WO2015045692A1

WO2015045692A1 - Automatic anti-glare device for vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2015045692A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/071945
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kazuaki Kurita; Yoko ISHIGURO; Toshifumi Nishijima; Kazuhiko Nakashima
Original assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
Current assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
Priority date: 2013-09-24
Filing date: 2014-08-15
Publication date: 2015-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-24
Also published as: JP2015063189A

Abstract

An automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle comprising a light-blocking section for blocking light incident from a vehicle exterior; an eye position detecting section for detecting a position of eyes of a passenger; a sunlight direction detecting section for specifying a coordinate position of a point where luminance of light is high; and a controlling section for, on the basis of results of detection by the eye position detecting section and the sunlight direction detecting section, computing a direction of incident light, and, in a case of judging that the eyes of the passenger are positioned on the direction of the incident light, operating the light-blocking section, and, in a case of judging that the eyes of the passenger are not positioned on the direction of the incident light, storing the light-blocking section.

Description

DESCRIPTION

AUTOMATIC ANTI-GLARE DEVICE FOR VEHICLE

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2008-239009 discloses the structure of a light-blocking device for a vehicle that has a navigation system, an incident direction computing device, a sun visor, and a sun visor controlling device. Concretely, the light-blocking device for a vehicle has: a navigation system that senses the position of the vehicle, the advancing direction thereof, and the current month, date and time; an incident direction computing device that, on the basis of data from the navigation system, computes the incident direction of light (hereinafter called "incident light") that is incident on the vehicle; and a sun visor controlling device that controls a sun visor of the vehicle on the basis of signals from the incident direction computing device. Further, while the vehicle is traveling, the sun visor can be moved automatically to a position of obstructing the incidence of light onto the eyes of a passenger, by the sun visor controlling device on the basis of signals from the incident direction computing device.

[0003] In accordance with the above-described structure, the sun visor automatically moves and stands-by/follows in accordance with the incident direction of the light. Therefore, even if the position of the sun with respect to the passenger moves to the left or right when the vehicle turns, the passenger's field of view can be prevented from being obstructed by the sudden incidence of light. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Subject

[0004] However, in accordance with the structure disclosed in the aforementioned publication, the incident direction of the light is computed on the basis of data from the navigation system. Namely, the position of the vehicle, the advancing direction thereof, and the current month, date and time are sensed according to data from the GPS or the like of the navigation system, and the incident direction computing device computes the estimated incident direction of the light on the eyes of the passenger on the basis of these data.

Therefore, even in cases in which sunlight is not actually incident such as on rainy days or when the vehicle is indoors or the like, the incident direction computing device judges that there is sunlight, and automatically moves the sun visor to the position of obstructing the incidence of light onto the eyes of the passenger. Namely, there is the concern that unnecessary anti-glare control will be carried out.

[0005] In view of the above-described problem, the present invention provides an automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle that can carry out appropriate anti-glare control by detecting the incident direction of actual incident light with respect to a passenger.

Solution to the Subject

[0006] An automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of a first aspect of the present invention has: a light-blocking section that is provided at a windshield glass or at an upper portion side of a cabin inner side of a windshield glass, and that is for blocking light incident from a vehicle exterior; an eye position detecting section that is provided further toward a vehicle front side than a vehicle seat within the cabin, and that is for detecting a position of eyes of a passenger; a sunlight direction detecting section that is provided at a cabin inner side of the windshield glass, and that is for specifying a coordinate position of a point where luminance of light is high, which position varies in accordance with an incident direction of the light that is incident; and a controlling section for, on the basis of results of detection by the eye position detecting section and the sunlight direction detecting section, computing a direction of incident light, and, in a case of judging that the eyes of the passenger are positioned on the direction of the incident light, operating the light-blocking section, and, in a case of judging that the eyes of the passenger are not positioned on the direction of the incident light, storing the light-blocking section.

