JP3968320B2 - Infrared imaging device for vehicles and high beam headlamp structure - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle infrared imaging device that projects infrared light in front of a vehicle and receives reflected light to generate an infrared image in front of the vehicle, and a function to project infrared light in front of the vehicle. The present invention relates to a high beam headlamp structure provided.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a night vision device that displays an image of the periphery of a vehicle photographed by a high-performance infrared camera on a display device has been proposed in order to assist the driver in driving at night (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the conventional night vision apparatus, the infrared transmission filter is provided to be movable between two positions, a position where the light path from the high beam headlamp is blocked and a position where the light path from the high beam headlamp is not blocked. ing. Therefore, according to the conventional night vision apparatus, the function of the infrared lamp can be selectively given to the high beam headlamp by changing the position of the infrared transmission filter. There is no need to provide a lamp.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-205949
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the size of the reflector of the high beam headlamp is generally limited by design restrictions (particularly, the influence of the low beam headlamp). For this reason, in order to satisfy the laws and regulations relating to the light distribution of the high beam headlamps using a reflector of a relatively small size, the light distribution pattern of the high beam headlamps should be spot-like so that light is locally collected near the center. It must be a light distribution pattern.
[0005]
On the other hand, when an infrared transmission filter is provided in the light path from the high beam headlamp as in the above-described prior art, the light distribution pattern of the high beam headlamp matches the light distribution pattern of the near infrared light as it is. In such a case, the near-infrared light distribution pattern is also spot-like due to the spot-like high-beam headlamp light distribution pattern as described above, so that the near-infrared light spread forward is spread. There is a shortage, and the image captured by the infrared camera is inconveniently blurred.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention provides a vehicle infrared imaging device and a high beam headlamp structure that can improve the quality of an image captured by an infrared camera without changing the original light distribution pattern of the high beam headlamp. Objective.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object is, as described in claim 1, a bulb for a high beam headlamp that generates light including infrared light and visible light, and
A reflector that reflects light from the bulb substantially forward;
An infrared filter,
An infrared camera that receives reflected light of the infrared light that has passed through the infrared filter and is irradiated to the front of the vehicle;
Position switching means for switching the position of the infrared filter between a first position in the light path from the bulb to the reflector and a second position outside the path;
And a position changing means for moving the reflector forward and / or moving the valve backward when the position of the infrared filter is switched from the second position to the first position. This is achieved by an infrared imaging device for vehicles.
[0008]
In the present invention, the position of the infrared filter can be switched between a first position in the light path from the high beam headlamp bulb to the reflector and a second position outside the path by the position switching means. It is configured to be possible. In such a configuration, when the infrared filter is in the second position, the light traveling from the bulb to the reflector is reflected directly by the reflector without passing through the infrared filter, and is irradiated forward of the vehicle. On the other hand, when the infrared filter is in the first position, the light traveling from the bulb to the reflector is reflected at the reflector after at least partially passing through the infrared filter. In this case, since infrared light is projected in front of the vehicle, an infrared image in front of the vehicle is generated by an infrared camera that receives reflected light of the infrared light. In the present invention, when the position of the infrared filter is switched from the second position to the first position, the reflector is moved forward and / or the valve is moved backward. When the reflector is moved forward and / or the valve is moved backward, the incident angle of the bulb light with respect to the reflector changes with respect to the state before the movement, and the light reflected by the reflector is diffused. become. Therefore, according to the present invention, the position of the infrared filter is the first position without changing the light distribution pattern when the position of the infrared filter is at the second position (that is, the original light distribution pattern of the high beam headlamp). The light distribution pattern at the position can be widened, thereby improving the quality of the image captured by the infrared camera.
[0009]
Further, as described in claim 2, when the operation of the position changing means is mechanically linked with the operation of the position switching means, a plurality of driving means (motors and solenoids) are used, It is possible to simultaneously switch the position of the infrared filter and change the position of the reflector and / or the valve.
[0013]
Further, the object is to provide a bulb for a high beam headlamp that generates light including infrared light and visible light, as described in claim 3 .
