JP4115688B2 - Vehicle periphery imaging device and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle periphery imaging device and a method of manufacturing the same for capturing a landscape around the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle, which is a blind spot of a driver in situations where visibility is poor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An example of a vehicle periphery imaging device is shown in FIG.
[0003]
In this imaging apparatus 100, a prism 104 having an isosceles triangle cross section is formed in a case 101 in which a pair of left and right transmission windows 102L and 102R are provided on the left and right sides of the front part (upward in FIG. 5). The prism 101 is directed to the front portion of the case 101 and the prism side surfaces 106L and 106R are housed and disposed in a posture toward the transmission windows 102L and 102R, respectively, and the image sensor 110 is disposed behind the rear surface 107 of the prism 104. The
[0004]
Then, the light ray L that has entered through the transmission window 102L and transmitted through the prism side surface 106L is internally reflected by the other prism side surface 106R, is emitted to the outside from the rear surface 107 of the prism 104, and is incident on the imaging incident surface 111 of the image sensor 110. Is incident on the right half surface 111R. On the other hand, the light ray R that has entered through the transmission window 102R and transmitted through the prism side surface 106R is internally reflected by the other prism side surface 106L, exits to the outside from the rear surface 107 of the prism 104, and enters the imaging incident surface 111 of the image sensor 110. Is incident on the left half surface 111L. The light rays R and L are photoelectrically converted by the CCD element in the image sensor 110. As a result, the left and right landscapes are simultaneously imaged by the image sensor 110.
[0005]
The image signal of the scenery captured by the image sensor 110 is subjected to predetermined image processing such as mirror image reversal processing by the image processing unit 130, and is output to the display unit 132 installed in the passenger compartment or the like. The left landscape captured from the transparent window 102L is displayed as a left landscape image on the left half screen 133L, and the right landscape captured from the transparent window 102R is displayed as a right landscape image on the right half screen 133R of the display unit 132.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the imaging apparatus 100, the prism 104 is configured to be sandwiched between the imaging element 110 attached to the inner wall of the case 101 and the rear part of the case 101 and disposed at a predetermined position in the case 101. Therefore, a gap may occur between the prism 104 and the inner wall of the case 101 or the image sensor 110 due to a manufacturing error or an assembly error. In this case, when vibration or impact is applied, the problem arises that the prism 104 rattles in the case 101.
[0007]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle periphery imaging device and a method for manufacturing the same that can prevent the rattling of the prism in the case.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the vehicle periphery imaging device according to claim 1 is formed in an isosceles triangle cross section, and optically changes the light incident from each side of the prism corresponding to the isosceles of the isosceles triangle. A prism that exits from the rear surface of the prism, an imaging element having an imaging incident surface, and a housing portion that is formed in a triangular recess shape corresponding to both prism side surface shapes of the prism and can accommodate the prism. And a prism housing part having a pair of transmission window portions formed at positions corresponding to the side surfaces of the prisms, and a rear side of the prism housing part. An image sensor mounting portion capable of mounting and fixing the image sensor in a posture facing the sensor, and the prism and the image sensor in the case The elastic member is interposed around the optical path of the light beam that is emitted from the rear surface of the prism and guided to the imaging incident surface, and the prism housed in the prism housing portion is attached to the image sensor mounting portion. Pressed from the rear side through the elastic member by the mounted and fixed imaging device, and fixed to a predetermined position where both side surfaces of the prism are brought into contact with a pair of transmission window portions on the inner surfaces of both side surfaces of the prism housing portion. It has been done.
[0010]
The elastic member is formed in a shape and size that can be press-fitted into the case, and the entire outer periphery of the elastic member is between the prism and the imaging device. You may contact | abut to the inner surface of a case.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a vehicle periphery imaging device, comprising: a prism housing step for housing the prism in the prism housing portion; and, after the prism housing step, press-fitting the elastic member into the case. A temporary fixing step of temporarily fixing the prism to a predetermined position in the prism accommodating portion by an elastic member, and after the temporary fixing step, the image pickup device is attached and fixed to the image pickup device mounting portion, and the elastic member is used by the image pickup device. And a main fixing step of fixing the prism to a predetermined position in the prism accommodating portion via
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a vehicle periphery imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a vehicle periphery imaging device, FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing the interrelationship of each component of the vehicle periphery imaging device, and FIG. 3 (a) is shown in FIG. FIG. 3B is a schematic explanatory view showing the elastic member 40 among the constituent elements shown in FIG. 2. 2, 3 </ b> A, and 3 </ b> B, the shape of each component is approximated for convenience of explanation.
