JPH08216789A - External rearview mirror device for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a rearview mirror device having a driving information display means that can display one or two or more of driving information such as lane change, right turn, left turn and reversing to the driver of the other automobile, a bicycle rider, a walker, and the like in such a way as to attract their attention in an easily visible state while enabling a driver himself to easily confirm the displayed state so as to be able to contribute to safe driving. CONSTITUTION: An external rearview mirror device 1 for an automobile has a mirror main body 2 with the rearview mirror surface 20, and an arm member 7 fitted outside of the automobile so as to support the mirror main body 2. This external rearview mirror device 1 is provided with display parts 3, 4, 5 displaying driving information visibly to a succeeding vehicle or the like, and the mirror main body 2 is openably and closably fitted to the arm member 7. The rearview mirror surface 20 is turned backward when the mirror main body 2 is placed in the closed position, and the display parts 3, 4, 5 are stowed away when the mirror body 2 is placed in the closed position while appearing toward the rear when the mirror body 2 is placed in the opened position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rear-view mirror device such as a rearview mirror or a door mirror mounted on the outside of an automobile, particularly one or more of driving information such as lane change, right turn, left turn, etc. for a following vehicle. The present invention relates to a rear-viewing endoscope device provided with a driving information display unit capable of displaying a vehicle in a visible state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An automobile rear-viewing device generally includes a mirror body having a rear-viewing surface, and an arm member attached to the outside of the vehicle, for example, an outer surface of a front wheel cover or an outer surface of a door, to support the mirror body. Have. The mirror body may be supported by an arm member so that the attitude can be manually adjusted, or the mirror body can be adjusted in position by operating an attitude control device incorporated in the arm member from an operation section in the vehicle. .

Conventionally, such a rear-view endoscope device is used exclusively for visually recognizing a following vehicle or the like. For example, when trying to change one's own driving lane while driving on a road such as an ordinary road or a highway, when making a right turn or a left turn, the presence or absence of a following vehicle, the approach, etc. Change the lane, make a right turn, a left turn, etc. after checking the safety by sensing the speed etc. Further, when the vehicle is moved backward, the vehicle is moved backward after confirming that there is no vehicle, bicycle, person, object, etc. in the rear with this rear-viewing device.

On the other hand, when changing lanes, making a right turn, a left turn, etc., the direction indicator is usually flashed to signal a following vehicle. Further, when the vehicle is moved backward, a back lamp indicating the backward movement may be turned on, or a buzzer for notifying the backward movement may be sounded.

[0005]

However, when a signal is given to another vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, or the like when changing lanes, turning right, turning left, or moving backward, as described above, the direction indicator blinks or the back lamp lights. Sometimes just turning on or sounding the buzzer is not enough to call attention to other vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, etc. For example, there is a possibility that another vehicle, a bicycle, a pedestrian, or the like is distracted even though such a signal is given, but the signal is not clearly recognized for some reason. Therefore, if there is a means that can more reliably convey the future movements of the own vehicle to other vehicles, etc., instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned signals, traffic safety will be improved. , More desirable.

For this reason, for example, a lightning display panel or the like is provided at the rear of the vehicle, and it is easy to draw attention to future movements of the own vehicle such as lane change, right turn, left turn, and reverse.
It may be possible to display the characters and figures that are easy to see, but there is a problem in that the car driver himself cannot confirm that the display has been made. That is,
When an operation was performed in the driver's seat to make such a display and the user assumed that the display had been made and then took the next action, the display device etc. malfunctioned and the display was not made. May occur.

Therefore, the present invention is to change lanes, turn right, turn left,
One or more of the reverse driving information can be displayed in a state where it can be easily viewed by attracting the attention of other drivers of automobiles and bicycles, pedestrians, etc., and that the driver himself / herself also displays the information. It is an object to provide a rear-viewing endoscope device that can be easily confirmed.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a vehicle exterior rearview endoscope having a mirror body having a rearview surface and an arm member mounted outside the vehicle to support the mirror body. In the device, a driving information display means including a display unit for visually displaying driving information to a following vehicle is provided, and the mirror body is attached to the arm member so as to be openable and closable, and the rear-view mirror surface is At least when the mirror body is placed in the closed position, it appears rearward, and the display section is stored when the mirror body is placed in the closed position, and when the mirror body is placed in the open position, it appears rearward. The present invention provides an exterior rear-view endoscope device for an automobile.