A reflector that reflects light from the bulb substantially forward;
An infrared filter,
A position switching mechanism for switching the position of the infrared filter between a first position in the light path from the bulb to the reflector and a second position outside the path;
When the position of the infrared filter is switched from the second position to the first position, the reflector is moved forward and / or the valve is moved backward, or the reflector is moved backward. and / or characterized in that it comprises a position changing mechanism for moving the valve forward are more accomplished high beam headlamp structure.
[0014]
According to the present invention, the position of the infrared filter is changed to the first position without changing the light distribution pattern when the position of the infrared filter is at the second position (that is, the original light distribution pattern of the high beam headlamp). In this case, the light distribution pattern can be widened, so that the quality of the image captured by the infrared camera can be improved.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front portion of a vehicle including a headlamp. The present invention is applied to a high beam headlamp 10 suitable for illuminating a far region ahead of a vehicle as compared with a low beam headlamp.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the high beam headlamp 10 to which the present invention is applied when cut along the line II in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the high beam headlamp 10 includes a high beam headlamp bulb 12 (hereinafter simply referred to as “bulb 12”), a reflector 14 and an outer lens (not shown). These components are housed in a housing (not shown). The housing may be shared with other lamps such as a low beam headlamp.
[0018]
The bulb 12 is a halogen bulb (or incandescent bulb) that emits light including infrared light (particularly near-infrared light), and its bulb center is set in a space (chamber) defined by the reflector 14 and the outer lens. Has been. The surface of the reflector 14 is subjected to treatment such as aluminum vapor deposition. When the bulb 12 emits light, the light reflected by the surface of the reflector 14 is radiated to the outside through the outer lens.
[0019]
The high beam headlamp 10 further includes an infrared filter (IR filter) 30 in the chamber. The IR filter 30 has a substantially cylindrical filter body 32 that is hollow inside and that is open at both ends. The filter main body 32 is made of glass, and a film having a characteristic of transmitting infrared light (particularly, near infrared light) and cutting visible light is formed on the surface thereof. This film may be formed on the inner peripheral surface and / or the outer peripheral surface of the filter body 32. Further, a cover member 37 may be provided on the front side of the IR filter 30 in a region corresponding to the IR filter 30 so that the IR filter 30 and the like cannot be directly visually recognized from the outside.
[0020]
The IR filter 30 moves between a mounting position (see FIG. 2 (A)) in which the valve 12 is accommodated in the hollow of the filter body 32 and a non-mounting position (see FIG. 2 (B)) away from the valve 12. It is configured to be possible. When the IR filter 30 is in the mounting position (see FIG. 2A), the IR filter 30 is interposed in the light path from the bulb 12, so that the light from the bulb 12 passes through the IR filter 30. It goes to the surface of the reflector 14. Therefore, in such a case, the high beam headlamp 10 functions as an infrared lamp that irradiates near infrared light toward the front of the vehicle.
[0021]
In this case, the reflected light from the vehicle front area generated by the light projection of the high beam headlamp 10 is received by an infrared camera (not shown). The infrared camera is disposed at an appropriate position in the vehicle interior (for example, near the upper edge of the windshield, etc.) so that reflected light from the front of the vehicle can be received through the windshield. The infrared camera includes an infrared imaging device (CCD). The infrared imaging element forms an image by reflected light in the near infrared wavelength region from the front of the vehicle. The captured image obtained by the infrared camera is transmitted to the head-up display unit as an NTSC video signal, for example, and displayed on the windshield in which the hologram is enclosed. Note that the captured image of the infrared camera may be displayed on a normal display device.
[0022]
On the other hand, when the IR filter 30 is in the non-attached position (see FIG. 2B), since the IR filter 30 is not interposed in the light path from the bulb 12, the light from the bulb 12 is directly transmitted to the reflector 14. Head to the surface. Therefore, in such a case, the high beam headlamp 10 functions as a high beam headlamp as usual.
[0023]
The switching of the function of the high beam headlamp 10, that is, the switching of the position of the IR filter 30 may be realized by changing the energization state of the solenoid 38. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the IR filter 30 is supported by a support body (stay) 34 that can rotate around a rotation shaft 34 a. The IR filter 30 is coupled to the support 34 by a bracket or the like. A plunger 36 is rotatably connected to the support 34 by a pin or the like. The plunger 36 is configured to be displaceable in the axial direction. In such a configuration, by changing the energization state of the solenoid 38, the IR filter 30 can be rotated through the displacement of the plunger 36 and the rotation of the support body 34 associated therewith. Position switching is realized. The switching of the position of the IR filter 30 is realized by the user operating a night view switch (typically, an on / off switch mounted on the instrument panel).
