenger compartment.

Further, by employing the second reflecting mirror 13, the degree of freedom in the layout of the second concave lens 5 for auxiliary visual recognition can be increased. In this case, the second concave lens 5 is advantageous in ensuring visual recognition of the side of the passenger seat side of the vehicle 7 that becomes the blind spot of the driver.

[Second Embodiment] In the outside-view device 1A according to the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, a fixed-type first reflection mirror 22 is disposed in the middle of the first optical path L <b> 1, and the first reflection mirror 22 has a support member 24 fixed to the housing 2. It arrange | positions in the accommodation space S via. The optical path switching means M2 for switching between the first optical path L1 and the second optical path L2 is arranged in the middle of the optical path before reflection from the first concave lens 3 to the first reflecting mirror 22, and the first optical path. The movable reflection type second reflection mirror 23 is arranged at a position where L1 and the second optical path L2 cross each other, and an actuator A2 that moves the second reflection mirror 23.

The second reflecting mirror 23 is moved by the actuator A2 on the optical path from the first concave lens 3 to the first reflecting mirror 22 (see FIGS. 9 and 10), and from the first concave lens 3 to the first reflecting mirror. It moves between a position (see FIGS. 7 and 8) withdrawing from the optical path to 22.

The actuator A2 uses a rack and pinion mechanism to move the second reflecting mirror 23 linearly. The second reflecting mirror 22 is fixed to the rack portion 25, and the rack portion 25 moves linearly by a pinion 26 that can be rotated by a motor (not shown) fixed to the housing 2.

By adopting such a configuration, it is only necessary to put the second reflecting mirror 23 in and out of the optical path, and it is not necessary to provide an actuator that can be operated three-dimensionally, and the control and structure of the actuator A2 can be simplified. . In this case, the second concave lens 5 is advantageous in ensuring visual recognition of the side of the passenger seat side of the vehicle 7 that becomes the blind spot of the driver.

Optical paths P1 and P2 between the second reflecting mirror 23 and the convex lens 4 are common optical paths of the first optical path L1 and the second optical path L2. On the other hand, in the first optical path L1, the optical path R1 between the first concave lens 3 and the second reflecting mirror 23 is an optical path occupied by the first optical path L1, and the second optical path L1 Of the optical path L2, the optical path Q1 between the second concave lens 5 and the second reflecting mirror 23 is an optical path occupied by the second optical path L2.

[Third Embodiment] In the outside-view device 1B according to the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, a reflection mirror 30 is disposed in the middle of the first optical path L <b> 1. Also, the second concave lens 31 for auxiliary visual recognition used for ensuring visual recognition of the front side of the passenger seat of the vehicle 7, which is the blind spot of the driver, is on the extension of the optical path P <b> 1 between the reflecting mirror 30 and the convex lens 4. To position. The second concave lens 31 is disposed so as to block the light incident port 2 f formed on the front side of the housing 2.

The optical path switching means M3 that switches between the first optical path L1 and the second optical path L2 includes a reflection mirror 30 and an actuator A3 that moves the reflection mirror 30. The reflecting mirror 30 is moved by the actuator A3 on the optical path from the second concave lens 31 to the convex lens 4 (see FIG. 11 and FIG. 12) and retracted from the optical path from the second concave lens 31 to the convex lens 4 (FIG. 13). , See FIG. 14).

The actuator A3 uses a rack and pinion mechanism to move the reflecting mirror 30 linearly. The reflection mirror 30 is fixed to the rack portion 33, and the rack portion 33 moves linearly by a pinion 34 that can be rotated by a motor (not shown) fixed to the housing 2.

If such a configuration is adopted, only one reflecting mirror 30 is required, and only the reflecting mirror 30 is put in and out of the optical path, and no actuator capable of three-dimensional operation is required. Can be greatly simplified. The second concave lens 31 in this case is advantageous for ensuring visual recognition of the front side of the passenger seat of the vehicle 7 that is a blind spot of the driver.

The optical path P1 between the reflection mirror 30 and the convex lens 4 is a common optical path for the first optical path L1 and the second optical path L2. On the other hand, of the first optical path L1, the optical path R1 between the first concave lens 3 and the reflecting mirror 30 is an optical path occupied by the first optical path L1, and the second optical path L2 Among these, the optical path Q1 between the second concave lens 5 and the reflection mirror 30 is an optical path occupied by the second optical path L2.