The driving information display means displays driving information, preferably driving information such as characters so as to easily attract the attention of a person, for example, "change lane to the right", "change lane to the left", Anything that can be visually recognized, such as "turn right", "turn left", "back", etc., may be used, for example, a display unit using a dot matrix light emitting diode (LED) unit, a liquid crystal display It is conceivable to include a display section capable of visually displaying driving information, such as a display section, a display section using an electric display unit using a small electric light, or the like.

The opening and closing of the mirror body can be performed in various ways. For example, when viewed from the car body, the mirror body is pivoted around the outer end of the car body to open, and then is pivoted in the opposite direction to be closed. A typical example is sliding type opening and closing. The operation information display means is not particularly limited as long as the display part can be closed when the mirror body is in the closed position and can be made to appear rearward when the mirror body is in the open position. However, the following can be exemplified.

That is, the driving information display means can be constructed, for example, by providing the visible display portion on the side opposite to the rear-viewing mirror surface of the mirror body, whereby the display portion is a mirror. When the main body is placed in the closed position, it may be stored in the arm member, and when the main body is placed in the open position, it may appear rearward. In this case, the rotary opening / closing is adopted for opening / closing the mirror body.

Further, the operation information display means is such that the visible display portion is covered by the mirror body when the mirror body is in the closed position, and appears rearward when the mirror body is in the open position. Alternatively, it may be provided on the arm member. In this case, the opening / closing of the mirror body may be the above-mentioned rotary opening / closing or sliding opening / closing. Further, the operation information display means has a visible first display portion on a side opposite to the rear-viewing mirror surface of the mirror body, and places a visible second display portion at the closed position of the mirror body. The arm member may be provided so as to be covered by the mirror body and appear rearward when the mirror body is placed in the open position. In this case, the rotary opening / closing is adopted for opening / closing the mirror body. Further, in this case, the driving information may be always displayed using the first and second display sections, but the first and second display sections may be appropriately displayed according to the type of information, the surrounding situation, and the like. It may be performed using either one or both of the display units.

Further, the driving information display means may be constructed by further providing the above-mentioned visible display portion on the openable / closable mirror body so as to be openable / closable. In this case, the display unit opens the mirror body from the closed position where the arm member is closed so as to overlap the surface of the mirror body opposite to the rear-viewing mirror surface when the mirror body is in the closed position. It is attached to the mirror body so that it can be opened and closed continuously between the mirror body and the open position which appears rearward when placed in the position. In this case, the opening / closing of the display unit with respect to the mirror body may be the rotary opening / closing or the sliding opening / closing.

In the driving information display means, a visible first display portion is provided on a side surface of the mirror body opposite to the rear-viewing mirror surface, and a visible second display portion is provided at the mirror body closed position. The arm member is provided so as to be covered with the mirror body when placed, and to appear rearward when the mirror body is placed in the open position.
When the mirror body is placed in the closed position, the visible third display portion is overlapped with the surface of the mirror body opposite to the rear-viewing surface of the mirror body, so that the mirror body is removed from the closed position by the arm member. The mirror main body may be provided so that it can be opened and closed between the open position which is continuously opened to the outside of the mirror main body and appears rearward when placed in the open position. in this case,
It is conceivable to employ a rotary opening / closing for opening / closing the mirror body and opening / closing the third display unit. Further, in this case, the driving information may be always displayed by using the first, second, and third display units, but the first, second, and third display units may be appropriately displayed depending on the type of information, the surrounding situation, and the like. One of the second and third display sections
Alternatively, two or all of them may be used.