[0024]
Incidentally, as described above, when the high beam headlamp 10 is provided with a function as an infrared lamp, it is not necessary to set an independent infrared lamp, so that it is not necessary to separately secure a mounting space for the infrared lamp. However, when the light distribution pattern of the high beam headlamp 10 is spot-like due to restrictions on the size of the reflector 14 and regulations, if the light distribution pattern is used as it is as the light distribution pattern of the infrared lamp, an infrared camera As a result, there is a disadvantage that the video imaged is blurred.
[0025]
On the other hand, in the present invention, as described in detail below through two embodiments, in the configuration in which the IR filter 30 is detachably provided on the high beam headlamp 10, the arrangement of the high beam headlamp 10 is only provided when the IR filter 30 is mounted. By changing the light pattern in the diffusion direction, it is possible to avoid the inconveniences described above.
[0026]
In the first embodiment of the present invention, the IR filter 30 is mounted by changing the relative positional relationship between the reflector 14 and the valve 12 (the center of the valve) in the vehicle front-rear direction when the IR filter 30 is mounted and when the IR filter 30 is not mounted. It is possible to change the light distribution pattern of the high beam headlamp 10 at the time in the diffusion direction.
[0027]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B), the valve 12 reciprocates in the front-rear direction (forward and backward) in conjunction with the movement of the IR filter 30 non-attachment position and attachment position. It is configured to retreat). Specifically, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3, a rod-like link 35 is rotatably attached to the support 34 by a pin or the like. The link 35 is configured such that its free end contacts the valve holder 12a. The valve holder 12a is mounted behind the reflector 14 while holding the valve 12, and is configured to reciprocate (forward and backward) in the front-rear direction. The valve holder 12a has an extended surface with which the link 35 abuts, and a sliding groove 12b that holds the free end of the link 35 slidably is formed on the surface of the extended surface facing the link 35. ing. Accordingly, the free end of the link 35 presses the valve holder 12a in the front-rear direction while sliding in the sliding groove 12b of the valve holder 12a as the support 34 rotates. In such a configuration, by changing the energization state of the solenoid 38, the position of the IR filter 30 is switched and the valve 12 (valve holder 12a) is switched through the displacement of the plunger 36 and the accompanying rotation of the support 34. Switching between the front and rear positions is realized at the same time.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, for the state in which the valve 12 is in the forward position, as shown in FIG. 2A, the relative positional relationship between the reflector 14 and the valve 12 in the front-rear direction (and the surface shape of the reflector 14) is The light of the bulb 12 reflected by the reflector 14 is set to be emitted substantially forward. As a result, the light distribution pattern of the high beam headlamp 10 becomes a spot-like pattern with little spread due to the relatively small size of the reflector 14.
[0029]
On the other hand, when the IR filter 30 is moved from the non-mounting position to the mounting position and at the same time the valve 12 is moved from the front position to the rear position, as shown in FIG. Since the relative positional relationship in the front-rear direction with the bulb 12 changes, the incident angle of the bulb 12 with respect to the reflector 14 changes (see FIG. 2A as a control). As a result, the light of the bulb 12 reflected by the reflector 14 is diffused, and the light distribution pattern of the high beam headlamp 10 as an infrared lamp changes from the above-mentioned spot-like one to a more uniform pattern (local light distribution). Pattern with reduced concentration). As a result, white blurring does not occur in the image captured by the infrared camera, and the quality of the infrared image is improved. Note that the amount of change in the relative positional relationship between the reflector 14 and the valve 12 in the front-rear direction, that is, the amount of movement of the valve 12 (valve holder 12a) is the light distribution pattern required to obtain a high-quality infrared image. In order to realize it, it may be determined in consideration of the size, surface shape, etc. of the reflector 14.