[0007] In an automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of a second aspect of the present invention, the sunlight direction detecting section includes a light measuring sensor that is disc-shaped, and a Fresnel lens that is circular and that is provided above the light measuring sensor, and a plurality of convex/concave portions, whose shapes vary in a radial direction, are provided at the Fresnel lens.

[0008] In an automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of a third aspect of the present invention, in the automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of the first aspect or the second aspect, the sunlight direction detecting section is provided at a top surface of an instrument panel of a vehicle.

[0009] In an automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of the first aspect through the third aspect, the sunlight direction detecting section further has, above the circular Fresnel lens, a filter that is hemispherical, and the filter is formed of a material through which light does not pass, and a plurality of through-holes that pass-through in a plate thickness direction are provided in the filter.

[0010] In an automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of the fourth aspect, axial directions of the plurality of through-holes of the filter differ from one another.

[0011] In an automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of the second aspect through the fifth aspect, the convex/concave portions of the Fresnel lens are formed in shapes of concentric circles that are centered around a central axis of the Fresnel lens.

[0012] In an automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of the sixth aspect, the sunlight direction detecting section detects the coordinate position of the point where the luminance of the incident light is high, in two-dimensions that are a vehicle longitudinal direction and a vehicle transverse direction.

[0013] In accordance with the automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of the first aspect of the present invention, the position of the eyes of the passenger is detected by the eye position detecting section, and the coordinate position of the point where the luminance of the light is high, which position varies in accordance with the incident direction of the incident light, is detected by the sunlight direction detecting section. On the basis of these results of detection, the controlling section computes the incident direction of the incident light, and, in a case of judging that the eyes of the passenger are positioned on this incident direction, computes the position needed in order to block the incident light with respect to the position of the eyes of the passenger, and, on the basis of these results of computation, outputs driving signals to the light-blocking section. The light-blocking section automatically carries out light-blocking with respect to the passenger on the basis of the driving signals. Further, in a case in which the controlling section judges that the eyes of the passenger are not positioned on the incident direction of the incident light, the controlling section outputs driving signals to the light-blocking section to store the light-blocking section, and the light-blocking section is stored at a predetermined position on the basis of these driving signals.

[0014] In accordance with the automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of the second aspect of the present invention, at the sunlight direction detecting section, the coordinate position of the point where luminance is high, which point is projected onto the light measuring sensor by the Fresnel lens, varies in accordance with the incident direction of the incident light. Namely, plural convex/concave portions whose shapes vary in the radial direction are provided at the Fresnel lens. The shapes of the convex/concave portions differ so that the position of the point, at which there is high luminance of the light projected substantially perpendicularly onto the light measuring sensor that is provided beneath the Fresnel lens, varies in accordance with the angle of the incident light. The light, that is incident on a specific convex/concave portion in accordance with the angle of the incident light, is projected substantially perpendicularly onto the light measuring sensor. Further, light that is incident on the other convex/concave portions is either projected at an incline onto the light measuring sensor or is projected onto a place other than the light measuring sensor and is diffused. At this time, the region (point P), where the incident light is projected substantially perpendicularly onto the light measuring sensor, has the highest luminance at the light measuring sensor. Therefore, by detecting this region at the light measuring sensor, the convex/concave portion that refracts light is specified at the controlling device, and the incident angle of the incident light can be specified from the refractive characteristic that that convex/concave portion has.

[0015] In accordance with the automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of the third aspect of the present invention, the incident angle of the incident light can be specified by the structure of providing the sunlight direction detecting section at the top surface of the instrument panel of the vehicle.

[0016] In accordance with the automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of the fourth aspect of the present invention, light that is incident on the light measuring sensor is limited by the hemispherical filter that is provided above the Fresnel lens. Namely, the incident light passes only through a through-hole of the filter and reaches the Fresnel lens, and therefore, the projected position of the light by the light measuring sensor can be specified precisely.