[0013]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle periphery imaging device includes a prism 10, an imaging element 20, a case 30, and an elastic member 40.
[0014]
Among these, the prism 10, the image pickup device 20, and the case 30 correspond to the prism 104, the image pickup device 110, and the case 101 in FIG. The vehicle periphery imaging device captures landscapes in two different directions based on the same principle as described in FIG. 5, and the description thereof is omitted here.
[0015]
The prism 10 is formed of a glass material or the like into a prismatic body having a cross section of an isosceles triangle. In the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 5, the light rays L and R incident from the prism side surfaces 11L and 11R corresponding to the isosceles sides of the isosceles triangle are respectively reflected on the opposite prism side surfaces 11L and 11R. It is configured to be internally reflected and emitted from the prism rear surface 13.
[0016]
The imaging element 20 is provided with an imaging unit 22 having a predetermined lens unit or the like built in front of the element body 21, and an imaging incident surface 23 is formed in front of the imaging unit 22. The light beams L and R incident on the imaging incident surface 23 are photoelectrically converted by the imaging device 20 and output as a predetermined image signal. A single CCD camera or the like is used as the image sensor 20. A circuit unit 25 that performs drive control of the image sensor 20 and the like is provided on the back side of the image sensor 20.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 (a) and 3 (b), the case 30 is formed of a resin or the like, and includes a prism accommodating portion 31 and a rear side of the prism accommodating portion 31. And an image sensor mounting portion 36 provided continuously.
[0018]
The prism accommodating portion 31 is formed so as to accommodate the prism 10. More specifically, a triangular recess-shaped accommodation space corresponding to the prism side surfaces 11L and 11R of the prism 10 is formed in the prism accommodation portion 31, and the prism 10 has an apex portion 12 (isosceles triangle). Are accommodated in the accommodation space in a posture in which the apex side portion) is directed toward the front portion of the case 30. In this state, the prism side surfaces 11 </ b> L and 11 </ b> R are in contact with the side surface portion in the accommodation space, and the prism rear surface 13 is directed to the rear side in the case 30. (See FIG. 2).
[0019]
In addition, a pair of left and right transmission windows 33L and 33R formed of glass, plastic, or the like is formed in a portion of the prism accommodating portion 31 that faces the prism side surfaces 11L and 11R in a state where the prism 10 is accommodated therein. Is provided. The light beams L and R from the left and right sides of the case 30 pass through the transmission windows 33L and 33R and enter the prism 10 from the prism side surfaces 11L and 11R.
[0020]
The imaging element mounting portion 36 is formed so that the imaging element 20 can be mounted and fixed in a posture in which the imaging incident surface 23 faces the prism rear surface 13.
[0021]
Specifically, a housing space having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the image sensor 20 is formed in the image sensor mounting portion 36, and the housing space is continuous with the housing space of the prism housing portion 31. . When the image sensor 20 is inserted into the image sensor mounting portion 36 from the rear side, the image sensor 20 is positioned and accommodated in a predetermined posture in which the imaging incident surface 23 faces the prism rear surface 13.
[0022]
In the state where the image sensor 20 is accommodated in the image sensor mounting portion 36, a gap of a predetermined dimension T1 in which the elastic member 40 is disposed is formed between the prism 10 and the image sensor 20 (FIG. 2).
[0023]
Further, the image sensor 20 is fixedly attached to the image sensor attachment portion 36 by the following specific configuration.
[0024]
That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a pair of screw fixing portions 24 having screw holes 24 h on the outer side of the image sensor 20 are formed to protrude. In addition, a pair of screwing pieces 38 having screw insertion holes 38 h are formed on both sides of the image sensor mounting part 36 and at positions where they can be superposed on the screwing fixing part 24. The pair of screws S are passed through the screw insertion holes 38h in a state where the image pickup device 20 is accommodated in the image pickup device mounting portion 36 and the screw fixing portions 24 are arranged on the screw fixing pieces 38 in an overlapping manner. Then, the image pickup device 20 is attached and fixed to the image pickup device attachment portion 36 by screwing and tightening the screw holes 24h.