The above-mentioned opening / closing operation of the mirror body and the opening / closing operation of the display unit provided on the mirror body so as to be openable / closable are performed by the mirror body drive unit and the display unit provided at appropriate portions of the arm member, the mirror body, the display unit, etc. It suffices for the local drive unit to perform this. Each drive unit can be configured by, for example, a combination of an electric compact motor and a gear transmission. Alternatively, it can be configured by a motor and an appropriate link mechanism, or a combination of a motor, a link mechanism and a gear device. In addition, the operation of each drive unit may be performed by the operation unit provided in the driver's seat, and the direction indicator operation lever in the driver's seat may be used by adopting the operation unit and automatically setting by the automatic setting switch of the operation unit. It is conceivable that the operation is automatically performed in accordance with the operation of, or when the vehicle is moving backward, by setting the reverse gear.

The display on the visible display portion which constitutes the driving information display means may be performed via the display control portion in accordance with an instruction from the operation portion provided in the driver's seat. In this case, the operation unit / display control unit "Change lane to the right", "Change lane to the left", "Turn right", "Turn left", "Back" Incorporating a circuit that performs a predetermined display such as, etc., a desired display can be appropriately selected by key operation etc., or a keyboard part that can specify display characters etc. is provided, both of which are adopted There are various possibilities such as the one in which the display can be selectively designated.

Further, in any of the above cases, for example, "change lane to the right", "change lane to the left", "right" to a portion appropriately selected from the mirror body, display section, arm member, etc. Turn on, turn left, turn back, etc. Even if a voice generator is provided to display voice, and a voice forming circuit is connected to this to generate a predetermined voice, Good. As the voice forming circuit, for example, a voice synthesizing IC circuit in which a predetermined voice is set can be adopted. Also, regarding the generation of sound, it may be possible to operate from the operation unit via the display control unit.
Further, a voice corresponding to the display may be automatically generated in accordance with the display designation on the display unit on the operation unit.

In any case, the display control section can be constituted by a microprocessor and other circuit configurations.

[0019]

According to the rear-viewing device of the present invention, during normal traveling of a vehicle, the mirror body is in the closed position, and the rear-viewing surface is directed rearward so that the following vehicle can be visually recognized. When changing lanes, turning right, turning left, moving backward, etc., the mirror body is placed in the open position according to the judgment of the automatic driver, and the visible display part of the driving information display means appears rearward. A signal is displayed on the display unit in a state in which the driver of another vehicle, the driver of a bicycle, a pedestrian, etc. can easily pay attention and be visually recognized. At the same time, it is confirmed that the driver himself / herself is also displaying the display.

When there is no need for this cue display, the mirror body can be returned to the closed position again, and the display section can be closed to eliminate extra protrusions and continue safe driving.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an automobile AM in which a pair of left and right rear endoscope devices 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention are provided on the outer surface of a front wheel cover C, and FIG. 2 shows one of the rear endoscope devices. It is a front view seen from the car driver side. FIG. 3 is a front view of the rear view endoscope apparatus 1 in a state where the mirror body 2 is opened and the visible display units 3, 4, and 5 appear. FIG. 4 shows the rear endoscope device 1
3 is a schematic block diagram of an electric circuit relating to FIG.

The pair of rear-viewing endoscope devices 1 have the same structure except that they are symmetrically arranged. Therefore, one of them will be described as a representative example. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rear endoscope device 1 includes a mirror body 2 having a rear endoscope surface 20,
It includes a support arm member 7 protruding from the outer surface of the front wheel cover C of the automobile AM. The mirror body 2 is openably and closably supported by the arm member 7 via a display portion 3 (see FIG. 3) provided on the arm member 7. A voice generator 9 is provided on the arm member 7.
Is provided. The position of the sound generator is not limited to this.

To explain further, the display unit 3 is supported by an attitude control device for the mirror body, which is incorporated in the arm member 7 and is not shown in the figure, which is adopted in a conventional rear-viewing endoscope device known per se. The display unit 3 is composed of a waterproof type dot matrix LED unit, and the display surface 30 is directed to the rear of the vehicle. The mirror body 2 is provided with a rear-viewing mirror surface 20 on one surface, and a display unit 4 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the side opposite to the rear-viewing mirror surface. The display unit 4 is also a waterproof type dot matrix LED unit. The mirror body 2 is arranged so that the endoscope surface 20 is then directed to the rear of the vehicle and the display surface 40 of the display portion 4 can cover the display surface 30 of the display portion 3, and the outer end when viewed from the vehicle driver. Is rotatably connected to the outer end of the display unit 3. Thus, the mirror body 2 is
It can be in a closed position in which the rear surface 20 is overlapped with the display unit 3 and is directed rearward. At this time, the display surface 30 of the display unit 3 and the display surface 40 of the display unit 4 are put in a state of facing each other. In addition, it is possible to take an open position in which the display surfaces 30 and 40 of the display units 3 and 4 are made to appear rearward by rotating approximately 180 ° from the closed position toward the outside of the automobile body.