[0017] In accordance with the automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the axial directions of the plural through-holes of the filter differ from one another. Therefore, the incident light passes-through only the through-hole whose axial direction is substantially the same as the incident direction of that incident light, and reaches the Fresnel lens. Namely, because light is not incident from through-holes other than the through-hole whose axial direction is substantially the same as the incident direction of the incident light, detection of the projected position of the light by the light measuring sensor is easy. Due thereto, all incident directions of incident light can be specified accurately by a simple structure.

[0018] In accordance with the automatic anti-glare devices for a vehicle of the sixth aspect and seventh aspect of the present invention, the convex/concave portions of the Fresnel lens are formed in the shapes of concentric circles that are centered around the central axis of the Fresnel lens. Therefore, the light measuring sensor can detect the coordinate position of the point where the luminance is high, in two dimensions that are the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle transverse direction. Namely, the convex/concave portions, that are formed in the shapes of concentric circles that are centered around the central axis of the Fresnel lens, are structured by the plural prisms whose shapes are different, and the lens central portion that is formed in an arc shape, so that the position of the point where there is high luminance of the light that is projected substantially perpendicularly onto the light measuring sensor that is provided beneath the Fresnel lens, varies each time the vertical angle, with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the left-right angle, with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, of the incident direction of the incident light differ. Therefore, at the time when incident light is incident from the horizontal direction for example, only the light that is incident on a specific prism, among the convex/concave portions, that has the characteristic of projecting incident light from the horizontal direction substantially

perpendicularly downward, is projected substantially perpendicularly onto the light measuring sensor. Further, the light that is incident on the other prisms is either projected at an incline onto the light measuring sensor, or is projected onto a place other than the light measuring sensor and is diffused. At this time, the region (point P), where the incident light is projected substantially perpendicularly onto the light measuring sensor, has the highest luminance at the light measuring sensor. Therefore, by detecting this region at the light measuring sensor, the prism that refracted the light is specified at the controlling device, and, from the refractive characteristic that that prism has, the incident light can be specified as light that was incident from the horizontal direction. Namely, by detecting the coordinate position of the point where the luminance is highest, the luminance and the vertical angle, with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the left-right angle, with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, of the incident direction of the incident light can be specified. Due thereto, all incident directions of incident light can be specified by a simple structure. Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0019] The automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of the first aspect has the excellent effect that an automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle, that can carry out appropriate anti-glare control by detecting the incident direction of the actual incident light with respect to a passenger, can be obtained.

[0020] The automatic anti-glare devices for a vehicle of the second aspect and the third aspect have the excellent effect that all incident directions of incident light can be specified by a simple structure.

[0021] The automatic anti-glare devices for a vehicle of the fourth aspect and the fifth aspect have the excellent effect that the projected position of light can be specified even more accurately.

[0022] The automatic anti-glare devices for a vehicle of the sixth aspect and the seventh aspect have the excellent effect that all incident directions of incident light can be specified even more precisely by a simple structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Fig. 1 is a side view showing an automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle relating to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing a sunlight direction sensor of the automatic anti-glare device relating to the first embodiment;

Fig. 3 is an exploded diagram of the sunlight direction sensor of the automatic anti-glare device relating to the first embodiment;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged schematic drawing of a light transmission path to a Fresnel lens and a light measuring sensor of the automatic anti-glare device relating to the first embodiment; Fig. 5 A is an enlarged sectional view of the light transmission path in a case in which an angle of sunlight is large at the automatic anti-glare device relating to the first embodiment, and Fig. 5B is an enlarged sectional view of the light transmission path in a case in which the angle of sunlight is small at the automatic anti-glare device relating to the first embodiment; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing a sunlight direction sensor of an automatic anti-glare device relating to a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] (First Embodiment)

A first embodiment of an automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle relating to the present invention is described hereinafter by using Fig. 1 through Fig. 5. Note that arrow FR that is shown appropriately in the drawings indicates the vehicle front side, arrow OUT indicates the vehicle left side (a vehicle transverse direction one side), and arrow UP indicates the upper side.

