JPH11255019A - Automobile equipped with peripheral confirming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure an automobile equipped with a peripheral confirming device which enjoys such advantages that it is simple in structure and constitution, able to protect a camera unit, and besides, mataintenance and inspection can be easily performed, etc. SOLUTION: This automobile is equipped with a peripheral confirming device 40 which is rotatably attached with a reflector device 11 consisting of a hood 1101 built in with a reflecting mirror 1102 in a side face of a vehicle body together with a rotative driving device 14 and a torsion spring 1404, while an opening and a slit is installed in this nearby side face part, and a camera unit consisting of a solid camera element 12 as adjoining to this opening is attached to the side face, controlling the rotative driving device 14, and an optical image of the status of rear parts of the vehicle body is taken by the camera unit 12 via the reflecting mirror 1102 as adjusting an angle of visibility, and it is projected to an image display in driver's seat, whereby it is so constituted as to be checkable for the end. In this connection, each peripheral confirming device may be rotated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automobile provided with a peripheral confirmation device using a solid-state image sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A rear-viewing device among the devices for checking the surroundings of a vehicle which is currently most widely used is a door mirror mounted on a side door of a vehicle body. The driver is forced to look aside. Therefore, in place of the door mirror, a camera device including a solid-state imaging device is built in a mirror case,
There has been proposed a rearward confirmation device that attempts to perform rearward confirmation by the camera device. One example is disclosed in
0-214691, "Camera device installed in rearview mirror" can be cited.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 7, the rear confirmation device is a door mirror 110 mounted on a vehicle body 100.
A camera device 130 composed of a solid-state image sensor is arranged in the mirror case 120, the imaging range of the camera device 130 is changed, the side and rear of the vehicle body 100 are photographed, and the situation is arranged near the driver's seat. The image is displayed on the installed image display device so that the side and rear of the vehicle body 100 can be monitored.

[0004]

However, the rear confirmation device having the above-described structure and structure is as follows. 1. In order to display on a video display device, mirror image processing of left-right inversion is required. 2. In order to change the viewing angle, the camera device must be moved and the structure must be made earthquake-resistant, which complicates the structure. 3. The size of the case (or hood) is determined by the size of the camera device. 4. When the case (or hood) is large, the wind noise becomes loud during high-speed running, which causes harshness. 5. When the mirror case hits an obstacle, the damage caused by the received impact extends to the camera device. 6. Maintenance inspection such as replacement of parts is not easy. There is a problem that only the back can be confirmed.

The present invention is intended to solve these problems, and has the advantages that the structure and configuration are simple, the camera device can be protected, and maintenance and inspection can be easily performed. It is another object of the present invention to provide an automobile having a peripheral confirmation device capable of confirming a situation not only in a rear portion of the vehicle body but also in a front blind spot portion, a front tire portion, and a rear tire portion.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in an automobile having a peripheral confirmation device according to the first invention of the present invention, the peripheral confirmation device is provided with a reflecting mirror device disposed on a side surface of the vehicle body, On the side of the vehicle body near the reflector device,
To solve the above-mentioned problems, the camera device is provided with a camera device mounted outwardly, and a video display device connected to an output side of the camera device and arranged near a driver's seat in the vehicle body. ing.

Further, in an automobile provided with another peripheral confirmation device according to the second invention of the present invention, the peripheral confirmation device is provided with a reflecting mirror device disposed on a side portion of a vehicle body and the reflecting mirror device A camera device attached to a side portion of the vehicle body in the vicinity of the camera device and an image display device connected to an output side of the camera device and disposed near a driver's seat in the vehicle body. An opening through which a light image reflected by the reflecting mirror device and passing therethrough and a slit surrounding the opening are formed on the side surface portion of the vehicle body, and the reflecting mirror device is formed inside the slit. A hood having one end rotatably supported on the side surface of the vehicle body and a reflecting mirror fixed at a predetermined reflection angle to the camera device in the hood. Comprising the camera device Is reflected from the reflecting mirror through the opening, the light image incident into an electric signal, and composed of a solid-state imaging device to be sent to the image display device, solves the problem.

