IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE

Abstract

Image acquisition device (1), comprising: an image capture unit (10) which is provided at the front of a vehicle and is configured to capture an image in front of the vehicle; a cover (11) which houses the image acquisition unit (10) and which has a first opening section (110a) which is open towards the rear of the vehicle and which is located in front of a lens (100a) of the image acquisition unit (10), and a second opening section that opens towards the front of the vehicle and a shielding section (12) extending from an edge of the first opening section (110a) towards an inside of the cover (11), wherein the shielding section (12) shields at least a part of a region between the edge of the first opening section (110a) and the image acquisition unit (10), the shielding section (12) comprises: a lateral rib (120a) projecting rearward from a lateral edge of the first opening section (110a) of the cover (11); and a lower rib (122a) projecting rearward from a lower edge of the first opening section (110a) of the cover (11).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image capturing device for a vehicle. BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0002] A prior art vehicle includes a camera that captures an image from the front of the vehicle. JP-2017-81261 A discloses a stereo camera mounting structure installed in a vehicle interior. The stereo camera mounting structure includes a stereo camera and a cover that covers the stereo camera.

[0003] DE 11 2012 003 221 T5 describes a vehicle camera system with a circuit board containing an opening. An image sensor assembly of the vehicle camera system extends through this opening.

[0004] US 2016 / 0229346 A1 describes a vehicle front camera module integrated into a rearview mirror. A windshield mount module is mounted to a central upper end of a vehicle's windshield, a camera module is attached to the windshield mount module, and a pair of lenses for capturing forward images of the vehicle are arranged to be laterally spaced apart. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0005] A gap may be formed between the camera and an opening located in front of a camera lens, and is formed in the cover that houses the camera. In this case, an inside of the cover is visible through this gap, causing a problem that deteriorates the appearance.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to provide an image sensing device capable of improving an appearance of a vehicle. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0007] According to the invention, this technical problem is solved by an image capture device having the features of claim 1 or with the features of claim 3.

[0008] A first illustrative aspect of the present disclosure provides an image capturing device comprising: an image capturing unit provided at a front side of a vehicle and configured to capture an image in front of the vehicle; a cover accommodating the image capturing unit and having a first opening portion located in front of a lens of the image capturing unit; and a shielding portion extending from an edge of the first opening portion toward an inner side of the cover, wherein the shielding portion shields at least a part of a region between the edge of the first opening portion and the image capturing unit.

[0009] The shielding portion may include: a side rib extending rearward in a front-rear direction of the vehicle from a side edge, in a vehicle width direction, of the opening on an inner surface of the cover; and a lower rib extending rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from a lower edge, in a height direction of the vehicle, of the opening on the inner surface of the cover.

[0010] The cover includes: a first opening portion opened to a vehicle rear side and located in front of the lens; and a second opening portion opened to the vehicle front side, and the shielding portion may include: a side rib projecting rearward from a side edge of the first opening portion of the cover; and a lower rib projecting rearward from a lower edge of the first opening portion of the cover.

[0011] The image sensing unit may include a plurality of lenses adjacent to each other in a vehicle width direction, the cover may have a plurality of first opening portions each located in front of the plurality of lenses, and the shielding portion may include: an inner side rib extending rearward in a front-rear direction of the vehicle from an inner edge of the first opening portion of the cover; a lower rib extending rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from a lower edge of the first opening portion of the cover; an outer lower rib extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at a position rearward and outside an outer edge of the first opening portion on the inner surface of the cover; and a rear rib extending upward in the height direction of the vehicle from a rear end of the outer lower rib.

[0012] The lower rib may be inclined such that a distance to a horizontal plane passing through a front end of the lower rib increases toward a rear side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the appearance of the vehicle on which the image sensing device is mounted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an image sensing apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided in a vehicle. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image sensing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a near vicinity of a lens of the image sensing device is viewed from a left oblique front side. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the near vicinity of the lens of the image sensing device is viewed from a right oblique front side. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a near vicinity of a shielding portion of a cover. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VI-VI of Fig. 3 is taken. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a lid portion is attached to an opening. Fig. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7, and is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the lid portion is attached to the opening. Fig. Figure 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7, and is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the lid portion is removed from the opening. Fig. Figure 8C is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7, and is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the lid portion is removed from the opening. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Present embodiment

[0014] State in which the image capturing device 1 is provided in a vehicle.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an image sensing device 1 according to the present embodiment is provided in a vehicle.

