JP2002331870A - Onboard periphery visually recognizing device, and heat- shielding plate therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shield the hot air from a radiator when an image pickup device is fitted to an opening grille. SOLUTION: A heat shielding plate 21 having hoods 24, 25 and 26 for preventing hot air from turning around is disposed between the image pickup device 3 and the radiator 1a. Even when an engine is stopped, and a cooling fan 4 is stopped, hot air from the radiator 1a can be shielded from the image pickup device 3 by the heat shielding plate 21, and any damages on a CCD inside the image pickup device 3 can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device having an image sensor for sensing a visual field image around a vehicle in a vehicle such as an automobile, and a heat shield plate thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When an automobile approaches an intersection, it is necessary to confirm the safety of the left and right vehicles. However, at an intersection with poor left and right visibility, the driver slightly enters the vehicle into the intersection.
It was necessary to check the safety on the left and right. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the approach into the intersection, and after the approach, it is necessary to directly confirm the safety by visually recognizing both right and left sides, which is a mental burden on the driver.

Therefore, in order to reduce the above-mentioned burden, in recent years, holes are formed on both sides of a bumper of an automobile, and image sensors such as CCDs are respectively attached to the bumpers, so that a display means such as a two-screen television set inside the vehicle is provided. A system that displays the left and right images on both sides of the vehicle captured by each image sensor, and a single image sensor attached around the bumper and windshield of the car, and simultaneously captures the left and right scenery on both sides of the vehicle with this image sensor 2. Description of the Related Art There has been proposed a visual recognition device that simultaneously displays left and right images on both sides of a vehicle on display means installed inside the vehicle.

For example, the former method is disclosed in
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-344827 discloses an example of the latter method.

[0005]

However, conventionally, since the image sensor is embedded in a bumper or mounted around a windshield in a vehicle cabin, the heat radiation efficiency of the image sensor is poor, and the performance of the image sensor at high temperatures in summertime is poor. May decrease. Therefore, in order to maintain the performance in a high temperature environment, it is necessary to improve the heat resistance of the image sensor, and measures such as mounting a heat sink (radiator plate) have been taken. However, this method increases the number of parts and reduces cost. Was leading up.

Accordingly, the present applicant has filed Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-11.
In the patent application of No. 0646 (hereinafter referred to as “proposed example”), it is proposed to install the imaging device 3 having the CCD on the opening grill 2 in front of the radiator 1 a of the automobile 1 as shown in FIG. are doing. In this proposed example, the cooling fan 4 of the radiator 1a is operated to suck cooling air into the opening grill 2, and the imaging device 3 is radiated with the cooling air. As a result, the effect on the design of the vehicle is small and the heat radiation efficiency can be improved while sufficiently grasping the view around the vehicle. In addition, the code | symbol 5 in FIG. 9 has shown the hood of the motor vehicle 1, and the code | symbol 6 has each shown the bumper.

However, in the case of the proposed example, while the cooling fan 4 is rotating, the imaging device 3 can be cooled, but when the engine switch is turned off and the rotation of the cooling fan 4 stops. Then, the hot air from the engine is returned to the opening grill 2 to heat the CCD of the imaging device 3. Therefore, there is a possibility that the CCD may be damaged in some cases.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle which has a small influence on the design of a vehicle while sufficiently grasping the view around the vehicle.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an on-vehicle peripheral visual recognition device capable of improving heat radiation efficiency and protecting the imaging device from hot air even when the rotation of the cooling fan is stopped, and a heat shield plate thereof.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems,
The invention according to claim 1 is an in-vehicle apparatus that captures an image of a periphery of a vehicle by an imaging unit, displays the captured image on a display unit provided inside the vehicle, and controls a motion of the vehicle by image processing. Wherein the image pickup means is attached to an opening grill formed outside the radiator of the vehicle, and a heat shield plate for blocking hot air from the radiator is provided between the radiator and the image pickup means. It is arranged.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the on-vehicle peripheral visual recognition device according to the first aspect, wherein the heat shield plate includes a blocking wall for blocking hot air from the radiator with respect to the imaging means. A hood that extends along at least one of the upper, lower, left, and right ends of the blocking wall along the surface of the imaging unit and that suppresses hot air from the radiator from flowing into the imaging unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device according to the second aspect, the hood is closely contacted with a surface of the imaging means to prevent a displacement of the imaging means. It is used as a displacement prevention piece.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the heat shield plate is engaged with the image pickup means to remove the image pickup means. Is provided with an engagement piece for preventing the above.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the periphery of the vehicle is imaged by imaging means attached to an opening grill formed outside the radiator of the vehicle, and the captured image is provided inside the vehicle. Displayed on the displayed display means,
A heat shield plate of a vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device that controls the movement of a vehicle by image processing, wherein the heat shield plate is disposed between the radiator and the imaging unit, and blocks a hot air from the radiator to the imaging unit. And a hood that extends along at least one of the upper, lower, left, and right ends of the blocking wall along the surface of the imaging unit and suppresses hot air from the radiator from flowing into the imaging unit. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the heat shield plate of the vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the hood is closely contacted with a surface of the imaging means, and a position of the imaging means. It is used as a misalignment preventing piece for preventing misalignment.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat shield plate for a vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device according to any one of the fifth to sixth aspects, wherein the heat shield plate is engaged with the imaging means to prevent the imaging means from falling off. And an engaging piece that performs the operation.