[0025] The overall structure of an automatic anti-glare device 10 is shown in Fig. 1. A roof lining 14, that is an interior material of a ceiling, is provided at upper side of a cabin 12 of a vehicle 11. A sun visor 20, that serves as a light-blocking section that blocks incident light from a vehicle exterior onto a passenger 18, is provided at the vehicle front side of the roof lining 14 and between the roof lining 14 and a roof panel 16. The sun visor 20 can automatically slide in the vehicle vertical direction along a front windshield glass 22 by a sun visor controlling device 74.

[0026] An instrument panel 24 is provided at the front portion of the cabin 12. A camera 26 for passenger recognition that serves as an eye position detecting section is mounted to this instrument panel 24. The camera 26 for passenger recognition is mounted to the instrument panel 24 such that the lens of the camera 26 is disposed in a direction facing a face 28 of the passenger 18. Due thereto, the face 28 of the passenger 18 can be sensed. Further, a sunlight direction sensor 32 that serves as a sunlight direction detecting section is mounted to a top surface 30 of the instrument panel 24 at the cabin inner side of the front windshield glass 22.

[0027] The sunlight direction sensor 32 and the camera 26 for passenger recognition and the sun visor controlling device 74 are all connected by unillustrated wires to an incident direction computing device 64 that serves as a control device. Accordingly, a signal of the coordinate position of a point where the luminance of the incident light is high is sent from the sunlight direction sensor 32 to the incident direction computing device 64, and image signals of the face 28 of the passenger 18 are sent from the camera 26 to the incident direction computing device 64. Further, driving signals are sent from the incident direction computing device 64 to the sun visor controlling device 74.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, the sunlight direction sensor 32 is structured by a cover 34, a Fresnel lens 36, a light measuring sensor 38, and a case 40 from the vehicle upper side. The cover 34 is formed of a transparent resin as an example, and, as shown in Fig. 2, has a cover upper portion 42, that is shaped as a substantial hemisphere that is convex toward the vehicle upper side, and a cover side portion 44, that is cylindrical tube shaped and extends toward the vehicle lower side from the lower end of the cover upper portion 42. The cover 34 is mounted to the case 40 so as to coyer the case 40 from above.

[0029] The case 40 is cylindrical tube shaped and an end thereof at the vehicle lower side is closed by a bottom portion 46. The light measuring sensor 38 that is formed in a disc shape is mounted to a surface 48 at the vehicle upper side of the bottom portion 46, and the light measuring sensor 38 is positioned on the same axis as the bottom portion 46 (see Fig. 3).

[0030] The light measuring sensor 38 can detect coordinate positions of spots of light.

When the light measuring sensor 38 receives a spot of light on a light-receiving surface 50 thereof, charges are generated and the charges flow to terminal portion of the light measuring sensor 38. The coordinate position and the luminance of the light are detected from the amount of the charges that flow to the terminal portion. Note that the coordinate position of the light is detected in two dimensions that are the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle transverse direction.

[0031] The Fresnel lens 36 is mounted to the case 40 so as to be disposed at the upper portion of the light measuring sensor 38. This Fresnel lens 36 is formed of a transparent resin or the like as an example, and a convex/concave portion 52 is provided at the vehicle upper side thereof. In other words, the convex/concave portion 52 is provided at the side on which light is incident. This convex/concave portion 52 is structured from a lens central portion 56 that is provided in a vicinity of a central axis 54 of the Fresnel lens 36, and a prism portion 58 that is provided at the radial direction outer side of the lens central portion 56. The lens central portion 56 is formed in the shape of an arc that is convex toward the vehicle upper side, and the curvature and the like of the arc shape are set so as to have a refractive characteristic that projects, substantially perpendicularly toward the vehicle lower side, incident light whose vertical angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction is 80° to 90°.

