WO2023021919A1

WO2023021919A1 - Passenger sensing device

Info

Publication number: WO2023021919A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/028352
Authority: WO
Inventors: 貴洋石川; 智也山下
Original assignee: 株式会社デンソー
Priority date: 2021-08-20
Filing date: 2022-07-21
Publication date: 2023-02-23
Also published as: JPWO2023021919A1

Abstract

A passenger sensing device according to the present invention is provided with sensors (20) which sense a passenger state. The sensors are disposed on inclined surface sections (10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19) of ceiling edges or pillar tops inside a vehicle interior, the normal directions of the inclined surface sections facing passengers seated on seats.

Description

Occupant detection device

Cross-reference to related applications

This application is based on Japanese Application No. 2021-134841 filed on August 20, 2021, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein.

The present disclosure relates to an occupant detection device.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a rear-seat occupant is imaged by a rear-seat camera so that the front-seat occupant can check the situation of the rear-seat occupant while driving a vehicle, and the captured camera image is displayed on the front-seat display. is disclosed.

JP-A-2003-25911

In Patent Document 1, the rear-seat camera is arranged on the ceiling of the passenger compartment, but if a sunroof or glass roof is arranged on the ceiling of the passenger compartment, the rear-seat camera cannot be arranged on the ceiling. There's a problem. Further, in order to orient the camera optical axis of the rear-seat camera obliquely downward, it is necessary to provide a protrusion structure or a bulge structure, and the protrusion structure or bulge structure has the problem of degrading the design. Such problems are not limited to cameras as image sensors that capture images of passengers, but also occur in other sensors that detect the state of passengers, such as ToF (Time Of Flight) sensors, millimeter wave sensors, and ultrasonic sensors. obtain.

The purpose of the present disclosure is to appropriately arrange the device in the vehicle interior so that the state of the occupant can be detected appropriately without degrading the design.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the sensor that detects the state of the occupant is located on the edge side of the ceiling or the upper end side of the pillar in the vehicle interior, and the normal direction is the inclined surface portion facing the occupant seated on the seat. are placed in By arranging the sensor on the edge side of the ceiling or the upper end side of the pillar, even if a sunroof or glass roof is arranged on the ceiling of the vehicle interior, the sensor can be arranged to avoid the sunroof or the glass roof sensor. can. By arranging the sensor in a position where the normal direction faces obliquely downward, the optical axis of the sensor can be directed toward the occupant without the need for a protrusion structure or a bulging structure, and the occupant's condition can be detected appropriately. As a result, it is possible to appropriately arrange the sensor in the vehicle interior so that the state of the occupant can be appropriately detected without degrading the design.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawing is
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the first embodiment and schematically showing the interior of the vehicle, FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the interior of the vehicle as viewed from the rear of the vehicle; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a mode in which the camera and the lighting section are arranged on the left first inclined surface section; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the definition of the coordinate system, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the inclination of the camera optical axis and the illumination optical axis, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a mode in which the camera and the lighting section are arranged on the left second inclined surface section; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a mode in which the camera and the lighting section are arranged on the left third inclined surface section; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a camera image, FIG. 43 is a plan view showing the second embodiment and schematically showing the interior of the vehicle, FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a mode in which the camera and the illumination unit are arranged on the inclined surface portion; FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a mode in which the camera and the illumination unit are arranged on the inclined surface; FIG. 46 is a diagram showing a mode in which the camera and lighting section are arranged on the inclined surface section.

Several embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment shown below, the same reference numerals are given to parts corresponding to the contents described in the preceding embodiments, and redundant description may be omitted. The left-right direction means the width direction of the vehicle, the front-rear direction means the length direction of the vehicle, and the up-down direction means the height direction of the vehicle. Also, the description will be made with reference to a vehicle in which the driver's seat is arranged on the right side when facing the front of the vehicle. Only the arrangement relationship with the seats is replaced, and the others can be applied in the same way.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 40. FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a driver's seat 2 and a passenger's seat 3 are arranged side by side in a vehicle interior 1 in the left-right direction. A right rear seat 4 and a left rear seat 5 are arranged behind the driver seat 2 and the passenger seat 3 as rear seats. A front window 6 is arranged in front of the driver's seat 2 and the passenger's seat 3 .

