On-vehicle apparatus

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle apparatus capable of photographing a desired place with each of multiple cameras.SOLUTION: The apparatus comprises: a first main body 100 with a first camera; and a second camera 210 capable of changing a photographing direction. The second camera 210 is rotatable relative to the first main body 100 in at least two non-parallel directions directly and / or indirectly, such that the photographing direction can be changed to a desired direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device having a plurality of cameras. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, in-vehicle devices have been known that include a first camera that captures the outside of the vehicle, and a second camera that can capture a different location from the first camera, for example, the inside of the vehicle. In such in-vehicle devices, for example, a drive recorder, the first camera is mounted facing the outside of the vehicle and the second camera facing the inside of the vehicle, so that the second camera can function as a security camera for the inside of the vehicle in a commercial vehicle, and the second camera can function as a camera for capturing images of the inside of the vehicle while driving in a general vehicle.

[0003] On the other hand, the installation position of the drive recorder is regulated by the road transport vehicle safety standards, etc. For example, when it is installed on the windshield of the vehicle, it must be installed within a range of 20% in the vertical direction from the top edge of the windshield. Therefore, if the relative positions of the first camera and the second camera are fixed, depending on the installation position, it may not be possible for the second camera to capture an arbitrary location.

[0004] In response to this, a drive recorder has been disclosed in which the shooting direction can be changed by rotating the second camera (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-120557 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the drive recorder described in Patent Document 1 changes the shooting direction by rotating the second camera with a single rotation mechanism, so depending on the installation position, the second camera cannot be pointed in any direction, and it may not be possible to shoot at any location.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle device capable of capturing images of any location with each of a plurality of cameras. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) A system comprising a first camera and a second camera whose shooting direction can be changed, the second camera being configured to be rotatable relative to the first camera directly and / or indirectly in at least two non-parallel directions so that the shooting direction can be changed in any direction.

[0009] According to this, even if the in-vehicle device is attached to the vehicle based on the shooting direction of the first camera, the second camera can be directed in any direction to shoot any location. That is, any location can be shot with each of the first camera and the second camera.

[0010] As for the relative rotation of the second camera with respect to the first camera in at least two non-parallel directions, it is preferable that the second camera is configured to be rotatable in any direction relative to the first camera when the in-vehicle device is mounted at the mounting location of the vehicle. For example, it is preferable to provide a rotation mechanism that can rotate in any direction relative to the first camera. By configuring it to be rotatable in any direction, it is possible to change the shooting direction of the second camera to any direction toward any location in more detail.

[0011] It is also preferable to configure the second camera to be rotatable in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction with respect to the first camera when the in-vehicle device is mounted at the mounting location of the vehicle. For example, it is preferable to provide two rotation mechanisms that can rotate the second camera to the left and / or right in the horizontal direction and to the top and / or bottom in the vertical direction with respect to the first camera. In this case, the second camera may be configured to rotate directly or indirectly. By configuring the second camera in this way, it is possible to change the shooting direction of the second camera from at least two non-parallel directions with a simple configuration.

[0012] The two non-parallel directions here are preferably two directions in which the rotation direction of the second camera intersects at least in one of the directions. The two directions that intersect in one of the directions may be configured to intersect at an acute angle (for example, the second rotation direction relative to the first rotation direction is within 30 degrees), and it is more preferable to configure the two directions to be perpendicular (for example, 90 degrees).

[0013] As a configuration for indirectly rotating the second camera relative to the first camera in two non-parallel directions, for example, a case supporting the second camera may be configured to be rotatable in two non-parallel directions relative to the first camera. Also, as a configuration for directly and indirectly rotating the second camera relative to the first camera in two non-parallel directions, a case rotatably supporting the second camera may be configured to be rotatable in a direction different from the rotation direction of the second camera relative to the first camera.

[0014] The first camera may be fixed to the vehicle directly or indirectly when the in-vehicle device is attached to the mounting location of the vehicle. For example, the first camera may be fixed to the vehicle via a mounting bracket, or the case may be fixed to the vehicle via a mounting bracket while being fixed to the case. It is also preferable that the first camera is fixed even when the second camera is rotated.