[0016]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which an image pickup means of an on-vehicle peripheral recognition device is attached to an automobile.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the heat shield plate is attached to the vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device, and FIG. 4 is related to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heat shield plate, FIG. 6 is a rear view thereof, FIG. 7 is a front view thereof, and FIG. 8 is a plan view thereof. In FIGS. 1 and 2, elements having the same functions as those in the above-described proposal are denoted by the same reference numerals.

First, a vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device to be protected will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this in-vehicle peripheral recognition device is an automobile 1 as an example of a vehicle.
An imaging device (imaging means) 3 that is installed inconspicuously by being embedded in a fin portion 2a (FIG. 3) of an opening grill (radiator grill) 2 in front of the radiator 1a in FIG.
A display means 7 such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) or a CRT provided at a position easily viewable by a driver such as an instrument panel in a vehicle cabin so as to display an image picked up by the image pickup device 3; A signal processing unit 8 that converts an image signal captured by the device 3 into a predetermined display signal and supplies the display signal to a display unit 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging device 3 includes a case 10
A pair of left and right transmission windows 11 and 12 made of transparent glass and the like mounted on rectangular openings formed at the front portions on both side surfaces of the case body 10, and a single unit disposed in the case body 10. And a prism body 14 that reflects light entering from the transmission windows 11 and 12 and guides the light to the imaging surface of the CCD camera 13.

The CCD camera 13 is provided with a condenser lens (not shown) and a CCD (not shown). The light entering through the left transmission window 11 is reflected by the prism 14
After being transmitted through one side surface 14a, the light is reflected by the other side surface 14b and guided to the right half of the imaging surface of the CCD camera 13, and the light entering through the right transmission window 12 is reflected by the prism 14
After being transmitted through the other side surface 14b, the light is reflected by the one side surface 14a and guided to the left half of the imaging surface of the CCD camera 13, and these are turned right and left by the lens in the CCD camera 13 to enter the CCD. Thus, the left and right views of the left and right views can be simultaneously imaged by the single imaging device 3.

The image signal picked up by the CCD camera 13 is mirror-inverted by the signal processing unit 8 and supplied to the display unit 7, and is picked up through the transmission window 12 at the right half of the display unit 7 a of the display unit 7. The right side view is displayed as a right image, and the left side view taken through the transmission window 11 in the left half of the display unit 7a is displayed as a left image.

As shown in FIG. 3, a cooling fan 4 for cooling the radiator 1a is provided behind the radiator 1a housed under the front end of the bonnet 5 of the automobile 1, and the front end of the bonnet 5 is provided. An opening portion grill 2 is provided in an opening portion for taking in cooling air between the air conditioner and the bumper 6. The cooling fan 4 is provided with a radiator 1a.
When the temperature rises, a predetermined temperature sensor (not shown) detects that fact and automatically operates. Therefore, when a sufficient cooling effect cannot be obtained due to natural wind when the vehicle 1 is traveling,
By operating the cooling fan 4, sufficient cooling air is sucked into the opening grill 2.

The image pickup device 3 is fixed in the opening grill 2 by a heat shield plate 21 for shielding hot air from the radiator 1a when the rotation of the cooling fan 4 is stopped.

The heat shield plate 21 is disposed between the radiator 1a and the opening grille 2 by a support post 22, and the heat shield plate 2
The imaging device 3 is fixed to the front side of the camera 1.

As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 8, the heat shield plate 21 is made of industrial plastic such as polyimide having low heat conductivity, and is a shielding wall for blocking hot air from the radiator 1a from the front. 23, hoods 24, 25, and 26 extending forward from the upper end, the side end, and the lower end of the heat shield plate 21 to prevent hot air from the radiator 1a from flowing to the front side. An insertion protrusion 27 protruding from the front surface and inserted into an insertion hole (not shown) formed on the rear surface of the imaging device 3; a contact piece 29 contacting the lower rear end of the imaging device 3; An engagement piece 30 is provided extending forward from an upper portion of the front surface of the plate 21 and engaged with a part of the imaging device 3.