As shown in FIG. 2, a right B-pillar 8 is arranged near the right side of the headrest 2a of the driver's seat 2 in the passenger compartment 1. As shown in FIG. The right B-pillar 8 is formed in a curved shape from the bottom to the top in accordance with the shape of the vehicle body. A right C-pillar 9 is arranged near the right side of the headrest 4 a of the right rear seat 4 . The right C-pillar 9 is also formed in a curved shape from the bottom to the top in accordance with the shape of the vehicle body. A portion on the right end side of the ceiling 7 and connected to the upper end portion 8a of the right B-pillar 8 is inclined, and the inclined portion is a right first inclined surface portion 10 . A portion on the right end side of the ceiling 7 and connected to the upper end portion 11a of the right rear seat door 11 is inclined, and the inclined portion is a right second inclined surface portion 12 . The upper end portion 8 a side of the right B-pillar 8 is inclined, and the inclined portion is a right third inclined surface portion 13 . The normal directions of the first right inclined surface portion 10, the second right inclined surface portion 12, and the third right inclined surface portion 13 are all diagonally downward.

Similarly, a left B-pillar 14 is arranged near the left side of the headrest 3a of the passenger seat 3. The left B-pillar 14 is formed in a curved shape from the bottom to the top in accordance with the shape of the vehicle body. A left C-pillar 15 is arranged near the left side of the headrest 5 a of the left rear seat 5 . The left C-pillar 15 is also formed in a curved shape from the bottom to the top in accordance with the shape of the vehicle body. A portion on the left end side of the ceiling 7 and connected to the upper end portion 14 a of the left B-pillar 14 is inclined, and the inclined portion is a left first inclined surface portion 16 . A portion on the left end side of the ceiling 7 and connected to the upper end portion 17a of the left rear seat door 17 is inclined, and the inclined portion is a left second inclined surface portion 18. As shown in FIG. The upper end portion 14 a side of the left B-pillar 14 is inclined, and the inclined portion is a left third inclined surface portion 19 . The normal directions of the first left inclined surface portion 16, the second left inclined surface portion 18, and the third left inclined surface portion 19 are all diagonally downward.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the first left inclined surface portion 16, a camera 20 as an occupant detection device, which is an image sensor for capturing an image of a rear seat occupant, and an illumination unit 21 for illuminating the rear seat occupant are arranged in the front-rear direction. are placed in The camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 may be housed in the same housing or may be housed in separate housings. The camera 20 has a camera lens and an image sensor that converts incident light imaged by the camera lens into an electrical signal. The camera optical axis, which is the optical axis of the camera 20, is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the camera 20. As shown in FIG. The image sensor is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), or the like. The illumination unit 21 includes a light emitting element such as an LED or a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL: Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser), and emits near-infrared light from the light emitting element. The illumination optical axis, which is the optical axis of the illumination section 21 , is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the illumination section 21 .

As described above, the normal direction of the left first inclined surface portion 16 is diagonally downward. When attached to the inclined surface portion 16, the camera optical axis is directed obliquely downward. When the illumination unit 21 is attached to the left first inclined surface portion 16 so that the bottom surface of the illumination unit 21 is in contact with the left first inclined surface portion 16, the illumination optical axis is directed obliquely downward. Become. That is, if the rear seat occupants are seated in the right rear seat 4 or the left rear seat 5, both the camera optical axis and the illumination optical axis are aligned with the rear seat passengers sitting in the right rear seat 4 and the left rear seat 5. direction.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the camera 20 is arranged so that the camera optical axis can be tilted in the yaw direction, the pitch direction, and the roll direction of the left first inclined surface portion 16 so as to be adjustable. The yaw direction and the pitch direction are directions parallel to the surface direction of the left first inclined surface portion 16 , and the roll direction is a direction perpendicular to the surface direction of the left first inclined surface portion 16 . It is sufficient if the camera optical axis can be tilted and adjusted in at least one of the yaw direction, the pitch direction, and the roll direction of the left first inclined surface portion 16 . That is, the camera optical axis may be tilted and adjusted in all of the yaw, pitch and roll directions of the left first tilted surface portion 16, or may be tilted and adjusted only in the yaw direction, for example. good. Similarly, the illumination unit 21 is arranged so that the illumination optical axis can be tilted in the yaw direction, the pitch direction, and the roll direction of the left first inclined surface portion 16 so as to be adjustable. It is sufficient if the illumination optical axis can be tilted and adjusted in at least one of the yaw direction, the pitch direction, and the roll direction of the left first inclined surface portion 16 . That is, the illumination optical axis may be tilted and adjusted in all directions of the yaw direction, pitch direction and roll direction of the left first inclined surface portion 16, or may be tilted and adjusted only in the yaw direction, for example. good.