[0025]
As a configuration for mounting and fixing the imaging device 20 and the imaging device mounting portion 36, in addition to the screwing configuration as described above, a configuration using a fixing by an adhesive or a well-known engagement structure may be employed. it can.
[0026]
The elastic member 40 is formed of an elastically deformable material such as urethane or rubber as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B. 10 and the image pickup device 20 so as to be able to intervene around the optical path of the light beam that is emitted from the rear surface 13 of the prism and is incident on the imaging incident surface 23.
[0027]
Specifically, the elastic member 40 is formed in a plate shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the internal space of the image sensor mounting portion 36. More specifically, it is formed in a substantially square plate shape. In addition, a hole 41 is formed in the central portion of the elastic member 40, and the light beam emitted from the prism rear surface 13 is configured to enter the imaging incident surface 23 through the hole 41. .
[0028]
Further, the thickness dimension T2 of the elastic member 40 is set to be larger than the gap dimension T1 of the gap to be formed between the prism 10 and the imaging element 20 in the case 30. The elastic member 40 is interposed between the prism 10 and the image pickup device 20 in a state where the image pickup device 20 is fixedly attached to the image pickup device mounting portion 36 (more precisely, the elastic member 40 is a prism). The image pickup device 20 presses the prism 10 forward from the rear side via the elastic member 40 and fixes it to a predetermined position via the elastic member 40. Yes.
[0029]
Furthermore, the elastic member 40 is formed in a shape and size that can be press-fitted into the case 30.
[0030]
Specifically, the length dimension L2 of each outer side of the elastic member 40 is set to be larger than the length dimension L1 of one side in the cross-sectional shape of the internal space of the image sensor mounting portion 36 (see FIG. 3).
[0031]
When the elastic member 40 is press-fitted into the case 30 after the prism 10 is accommodated in the prism accommodating portion 31, the elastic member 40 is press-fitted and fixed at a predetermined position in the case 30. 10 is also temporarily fixed so as to be pressed into the case 30.
[0032]
A method of manufacturing the vehicle periphery imaging device will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b), and 4 (c). In addition, also in FIG. 4, the shape of each component is generalized.
[0033]
First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the case 30 is arranged with the prism accommodating portion 31 on the lower side and the image sensor mounting portion 36 on the upper side, and the prism 10 is inserted into the case 30 from the upper opening. It inserts in and accommodates in the prism accommodating part 31 (prism accommodation process).
[0034]
Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the elastic member 40 is press-fitted into the case 30 from the upper opening of the case 30. Then, the elastic member 40 press-fitted and fixed in the case 30 temporarily fixes the prism 10 at a predetermined position in the prism accommodating portion 31 so as to be pressed from the rear side (temporary fixing step).
[0035]
Finally, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the image pickup device 20 is mounted and fixed to the image pickup device mounting portion 36 as described above with the case 30 turned upside down and placed on the image pickup device 20, the image pickup is performed. The prism 10 is fixed at a predetermined position in the prism accommodating portion 31 by the element 20 via the elastic member 40 (main fixing step).
[0036]
According to the vehicle periphery imaging device configured as described above, the prism 10 accommodated in the prism accommodating portion 31 is moved from the rear side via the elastic member 40 by the imaging element 20 attached and fixed to the imaging element attachment portion 36. Since it is pressed down and fixed at a predetermined position, manufacturing errors and assembly errors of these parts are absorbed by elastic deformation of the elastic member 40 and the elastic member 40 such as vibration and impact acting on the case 30 is absorbed. Absorption due to elastic deformation prevents rattling of the prism 10 in the case 30.