The opening and closing of the mirror body 2 is performed by a drive unit 21 incorporated in the display unit 3. The drive unit 21 includes a small electric motor 211 that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions and a gear transmission 212 that transmits the power of the small electric motor 211 to the mirror main body 2 to rotate and open the same. The rear endoscope device 1 further includes a display unit 5,
It is supported by the mirror body 2. To explain further,
When the mirror body 2 is in the closed position, the display surface 40 of the display unit 4 and the display surface 50 of the display unit 4 face each other between the mirror body 2 and the display unit 3 so that the display surface 50 of the display unit 5 faces the display surface 40. , And one end thereof is rotatably connected to the inner end of the mirror body 2 (the end opposite to the end connecting to the display unit 3). The display unit 5 is also a waterproof type dot matrix LED unit.

Thus, the display unit 5 is further rotated outward by about 180 ° when the mirror body 2 is placed in the open position from the closed position where the display units 3 and 4 are closed as described above. A continuous open position can be taken next to the mirror body 2, and the display surface 50 appears rearward at this open position. When the display unit 5 appears in this manner, the display units 3, 4, and 5 continuously extend horizontally in three steps and appear rearward.

The display unit 5 is opened and closed by a drive unit 51 incorporated in the mirror body 2. The drive unit 51 includes a small electric motor 511 that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions and a gear transmission 512 that transmits the power of the small electric motor 511 to the display unit 5 to rotate and open the gear. The drive operation of the electric motor 211 of the drive unit 21 described above is performed by the motor switches m21 (mirror body open switch) and m of the operation unit 81 of the operation / control unit 8 (see FIG. 4).
22 (mirror main body closing switch), and the operation of the electric motor 511 of the drive unit 51 is performed by the operation / control unit 8.
The operation is performed by operating the motor switches m51 (display unit open switch) and m52 (display unit close switch) in the operation unit 81. The operation unit 81 is provided in the driver's seat.

Further, the optical display on each of the display units 3, 4 and 5 and the voice display by the voice generator 9 are performed by the operation unit 8 with the mirror body 2 and the display unit 5 in the open position as described above.
The operation can be performed by pressing the key switches S1 to S5 in No. 1 or operating the ten keyboard unit K. When the mirror body 2 and the display unit 5 are returned to the closed position, the display disappears. As described above, a switch (not shown) for turning on and off the display is provided in the endoscope apparatus 1.

When the switch S1 is pressed, the lane is changed to the right, and when the switch S2 is pressed, the lane is changed to the left.
Press switch S3, "turn right", switch S
Pressing 4 turns "turn left", and pressing switch S5 "turns back" displays characters on the display units 3, 4 and 5, respectively, and the sound corresponding to the characters is displayed on the voice generator. It is displayed from 9. Also, other characters can be displayed by operating the ten-keyboard unit K. These displays are performed based on an instruction from the control unit 82 mainly composed of a microprocessor. The control unit 82 may be configured by using already known electric parts, elements and the like. In addition, reference numeral 90 in FIG. 4 is a voice synthesis circuit configured to form a predetermined voice.

According to the rear-view endoscope device 1 described above, the display unit 5 and the mirror main body 2 are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Is turned rearward so that the following vehicles can be seen. When changing lanes, turning right, turning left, moving backward, etc., the mirror main body opening switch m2 of the operation unit 81 is determined according to the judgment of the driver.
1, by operating the display unit opening switch m51, the mirror body 2 and the display unit 5 are opened to the open position, and the display unit 3 opened in three stages,
4 and 5 are made to appear rearward, and desired cues are displayed on the display unit by operating the switches S1 to S5 of the operation unit 81 or the keyboard unit K. Further, the sound generator 9 emits a sound corresponding to the display.