In addition, in the configuration in which the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are arranged close to each other, there is almost no angular difference between the camera optical axis and the illumination optical axis. Therefore, the light emitted from the illumination unit 21 is reflected by the retina of the occupant's eye toward the camera 20, and the light reflected by the retina is directly incident on the camera 20, which may cause the red-eye phenomenon. However, even if the red-eye phenomenon occurs, it is possible to eliminate the influence of the red-eye phenomenon at the stage of image processing.

Although the case where the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are arranged on the left first inclined surface portion 16 has been described above, the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are arranged on the left second inclined surface portion 18 as shown in FIG. The camera optical axis and the illumination optical axis are obliquely downward even when the camera is on. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, even when the camera 20 and the illumination section 21 are arranged on the left third inclined surface section 19, the camera optical axis and the illumination optical axis are directed obliquely downward. Incidentally, the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are arranged in any of the left first inclined surface portion 16, the left second inclined surface portion 18, and the left left third inclined surface portion 19, in any of the front-rear direction, the vertical direction, and the oblique direction. They can be lined up. Also, the number of cameras 20 and illumination units 21 may be two or more, and two or more cameras 20 and two or more illumination units 21 may be arranged in any of the front-rear direction, the vertical direction, and the oblique direction. Moreover, the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 may be arranged on any of the right first inclined surface portion 10, the right second inclined surface portion 12, and the right third inclined surface portion 13. is obliquely downward. Furthermore, even when the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are arranged on any of the

inclined surface portions

10, 12, 13, 18 and 19, the camera optical axis and the illumination optical axis 19 yaw, pitch and roll tilts may be arranged so as to be adjustable.

FIGS. 8 to 14 employ a horizontal 360-degree camera as the camera 20, and show camera images captured by the camera 20 according to the arrangement position of the camera 20. FIG. FIG. 8 shows a camera image when the camera 20 and the lighting section 21 are arranged on the overhead console (the position indicated by "a" in FIG. 1) in front of the ceiling 7. FIG. FIG. 9 shows a camera image when the camera 20 and the illumination section 21 are arranged in the central portion of the ceiling 7 (the position indicated by "b" in FIG. 1). FIG. 10 shows a camera image when the camera 20 and the lighting section 21 are arranged above the rear seat on the ceiling 7 (the position indicated by "c" in FIG. 1). 11 and 12 are camera images when the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are arranged on the left third inclined surface portion 19 on the upper end portion 14a side of the left B-pillar 14 (position indicated by "d" in FIG. 1). , and FIG. 12 shows the camera image when zoomed. 13 to 14 show camera images when the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are arranged on the upper end portion 15a side of the left C-pillar 15 (position indicated by "e" in FIG. 1), and FIG. 14 is a zoomed image. Shows the camera image when

8 to 10 and FIGS. 13 to 15, the camera 20 and the lighting unit 21 are located in the overhead console in front of the ceiling 7, the central part of the ceiling 7, the upper part of the rear seat of the ceiling 7, and the left C-pillar 15. When arranged on the upper end portion 15a side, the face of the rear seat occupant A cannot be imaged from the front, and the face of the rear seat occupant A cannot be properly imaged. 11 and 12, when the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are arranged on the left third inclined surface portion 19 on the upper end portion 14a side of the left B-pillar 14, the rear seat occupant A The face can be imaged from a direction close to the front, and the face of the rear seat occupant A can be appropriately imaged.