[0015] The first camera and the second camera may be configured so that the first camera faces outside the vehicle and the second camera faces inside the vehicle, or the first camera faces inside the vehicle and the second camera faces outside the vehicle. In particular, it is preferable to configure the first camera to face outside the vehicle and the second camera to face inside the vehicle.

[0016] The in-vehicle device may be a navigation device with multiple cameras, and more preferably a navigation device or a drive recorder with a drive recorder function. By using the device in a navigation device, for example, images (still images or videos) taken by the first camera and the second camera can be stored in association with map information. By using the device in a drive recorder, for example, the second camera can function as a security camera or a camera that takes pictures of the inside of the car while driving.

[0017] Also, for example, the shooting direction of the second camera may be changed so that the blind spot of the driver inside and outside the vehicle can be photographed. In this case, the in-vehicle device may have a monitor capable of displaying an image. The monitor may be provided by the in-vehicle device, or may be configured to use a monitor of another device (for example, a navigation device or a liquid crystal monitor of a smartphone). In this way, the driver can check the blind spot by looking at the monitor. In addition, when used in this way, it is more preferable to use a second camera with an appropriate angle of view for viewing the blind spot, for example, a camera with an angle of view that does not curve on both sides in the width direction. By not curving both sides in the width direction of the photographed image, it becomes easier to grasp the sense of distance and to check the blind spot. In particular, it is preferable to use a camera with an angle of view that does not curve on both sides in the width direction as the second camera, and a wide-angle camera with a curved angle on both sides in the width direction as the first camera.

[0018] (2) At least one of the relative rotations in the two non-parallel directions is configured to rotate the second camera to a position that enables it to capture an area that the first camera cannot capture.

[0019] According to this, by rotating the second camera to a position where it can capture an image of an area that the first camera cannot capture, and then further rotating the second camera in a direction different from the direction in which it has rotated (for example, an intersecting direction), it becomes possible to further change the capture direction of the second camera in an area that the first camera cannot capture.

[0020] The location that cannot be photographed by the first camera may be, for example, a location outside the angle of view of the first camera, and more preferably a location rotated 180 degrees from the photographing direction of the first camera. In addition, in order to photograph the location that cannot be photographed by the first camera with the second camera, the second camera may be configured to be directly or indirectly rotatable so that the location that cannot be photographed by the first camera falls within the angle of view of the second camera, and more preferably the second camera may be configured to be directly or indirectly rotatable 180 degrees or more relative to the first camera.

[0021] (3) The present invention is characterized in that it comprises a control means for rotating the image captured by the second camera 180 degrees in the normal direction of the captured image so that, when the second camera is rotated directly and / or indirectly by a predetermined angle or more relative to the first camera, the image captured by the second camera becomes an image that is normally viewed.

[0022] According to this, even if the second camera is rotated, the image captured by the second camera can be an image in a direction normally seen. For example, even if the second camera is rotated 90 degrees or more in the vertical direction relative to the first camera after the in-vehicle device is attached to the mounting location of the vehicle based on the shooting direction of the first camera, the image captured by the second camera can be an image in a direction normally seen without being an image rotated 180 degrees around the normal line of the captured image (for example, an image upside down) with respect to the user's view.

[0023] The predetermined angle is preferably an angle of 90 degrees or more in the vertical direction, and more preferably an angle in which the second camera is rotated 180 degrees in the vertical direction relative to the first camera.

[0024] An image that is normally viewed should be an image in which, when a display device capable of displaying a captured image is installed in a normal state and the captured image is displayed on the display device, the up-down direction of the image displayed on the display device is not perceived as an inverted image to the user's eyes.

[0025] (4) The first camera is configured so that a horizontal angle of view when mounted on a vehicle is larger than a horizontal angle of view of the second camera.

[0026] According to this, when the first camera is mounted on a mounting location of the vehicle facing outside the vehicle to capture images of the outside of the vehicle with the first camera, it is possible to capture images with a wider angle in the horizontal direction than when the second camera captures images of the outside of the vehicle. In order to make the horizontal angle of view of the first camera larger than that of the second camera, it is preferable to use a lens with a wider angle than that of the second camera.