[0016] The vehicle comprises the image capture device 1. As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, the image capture device 1 is provided at the front of the vehicle. The image capture device 1 is, for example, a stereo camera, a monocular camera, or a video camera. The vehicle controls automatic braking based, for example, on an image of an object in front of the vehicle captured by the image capture device 1 and distance information to the object. Summary of the image capture device 1

[0017] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image sensing device 1 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a near vicinity of a lens 100a of the image sensing device 1 is viewed from a left oblique front side. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the vicinity of the lens 100a of the image sensing device 1 is viewed from a right oblique front side. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a vicinity of a shielding portion 12a of a cover 11. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VI-VI of Fig. 3 is taken.

[0018] The image capture device 1 includes an image capture unit 10, the cover 11, a shielding portion 12, and a lid portion 13. The image capture unit 10 is provided at the front of the vehicle and captures an image in front of the vehicle. The image capture unit 10 includes a plurality of lenses adjacent to each other in a vehicle width direction. Specifically, the image capture unit 10 includes the lens 100a and a lens 100b as a lens 100.

[0019] The lens 100a is provided on a left side of the image acquisition unit 10 in the vehicle width direction. The lens 100b is provided on a right side of the image acquisition unit 10 in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] The cover 11 houses the image sensing unit 10 and includes an opening 110. The opening 110 is located in front of the lens 100 of the image sensing unit 10. The cover 11 includes a plurality of openings, each located in front of the plurality of lenses. Specifically, the cover 11 includes an opening 110a and an opening 110b as the opening 110. The opening 110a is provided on a left side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The opening 110a is located in front of the lens 100a of the image sensing unit 10. The opening 110b is provided on a right side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The opening 110b is located in front of the lens 100b of the image sensing unit 10.It can also be said that the cover 11 includes a first opening portion (opening 110) opening toward a vehicle rear and located in front of the lens 100, and a second opening portion opening toward a rear of the vehicle.

[0021] The shielding portion 12 extends from an edge of the opening 110 toward an inner side of the cover 11 and shields a region that is at least a part of a region between the edge of the opening 110 and the image capturing unit 10. The shielding portion 12 is provided with a shielding portion 12a and a shielding portion 12b. As shown in Fig. 5 and the like, the shielding portion 12a is provided on the left side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The shielding portion 12b is provided on the right side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. Since the shielding portion 12b is formed to Fig. Since the cover portion 13a and the like illustrated in Figure 7 are left-right symmetrical, illustration thereof is omitted. Details of the shielding portion 12 will be described below.

[0022] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a lid portion 13a is attached below the opening 110a.

[0023] The cover portion 13 is a lens protection cap for protecting the lens 100 of the image sensing unit 10. The cover portion 13a and a cover portion 13b are provided as the cover portion 13. The cover portion 13a is a lens protection cap for protecting the lens 100a provided on the left side of the image sensing unit 10 in the vehicle width direction. The cover portion 13b is a lens protection cap for protecting the lens 100b provided on the right side of the image sensing unit 10 in the vehicle width direction. Since the cover portion 13b is formed to Fig. 7 and the like to be left-right symmetrical, an illustration thereof is omitted.

[0024] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 7, the cover portion 13 is attached to the front of the lens 100 in the opening 110. The cover portion 13 is attached for the purpose of protecting the lens 100 while the image capturing device 1 is being assembled and is removed after the cover 11 is attached. Details of the cover portion 13 will be described below. Details of shielding section 12

[0025] As in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the shielding portion 12 includes a side rib 120 and a lower rib 122. The side rib 120 extends (projects) rearward in a front-rear direction of the vehicle from a side edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the opening 110 (also referred to as a “first opening”) in an inner surface of the cover 11.