In the above, the camera image when the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are arranged on the left third inclined surface portion 19 on the upper end portion 14a side of the left B-pillar 14 is illustrated. The same applies to the camera images when arranged on the first inclined surface portion 16 and the left second inclined surface portion 18 . The same applies to camera images when the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are arranged on the right first inclined surface portion 10, the right second inclined surface portion 12, and the right third inclined surface portion 13, respectively. That is, even when the camera 20 and the lighting unit 21 are arranged on the left first inclined surface portion 16, the left second inclined surface portion 18, the right first inclined surface portion 10, the right second inclined surface portion 12, or the right second inclined surface portion 13, The face of the rear seat occupant A can be imaged from a direction close to the front, and the face of the rear seat occupant A can be properly imaged.

Also, the same applies when a child seat is installed in the rear seat. 15 to 21 respectively show camera images corresponding to FIGS. 8 to 14 when the child seat is mounted on the right rear seat 4 in a forward facing state. A forward-facing state is a state in which an infant seated in a child seat faces the front of the vehicle. 15 to 17 and FIGS. 20 to 21, the camera 20 and the lighting unit 21 are located in the overhead console in front of the ceiling 7, the center of the ceiling 7, the upper part of the rear seat of the ceiling 7, and the left side. When arranged on the upper end portion 15a side of the C-pillar 15, the face of the infant C seated in the child seat B in the rear seat cannot be imaged from the front, and the face of the infant C cannot be properly imaged. . 18 to 19, when the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are arranged on the left third inclined surface portion 19 on the upper end portion 14a side of the left B-pillar 14, the rear child seat B The face of the infant C sitting on the chair can be imaged from a direction close to the front, and the face of the infant C can be appropriately imaged.

When a child seat is installed in the rear seat, it may be installed facing backwards. A rearward facing state is a state in which an infant seated in a child seat faces toward the rear of the vehicle. In this case, the camera 20 and the lighting section 21 can be arranged on the upper end portion 15a side of the left C-pillar 15 to cope with this. FIGS. 22 to 28 respectively show camera images corresponding to FIGS. 8 to 14 when the child seat is mounted on the right rear seat 4 in a rearward facing state. In this case, as is clear from FIGS. 22 to 23 and FIGS. 25 to 26, the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are mounted on the overhead console in front of the ceiling 7, the central portion of the ceiling 7, and the upper end portion 14a of the left B-pillar 14. , the face of the infant C seated in the child seat B in the rear seat cannot be imaged from the front, and the face of the infant C cannot be properly imaged. 24, 27 to 28, when the camera 20 and the lighting section 21 are arranged above the rear seat on the ceiling 7 and on the side of the upper end 15a of the left C-pillar 15, the rear seat The face of the infant C sitting in the child seat B can be imaged from a direction close to the front, and the face of the infant C can be appropriately imaged.

In some cases, the child seat is attached with a canopy that can be opened and closed, but even in that case, the camera 20 and the lighting unit 21 can be arranged on the upper end portion 15a side of the left C-pillar 15. FIGS. 29 to 35 respectively show camera images corresponding to FIGS. 8 to 14 when the child seat is mounted on the right rear seat in a rearward-facing state and the hood is not used, that is, when the hood is closed. 29 to 30 and 32 to 33, the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are mounted on the overhead console in front of the ceiling 7, the central portion of the ceiling 7, and the upper end portion 14a of the left B-pillar 14. When placed on the side, the face of the infant E seated in the child seat D in the rear seat cannot be imaged from the front, and the face of the infant E cannot be properly imaged. 31, 34 to 35, when the camera 20 and the lighting unit 21 are arranged above the rear seat on the ceiling 7 and on the side of the upper end 15a of the left C-pillar 15, the rear seat The face of the infant E sitting in the child seat D can be imaged from a direction close to the front, and the face of the infant E can be appropriately imaged.

Also, FIGS. 36 to 42 show camera images corresponding to FIGS. 8 to 14 when the child seat is mounted on the right rear seat in a rearward-facing state and the hood is in use, that is, when the hood is open. 36 to 37 and FIGS. 39 to 40, the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are mounted on the overhead console in front of the ceiling 7, the central portion of the ceiling 7, and the upper end portion 14a of the left B-pillar 14. When placed on the side, the face of the infant E seated in the child seat D in the rear seat cannot be imaged from the front, and the face of the infant E cannot be properly imaged. 38, 41 to 42, when the camera 20 and the lighting section 21 are arranged above the rear seat on the ceiling 7 and on the side of the upper end 15a of the left C-pillar 15, the rear seat The face of the infant E sitting in the child seat D can be imaged from a direction close to the front, and the face of the infant E can be appropriately imaged.