[0027] (5) The first camera is configured so that a vertical angle of view when attached to a vehicle is smaller than a vertical angle of view of the second camera.

[0028] According to this, when the first camera is mounted on a mounting location of the vehicle facing outside the vehicle to capture an image of the outside of the vehicle with the first camera, it is possible to reduce the incidence of external light compared to when the second camera is used to capture an image of the outside of the vehicle. In order to make the vertical angle of view of the first camera smaller than the vertical angle of view of the second camera, it is preferable to use a lens with a narrower vertical angle of view than the second camera.

[0029] (6) The present invention is characterized in that it comprises a first main body portion having the first camera, and a second main body portion having the second camera, supporting the second camera in a rotatable manner, and configured to be rotatable relative to the first main body portion.

[0030] According to this, even if the first main body unit is attached to an installation position of the vehicle based on the shooting direction of the first camera, by rotating the second main body unit and the second camera relative to the first main body unit, the second camera can be pointed in any direction and any location can be photographed with the second camera.

[0031] The second camera may be supported by the second body so as to be rotatable in any direction including the rotation direction of the second body relative to the first body, and more preferably so as to be rotatable in a direction different from the rotation direction of the second body relative to the first body. As a configuration in which the second body supports the second camera rotatably in any direction, a rotation center may be set in the second camera, and the second body may support the second camera rotatably around the rotation center. For example, a ball joint may be integrally attached to the second camera, and the ball joint may be supported by the second body so as to be rotatable around the rotation center of the ball joint. As a configuration in which the second camera is supported by the second body so as to be rotatable, a rotation axis may be set in the second camera, and the second body may support the second camera rotatably around the rotation axis.

[0032] The second body may be connected to the first body so as to be rotatable relative to the first body, at least to a rotation position where the second camera can capture a location outside the angle of view of the first camera in the rotation direction of the second body. For example, the second body may be configured to be rotatable 180 degrees or more relative to the first body, and more preferably, to be rotatable at least 180 degrees. By configuring the second body to be rotatable 180 degrees or more relative to the first body, it is possible to capture a location from a portion overlapping with the range of the angle of view of the first camera to a location outside the angle of view of the first camera in the rotation direction of the second body. Also, by configuring the second body to be rotatable 180 degrees, it is possible to capture a location with the second camera that is outside the angle of view of the first camera in the rotation direction of the second body.

[0033] The first camera is preferably rotatably fixed (hereinafter referred to as "semi-fixed") to the first main body, and more preferably provided integrally with the first main body. By semi-fixing the first camera to the first main body, for example, the orientation of the first camera can be changed even after the first main body is attached to the mounting position of the vehicle. Also, by providing the first camera integrally with the first main body, the in-vehicle device can be simplified in configuration.

[0034] The semi-fixed state may be a state in which the camera rotates when a rotational torque equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied, and does not rotate and maintains its posture when a rotational torque less than a predetermined value is applied. The rotational torque equal to or greater than a predetermined value may be, for example, a rotational torque acting when a user pinches and rotates the first camera. In other words, the rotational torque equal to or greater than a predetermined value may be a rotational torque acting directly or indirectly on the first camera by the user's will, for example, a rotational torque acting by the power of a motor or the like driven by the user's operation or a rotational torque acting by the user's hand or the like. The rotational torque less than a predetermined value may be a rotational torque acting on the first camera due to vibrations of a vehicle during travel after the in-vehicle device is attached to a mounting location on the vehicle. In other words, the rotational torque less than a predetermined value may be a rotational torque acting on the first camera regardless of the user's will to rotate the first camera.

[0035] The first camera being integral with the first main body may mean that at least a first lens constituting the first camera is fixed to the first main body.

[0036] The first and second main bodies may be rectangular or cylindrical, and if cylindrical, may have the same diameter as the first and second main bodies.