[0030]
In this embodiment, the valve 12 is moved in the front-rear direction with respect to the reflector 14 in order to change the relative positional relationship between the reflector 14 and the valve 12 in the front-rear direction. 12 may be moved in the front-rear direction, or both the reflector 14 and the valve 12 may be moved in directions close to or away from each other. Further, in the present embodiment, the movement of the valve 12 in the front-rear direction is realized mechanically in conjunction with the rotation of the support 34, but independently of the rotation of the support 34, for example, a motor or It is also possible to move the valve 12 (and / or the reflector 14) in the front-rear direction using another solenoid. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a configuration in which the rotation of the support 34 and the switching of the position of the IR filter 30 associated therewith is realized by a motor instead of the solenoid 38 is also possible. Further, in this embodiment, the switching of the position of the IR filter 30 is realized by the rotation of the support 34 (rotation in the vertical plane including the vehicle longitudinal axis). You may implement | achieve by the vertical movement, the rotation in another plane, etc.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, the IR filter 30 is a part of the high beam headlamp 10 (for example, the reflector 14) in a state where the constituent parts such as the filter main body 32, the support 34, the plunger 36 and the solenoid 38 are assembled. The high beam headlamp 10 including the IR filter 30 may be assembled to the vehicle body in an assembled state.
[0032]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4 (A) and 4 (B) are cross-sectional views of the high beam headlamp 10 to which the present invention is applied, taken along line II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (A). And corresponds to FIG.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment described above, the relative positional relationship between the reflector 14 and the valve 12 in the vehicle front-rear direction is not changed, but by the configuration of the IR filter 30 itself, when the IR filter 30 is mounted. Only the light distribution pattern of the high beam headlamp 10 can be changed in the diffusion direction. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, only the configuration relating to the movement of the valve 12 and the configuration of the IR filter 30 are different from the first embodiment described above, and the other configurations are the same. Only the configuration different from the first embodiment will be described below.
[0034]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the valve 12 is not movably attached to the reflector 14 via the valve holder 12a as in the first embodiment described above. It is directly fitted (fixed) to the opening formed in the center. Therefore, in this embodiment, the link 35 is not connected to the support 34.
[0035]
Instead, the IR filter 30 of this embodiment is subjected to a special process for refracting incident light. Specifically, a band-shaped lens cut 31 is formed on the substantially cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the glass filter body 32 as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. The lens cut 31 is a belt-like uneven portion (in this example, an uneven portion having a sine wave-like cross-sectional shape) defined by a curved surface (or a flat surface).
[0036]
5A is a perspective view of the filter main body 32 of the IR filter 30, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the filter main body 32 taken along the line II-II in FIG. 5A. It is. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the lens cut 31 of this embodiment is formed in a direction perpendicular to the central axis direction (indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in the figure) of the filter body 32. (That is, formed in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the filter body 32). Alternatively, the lens cut 31 may be formed in a spiral shape around the central axis of the filter body 32. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the lens cut 31 is in a direction parallel to the central axis direction of the filter body 32 (or a direction inclined with respect to the central axis direction). It may be formed along. Moreover, the lens cut 31 does not necessarily need to be formed linearly, and may meander. Furthermore, the lens cut 31 may be formed by a combination of the above-described various shapes. Further, the lens cut 31 is not necessarily formed on the entire inner peripheral surface of the filter main body 32, and may be locally formed at a necessary portion of the inner peripheral surface of the filter main body 32.
[0037]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the relative positional relationship between the reflector 14 and the bulb 12 (bulb center) (and the surface shape of the reflector 14) is such that the light of the bulb 12 reflected by the reflector 14 is substantially the same. It is set (fixed) to emit forward. Therefore, the light distribution pattern of the high beam headlamp 10 when the IR filter 30 is not mounted is a spot-like pattern with little spread due to the relatively small size of the reflector 14.
[0038]
On the other hand, when the IR filter 30 is moved from the non-wearing position to the wearing position, the light traveling from the bulb 12 toward the reflector 14 is refracted by the cut lens 31 of the IR filter 30 as shown in FIG. The incident angle of the light of the bulb 12 with respect to the reflector 14 changes. Thereby, the light of the bulb 12 reflected by the reflector 14 is diffused (that is, the light reflected by the reflector 14 becomes diffused light), and the light distribution pattern of the high beam headlamp 10 as an infrared lamp is the above-mentioned spot-like pattern. It changes from a thing to a broader and more uniform pattern (a pattern in which local light concentration is reduced). As a result, as in the above-described embodiment, white blurring does not occur in the image captured by the infrared camera, and the quality of the infrared image is improved.