[0026] A side rib 120a and a side rib 120b are provided as the side rib 120. The side rib 120a is a side rib of the shielding portion 12a provided on the left side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The side rib 120a extends rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from a side edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the opening 110a in the inner surface of the cover 11.

[0027] The side rib 120b is a side rib of the shielding portion 12b provided on the right side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The side rib 120b extends rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from a side edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the opening 110b in the inner surface of the cover 11.

[0028] Specifically, the shielding portion 12 includes an inner lateral rib 121. The inner lateral rib 121 extends rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from an inner edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the opening 110 in the inner surface of the cover 11.

[0029] An inner side rib 121a and an inner side rib 121b are provided as the inner side rib 121. The inner side rib 121a is an inner side rib of the shielding portion 12a, which is provided on the left side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The inner side rib 121a extends rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from an inner edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the opening 110a in the inner surface of the cover 11.

[0030] The inner side rib 121b is an inner side rib of the shielding portion 12b provided on the right side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The inner side rib 121b extends rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from an inner edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the opening 110b in the inner surface of the cover 11.

[0031] The lower rib 122 extends (projects) rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from a lower edge, in a height direction of the vehicle, of the opening 110 in the inner surface of the cover 11.

[0032] A lower rib 122a and a lower rib 122b are provided as the lower rib 122. The lower rib 122a is a lower rib of the shielding portion 12a provided on the left side of the vehicle of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The lower rib 122a extends rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from a lower edge, in the height direction of the vehicle, of the opening 110a in the inner surface of the cover 11.

[0033] The lower rib 122b is a lower rib of the shielding portion 12b provided on the right side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The lower rib 122b extends rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from a lower edge, in the height direction of the vehicle, of the opening 110b in the inner surface of the cover 11. The side rib 120b, the inner side rib 121b, the lower rib 122b, an outer lower rib 123b, a rear rib 124b, an outer side rib 125b, and an upper rib 126b are formed to be left-right symmetrical to the side rib 120a, the inner side rib 121a, the lower rib 122a, an outer lower rib 123a, a rear rib 124a, an outer side rib 125a, and an upper rib 126a, respectively. Fig. 5 etc., and thus an illustration thereof is omitted.

[0034] Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7 is taken. Fig. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the lid portion 13a is attached to the opening 110a. Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the lid portion 13a is removed from the opening 110a. Fig. 8C is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the lid portion 13a is removed from the opening 110a.

[0035] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 8, the lower rib 122 is inclined so that a distance to a horizontal plane passing through a front end of the lower rib 122 increases toward the rear in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. That is, the lower rib 122 is inclined so that a rear end of the lower rib 122 is lower than the front end of the lower rib 122 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0036] As in Fig. As illustrated in Fig. 8A, in the state where the lid portion 13 is attached to the front of the lens 100 of the image sensing unit 10, a lower end of the lid portion 13 is located between the lower rib 122 of the shielding portion 12 and the image sensing unit 10. An upper end of the lid portion 13 is located between an upper end edge of the opening 110 of the cover 11 and the image sensing unit 10. In this way, the lid portion 13 is attached to the front of the lens 100 of the image sensing unit 10.

[0037] As in Fig. 8B, for example, the upper end of the lid portion 13 is moved more forward than the opening 110 of the cover 11 between the upper end edge of the opening 110 of the cover 11 and the image capturing unit 10 by pressing down a protruding portion formed on a front surface of the lid portion 13. Then, as shown in Fig. 8C illustrates the lid portion 13 removed from the opening 110 of the cover 11.

[0038] As described above, the lower rib 122 is inclined so that the distance from the horizontal plane passing through the front end of the lower rib 122 increases toward the rear in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, so that when the lid portion 13 is removed from the image sensing device 1, it is possible to ensure a trajectory in which the upper end of the lid portion 13 is moved with the lower end of the lid portion 13 as a fulcrum. As a result, the upper end of the lid portion 13 is smoothly moved forward with the lower end of the lid portion 13 as the fulcrum, so that the lid portion 13 can be smoothly removed from the image sensing device 1.