[0037] (7) The second main body portion has a notched guide portion for guiding the second camera in a rotational direction, and at least a portion of the outer edge of the guide portion is formed so as to be concave with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the second main body portion.

[0038] According to this, since the outer edge of the guide part of the second main body part is formed to be concave with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the second main body part, the relative amount of protrusion of the second camera from the second main body part in the guide part is increased, making it easier for the user to move the second camera. For example, even if the second camera is formed so that the amount of protrusion from an outer peripheral surface different from the outer peripheral surface of the outer edge periphery of the guide part of the second main body part (for example, the outer peripheral surface on the opposite side of the guide part (other outer peripheral surface)) is small, the outer edge of the guide part is formed to be concave with respect to the other outer peripheral surface, so that the amount of protrusion of the second camera from the guide part can be made relatively larger than the amount of protrusion from the other outer peripheral surface.

[0039] The outer edges of the guide portion formed in a concave shape may be on both sides substantially parallel to the guiding direction of the second camera.

[0040] (8) The first body portion is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape, and the second body portion is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape and is rotatably connected to the first body portion so that the central axis of the second body portion is coaxial with the central axis of the first body portion and rotates relative to the first body portion coaxially with the central axis of the first body portion.

[0041] According to this, since the first body and the second body are both substantially cylindrical, the second body can be rotated relative to the first body without causing a large change in the external shape of the in-vehicle device. In other words, the shooting direction of the second camera can be changed without causing a large change in the external shape of the in-vehicle device.

[0042] The first body and the second body may have the same outer diameter. By making the outer diameters the same, it is possible to further prevent the outer shape of the in-vehicle device from changing significantly when the second body is rotated, and for example, even if the second body is rotated after the in-vehicle device is mounted at a mounting location on the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the second body from interfering with other devices.

[0043] (9) The second camera is supported on the second body portion so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis perpendicular to a central axis of the second body portion.

[0044] With this, rather than configuring the second camera to rotate diagonally relative to the central axis of the second main body, the second camera can be positioned on the axial tip side of the central axis of the second main body (the opposite side to the side to which the first main body is connected in the axial direction of the central axis), thereby enabling, for example, a larger rotation range in the horizontal direction.

[0045] (10) The end portion of the second main body portion opposite the first main body portion in the axial direction of the central axis thereof is formed into a hemispherical shape so as to conform to the rotation of the second camera.

[0046] This allows the second camera to rotate along the end of the second main body without unnecessarily protruding or recessing at the end of the second main body opposite the first main body in the axial direction.

[0047] (11) The second body portion is supported so as to be rotatable at least 180 degrees relative to the first body portion.

[0048] According to this, by simply rotating the second main body, it is possible to capture an image outside the range of the angle of view of the first camera with the second camera.

[0049] (12) The present invention is characterized in that it comprises a body holding means whereby, when a rotational torque equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the second body part, the second body part rotates relative to the first body part, and, when a rotational torque less than a predetermined value is applied to the second body part, the second body part is held by the first body part without rotating.

[0050] According to this, when a rotational torque greater than or equal to a predetermined value is applied to the second body part, the second body part becomes rotatable relative to the first body part, and when a rotational torque less than the predetermined value is applied to the second body part, the second body part can be held in any rotational position relative to the first body part.

[0051] The rotational torque equal to or greater than the predetermined value may be, for example, a rotational torque acting on the second main body when the user pinches and rotates the second main body. In other words, the rotational torque equal to or greater than the predetermined value may be a rotational torque acting directly or indirectly on the second main body due to the user's intention to rotate the second main body, for example, a rotational torque acting by the power of a motor or the like operated by the user's operation or a rotational torque acting by the user's hand. The rotational torque less than the predetermined value may be a rotational torque acting on the second main body due to vibrations of a vehicle during travel after the in-vehicle device is attached to the mounting location of the vehicle, or a rotational torque acting on the second main body when the second camera is rotated. In other words, the rotational torque less than the predetermined value may be a rotational torque acting on the second main body regardless of the user's intention to rotate the second main body.