[0032] Further, at the prism portion 58, prisms 60A through 60H that are isosceles triangular are formed in continuation from the central axis 54 toward the radial direction outer side, and are formed such that angles of peak portions 62 of the prisms 60A through 60H are respectively different. Concretely, at the prism 60A, the angle of the peak portion 62 is set such that there is a refractive characteristic that projects, substantially perpendicularly toward the vehicle lower side, incident light whose vertical angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction is 70° to 80°. Accordingly, when incident light, whose vertical angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction is 70° to 80°, passes-through the prism 60A, this incident light is projected substantially perpendicularly toward the vehicle lower side. However, when light, whose vertical angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction is other than 70° to 80°, is incident on the prism 60A, this light is projected at an incline with respect to the perpendicular direction without being projected substantially perpendicularly toward the vehicle lower side.

[0033] Further, at the prisms 60B through 60H, the angles of the peak portions 62 are set as follows. Namely, at the prism 60B, the angle of the peak portion 62 is set such that there is a refractive characteristic that projects, substantially perpendicularly toward the vehicle lower side, incident light whose vertical angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction is 60° to 70°. At the prism 60C, the angle of the peak portion 62 is set such that there is a refractive characteristic that projects, substantially perpendicularly toward the vehicle lower side, incident light whose vertical angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction is 50° to 60°. Moreover, at the prism 60D, the angle of the peak portion 62 is set such that there is a refractive characteristic that projects, substantially perpendicularly toward the vehicle lower side, incident light whose vertical angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction is 40° to 50°. Still further, at the prism 60E, the angle of the peak portion 62 is set such that there is a refractive characteristic that projects, substantially perpendicularly toward the vehicle lower side, incident light whose vertical angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction is 30° to 40°. Further, at the prism 60F, the angle of the peak portion 62 is set such that there is a refractive characteristic that projects, substantially

perpendicularly toward the vehicle lower side, incident light whose vertical angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction is 20° to 30°. Moreover, at the prism 60G, the angle of the peak portion 62 is set such that there is a refractive characteristic that projects,

substantially perpendicularly toward the vehicle lower side, incident light whose vertical angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction is 10° to 20°. Still further, at the prism 60H, the angle of the peak portion 62 is set such that there is a refractive characteristic that projects, substantially perpendicularly toward the vehicle lower side, incident light whose vertical angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction is 0° to 10°.

[0034] Namely, the prism portion 58 is formed such that the angles of the peak portion 62 vary from the central axis 54 side toward the radial direction outer side, and the angles of these peak portions 62 vary at a constant increment. Note that, in the present embodiment, the angles of the incident light are classified in 10° increments, and the angles of the peak portions 62 are varied in accordance therewith. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other angles may be used.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4, the convex/concave portion 52 of this Fresnel lens 36 is formed in the shape of concentric circles that are centered around the central axis 54 of the Fresnel lens 36.

[0036] (Operation/Effects of First Embodiment)

The operation and effects of the first embodiment are described next.

[0037] The path of light to the Fresnel lens 36 and the light measuring sensor 38 in a case in which a vertical angle ΘΑ of incident light S, with respect to an imaginary line H that runs along the vehicle longitudinal direction, is large is shown in Fig. 5A. In a case in which the vertical angle ΘΑ with respect to the imaginary line H of the incident light S is from 70° to 80°, when the incident light S is incident on the Fresnel lens 36 of the sunlight direction sensor 32, the incident light S that passes through the prism 60A of the prism portion 58 is refracted within the prism 60 A. This refracted incident light S is projected substantially perpendicularly onto the light measuring sensor 38 that is provided beneath the Fresnel lens 36. Therefore, the incident light S is projected onto the light measuring sensor 38 in the form of a spot. Accordingly, luminance is high at the portion (point P) on the light measuring sensor 38, which portion is at the vehicle lower side of the prism 60 A.

