JPH06258713A - On-vehicle camera apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always efficiently keep the visual field of a photographing means in an excellent state by removing the dew condensation or the freezing of a transparent member on the basis of the temperatures on the outside and the inside of a housing. CONSTITUTION:A notch is formed in a camera case in order to secure the visual field of a camera, and a transparent glass plate is installed to cover the notch, then heaters 10a and 10b are provided outside and inside the glass plate, respectively. A heater control circuit 24 calculates a temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the camera case. When the actual temperature difference is larger than a previously set temperature difference causing the dew condensation, it is judged as the dew condensation. In the case where the temperature on the inside of the case is high, the circuit 24 starts to energize the heater 10b, and in the case where the temperature on the outside thereof is high, it starts to energize the heater 10a. When the detected temperature is lower than a set value which is set as temperature showing the freezing, it is judged as the freezing or frosting generated on the surface of the glass plate, and the heaters 10a and 10b are energized to heat at the same time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An in-vehicle camera device is provided, for example, with a camera unit at the rear of a vehicle, and is used for confirming the safety of the rear and safe driving by checking the condition outside the vehicle on the monitor. Therefore, as awareness of vehicle safety has increased in recent years, the rate of attachment to vehicles has been increasing year by year.

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.

As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle-mounted camera device is
It is composed of a camera unit 2 attached to the rear portion of the vehicle 1 and a monitor unit 3 attached near the operation panel unit in the vehicle 1. A cable (not shown) for the camera unit 2 and the monitor unit 3
Etc., and the video signals are transmitted. 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 as a rear image on a display screen (not shown), and the user operates the vehicle 1 by confirming the display screen to confirm the rear safety.

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 including a lens and the like, which 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 the field of 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 an external image is taken through the glass member 6.

A heater member (not shown) made of a conductive film is provided on the back surface (inside) of the glass member 6, and the temperature sensor 14 mounted inside the camera case 5 is provided.
The temperature of the heater member is controlled according to the temperature detected by. This is because the surface of the glass member 6 is condensed due to the 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 is attached to hinder the visibility of the camera 4. The surface of the glass member 4 is heated by a heater member to remove moisture on the surface of the glass member 4 and to secure a visual field.

[0008]

In the above-mentioned conventional vehicle-mounted camera device, when the temperature sensor 14 inside the camera case 5 falls below a predetermined set temperature, the heater member is energized to heat the glass member 6. Was there. Therefore, since the heater member is heated irrespective of dew condensation or freezing on the surface of the glass member 6, it may be heated unnecessarily, the glass surface is always hot, the heating efficiency is poor, and power is wasted wastefully. .

Further, when the glass member 6 is rapidly cooled, or when a temperature difference between the inside and outside of the camera case 5 exceeds a certain level, dew condensation occurs 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 there is a problem that the field of view of the camera 4 cannot be secured. The present invention has been made to solve the above problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle-mounted camera device that can efficiently keep the field of view of a photographing means in a good condition.

[0010]

A vehicle-mounted camera device according to the present invention is provided in a casing for accommodating an image of the outside of the vehicle, a casing for accommodating the photographing means, and a casing for ensuring the visibility of the photographing means. Transparent member and first for detecting the temperature outside the housing
The detecting unit includes a detecting unit, a second detecting unit that detects the temperature inside the housing, and a removing unit that removes the adhered matter adhering to the transparent member based on the temperature detected by the first or second detecting unit.

[0011]

In the vehicle-mounted camera device of the present invention, the state of dew condensation or freezing of the transparent member is judged based on the temperature outside or inside the casing detected by the first or second detecting means. The adhered matter adhered to the transparent member is removed by the removing means.

[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 device is composed of a camera unit and a monitor unit, and the mounting state of each unit to the vehicle is the same as in FIG. Further, since the monitor unit is also similar to the conventional example, the description thereof is omitted, and the camera unit will be described in detail below. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a camera unit of this device.

The camera unit includes a camera 4, a camera case 5,
The glass member 6, the first temperature sensor 7, and the second temperature sensor 8 are included. The camera 4 is the same as the conventional example, and the description thereof is omitted. The camera unit 4 is housed inside the camera case 5 and protected from the outside. The camera case 5 is provided with a notch for ensuring the field of 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 that detects the temperature outside the camera case 5 is provided on the 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 above-mentioned temperature sensor uses the same sensor unit itself, the second temperature sensor is exposed to the outside air, so that it is resin-molded or the like and is sufficiently shielded.

Next, the structure of the front surface of the camera case 5 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the front surface portion of the camera case 5. The front part of the camera case 5
Camera case 5a, first packing material 9, glass member 6,
The second packing material 11 and the 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 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 and generate heat when energized to heat the glass member 6. Since the heater members 10a and 10b are provided on both sides of the glass member 6, the heater members 10a and 10b can be heated more rapidly than in the conventional case where only the back surface is used, 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, the circuit section provided in the camera section will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the circuit diagram in the camera section.