[0052] In this case, the first main body may be fixed to an attachment location of the vehicle directly or via an attachment bracket, etc. When fixed to the attachment location of the vehicle, the first camera may be fixed so as to face outside the vehicle.

[0053] (13) The camera is characterized in that it is provided with a camera holding means by which, when a rotational torque equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the second camera, the second camera rotates relative to the second main body, and, when a rotational torque less than a predetermined value is applied to the second camera, the second camera is held by the second main body.

[0054] According to this, when a rotational torque equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the second camera, the second camera becomes rotatable, and when a rotational torque less than a predetermined value is applied to the second camera, the second camera can be held in any rotational position on the second main body.

[0055] The rotational torque equal to or greater than the predetermined value may be, for example, a rotational torque acting on the second camera when the user pinches and rotates the second camera. In other words, the rotational torque equal to or greater than the predetermined value may be a rotational torque acting directly or indirectly on the second camera due to the user's intention to rotate the second camera, for example, a rotational torque acting by the power of a motor or the like operated by the user's operation or a rotational torque acting by the user's hand. The rotational torque less than the predetermined value may be a rotational torque acting on the second camera due to vibrations of a traveling vehicle after the in-vehicle device is attached to the mounting location of the vehicle, or a rotational torque acting on the second camera when the second main body is rotated. In other words, the rotational torque less than the predetermined value may be a rotational torque acting on the second camera regardless of the user's intention to rotate the second camera. At this time, the second main body may be held at an arbitrary rotational position on the first main body by the main body holding means. For example, it is advisable to configure the rotational torque in (12) (eg, referred to as a first rotational torque) to be greater than the rotational torque in (13) (eg, referred to as a second rotational torque).

[0056] (14) The present invention is characterized in that it includes a fixing means for fixing the first main body portion to a mounting position on a vehicle.

[0057] According to this, the first main body can be attached to the attachment location of the vehicle so that the first main body does not move unnecessarily. The fixing means may be, for example, a mounting bracket that can be attached to the first main body. The mounting bracket may be configured to be able to change the orientation of the first main body (for example, the attitude of the first main body at the attachment location of the vehicle). In other words, the first main body may be configured to be able to be fixed so that the shooting direction of the first camera can be changed.

[0058] Furthermore, the fixing means preferably includes a mounting bracket having a ring member that can be attached to the first main body and a mounting member that can be attached to the mounting location, and a fixing member that fixes the ring member to the first main body. The fixing member preferably has a configuration in which the ring member is sandwiched between the first main body and the fixing member, and more preferably has a configuration in which the fixing member is screwed into the first main body and fixed. By screwing the fixing member into the first main body and fixing the ring member by sandwiching it, for example, the clamping of the ring member is loosened simply by loosening the screwing of the fixing member, and the first main body can be easily rotated. In other words, it becomes easy to change the fixed state and the movable state of the first main body.

[0059] Moreover, the first body part may be held by a fixing member so as not to rotate unnecessarily, and may be held by, for example, a rotational torque (e.g., referred to as a third rotational torque) that is greater than a rotational torque (e.g., the above-mentioned first rotational torque) that acts when rotating the second body part relative to the first body part. In particular, the first body part may be fixed to the fixing member so as not to rotate. Effect of the Invention

[0060] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle device capable of capturing images of any location with each of a plurality of cameras. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0061] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a drive recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a drive recorder main body of a drive recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating a first main body portion of the drive recorder main body according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a second main body portion of the drive recorder main body according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the second main body portion shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a bracket of the drive recorder according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a fixing member of the drive recorder according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the installation of the drive recorder according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0062] An in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, a drive recorder 1 having two cameras capable of simultaneously capturing images of any location outside and inside the vehicle will be used as an example of the in-vehicle device.

[0063] First, the schematic configuration of the drive recorder 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7. FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the drive recorder 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the base end side, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of the drive recorder 1 according to the embodiment as viewed from the tip end side. FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view of the drive recorder main body 10 of the drive recorder 1 according to the embodiment as viewed from the base end side, and FIG. 2(b) is a top view of the drive recorder main body 10. FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b) are cross-sectional views of the first main body 100 of the drive recorder main body 10 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3(c) is a side view. Note that FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 show a state in which the second main body 200 is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the first main body 100. Also, in FIG. 3, electronic components and the like housed inside the first main body 100 are omitted.