These displays, particularly the displays by the display units 3, 4 and 5, are likely to be noticed by other vehicle drivers, bicycle drivers, pedestrians, etc., because of the large appearance of the display units. Easy to see. In addition, the display by voice is easy to be noticed in connection with the large appearance of the display portion and the easy attention of the person. Therefore, you can drive the car so safely. Further, at the same time, the driver himself / herself can confirm the presence or absence of the display, so that there is no fear that the display will be continued and the driver will continue to think that the display is present even though the display is not present due to a failure or the like.

When there is no need for this cue display, or when it is desired to use the rear-view mirror surface 20, the mirror body closing switch m22 and the display unit closing switch m52 of the operation unit 81 are operated to turn on the mirror body 2 and the display unit 5. Closed in the closed position, the display unit 3,
It is possible to keep the rear surface of the endoscope 20 rearward while keeping all of the parts 4 and 5 closed, and it is possible to continue the safe driving by eliminating extra protrusions.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a front view of one of the rear-viewing endoscope devices 1A provided in the automobile AM as seen from the automobile driver side. FIG. 6 shows a mirror body 2A of the rear endoscope device 1A.
FIG. 3 is a front view of a state in which the visible display units 3A and 4A are opened by opening. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electric circuit relating to the endoscope apparatus 1A.

The illustrated rear-view endoscope apparatus 1A includes a rear-view endoscope surface 20A.
And a support arm member 7A protruding from the outer surface of the front wheel cover C of the automobile AM. The mirror body 2A is openably and closably supported by the arm member 7A via a display portion 3A (see FIG. 6) provided on the arm member 7A. A voice generator 9A is provided on the arm member 7A. The position of the sound generator is not limited to this.

To further explain, the display portion 3A is supported by a posture control device of a mirror body, which is incorporated in the arm member 7A and is not shown in the figure, which is used in a conventional rear-viewing endoscope device which is already known. The display unit 3A is composed of a dot matrix LED unit covered with a waterproof transparent film, and the display surface 30A is directed toward the rear of the vehicle.

The mirror body 2A has a rear-viewing mirror surface 20A on one side, and a display section 4A is provided on the side opposite to the rear-viewing mirror surface. The display section 4A also comprises a dot matrix LED unit covered with a waterproof transparent film. The mirror body 2A is arranged so that the endoscope surface 20A is then directed toward the rear of the vehicle and the display surface 40A of the display portion 4A can cover the display surface 30A of the display portion 3A. Is rotatably connected to the outer end of the display unit 3A. Thus, the mirror body 2A can be placed in the closed position in which the rear-viewing mirror surface 20A is directed rearward while being superimposed on the display portion 3A. At this time, the display surface 30A of the display unit 3A and the display surface 40A of the display unit 4A are closed in a state of facing each other. Further, it is possible to take an open position in which the display surfaces 30A and 40A of the display units 3A and 4A are made to appear rearward by pivoting approximately 180 ° outward from the closed position from the closed position.

The opening and closing of the mirror body 2A is performed by the drive unit 21A built in the display unit 3A. The drive unit 21A transmits a small electric motor 211A that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions and a gear transmission 212A that transmits the power of the small electric motor to the mirror main body 2A to rotate and open the same.
It consists of As shown in FIG. 7, the driving operation of the electric motor 211A of the drive unit 21A described above is performed by the motor switch M21 in the operation unit 81A of the operation / control unit 8A.
(Mirror body open switch) and M22 (Mirror body close switch)
The operation is performed. The operation unit 81A is provided in the driver's seat.

The optical display on each of the display units 3A and 4A and the voice display by the voice generator 9A are performed by pressing the key switches S1a to S5a on the operation unit 81A with the mirror body 2A in the open position as described above. The operation can be performed by the operation or the operation of the ten keyboard unit Ka. The display disappears when the mirror body 2A and the display unit 5A are returned to the closed position.
As described above, a switch (not shown) for enabling and disabling the display is provided in the endoscope apparatus 1A.