A plurality of pin holes 32 are formed in the blocking wall 23, and the imaging device 3 is fixed to the blocking wall 23 through the pin holes 32 using pins (not shown). In addition, blocking wall 2
3, a screw receiving portion 32a is formed.
Screw holes (not shown) and the screw receiving portions 32a of the heat shield wall 23
The image pickup device 3 is fixed to the blocking wall 23 when a screw (not shown) penetrates and is screwed.

The hoods 24, 25, and 26 intermittently surround the imaging device 3 in the vertical and horizontal directions on the front side of the blocking wall 23, thereby suppressing the flow of hot air from the radiator 1a to the imaging device 3. By closely contacting the image pickup device 3 from the up, down, left, and right directions, the image pickup device 3 is used to prevent displacement of the heat shield plate 21 in the up, down, left, and right directions.

The insertion protrusion 27 and the contact piece 29 are formed corresponding to the shape of the image pickup device 3. The wobbling of the device 3 with respect to the heat shield plate 21 is suppressed.

The engagement piece 30 has a base 30 extending in the front-rear direction.
A wedge-shaped engaging claw 30b is formed at the front end of the imaging device 3a. Prevents the vehicle from slipping forward.

As described above, in the state where the heat shield plate 21 is arranged on the back side of the imaging device 3 of the vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device,
At intersections where the left and right visibility is poor, only the front end of the car 1 is allowed to enter the intersection, so that the left and right views within the intersection can be obtained from the respective transmission windows 11 and 12 of the imaging device 3 installed in the opening grill 2. At the same time, the left and right scenes are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 7a of the display means 7 (FIG. 2) in the vehicle. And safety confirmation can be easily performed.

Further, since the image pickup device 3 is disposed in the opening grill 2 of the opening for taking in cooling air in front of the radiator 1a of the automobile 1, when the automobile 1 is running, the imaging device 3 is connected to the opening grill 2. The imaging device 3 is cooled by the flowing natural wind and when the cooling fan 4 is operating, the cooling wind forcedly drawn into the opening grill 2 by the cooling fan 4 in addition to the natural wind. Thus, the cooling effect in the imaging device 3 can be sufficiently ensured. In addition, even when the vehicle is running at a low speed or when the vehicle is idling at a stop, the cooling fan 4 forcibly sucks the cooling air into the opening grill 2 to sufficiently cool the imaging device 3 mounted on the path of the cooling air. This makes it possible to effectively dissipate the heat of the imaging device 3.

The image pickup device 3 has the following configuration except for its front end.
Since it is mounted so as to be housed between the fin portions 2a of the opening grill 2, the imaging device 3 does not stand out outside and the design of the automobile 1 is not impaired.

When the engine of the automobile 1 is turned off and the cooling fan 4 stops rotating, the hot air from the radiator 1a passes through the opening grill 2 and the automobile 1
May be returned to the front.

However, according to this embodiment,
Since the heat shield plate 21 is disposed between the radiator 1 a and the imaging device 3, the shielding wall 23 of the heat shield plate 21 is
Cut off hot air from a. In addition, the hoods 24, 25, and 26 extending vertically, horizontally, and horizontally of the blocking wall 23 can suppress hot, vertical, leftward, and rightward wind from flowing into the imaging device 3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the CCD camera 13 in the imaging device 3 from being damaged by the hot air.

Although the imaging device 3 has been described by taking an example in which the left and right sides around the vehicle are simultaneously imaged, the imaging device 3 may be, for example, an imaging device that images only the front or only one side.

Although the image pickup device 3 is installed in the opening grill 2 at the front end of the vehicle 1, in a vehicle type having an engine and a radiator mounted at the rear of the vehicle 1, the radiator at the rear of the vehicle 1 is mounted. Alternatively, it may be installed on an opening grill near the engine. In this case, the imaging means is installed further (outside) the cooling fan for blowing or sucking air to or from the radiator or the engine. Even in this case, the heat shielding between the radiator and the imaging device 3 is required. The plate 21 may be arranged.

Further, in the above embodiment, the imaging device 3
Is fixed to the vehicle 1 by the heat shield plate 21 and the support pillar 22, but the imaging device 3 may be fixed to the vehicle 1 by using another member.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the captured image is only displayed on the display means 7. In addition, a sonar, an inter-vehicle distance measurement with respect to a preceding vehicle, an automatic driving, For example, it may be applied as a device for performing on-vehicle peripheral recognition.