[0064] Fig. 4(a) is a perspective view of the second main body 200 of the drive recorder main body 10 according to this embodiment, (b) is a front view of the second main body 200, and (c) is a top view. Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the second main body 200. Figs. 6(a) and (b) are perspective views of the bracket 20 of the drive recorder 1 according to this embodiment, and (c) is a side view. Figs. 7(a) and (b) are perspective views of the fixing member 30 of the drive recorder 1 according to this embodiment, and (c) is a side view.

[0065] As shown in Figures 1(a) and (b), the drive recorder 1 comprises a drive recorder main body (hereinafter referred to as the "dash cam main body") 10 formed into an approximately cylindrical shape with a substantially hemispherical tip, a mounting bracket (hereinafter simply referred to as the "bracket") 20 attached to the base end of the drive recorder main body 10 so as to be relatively rotatable around the central axis X of the drive recorder main body 10, and a fixing member 30 for fixing the bracket 20 to the base end of the drive recorder main body 10.

[0066] The dashcam body 10 includes a first body 100 to which a bracket 20 is rotatably attached around a central axis X, and a second body 200 rotatably supported by the first body 100 around the central axis X. That is, the dashcam body 10 is configured such that the first body 100 is rotatable around the central axis X relative to the bracket 20 attached to an attachment location of the vehicle, and the second body 200 is rotatable around the central axis X relative to the first body 100. In this embodiment, the dashcam body 10 is formed to have a diameter of about 40 mm and an axial length of about 110 mm.

[0067] 2(a), the first main body 100 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, has built-in electronic components (not shown) such as an imaging element constituting the first camera, and has a first lens 101 constituting the first camera disposed on its outer circumferential surface 100a. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the first lens 101 is disposed in a substantially central portion in the axial direction of the dashcam main body 10 so as to face a direction perpendicular to the central axis X, and is provided so as to protrude slightly from the outer circumferential surface 101a of the main body 100.

[0068] In addition, the first lens 101 is a lens that has a larger left-right angle of view (horizontal angle of view) displayed on a monitor than the second lens 211 of the second camera 210 described later when the drive recorder 1 is attached to a mounting location of the vehicle so that the central axis X is approximately parallel to the horizontal direction, and has a smaller up-down angle of view (vertical angle of view) displayed on the monitor than the second lens 211. The monitor here is a monitor for displaying a captured image, and refers to, for example, a liquid crystal screen of a smartphone. By increasing the horizontal angle of view, it is possible to obtain a wide-angle image when capturing the outside of the vehicle, and by decreasing the vertical angle of view, it is possible to reduce the incidence of unnecessary external light when capturing the outside of the vehicle. In this embodiment, a lens with a horizontal angle of view of 100 degrees and a vertical angle of view of 75 degrees is used as the first lens 101. The horizontal angle of view is preferably 90 degrees or more.

[0069] A mounting recess 102 in which the bracket 20 can be mounted is provided on the base end side of the first lens 101 of the first main body part 100. The mounting recess 102 is formed in a concave shape with respect to the outer peripheral surface 100a so that, when the bracket 20 is mounted, an outer peripheral surface 21b (see FIG. 6) of a ring member 21 of the bracket 20 (described later) and an outer peripheral surface 100a of the first main body part 100 are positioned on the same plane. In other words, the mounting recess 102 is formed in a concave shape with respect to the outer peripheral surface 100a by the thickness of the ring member 21 of the bracket 20. In addition, the outer diameter of the mounting recess 102 is formed to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the ring member 21 of the bracket 20 so that the bracket 20 is rotatable.

[0070] At the boundary between the outer circumferential surface 100a and the mounting recess 102, an abutment surface 103 that can abut against a side surface 21c (see FIG. 6) of the ring member 21 of the bracket 20 when the bracket 20 is mounted in the mounting recess 102 is erected in a direction perpendicular to the central axis X. A meshing portion 104 is formed in a part of the abutment surface 103 in the circumferential direction, and the meshing portion 104 is composed of a plurality of adjacent recesses 104a and protrusions 104b.