Further, in an automobile provided with a peripheral confirmation device according to a third invention of the present invention, the entire periphery confirmation device of the first or second invention is rotated in a plane of a side surface portion of the vehicle body. The problem is solved by being supported by a moving means and configured to be rotatable at least over a front peripheral portion, a lower peripheral portion, and a rear peripheral portion of the vehicle body.

Therefore, according to the first aspect, the size of the reflector hood, which is the largest projection of the vehicle, can be minimized, and the camera device is built in the side surface of the vehicle body. During traveling, even if the reflector hood collides with an obstacle, only the reflector device is damaged and the camera device is not damaged. Furthermore, according to the second aspect, when the reflector hood collides with an obstacle during traveling, the reflector device enters the side portion of the vehicle body as if it were broken, and damage to the reflector device is prevented. It can be further minimized. Furthermore, according to the third aspect,
It is possible to confirm at least the front peripheral portion, the lower peripheral portion, and the rear peripheral portion of the vehicle body.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle equipped with a peripheral confirmation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, although the periphery confirmation device of each embodiment described below is illustrated and described as confirming only the rear part of the vehicle main body, it is added that the present invention is not limited to confirmation of only the rear part. FIG. 1 is a top view of an automobile provided with a peripheral confirmation device of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view of the first embodiment in a use state of the reflector device of the automobile peripheral confirmation device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of the peripheral confirmation device, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view of the peripheral confirmation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention in a use state of the reflecting mirror device. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a structure of a side surface portion of a vehicle main body in which the reflecting mirror device of the peripheral confirmation device shown in FIG. 3 is housed, and FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged top view of the peripheral confirmation device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is an enlarged top view of the usage state shown in FIG. It is an enlarged top view of a reflector device in the use state of a peripheral check device of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration and structure of a peripheral confirmation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a vehicle equipped with the same will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates an automobile provided with a peripheral confirmation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this automobile 1, a peripheral confirmation device 10 of the present invention is attached to a fender 5 portion on a hinge side of a front door 4 attached to a side portion 3 of a vehicle body 2. The peripheral confirmation device 10 is attached to both side surfaces 3 of the vehicle body 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the periphery confirmation device 10 includes a reflector device 11 disposed on a side surface portion 3 of the vehicle body 2 and the vehicle body near the reflector device 11. A camera device 12 fixed to the side surface portion 3 of the vehicle 2 toward the outside, and connected to the output side of the camera device 12, in the vicinity of the driver's seat 6 in the vehicle body 2, such as a dashboard And a video display device 13 such as an LCD.

The reflecting mirror device 11 includes a hood 1101 and a reflecting mirror 11 mounted on an inner surface of the hood 1101.
The hood 1101 has a U-shaped cross section, and its outer planar shape is finished in a streamlined shape. The hood 1101 is fixed to a side plate 304 constituting the side portion 3 of the vehicle body 2.

The camera device 12 includes the side plate 304
A solid-state image sensor 1201 such as a CCD (Chaege Coupled Device) for converting an incident light image L, which is reflected from the reflecting mirror 1102 through an opening 301 formed therein, into an electric signal, is formed on a substrate 1202. The video signal processed by the video processing circuit or the like is transmitted to the video display device 13 via the harness 1203. In this embodiment, the solid-state imaging device 1201 is supported by the support member 15 so as to face the opening 301.
At the inner surface of the side plate 304.

The peripheral confirmation device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a structure as described above. Next, the operation of the peripheral confirmation device 10 will be described. When the driver starts the vehicle, light images on both sides of the vehicle body 2 and positions behind them are reflected on a reflecting mirror 1102 from time to time, and the light images enter the opening 301 and are solid-state image pickup devices 1201.
Is converted into an electric signal, and processed by a video processing circuit or the like formed on the substrate 1202 or the like.
At 203, electric power is transmitted from time to time to the image display device 13, and the image is displayed on the image display surface. Therefore, the driver can check the scene of the both sides of the vehicle body 2 and the position behind them at every moment.