[0037]
In addition, since the elastic member 40 is formed in a shape and size that can be press-fitted into the case 30, the prism 10 is held by the elastic member 40 when the elastic member 40 is press-fitted into the case 30. It is temporarily fixed at a predetermined position. At this stage, the prism 10 does not fall even if the posture is changed, for example, the opening side of the case 30 faces downward as shown in FIG. Therefore, the assembling can be performed without worrying about the falling of the prism 10, and the assembling property is improved.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
According to the vehicle periphery imaging device according to claim 1 configured as described above, the prism housed in the prism housing portion is pressed from the rear side via the elastic member by the image sensor attached and fixed to the image sensor attachment portion. At the same time , the side surfaces of both prisms are fixed at predetermined positions in contact with the pair of transmission window portions on the inner surfaces of both side surfaces of the prism housing portion, so that rattling of the prism in the case is prevented.
[0039]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the elastic member is formed in a shape and size that can be press-fitted into the case, the prism is accommodated in the prism by the elastic member when the elastic member is press-fitted into the case. Since the prism can be prevented from falling off by temporarily fixing it at a predetermined position in the unit, its assemblability is improved.
[0040]
According to the method for manufacturing the vehicle periphery imaging device according to claim 3 , after the prism accommodating step, the elastic member is press-fitted into the case, and the prism is temporarily fixed to a predetermined position in the prism accommodating portion by the elastic member. Therefore, at this stage, it is possible to prevent the prism from falling off and improve its assemblability. Also, of course, in the manufactured vehicle periphery imaging device, the prism housed in the prism housing portion is pressed from the rear side through the elastic member by the imaging device attached and fixed to the imaging device attachment portion, and placed in a predetermined position. Since it is fixed, rattling of the prism in the case is prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a vehicle periphery imaging device.
FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the mutual relationship of each component of the vehicle periphery imaging device.
3A is a schematic explanatory view showing a cross-sectional shape and a rear view shape of the case among the components shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is an elastic member of the components shown in FIG. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the side view shape and back view shape of this.
4A is a schematic explanatory view showing a prism housing step in a manufacturing process of a vehicle periphery imaging device, and FIG. 4B is a schematic explanatory view showing a temporary fixing step; FIG. c) is a schematic explanatory view showing the main fixing step.
FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view showing a conventional vehicle periphery imaging apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Prism 11L, 11R Prism side surface 13 Prism rear surface 20 Imaging element 23 Imaging entrance surface 24 Screw fixing part 24h Screw hole 30 Case 31 Prism accommodating part 33L, 33R Transmission window 36 Imaging element attachment part 38 Screw fixing piece 38h Screw insertion hole 40 Elastic member 41 Hole S Screw

Claims (3)

A prism that is formed in an isosceles triangle cross section, the light incident from each prism side surface corresponding to the isosceles of the isosceles triangle is internally converted into an optical path, and is emitted from the rear surface of the prism;
An imaging device having an imaging entrance surface;
A pair of transmission windows formed in a triangular recess shape corresponding to both prism side surface shapes of the prism and having a receiving portion that can receive the prism, and in a state corresponding to each prism side surface in a state where the prism is received A prism housing part formed on the rear side of the prism housing part, and an image sensor mounting part capable of mounting and fixing the image sensor in a posture in which the imaging incident surface faces the rear surface of the prism; A case having
An elastic member is interposed between the prism and the imaging element in the case, around an optical path of a light beam emitted from the rear surface of the prism and guided to the imaging incident surface,
The prism housed in the prism housing portion is pressed from the rear side via the elastic member by the imaging device attached and fixed to the imaging device mounting portion, and both prism side surfaces are held by the prism housing portion. A vehicle periphery imaging device fixed at a predetermined position in contact with a pair of transmission window portions on the inner surfaces of both side surface portions. The vehicle periphery imaging device according to claim 1,
The elastic member is formed in a shape and size that can be press-fitted into the case, and the entire outer periphery of the elastic member is in contact with the inner surface of the case between the prism and the imaging device. Vehicle periphery imaging device. A method of manufacturing a vehicle periphery imaging device according to claim 1 or 2,
A prism housing step of housing the prism in the prism housing portion;
After the prism accommodating step, the elastic member is press-fitted into the case, and the prism is temporarily fixed to a predetermined position in the prism accommodating portion by the elastic member;
After the temporary fixing step, the fixing step of fixing and fixing the imaging element to the imaging element mounting portion and fixing the prism to a predetermined position in the prism accommodating portion via the elastic member by the imaging device;
A method for manufacturing a vehicle periphery imaging device including:

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