[0071] A threaded portion 105 into which the fixing member 40 can be screwed toward the tip side is provided on the base end side of the mounting recess 102 of the first main body portion 100 (the base end portion of the dashcam main body 10). The threaded portion 105 is formed in a concave shape with respect to the mounting recess 102, and a restricting surface 106 that restricts the amount of screwing of the fixing member 30 in the axial direction is erected on the boundary between the mounting recess 102 and the threaded portion 105 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis X.

[0072] Here, the length of the mounting recess 102 in the axial direction of the central axis X is formed to be shorter than the length of the ring member 21 of the bracket 20 in the axial direction when the ring member 21 is mounted in the mounting recess 102. Therefore, when the ring member 21 of the bracket 20 is mounted in the mounting recess 102, the above-mentioned restricting surface 106 is located inside the ring member 21. As a result, when the fixing member 30 is screwed into the threaded portion 105 after the ring member 21 is mounted in the mounting recess 102, the fixing member 30 is not restricted by the restricting surface 106, and the ring member 21 is sandwiched between the fixing member 30 and the abutting surface 103, making it possible to fix the ring member 21. On the other hand, when the screwing amount of the fixing member 30 is reduced, the ring member 21 becomes rotatable on the mounting recess 102.

[0073] 3(a) and (b), a support portion 107 that rotatably supports the second body portion 200 about the central axis X is provided at the tip portion of the first body portion 100. The support portion 107 is formed on an inner circumferential surface 100b of the first body portion 100. In other words, the first body portion 100 rotatably supports the second body portion 200 on the inner circumferential surface 100b side.

[0074] The support portion 107 includes a guide support portion 108 that guides the second body portion 200 in the rotational direction about the central axis X and supports the second body portion 200 so that it does not fall out of the first body portion 100 in the axial direction, a pair of protrusions 109a, 109b that engage with a gear portion 222 described later of the second body portion 200 to hold the second body portion 200 at any rotational position, and a rotation regulating portion 110 that regulates the amount of rotation of the second body portion 200 relative to the first body portion 100.

[0075] The guide support portion 108 is provided substantially parallel to the circumferential direction of the first main body portion 100 so that the second main body portion 200 rotates in the circumferential direction of the first main body portion 100, and protrudes from the inner peripheral surface 100b toward the central axis X. The pair of protrusions 109a, 109b protrude from the inner peripheral surface 100b toward the central axis X, and are formed so as to elastically deform when a rotational torque equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied, and not to elastically deform when a rotational torque less than a predetermined value is applied. Specifically, the pair of protrusions 109a, 109b elastically deform when a rotational torque is applied to the second main body portion 200 by a user to rotate the second main body portion 200, and not to elastically deform when a rotational torque generated by vehicle vibration or when the second camera 210 is rotated is applied to the second main body portion 200. The pair of protrusions 109a, 109b elastically deform, thereby allowing them to move on the gear portion 222 of the second main body portion 200 with which they engage, and allowing the second main body portion 200 to rotate relative to the first main body portion 100. On the other hand, the pair of protrusions 109a, 109b do not elastically deform, thereby maintaining the engagement with the gear portion 222 of the second main body portion 200 and maintaining the rotational position of the second main body portion 200 relative to the first main body portion 100.

[0076] The rotation restricting portion 110 comes into contact with a restricting protrusion 224 (described later) provided on the second main body portion 200, thereby restricting the amount of rotation of the second main body portion 200 relative to the first main body portion 100. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the rotation restricting portion 110 has restricting surfaces 110a, 110b that can come into contact with the restricting protrusion of the second main body portion 200, and restricts the rotation of the second main body portion 200 by the restricting surfaces 110a, 110b coming into contact with the restricting protrusion 224 of the second main body portion 200 guided by the guide support portion 108.