The circuit section 20 includes a power supply circuit 21, a camera circuit 22, a drive circuit 23, and a heater control circuit 24. The battery 30 provided in the vehicle is connected to the 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 creates 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 it does not change due to the voltage change of the battery 30, and supplies electric power to the camera circuit 22 and the heater control circuit 24.
The drive circuit 23 includes a camera circuit 22 and a heater control circuit 24.
The power supply to each circuit is controlled by controlling a switch which is provided inside the circuit and which connects and disconnects 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 so that the heater member 10a,
Power is supplied to the camera circuit 22 and the heater control circuit 24 when the energization of 10b is enabled or when the user shifts to the back gear. Regarding the above operation timing, a main controller (not shown) of the vehicle is connected to the drive circuit 23, and a predetermined signal is transmitted from the main controller to the drive circuit 2.
It can be realized by receiving the number 3. The camera circuit 22 is
It controls each operation of the camera 4 and outputs an image outside the vehicle to the monitor unit. The heater control circuit 24 is composed of a CPU (central processing unit), etc., and controls the energization conditions of the heater members 10a, 10b according to the temperature detected by the first or second temperature sensor 7, 8 by a predetermined program, The state of the surface of the glass member 6 is kept optimal and the field of view of the camera 4 is secured.

Next, a heater control method for the camera unit constructed as 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 confirms whether or not 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 and 8 may be unstable. Then, it is confirmed whether or not it is stable, and the process proceeds to the next step S2 only when the controllable state is achieved. 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 the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the camera case 5 from the temperature detected in step S2. By the way, if you drive in a car on a rainy day and keep it closed, the window glass will become cloudy, and if you drive the car on a cold day, the window glass will also become cloudy. This is because the warm air inside the vehicle touches the cooled window glass to cause 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 occurs due to 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 causing dew condensation), and the actual temperature difference is determined. If is larger, it is determined that dew condensation has occurred and the process proceeds to step S5. If it is smaller, it is determined that dew condensation has not occurred and the process proceeds to step S11.

If it is determined that there is condensation, step S
5, the heater member 10a or 1 depending on the temperature difference.
Set the timer time for energizing 0b.

Next, in step S6, step S
The temperature detected in 2 is compared between the inside and the outside of the camera case 5. When the temperature inside the camera case 5 is high, it indicates that dew is condensed on the screen (inside) of the glass member 6. That is, when the air outside the camera case 5 is rapidly cooled, the water vapor in the air inside the camera case 5 that contacts the back surface of the glass member 6 condenses, and water drops adhere to the back surface of the camera member 6. In this state, it is easier to remove water droplets by heating the heater member 10b on the back surface of the glass member 6 by energizing the heater member 10b, so that the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, when the temperature outside the camera case 5 is high, water droplets are attached to the surface of the camera member 6 contrary to the above state, so that the heater member 10a on the surface of the glass member 6 is energized, so that the step S9 is performed. Move to.

When 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 timer time has elapsed, the process returns to step S1 again to prepare for the next state. By the above operation, water droplets attached to the back surface of the glass member 6 can be efficiently removed by energizing the heater member 10b provided on the back surface.

On the other hand, when 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 step S5, the energized state is maintained until the timer time set in step S5 elapses. After the timer time elapses, the process returns to step S1 again to prepare for the next state. By this operation, water droplets adhering 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 there is no dew condensation, the heater control circuit 24 determines in step S11 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 preset value as a temperature indicating a state such as freezing. As a result, if the detected temperature is high, it is determined that a condition such as freezing has not occurred, and step S is performed to prepare for the next condition.
Return to 1. If the detected temperature is low, it is determined that the surface of the glass member 6 is frozen or frosted, 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 above-mentioned predetermined value, and the like.

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

Next, in step S14, the heater control circuit 24 maintains the energized state until the timer time set in step S12 elapses, and after the timer time elapses, the heater control circuit 24 returns to step S1 to prepare for the next state. Return. By heating the ice or the like adhering to the glass member 6 by the two heater members 10a and 10b by the above operation, it is possible to remove the ice faster than the one heated by one heater member as in the conventional case, and it is possible to remove the ice in a short time. The field of view of the camera 4 can be secured inside.

As described above, this device has two temperature sensors 10a, 10a inside or outside the camera case 5.
By including b, it is possible to detect the state of the glass member 6 such as dew condensation or freezing in detail. Therefore, 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 necessary based on the detection information, and thus extremely efficient control can be performed. it can.

In the above embodiment, two heater members are used, but even if one heater member has two temperature sensors, the state of the glass member can be known in detail, so that a good opportunity is always secured. be able to.

Further, although the conductive film is used as the heater member, other means such as a means for blowing hot air onto the glass member or a means for mechanically removing water content adheres to the glass member. The same effect can be obtained as long as water and the like can be removed.

[0032]

In the vehicle-mounted camera device according to the present invention, the state of dew condensation or freezing of the transparent member is detailed based on the temperature outside or inside the casing detected by the first or second detecting means. In this case, since the adhering matter that has adhered to the transparent member is removed, it is possible to efficiently and efficiently keep the visual field of the photographing means in a good condition.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a front surface portion of a camera case of a camera unit of a vehicle-mounted camera device that is an 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 that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a heater control method for a vehicle-mounted camera device that is an 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 section of a conventional vehicle-mounted camera device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Camera 5 Camera Case 6 Glass Member 7 First Temperature Sensor 8 Second Temperature Sensor 10, 10b Heater Member

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An in-vehicle camera device mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a photographing means for photographing a situation outside a vehicle; a casing for accommodating the photographing means; and a casing for securing a field of view of the photographing means. A transparent member provided, first detecting means for detecting a temperature outside the housing, second detecting means for detecting a temperature inside the housing, and detected by the first or second detecting means. A vehicle-mounted camera device, comprising: a removing unit that removes adhered matter adhered to the transparent member based on the temperature.