[0038] Further, the incident light (not shown), that passes-through the other prisms 60B through 60H at which the angles of the peak portions 62 differ from that of the prism 60 A, is refracted in accordance with the refractive characteristics of the respective prisms 60B through 60H. Accordingly, the incident light is projected at an incline with respect to the perpendicular direction without being projected perpendicularly onto the light measuring sensor 38, or is projected onto regions other than the light measuring sensor 38. In this case, because the light that is incident on the prisms 60B through 60H is diffused, the luminance on the light measuring sensor 38, at the vehicle lower sides of the respective prisms 60B through 60H is relatively low as compared with the portion (point P) that is at the vehicle lower side of the prism 60A.

[0039] Namely, in a case in which the vertical angle ΘΑ of the incident direction of the incident light is large with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, the luminance at the central side of the light measuring sensor 38 is detected to be high.

[0040] On the other hand, the path of light to the Fresnel lens 36 and the light measuring sensor 38 in a case in which the vertical angle ΘΑ of the incident light S, with respect to the imaginary line H that runs along the vehicle longitudinal direction, is small is shown in Fig. 5B. In a case in which the vertical angle ΘΑ with respect to the imaginary line H of the incident light S is from 20° to 30°, when this incident light S is incident on the prism 60G of the prism portion 58, the incident light S that passes through the prism 60G is refracted within the prism 60G. This refracted incident light S is projected substantially perpendicularly onto the light measuring sensor 38, and therefore, the incident light S is projected onto the light measuring sensor 38 in the form of a spot. Accordingly, luminance is high at the portion (point P) on the light measuring sensor 38, which portion is at the vehicle lower side of the prism 60G.

[0041] Further, the incident light (not shown), that passes-through the prisms 60 A through 60F and 60H that are other than the prism 60G, is refracted in accordance with the refractive characteristics of the respective prisms 60 A through 60F and 60H. Accordingly, the incident light S is projected at an incline with respect to the perpendicular direction without being projected perpendicularly onto the light measuring sensor 38, or is projected onto regions other than the light measuring sensor 38. In this case, because the light that is incident on the prisms 60A through 60F and 60H is diffused, the luminances of the portions on the light measuring sensor 38, which portions are at the vehicle lower sides of the respective prisms 60A through 60F and 60H, are relatively low as compared with the portion (point P) that is at the vehicle lower side of the prism 60G.

[0042] Namely, in a case in which the vertical angle ΘΑ of the incident direction of the incident light is small with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, the luminance at the outer peripheral side of the light measuring sensor 38 is detected to be high.

[0043] Namely, the convex/concave portion 52 is formed by the lens central portion 56 and by the prisms 60A through 60H at which the angles of the peak portions 62 differ so as to project incident light by refraction substantially perpendicularly onto the light measuring sensor 38, in accordance with the vertical angle ΘΑ, with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, of the incident light. Due thereto, the coordinate position of the point where luminance is high on the light measuring sensor 38 is detected, and the results of detection are sent to the incident direction computing device 64. Due thereto, on the basis of the results of detection, the incident direction computing device 64 specifies the prism that refracts light, and the vertical angle ΘΑ, with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, of the incident light is derived from the refractive characteristic of the prism that has been registered in advance. Note that, with respect to the incident direction of the actual incident light, not only the vertical angle ΘΑ with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, but also a left-right angle ΘΒ (not shown) with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, varies. However, as shown in Fig. 4, the Fresnel lens 36 and the light measuring sensor 38 are respectively formed in circular shapes, and the prisms 60A through 60H and the lens central portion 56 are formed in the shapes of concentric circles that are centered around the central axis 54. Therefore, the sunlight direction sensor 32 can detect the coordinate position of the point where the luminance is high in two dimensions that are the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle transverse direction. Accordingly, the left-right angle ΘΒ, with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, of the incident light also can be derived by the incident direction computing device 64 on the basis of the results of detection of the sunlight direction sensor 32.