[0039] Furthermore, as in Fig. 5 and Fig.6, the shielding portion 12 includes an outer lower rib 123, a rear rib 124, an outer side rib 125, and an upper rib 126. The outer lower rib 123 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at a position rearward and outward of an outer edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the opening 110 in the inner surface of the cover 11.

[0040] The outer lower rib 123a and the outer lower rib 123b are provided as the outer lower rib 123. The outer lower rib 123a is an outer lower rib of the shielding portion 12a, which is provided on the left side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The outer lower rib 123a extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at a position behind and outside an outer edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the opening 110a in the inner surface of the cover 11.

[0041] The outer lower rib 123b is an outer lower rib of the shielding portion 12b, which is provided on the right side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The outer lower rib 123b extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at a position behind and outside the outer edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the opening 110b in the inner surface of the cover 11.

[0042] The rear rib 124 extends upward in the vehicle height direction from a rear end of the outer lower rib 123. The rear rib 124a and the rear rib 124b are provided as the rear rib 124. The rear rib 124a is a rear rib of the shielding portion 12a provided on the left side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The rear rib 124a extends upward in the vehicle height direction from a rear end of the outer lower rib 123a.

[0043] The rear rib 124b is a rear rib of the shielding portion 12b provided on the right side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The rear rib 124b extends upward in the vehicle height direction from a rear end of the outer lower rib 123b.

[0044] The outer side rib 125 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at a position rearward and outward of the outer edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the opening 110 in the inner surface of the cover 11.

[0045] An outer side rib 125a and an outer side rib 125b are provided as the outer side rib 125. The outer side rib 125a is an outer side rib of the shielding portion 12a, which is provided on the left side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The outer side rib 125a extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at the position behind and outside the outer edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the opening 110a in the inner surface of the cover 11. A lower end of the outer side rib 125a is connected to an outer end portion of the outer lower rib 123a in the vehicle width direction. A rear end of the outer side rib 125a is connected to an outer end portion of the rear rib 124a in the vehicle width direction.

[0046] The outer side rib 125b is an outer side rib of the shielding portion 12b, which is provided on the right side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The outer side rib 125b extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at the position behind and outside the outer edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the opening 110b in the inner surface of the cover 11. A lower end of the outer side rib 125b is connected to an outer end portion of the outer lower rib 123b in the vehicle width direction. A rear end of the outer side rib 125b is connected to an outer end portion of the rear rib 124b in the vehicle width direction.

[0047] The upper rib 126 extends forward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from an upper end of the rear rib 124. The upper rib 126a and the upper rib 126b are provided as the upper rib 126. The upper rib 126a is an upper rib of the shielding portion 12a provided on the left side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The upper rib 126a extends forward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from an upper end of the rear rib 124a. An outer end portion of the upper rib 126a in the vehicle width direction is connected to, for example, an upper end of the outer side rib 125a.

[0048] The upper rib 126b is an upper rib of the shielding portion 12b provided on the right side of the cover 11 in the vehicle width direction. The upper rib 126b extends forward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from an upper end of the rear rib 124b. An outer end portion of the upper rib 126b in the vehicle width direction is connected, for example, to an upper end of the outer side rib 125b. modification

[0049] In the present embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the lower rib 122 is inclined so that the distance from the horizontal plane passing through the front end of the lower rib 122 increases toward the rear in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The lower rib 122 may be inclined so that a distance from an upper surface of the lower rib 122 to the horizontal plane passing through the front end of the lower rib 122 increases toward the rear in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Effects of the image capturing device 1 according to the present embodiment

[0050] The image sensing device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the image sensing unit 10 provided at the vehicle front side and sensing an image in front of the vehicle, the cover 11 accommodating the image sensing unit 10 and including the opening 110 located in front of the lens 100 of the image sensing unit 10, and the shielding portion 12 extending from the edge of the opening 110 toward the inside of the cover 11 and shielding a region that is at least a part of a region between the edge of the opening 110 and the image sensing unit 10.