[0039]
In this embodiment, the lens cut 31 for refracting light is formed on the substantially cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the filter main body 32. However, the outer peripheral surface of the filter main body 32, or the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface. It may be formed on both. In addition, in order to form a minute uneven surface for refracting light, the inner peripheral surface and / or the outer peripheral surface of the filter main body 32 can be subjected to a texture or blast treatment instead of the lens cut 31. Further, in this embodiment, the lens cut 31 is applied to the filter main body 32. However, the same lens cut, embossing or blasting treatment is applied to a part different from the filter main body 32, and the part is placed inside the filter main body 32. Alternatively, it can be attached to the outside.
[0040]
As described above, according to the above-described embodiments, the light distribution pattern of the high beam headlamp 10 is appropriately changed only when the high beam headlamp 10 functions as an infrared lamp. An infrared lamp function suitable for obtaining a high-quality infrared image can be imparted to the high beam headlamp 10 without affecting the original light distribution pattern.
[0041]
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Can be added.
[0042]
For example, with respect to the shape of the filter main body 32, in the above-described embodiment, in consideration of the heat dissipation of the valve 12, a hollow cylindrical shape having both ends opened is used. The hollow cylinder shape which only the one end which further has the end surface which covers 12 from the front direction opened may be sufficient.
[0043]
Further, the present invention is equally applicable to the high beam headlamps 10 provided on the left and right. Further, the lens cut 31 includes a step. That is, in the above description, various forms of the lens cut 31 have been described. However, as long as the IR filter 30 has a function of refracting transmitted light, it is within the scope of the present invention.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is as described above, the following effects can be obtained. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the quality of the image imaged with an infrared camera can be improved, without changing the original light distribution pattern of a high beam headlamp.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front portion of a vehicle including a headlamp.
2A is a cross-sectional view of the high beam headlamp 10 taken along line II in FIG. 1 when the IR filter 30 is in a non-attached position, and FIG. It is sectional drawing when the IR filter 30 exists in a mounting position (1st Example).
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of the high beam headlamp 10 according to the first embodiment when the IR filter 30 is in the mounting position.
4A is a cross-sectional view of the high beam headlamp 10 along the line II in FIG. 1 when the IR filter 30 is in the non-attached position, and FIG. It is sectional drawing in case IR filter 30 exists in an attachment position (2nd Example).
5A is a perspective view of the filter main body 32 of the IR filter 30, and FIG. 5B is a filter main body cut along the line II-II in FIG. 5A. FIG.
6A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the filter body 32, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 5A. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 High Beam Headlamp 12 High Beam Headlamp Bulb 12a Valve Holder 14 Reflector 30 IR Filter 31 Lens Cut 32 Filter Body 34 Support 35 Link 36 Plunger 38 Solenoid

Claims (3)

A bulb for a high beam headlamp that generates light including infrared light and visible light;
A reflector that reflects light from the bulb substantially forward;
An infrared filter,
An infrared camera that receives the reflected light of the infrared light transmitted through the infrared filter and irradiated to the front of the vehicle;
Position switching means for switching the position of the infrared filter between a first position in the light path from the bulb to the reflector and a second position outside the path;
And a position changing means for moving the reflector forward and / or moving the valve backward when the position of the infrared filter is switched from the second position to the first position. An infrared imaging device for vehicles.   The infrared video device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the position changing unit is mechanically interlocked with the operation of the position switching unit. A bulb for a high beam headlamp that generates light including infrared light and visible light;
A reflector that reflects light from the bulb substantially forward;
An infrared filter,
A position switching mechanism for switching the position of the infrared filter between a first position in the light path from the bulb to the reflector and a second position outside the path;
When the position of the infrared filter is switched from the second position to the first position, the reflector is moved forward and / or the valve is moved backward, or the reflector is moved backward. And / or a position changing mechanism for moving the bulb forward.

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