In this way, when imaging a rear seat occupant sitting forward in the second row seat or an infant sitting in a child seat, the upper end portion 14a side of the left B-pillar 14 or the right B-pillar 8 By arranging the camera 20 and the lighting unit 21 on the upper end part 8a side, etc., the rear seat occupant seated in the second row seat in a forward facing state and the infant seated in the child seat can be appropriately imaged. can be done. Further, when imaging a rear seat occupant sitting in the second row seat facing backward or an infant sitting in a child seat, the upper end portion 15a side of the left C-pillar 15 or the right C-pillar 9 may be photographed. By arranging the camera 20 and the lighting unit 21 on the side of the upper end 9a, it is possible to appropriately image rear-seat occupants sitting in the second-row seats facing backward and infants sitting in child seats. .

In the case of a vehicle with three rows of seats, the upper end portion 15a of the left C-pillar 15 is used to image rear-seat occupants seated in the third-row seats facing forward or infants seated in child seats. By arranging the camera 20 and the lighting unit 21 on the upper end portion 9a side of the side and the right C-pillar 9, rear seat occupants seated in the third row seat facing forward and infants seated in child seats can be monitored. If the image can be captured appropriately, and the rear seat occupant sitting in the third row seat facing backwards or the infant sitting in the child seat are to be imaged, the upper end side or the right side of the left D pillar is used. By arranging a camera 20 and a lighting part 21 on the upper end part side of a D pillar, a rear seat occupant sitting in a third row seat facing backward and an infant sitting in a child seat can be properly imaged. can be done.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. The camera 20 is arranged on the

inclined surface portions

10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19 of the end portion side of the ceiling 7 and the

upper end portions

8a, 9a, 14a, 15a of the

pillars

8, 9, 14, 15. . Even if a sunroof or a glass roof is arranged on the ceiling 7 in the passenger compartment 1, the camera 20 can be arranged while avoiding the sunroof and the glass roof sensor. By arranging the camera 20 at a position where the normal direction faces obliquely downward, the optical axis of the camera can be directed toward the occupant without the need for a protrusion structure or a bulge structure, and the occupant can be captured appropriately. As a result, the camera 20 can be appropriately arranged so that the occupant can be captured appropriately without degrading the design.

In addition, the camera 20 and the illumination unit 21 are mounted on the

inclined surfaces

10, 12, 13, 16, 18, and 19 of the ceiling 7 and the upper ends 8a, 9a, 14a, and 15a of the

pillars

8, 9, 14, and 15. It is configured to be arranged. Even if a sunroof or a glass roof is arranged on the ceiling 7 in the passenger compartment 1, the illumination unit 21 can be arranged together with the camera 20 while avoiding the sunroof and the glass roof sensor. By arranging the lighting unit 21 at a portion where the normal direction is directed obliquely downward, the lighting optical axis can be directed toward the occupant without the need for a projection structure or a bulging structure, and the occupant can be properly illuminated.

Note that the camera 20 as an image sensor that captures an image of a passenger has been exemplified above, but it can also be applied to other sensors that detect the state of a passenger, such as a ToF sensor, a millimeter wave sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor. . That is, even if a sunroof or a glass roof is arranged on the ceiling 7 in the passenger compartment 1, various sensors such as a ToF sensor, a millimeter wave sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor can be arranged while avoiding the sunroof and the glass roof sensor. . By arranging various sensors in positions where the normal direction faces obliquely downward, the sensor optical axis can be directed toward the occupant without the need for a protrusion structure or a bulging structure, and the occupant can be detected appropriately. By setting the sensor optical axis of a ToF sensor, a millimeter wave sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like in an obliquely downward direction, it is possible to appropriately detect the state of a passenger.