[0038]

According to the first, second and fifth aspects of the present invention, when the image pickup means takes an image of at least one of the left side and the right side in front of or around the vehicle, the image pickup means Since it is attached to the opening grill for sending air to the radiator, the heat radiation effect of the imaging means can be secured at a high level. In addition, by installing the image pickup means in the opening grill, the design is not impaired. In this case, when the engine of the automobile is turned off, the hot air from the radiator may pass through the opening grill and return to, for example, the front of the automobile. However, according to this embodiment, since the heat shield is disposed between the radiator and the imaging device, the heat shield blocks the hot air from the radiator. Specifically, as in the second and fifth aspects, the shielding wall of the heat shield plate blocks the hot air from the radiator, and the hood extending up, down, left, and right of the blocking wall allows the upper, lower, left, and right hot air to flow. Can be suppressed from flowing around to the imaging device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the CCD camera in the imaging device from being damaged by the hot air.

According to the third and sixth aspects of the present invention, since the hood is brought into close contact with the surface of the image pickup means, it functions as a position shift preventing piece for preventing the position shift of the image pickup means. Can be efficiently stabilized.

According to the fourth and seventh aspects of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the image pickup means from coming off the heat shield plate by the engagement piece.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which an imaging unit of an on-vehicle peripheral recognition device is attached to an automobile.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an on-vehicle peripheral visual recognition device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an imaging device and a heat shield plate of a vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device according to one embodiment of the present invention are attached to an automobile.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a heat shield plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a heat shield plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear view showing a heat shield plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a heat shield plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a heat shield plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device as a proposal example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automobile 2 Opening grill 3 Image pick-up device 4 Cooling fan 10 Case body 11 Transmissive window 12 Transmissive window 13 CCD camera 14 Prism body 14a One side 14b Other side 1a Radiator 21 Heat shield 22 Support pillar 23 Blocking wall 24-26 Hood 27 Insertion protrusion 29 Contact piece 30 Engagement piece 30a Base 30b Engagement claw 32 Pin hole 33 Mid abdomen

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (71) Applicant 000003207 Toyota Motor Corporation 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture (71) Applicant 000110321 Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd. 100 Kanayama, Ichiriyama-cho, Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture (72) Inventor Hideo Kato 1-7-10 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Auto Network Engineering Laboratory Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tomoyuki Mishima 1-7-10 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Auto Network Technology Laboratory Co., Ltd. ( 72) Inventor Toshiyasu Katsuno 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Motor Corporation (72) Inventor Kenichi Ohgami 1 Toyota Town Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Motor Corporation (72) Inventor Yu Yamamoto Hiko 100 Kanayama, Ichiriyama-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi F-term (reference) 3D020 BA20 BB01 BC13 BD05 3D038 AA07 AA08 AB01 AC16 5C022 AA01 AC64 AC78 5C054 AA01 CD03 CE06 CE11 CF01 HA30

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image capturing section captures an image of a periphery of a vehicle,
A vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device that displays the captured image on display means provided inside the vehicle or controls the motion of the vehicle by image processing, wherein the imaging means is formed outside a radiator of the vehicle. And a heat shield plate for blocking hot air from the radiator is disposed between the radiator and the imaging means. 2. The in-vehicle peripheral visual recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the heat shield plate is configured to block hot air from the radiator with respect to the imaging unit; And a hood extending along at least one end of the imaging means along the surface of the imaging means to suppress hot air from the radiator from flowing into the imaging means. 3. The on-vehicle peripheral visual recognition device according to claim 2, wherein the hood is used as a misalignment preventing piece that is in close contact with a surface of the imaging unit and that prevents a misalignment of the imaging unit. Peripheral visual recognition device for vehicles. 4. The in-vehicle peripheral visual recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the heat shield plate includes an engagement piece that engages with the imaging unit and prevents the imaging unit from coming off. A vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device. 5. An image pickup device mounted on an opening grill formed outside of a radiator of a vehicle, the image of the periphery of the vehicle is taken, and the taken image is displayed on a display device provided inside the vehicle. Or a heat shield plate of an on-vehicle peripheral visual recognition device that controls the movement of a vehicle by image processing, and is disposed between the radiator and the imaging unit, and blocks hot air from the radiator to the imaging unit. A vehicle mounted with a blocking wall and a hood extending along at least one of the upper, lower, left, and right ends of the blocking wall along the surface of the imaging unit to suppress the flow of hot air from the radiator into the imaging unit; Heat shield plate for the peripheral visual recognition device. 6. The heat shield of the on-vehicle peripheral visual recognition device according to claim 5, wherein the hood is closely contacted with a surface of the imaging unit to prevent displacement of the imaging unit. A heat shield plate for a vehicle-mounted peripheral visual recognition device, which is used as a piece. 7. The heat shield plate of the on-vehicle peripheral visual recognition device according to claim 5, further comprising an engagement piece that engages with the imaging unit and prevents the imaging unit from coming off. Heat shield plate for in-vehicle peripheral recognition device.