Pressing switch S1a "changes lane to the right", pressing switch S2a "changes lane to the left", pressing switch S3a "turns to the right", and pressing switch S4a "left". Turn to ", switch S
If you press 5a, "Back" will be displayed on the display 3A,
Characters are displayed over the entire 4A, and a voice corresponding to the character display is displayed from the voice generator 9A.
Also, other characters can be displayed by operating the numeric keyboard Ka. These displays are performed based on an instruction from the control unit 82A mainly composed of a microprocessor. The control unit 82A may be configured by using already known electric parts, elements and the like. Also, FIG.
90A is a voice synthesis circuit for forming a predetermined voice.

According to the endoscope apparatus 1A described above, the mirror body 2A is in the closed position and the rear-viewing surface 20A of the mirror body 2A is rearward so that the following vehicle can be visually recognized in a normal automobile traveling. Be directed. Change lane, turn right, turn left,
When performing a reverse drive or the like, the mirror body 2A is opened to the open position by operating the mirror body opening switch M21 of the operation unit 81A in accordance with the judgment of the automatic driver, and the display unit 3A opened in two stages.
4A is made to appear rearward, and the switches S1a to S5a of the operation unit 81A or the keyboard unit Ka are displayed on the display unit.
The desired signal is displayed by the operation. In addition, a voice corresponding to the display is emitted from the voice generator 9A.

These displays, particularly the displays by the display units 3A and 4A, are easily noticed and visually recognized by drivers of other vehicles, bicycle drivers, pedestrians, etc. due to the large appearance of the display units. easy. In addition, the display by voice is easy to be noticed in connection with the large appearance of the display portion and the easy attention of the person. Therefore, you can drive the car so safely. Further, at the same time, the driver himself / herself can confirm the presence or absence of the display, so that there is no fear that the display will be continued and the driver will continue to think that the display is present even though the display is not present due to a failure or the like.

When there is no need for this cue display, or when it is desired to use the rear surface 20A, the mirror body closing switch M22 of the operation portion 81A is operated to close the mirror body 2A to the closed position, and the display portions 3A, 4A. The rear surface 20A can be arranged rearward while keeping the entire body closed, and it is possible to eliminate extra protrusions and continue safe driving.

[0042]

According to the present invention, one or more of the driving information such as lane change, right turn, left turn, backward movement, etc. can be easily noticed by attracting the attention to other automobile or bicycle drivers, pedestrians and the like. It is possible to provide a rear-viewing endoscope device provided with driving information display means that can be displayed in a state and the driver himself can easily confirm that the display has been made, thereby contributing to safe driving.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an automobile equipped with a pair of rear-viewing endoscope devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of one of the rear-viewing endoscope devices shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the vehicle driver side.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the rear view endoscope apparatus shown in FIG. 2 in a state in which a mirror main body is opened and a visually recognizable display unit appears.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electric circuit relating to the endoscope apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a rear-viewing endoscope apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the vehicle driver side.

6 is a front view of the rear view endoscope apparatus shown in FIG. 5 in a state in which a mirror main body is opened and a visually recognizable display unit appears.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electric circuit relating to the endoscope apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A Rear-view endoscope device 2, 2A Mirror body 20, 20A Rear-view mirror surface 21, 21A Mirror body drive part 3, 3A Display part 30, 30A Display part 3, 3A display surface 4, 4A Display part 40, 40A display Display surface 5 of the section 4 and 4A Display section 50 Display surface of the display section 51 Drive section 7 of the display section 5 7A Mirror body supporting arm member 8 8A Operation / control section 81 81A Operation section 82 82A Control section 9 , 9A voice generator 90, 90A voice synthesizer circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An exterior rear-view endoscope device for an automobile, comprising a mirror main body having a rear-viewing surface and an arm member mounted outside the vehicle to support the mirror main body, wherein driving information is visibly displayed on a following vehicle or the like. And a mirror body attached to the arm member so as to be openable and closable, and the rear-view mirror surface is directed rearward at least when the mirror body is in the closed position. An exterior rear-view endoscope device for an automobile, characterized in that the display unit is closed when the mirror body is placed in a closed position, and appears rearward when the mirror body is placed in an open position.