Since the hood 1101 of the reflecting mirror device 11 is small, no loud wind noise is generated and the hood 1101 does not easily collide with the obstacle Ob.
If the reflector b is present and the reflector device 11 collides with the obstacle Ob by mistake, the outside of the hood 1101 hits and is damaged, or the reflector device 11 including the reflector 1102 is damaged. The whole will be damaged.

However, even if the entire reflecting mirror device 11 is damaged, the camera device 12 is not damaged at all. The reflector device 11 is not so expensive, and only the damaged reflector device 11 needs to be replaced. Moreover, the peripheral confirmation device 10 of this embodiment does not need to perform mirror image processing on the output signal of the camera device 12, so that the cost can be reduced. Since the solid-state imaging device 1201 is housed in the vehicle main body 2, its mounting is performed. It is easy to maintain and can be accessed from inside the vehicle when mounted on a door. In addition, it is easy to upgrade the solid-state imaging device 1201 part, the insertion of filters, polarizing plates, and the like is simpler than that of a structure in which the camera device 12 is externally attached to a door mirror or the like. By installing in the vehicle body 2, excellent effects such as relatively easy waterproofing, dustproofing and heatproofing can be obtained.

The reflecting mirror device 11 of the peripheral confirmation device 10
Since the hood 1101 is fixed, the hood 1101 or the entire reflecting mirror device 11 is damaged or damaged by colliding with the obstacle Ob, so that such damage or damage is reduced. The peripheral confirmation device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS.
Was invented. Next, the peripheral confirmation device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. The same components as those of the peripheral confirmation device 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

This peripheral confirmation device 20 is rotatably mounted on the front side of the hood 1101 around a shaft 1401 fixed to the inner surface of the side plate 304 as a rotation center axis.
1, a torsion spring 1404 is fixed between the hood 1101 and the substrate 1202, and the torsion spring 1
The repelling force of 404 causes the reflecting mirror device 11 to always open outward at the maximum angle θm with respect to the side plate 304. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the side plate 304 of the vehicle body 2 has an opening 301 through which the light image L reflected by the reflecting mirror device 11 passes and a reflecting mirror surrounding the opening 301. Hood 1 of device 11
A slit 302 having a shape and a size capable of accommodating 101 is formed. The opening of the slit 302 is covered with a rubber packing 303 or the like.

With such a configuration, if the obstacle Ob is present ahead and the reflector device 11 collides with the obstacle Ob by mistake, the obstacle Ob
As shown in FIG. 4, the outside of the hood 1101 is pushed and pushed into the slit 302 from the edge of the hood 1101 as if it were folded. Therefore, damage or breakage of the hood 1101 or the reflecting mirror device 11 due to the collision is reduced. Then, if the obstacle Ob disappears, the torsion spring 1404 can automatically return to the use state position as shown in FIG. 3 by the repulsive force.

Next, the structure and structure of a peripheral confirmation device 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention to which a device capable of changing the viewing angle is added will be described with reference to FIGS. This peripheral confirmation device 30 is connected to each of the peripheral confirmation devices 1 described above.
The difference from the configurations 0 and 20 is that the front end of the hood 1101 of the reflecting mirror device 11 is mounted so as to be rotationally driven by the rotational driving device 14 mounted on the inner surface of the side plate 304. is there.

The rotation driving device 14 is engaged with a shaft 1401 fixed inside the side plate 304, a gear 1402 fixed to the shaft 1401, and the gear 1402,
A gear 1403 reversibly rotated in the direction of arrow R by a motor M;
01 is fixed to the shaft 1401 and the hood 1101
Are rotatably supported.