[0044] The image of the face 28 of the passenger 18 that is detected by the camera 26 for passenger recognition is sent to the incident direction computing device 64. On the basis of these results of detection, the position of the eyes of the passenger 18 is derived at the incident direction computing device 64.

[0045] On the basis of the results of detection at the sunlight direction sensor 32 and the camera 26, when the eyes of the passenger 18 are positioned on the incident direction of the incident light, the incident direction computing device 64 judges that "light-blocking is needed", and, on the basis of the respective results of detection, computes the region where light-blocking in front of the passenger is needed, and sends driving signals to the sun visor controlling device 74 to move the sun visor 20 to that position.

[0046] Due to the driving signals from the incident direction computing device 64, the sun visor controlling device 74 slides the sun visor 20 along the front windshield glass 22 toward the vehicle lower side. When the sun visor 20 is slid to the region at which light-blocking is needed, operation of the sun visor controlling device 74 stops. Due thereto, glare prevention can be carried out only at the region where the passenger 18 is actually experiencing glare, while the field of vision in front of the passenger 18 is ensured.

[0047] Further, in a case in which the incident direction computing device 64 judges, on the basis of the results of detection of the sunlight direction sensor 32 and the camera 26, that the eyes of the passenger 18 are not positioned on the incident direction of the light, the incident direction computing device 64 judges that "light-blocking is unnecessary", and sends driving signals to the sun visor controlling device 74 to store the sun visor 20 within the roof lining 14.

[0048] Due to the driving signals from the incident direction computing device 64, the sun visor controlling device 74 slides the sun visor 20 along the front windshield glass 22 toward the vehicle upper side, and stores the sun visor 20 within the roof lining 14. Due thereto, the field of vision in front of the passenger 18 can be ensured to be the maximum.

[0049] In this way, in the automatic anti-glare device 10 relating to the present embodiment, appropriate anti-glare control can be carried out by detecting the incident direction of actual incident light with respect to the passenger 18.

[0050] Further, the vertical angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the left-right angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, of the incident light can be specified from the refractive characteristics of the prisms. Therefore, all incident directions of incident light can be specified by a simple structure.

[0051] (Second Embodiment)

The automatic anti-glare device 10 for a vehicle relating to a second embodiment of the present invention is described next by using Fig. 6. Note that structural portions that are the same as those of the above-described first embodiment and the like are denoted by the same numbers, and description thereof is omitted.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 6, in the automatic anti-glare device 10 relating to this second embodiment, the basic structure is similar to that of the first embodiment, and there is the feature that, instead of the cover 34, a filter 66 is used at a sunlight direction sensor 76.

[0053] Namely, the filter 66 is formed, as an example, of a resin or the like through which light cannot pass, and has a filter upper portion 68 that is formed in a hemispherical shape that is convex toward the vehicle upper side, and a filter side portion 70 that is shaped as a cylindrical tube and extends toward the vehicle lower side from the lower end of the filter upper portion 68. Plural through-holes 72 that pass-through in the plate thickness direction are provided in the filter 66. Because the through-holes 72 pass-through in the plate thickness direction of the filter 66 that is formed in a hemispherical shape, the axial directions of the plural through-holes 72 are provided so as to differ respectively. Further, the filter 66 is mounted to the case 40 so as to cover the case 40 from the upper portion thereof.

[0054] (Operation/Effects of Second Embodiment)

The operation and effects of the second embodiment are described next.

[0055] In the automatic anti-glare device 10 relating to the present embodiment as well, the Fresnel lens 36 is provided at the sunlight direction sensor 76, and therefore, operation and effects that are similar to those of the above-described first embodiment are obtained.

Namely, by detecting the incident direction of actual incident light with respect to the passenger 18, appropriate anti-glare control can be carried out, and all incident directions of incident light can be specified by a simple structure.