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 43 to 46. FIG. The second embodiment is an embodiment applied to a MaaS (Mobility as a Service) vehicle or the like. In the cabin 31, a plurality of folding seats 32 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of fixed seats 33 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. A handrail 34 and a strap 35 are arranged in the compartment 31 . The portion on the end side of the ceiling 36 that is connected to the upper end portion 37a of the pillar 37, the portion that is connected to the upper end portion 38a of the window 38, and the portion on the upper end portion 37a side of the pillar 37 are inclined surface portions 39 to 41, respectively. . As shown in FIGS. 44 to 46, on the inclined surface portions 39 to 1, a camera 20, which is an image sensor for capturing an image of an occupant as an occupant detection device, and an illumination unit 21 for illuminating the occupant are arranged side by side. ing. In this case, a rail mechanism (not shown) extending in the horizontal direction is arranged on the

inclined surface portions

39 and 40, and the camera 20 and the illumination portion 21 are arranged in the rail mechanism so that the camera 20 and the illumination portion 21 can move in the horizontal direction. You may arrange|position so that a movement is possible. A detection mechanism for detecting the seat on which the occupant is seated and a driving mechanism for horizontally moving the camera 20 and the lighting unit 21 are arranged, the detection mechanism detects the seat on which the occupant is seated, and the seat on which the occupant is seated is detected by the detection mechanism. The camera 20 and the illumination section 21 may be moved by a driving mechanism according to their positions.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. The camera 20 is arranged on the end side of the ceiling 36 and the inclined surface portions 39 to 41 of the upper end portion 37 a of the pillar 37 . As in the first embodiment, even if a sunroof or a glass roof is arranged on the ceiling 35 in the passenger compartment 31, the camera 20 can be arranged while avoiding the sunroof or the glass roof sensor. By arranging the camera 20 at a position where the normal direction faces obliquely downward, the optical axis of the camera can be directed toward the occupant without the need for a protrusion structure or a bulge structure, and the occupant can be captured appropriately.

In addition, the illumination section 21 is arranged together with the camera 20 on the end side of the ceiling 36 and the inclined surface sections 39 to 41 of the upper end section 37 a of the pillar 37 . Even if a sunroof or a glass roof is arranged on the ceiling 35 in the passenger compartment 31, the illumination unit 21 can be arranged together with the camera 20 while avoiding the sunroof and the glass roof sensor. By arranging the lighting unit 21 at a portion where the normal direction is directed obliquely downward, the lighting optical axis can be directed toward the occupant without the need for a projection structure or a bulging structure, and the occupant can be properly illuminated.

In addition, rail mechanisms extending in the horizontal direction are arranged on the

inclined surface portions

39 and 40, and the camera 20 and the illumination portion 21 are arranged so as to be movable. By moving 21, the positions of the camera optical axis and the illumination optical axis can be freely adjusted.

(Other embodiments)
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to examples, it is understood that it is not limited to such examples or structures. The present disclosure also includes various modifications and modifications within the equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and configurations, as well as other combinations and configurations including single elements, more, or less, are within the scope and spirit of this disclosure.
The number and arrangement of seats in the passenger compartment may be other than those illustrated.

Claims

A sensor (20) for detecting the state of the occupant is provided,
The sensor is located on the end side of the ceiling or the upper end side of the pillar in the passenger compartment, and the normal direction is the inclined surface portion (10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 39 41), an occupant detection device.
The inclined surface portions include a first inclined surface portion (10, 16) connected to the upper end portion of the pillar on the end side of the ceiling, and a second inclined surface portion (10, 16) connected to the upper end portion of the door or the upper end portion of the window on the end side of the ceiling. 2. The occupant detection device according to claim 1, comprising at least one of an inclined surface portion (12, 18) and a third inclined surface portion (13, 19) on the upper end side of the pillar.
The occupant detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor can be adjusted by tilting the sensor optical axis with respect to the inclined surface portion in at least one of the yaw direction, the pitch direction and the roll direction.
The occupant detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor is movably arranged.
The sensor is an image sensor that images an occupant,
A lighting unit (21) that illuminates the occupant,
The occupant detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lighting section is arranged on the inclined surface section in the vehicle interior.
6. The occupant detection device according to claim 5, wherein the illumination optical axis of the illumination section can be tilted in at least one of the yaw direction, the pitch direction, and the roll direction with respect to the inclined surface section.
The occupant detection device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the illumination unit is arranged to be movable.