Next, the operation of the peripheral confirmation device 30 will be described. When the driver turns on the accessory switch or the engine switch with the engine key, the motor M operates and the gear 1403 rotates counterclockwise, and the gear 1403 rotates.
2 rotates clockwise, the hood 1101 of the reflecting mirror device 11 opens outward from the side plate 304 to the maximum angle θm shown in FIG. 6 from the storage position shown in FIG.
The hood 1101 and the reflecting mirror 1102 can be adjusted to a desired reflection angle by operating the rotation driving device 14 by operating a specially provided switch also not shown.
The viewing angle can be adjusted.

Therefore, when the driver starts the vehicle after adjusting the viewing angle of the reflecting mirror device 11, the light images of both side surfaces of the vehicle body 2 and the positions behind them are reflected on the reflecting mirror 1102 every moment. The light image enters the opening 301 and is converted into an electric signal by the solid-state imaging device 1201,
The image is processed by an image processing circuit or the like formed on the substrate 1202 or the like, and is transmitted from time to time to the image display device 13 through the harness 1203 and is projected on the image display surface. Therefore, the driver can check the scene of the both sides of the vehicle body 2 and the position behind them at every moment.

If an obstacle Ob is present ahead and the reflector device 11 collides with the obstacle Ob by mistake,
The outside of the hood 1101 hits and is pushed, and as shown in FIG.
(Fig. 5). This state is the same state as when the driver turns off the accessory switch or the engine switch with the engine key and gets off the vehicle, and covers the opening 301 and covers the solid-state imaging device 1201 for protection. become. In this case, the gear 1402 rotates counterclockwise, and the gear 1403 rotates clockwise.

Next, a peripheral confirmation device 40 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The peripheral confirmation device 40 is provided with the torsion spring 14 of the peripheral confirmation device 20 of the second embodiment in the peripheral confirmation device 30 of the third embodiment.
04 is added. Accordingly, the configuration is substantially the same as that of the peripheral confirmation device 30 of the third embodiment, and the torsion spring 1 is attached to the shaft 1401.
The configuration of the peripheral confirmation device 30 is different from the configuration of the peripheral confirmation device 30 in that the 404 is fixed, and the torsion spring 1404 always applies a force to open the reflection mirror device 11 to the outside of the vehicle body 2. By adding the torsion spring 1404, even if the reflecting mirror device 11 collides with the obstacle Ob and once enters the storage state as shown in FIG. Due to the repulsive force, the reflecting mirror device 11 can automatically return to the state shown in FIG. Therefore, the peripheral confirmation device 40 of this embodiment can adjust the viewing angle, and even if the reflecting mirror device 11 collides with the obstacle Ob, the damage is reduced, and the automatic machine automatically returns to the original position. it can.

In any of the peripheral confirmation devices of the above-described embodiments, the reflector 11 is damaged by the obstacle Ob, and the expensive camera device 12 is damaged unless it is impacted from the side. Nothing.

The above-described peripheral confirmation device according to each embodiment of the present invention has been described as a rear confirmation device for confirming the condition of only the rear portion of the vehicle body 2, but the rear tire portion, the front tire portion, or the front blind spot portion. It can also be applied as a device that can also check the situation. In order to provide the peripheral confirmation device of the present invention having such a function, the entire reflecting mirror device 11, the camera device 12, and / or the rotation driving device 14 of each of the above-described embodiments are rotated by using a rotation unit. In the plane of the side surface portion 2 of the second embodiment, the rotation may be performed from the rear portion to the rear tire portion, the front tire portion, and the front blind spot portion. Of course, the surrounding confirmation device may be configured to be able to rotate through 360 °. With such a configuration, it is possible to confirm the safety of the peripheral portion of the vehicle main body 2 that needs to be confirmed by the pair of the reflecting mirror device 11 and the camera device 12, and the cost of equipment can be reduced.