[0056] Moreover, as shown in Fig. 6, at the sunlight direction sensor 76, the light that is incident on the light measuring sensor 38 is limited by the filter 66 that is provided above the light measuring sensor 38. Namely, incident light passes-through only the through-holes 72 of the filter 66 and reaches the Fresnel lens 36, but because the axial directions of the plural through-holes 72 are respectively different, the incident light passes-through only the through-hole 72 whose axial direction is substantially the same as the incident direction of the incident light, and reaches the Fresnel lens 36. Namely, because light is not incident from the through-holes 72 other than the through-hole 72 whose axial direction is substantially the same as the incident direction of the incident light, detection of the projected position of the light by the light measuring sensor 38 is easy. Due thereto, all incident directions of incident light can be specified more precisely by a simple structure.

[0057] Note that, in the respective embodiments, there is a structure in which the sun visor 20 slides in the vehicle vertical direction as the light-blocking section of the passenger 18. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and another light-blocking section may be used. As an example, there may be a structure that prevents glare by providing a liquid crystal film at the front windshield glass 22 and making only the area, of this liquid crystal film at which it is judged that light-blocking is needed, be a dark color.

[0058] Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the Fresnel lens 36 is used at the sunlight direction sensor 32, but the present invention is not limited to this, and another optical part such as a convex lens or the like may be used. In a case of using a convex lens, the coordinate position of the point where the luminance of the incident light is high can be detected by providing the convex lens at a position where the light, that is incident on the convex lens, forms a focal point on the light measuring sensor 38.

[0059] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above, and may of course be implemented by being modified in various ways other than the above within a scope that does not depart from the gist thereof.

[0060] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-197384, filed September 24, 2013, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

Claim 1. An automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle comprising:

a light-blocking section that is provided at a windshield glass or at an upper portion side of a cabin inner side of a windshield glass, and that is for blocking light incident from a vehicle exterior;

an eye position detecting section that is provided further toward a vehicle front side than a vehicle seat within the cabin, and that is for detecting a position of eyes of a passenger; a sunlight direction detecting section that is provided at a cabin inner side of the windshield glass, and that is for specifying a coordinate position of a point where luminance of light is high, which position varies in accordance with an incident direction of the light; and

a controlling section for, on the basis of results of detection by the eye position detecting section and the sunlight direction detecting section, computing a direction of incident light, and, in a case of judging that the eyes of the passenger are positioned on the direction of the incident light, operating the light-blocking section, and, in a case of judging that the eyes of the passenger are not positioned on the direction of the incident light, storing the light-blocking section.

Claim 2. The automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of Claim 1, wherein the sunlight direction detecting section comprises a light measuring sensor that is disc-shaped, and a Fresnel lens that is circular and that is provided above the light measuring sensor, and a plurality of convex/concave portions, whose shapes vary in a radial direction, are provided at the Fresnel lens.

Claim 3. The automatic anti -glare device for a vehicle of Claim 1, wherein the sunlight direction detecting section is provided at a top surface of an instrument panel of a vehicle.

Claim 4. The automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of any one of Claims 1 through 3, wherein the sunlight direction detecting section further comprises, above the circular Fresnel lens, a filter that is hemispherical, and the filter is formed of a material through which light does not pass, and a plurality of through-holes that pass-through in a plate thickness direction of the filter are provided in the filter.

Claim 5. The automatic anti -glare device for a vehicle of Claim 4, wherein axial directions of the plurality of through-holes of the filter differ from one another.

Claim 6. The automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of any one of Claims 2 through 5, wherein the convex/concave portions of the Fresnel lens are formed in shapes of concentric circles that are centered around a central axis of the Fresnel lens.

Claim 7. The automatic anti-glare device for a vehicle of Claim 6, wherein the sunlight direction detecting section detects the coordinate position of the point where the luminance of the incident light is high, in two-dimensions that are a vehicle longitudinal direction and a vehicle transverse direction.