[Fourth Embodiment] In an outside-viewing device 1C according to a fourth embodiment, the same components as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 15, the optical path switching means M4 configured as the second reflection mirror 40 is made of a dimming mirror glass that enables light transmission and reflection. The second reflecting mirror 40 is fixed to the housing 2. When such a configuration is adopted, the switching between energization to the second reflecting mirror 40 made of the light control mirror glass can instantaneously switch between the rear view and the auxiliary view, so that no actuator is required. In this case, the second concave lens 5 is advantageous in ensuring visual recognition of the side of the passenger seat side of the vehicle 7 that becomes the blind spot of the driver.

[Fifth Embodiment] In the outside-view device 1D according to the fifth embodiment, the same components as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 16, the optical path switching means M5 configured as the reflection mirror 50 is made of a dimming mirror glass that enables light transmission and reflection. The reflection mirror 50 is fixed to the housing 2. When such a configuration is adopted, the switching between energization from the light control mirror glass to the reflection mirror 50 can instantaneously switch between the backward visual recognition and the auxiliary visual recognition, so that an actuator is unnecessary. In this case, the second concave lens 31 is advantageous for ensuring the visual recognition of the side on the passenger seat side of the vehicle 7 that becomes the blind spot of the driver.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A-1D ... Outside-vehicle visual recognition apparatus, 2e ... Light exit (display window), 3 ... 1st concave lens, 4 ... Convex lens, 5,31 ... 2nd concave lens, 12, 22 ... 1st reflective mirror, 13, 23, 40 ... second reflection mirror, 30, 50 ... reflection mirror, L1 ... first optical path, L2 ... second optical path, M1 to M5 ... optical path switching means, A1 to A3 ... actuator.

Claims (6)

A device for visually recognizing the outside of the passenger compartment, the first concave lens for rearward viewing through which light from the rear outside the passenger compartment is transmitted, and the auxiliary through which light from the lower side other than the rear outside the vehicle interior is transmitted A second concave lens for visual recognition, a convex lens for display visible to the driver from inside the vehicle interior, a first optical path from the first concave lens to the convex lens, and a first optical path from the second concave lens to the convex lens. And an optical path switching means for selectively switching between two optical paths. The optical path switching means includes a first reflecting mirror disposed in the middle of the first optical path and an actuator for moving the first reflecting mirror, and in the middle of the second optical path, A second reflecting mirror is disposed between the first reflecting mirror and the second concave lens, and the first reflecting mirror reflects light from the second reflecting mirror toward the convex lens by the actuator. The in-vehicle visual recognition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is movable between a position to be reflected and a position to reflect the light transmitted through the first concave lens toward the convex lens. A first reflection mirror is arranged in the middle of the first optical path, and the optical path switching means is arranged in the middle of the optical path before reflection from the first concave lens to the first reflection mirror, and The second reflecting mirror disposed at a position where the first optical path and the second optical path intersect with each other, and an actuator that moves the second reflecting mirror, and the second reflecting mirror is moved by the actuator. Moving between a position on the optical path from the first concave lens to the first reflecting mirror and a position retracted from the optical path from the first concave lens to the first reflecting mirror. The vehicle exterior visual recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a visual recognition device outside the vehicle. A reflection mirror disposed in the middle of the first optical path, wherein the second concave lens is located on an extension of the optical path between the reflection mirror and the convex lens, and the optical path switching means includes the reflection mirror A mirror and an actuator that moves the reflecting mirror, and the actuator causes the reflecting mirror to be positioned on the optical path from the second concave lens to the convex lens, and the optical path from the second concave lens to the convex lens. The in-vehicle visual recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the visual recognition device is movable between a position retracted from the vehicle. A first reflecting mirror disposed in the middle of the first optical path; and disposed in the middle of an optical path before reflection from the first concave lens to the first reflecting mirror; and A second reflecting mirror disposed at a position where the second optical path intersects, and the optical path switching means comprising the second reflecting mirror is capable of transmitting and reflecting light. The in-vehicle visual recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the visual recognition device is made of glass. A reflection mirror disposed in the middle of the first optical path, wherein the concave lens is positioned on an extension of the optical path between the reflection mirror and the convex lens, and the optical path switching means including the reflection mirror includes: 2. A vehicle exterior visual recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a dimming mirror glass that allows light transmission and reflection.

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