[0029]

As is clear from the above description, according to the vehicle equipped with the peripheral confirmation device of the embodiment of the present invention, Since the solid-state imaging device is housed in the vehicle body,
It is easy to install and maintain, and can be accessed from inside the vehicle when installed on a door. 2. It is easy to upgrade the solid-state imaging device. 3. Insertion of filters, polarizing plates, etc. is simpler than that of a structure that attaches the camera device to a door mirror or the like. By mounting the camera device inside the vehicle body,
4. Waterproof, dustproof and heatproof are relatively easy. 5. Since there is no need to perform mirror image processing on the output signal of the camera device, the cost can be reduced. 6. The field of view can be adjusted without moving the camera device by using a movable structure only for the reflector device. 7. Even after the reflector device collides with an obstacle, its damage can be minimized and continuous operation is possible. 8. Since the reflecting mirror device can be configured to be relatively small, generation of wind noise by the reflecting mirror device can be reduced. 9. By rotating the entire periphery confirmation device, it is possible to inexpensively confirm the safety of the situation of the periphery of the vehicle body. The present invention can provide a number of excellent effects, such as eliminating the need for a door mirror and increasing the width of the vehicle interior.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view of an automobile provided with a peripheral confirmation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the peripheral confirmation device of the first embodiment in a state where the reflector device of the vehicle periphery confirmation device shown in FIG. 1 is used.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention in a use state of the reflecting mirror device.
It is an enlarged top view of the periphery check device of an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view in a state in which it is stored in a vehicle body by an obstacle or the like from the use state shown in FIG. 3;

5 is a plan view showing a structure of a side surface portion of a vehicle main body in which the reflecting mirror device of the peripheral confirmation device shown in FIG. 3 is housed.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention in use of the reflecting mirror device.
It is an enlarged top view of the periphery check device of an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged top view in a state in which it is stored in the vehicle body by an obstacle or the like from the use state shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged top view of a reflecting mirror device in a use state of a peripheral confirmation device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial front view showing the structure of a rear confirmation device in a vehicle according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automobile provided with the back confirmation device of this invention 2 ... Vehicle main body 3 ... Side side part 301 ... Opening 302 ... Slit 3
03: rubber packing, 4: front door, 5: fender, 6: driver's seat, 10: peripheral confirmation device of the first embodiment of the present invention, 11: reflecting mirror device, 1101: hood, 110
2 ... Reflector, 12 ... Camera device, 1201 ... Solid-state image sensor, 13 ... Video display device, 14 ... Rotation drive device, 140
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Shaft, 1402, 1403 ... Gear, 1404 ... Torsion spring, 15 ... Support member, 20 ... Peripheral confirmation device of 2nd Embodiment of this invention, 30 ... Perimeter confirmation device of 3rd Embodiment of this invention, 40 ... A peripheral confirmation device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, Ob: an obstacle, L: an optical image, M: a motor

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A reflecting mirror device disposed on a side surface portion of a vehicle body, a camera device mounted on a side surface portion of the vehicle body near the reflecting mirror device toward the outside, and the camera An automobile provided with a peripheral confirmation device connected to an output side of the device and comprising an image display device disposed near a driver's seat in the vehicle body. 2. A reflecting mirror device disposed on a side surface portion of a vehicle body, a camera device mounted on a side surface portion of the vehicle body near the reflecting mirror device toward the outside thereof, and the camera. A video display device connected to the output side of the device and disposed near the driver's seat in the vehicle body. The light is reflected from the reflecting mirror device and enters the side surface of the vehicle body. An opening through which the light image passes and a slit surrounding the opening are formed. The reflecting mirror device has a shape that can be stored in the slit, and one end of the reflecting mirror device is rotatably supported on a side surface of the vehicle body. And a reflecting mirror fixed in the hood at a predetermined reflection angle with respect to the camera device. The camera device electrically converts a light image reflected from the reflecting mirror through the opening and incident thereon. Video signal Vehicle equipped with peripheral confirmation apparatus characterized by comprising a solid-state imaging device to be sent to the video display device. 3. The peripheral confirmation device according to claim 1, wherein at least a front peripheral portion, a lower peripheral portion, or a rear peripheral portion of the vehicle main body can be confirmed in a plane of a side surface portion of the vehicle main body. A peripheral confirmation device, wherein the entire periphery confirmation device is configured to be rotatable while being supported by rotating means.