[0051] The image sensing device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the shielding portion 12 extending from the edge of the opening 110 toward the inside of the cover 11 and shielding the region, which is at least a part of the region between the edge of the opening 110 and the image sensing unit 10. Therefore, in the image sensing device 1, the region between the edge of the opening 110 of the cover 11 and the image sensing unit 10 is smaller than the region between the edge of the opening 110 of the cover 11 and the imaging unit 10 when the shielding portion 12 is not provided in the cover 11. Therefore, in the image sensing device 1, the image sensing unit 10 housed inside the cover 11 is less likely to be seen from the region between the edge of the opening 110 of the cover 11 and the image sensing unit 10.As a result, the appearance of the vehicle on which the image capturing device 1 is mounted is improved.

[0052] The present invention has been described using the embodiment, however, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope thereof. For example, a specific embodiment for distributing and integrating devices is not limited to the above embodiment, and all or part of it may be configured to be functionally or physically distributed and integrated into an arbitrary unit. In addition, new embodiments generated by any combination of plural embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. Effects of the new embodiments generated by the combinations include effects of the original embodiments.

[0053] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application (No. 2018-116164) filed on June 19, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0054] The present invention has an effect of improving an appearance of a vehicle on which an image sensing device is mounted, and is useful for an image sensing device of a vehicle. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 image capture device 10 Image acquisition unit 100, 100a, 100b lens 11 Cover 110, 110a, 110b opening 12, 12a, 12b Shielding section 120, 120a, 120b lateral rib 121, 121a, 121b inner lateral rib 122, 122a, 122b lower rib 123, 123a, 123b outer lower rib 124, 124a, 124b posterior rib 125, 125a, 125b outer lateral rib 126, 126a, 126b upper rib 13, 13a, 13b cover section

Claims

[1] Image capture device (1) comprising: an image capture unit (10) provided at a front of a vehicle and configured to capture an image in front of the vehicle; a cover (11) which houses the image capturing unit (10) and which has a first opening portion (110a) which is open to a vehicle rear side and which is located in front of a lens (100a) of the image capturing unit (10), and a second opening portion open to a vehicle front side, and a shielding portion (12) extending from an edge of the first opening portion (110a) toward an inner side of the cover (11), the shielding portion (12) shielding at least a part of a region between the edge of the first opening portion (110a) and the image capturing unit (10), wherein the shielding section (12) comprises: a lateral rib (120a) projecting rearwardly from a side edge of the first opening portion (110a) of the cover (11); and a lower rib (122a) projecting rearwardly from a lower edge of the first opening portion (110a) of the cover (11). [2] Image capture device according to claim 1, wherein the lateral rib (120a) extends rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the side edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the first opening portion (110a) on an inner surface of the cover (11); and wherein the lower rib (122a) extends rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the lower edge, in the height direction of the vehicle, of the first opening portion (110a) on the inner surface of the cover (11). [3] Image capture device (1) comprising: an image capture unit (10) provided at a front of a vehicle and configured to capture an image of the vehicle; a cover (11) which houses the image capture unit (10) and comprises: a first opening portion (110a) which is open to a vehicle rear side and which is located in front of a lens (110a) of the image capturing unit (10); and a second opening portion open to a vehicle front side; and a shielding portion (12) extending from an edge of the first opening portion (110a) toward an inner side of the cover (11), wherein the shielding portion (12) shields at least a part of a region between the edge of the first opening portion (110a) and the image capturing unit (10), wherein the image capture unit (10) comprises a plurality of lenses (100a, 100b) adjacent to each other in a vehicle width direction, wherein the cover (11) has a plurality of first opening portions (110a, 110b) each located in front of the plurality of lenses (100a, 100b), and wherein the shielding section (12a) comprises: an inner side rib (121a) extending rearward in a front-rear direction of the vehicle from an inner edge of the first opening portion (110) of the cover (11); a lower rib (122a) extending rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from a lower edge of the first opening portion (110) of the cover (11); an outer lower rib (123a) extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at a position rearward and outside an outer edge of the first opening portion (110) on the inner surface of the cover (11); and a rear rib (124a) extending upward in the height direction of the vehicle from a rear end of the outer lower rib (123a). [4] The image sensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lower rib (122a) is inclined so that a distance to a horizontal plane passing through a front end of the lower rib (122a) increases toward a rear side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

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