[0077] As an example of the range of the rotation amount regulated by the regulating surfaces 110a and 110b, in the case where the second body unit 200 is rotated vertically relative to the first body unit 100 with the first lens 101 facing horizontally, the regulating surfaces 110a and 110b are provided so that the second camera 210 can rotate from a position rotated slightly downward from the shooting direction of the first lens 101 to a position rotated 180 degrees from above with respect to the shooting direction of the first lens 101 to a position rotated slightly downward. For example, the regulating surfaces 110a and 110b are provided so that the second body unit 200 can rotate 230 degrees vertically relative to the first body unit 100.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 4(a) to (c), the second main body 200 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a substantially hemispherical tip, and the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion connected to the first main body 100 is formed to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the first main body 100. By making the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the second main body 200 substantially the same as the outer diameter of the first main body 100, the outer shape of the drive recorder main body 10 does not change significantly even if the second main body 200 is rotated. Therefore, even if the second main body 200 is rotated after the drive recorder 1 is attached to the attachment location of the vehicle, the second main body 200 can be prevented from interfering with other devices and the like in the surrounding area of ​​the attachment location.

[0079] The second main body 200 also includes a second camera 210 capable of photographing the interior of the vehicle, and a case member 220 that supports the second camera 210 so as to be rotatable.

[0080] The second camera 210 includes a second lens 211 for capturing an image of the interior of the vehicle, electronic components such as an imaging element (not shown), and a camera housing 212 that supports the second lens 211 and houses the electronic components. In this embodiment, the second lens 211 is a lens whose vertical angle of view is larger than that of the first lens 101 when the drive recorder 1 is attached to an attachment location of the vehicle so that the central axis X is approximately parallel to the horizontal direction, and for example, a lens whose horizontal angle of view is 45 degrees and whose vertical angle of view is 30 degrees is used.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 5, the camera housing 212 includes a lens support section 213 that supports the second lens 211, and a main body section 214 to which the lens support section 213 is connected. The lens support section 213 is provided so as to protrude from the main body section 214. The main body section 214 is supported by the case member 220 via a pair of rotation support members 230a, 230b (see Fig. 5) so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis Z (see Fig. 4(a)) that is perpendicular to the central axis X (see Fig. 4(a)).

[0082] Specifically, the main body 214 is formed in a substantially spherical shape with both ends in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z cut, and a pair of rotation support members 230a, 230b are disposed in the cut portions. The pair of rotation support members 230a, 230b are provided with a fixing protrusion 231 fixed to a fixing recess 221 formed in the inner circumferential surface of the case member 220, and an engaging protrusion 232 engageable with a sawtooth-shaped uneven portion 215 provided on the inner surface of the main body 214, and in a state where the main body 214 is fixed to the fixing recess 221 of the case member 220 by the fixing protrusion 231, the engaging protrusion 232 rotatably holds the uneven portion 215 of the main body 214.

[0083] The engagement protrusion 232 protrudes toward the uneven portion 215 of the main body 214, and is formed so as to elastically deform when a rotational torque equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied, and not to elastically deform when a rotational torque less than a predetermined value is applied. Specifically, the engagement protrusion 232 elastically deforms when a rotational torque is applied to the second camera 210 by a user in order to rotate the second camera 210, and does not elastically deform when a rotational torque caused by vehicle vibration or when the second main body 200 is rotated is applied. The elastic deformation of the engagement protrusion 232 allows the uneven portion 215 of the main body 214 to move on the engagement protrusion 232, and the second camera 210 becomes rotatable relative to the case member 220. On the other hand, the engagement protrusion 232 does not elastically deform, so that the engagement between the uneven portion 215 of the main body 214 and the engagement protrusion 232 is maintained, and the rotational position of the second camera 210 relative to the case member 220 is maintained.

[0084] In this embodiment, the rotational torque for rotating second camera 210 is set to be smaller than the rotational torque for rotating second main body portion 200 described above.

[0085] The tip of the case member 220 is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape so that the lens support part 213 can move along the outer shape of the case member 220 when the second camera 210 rotates around the rotation axis Z. By making the tip of the case member 220 substantially hemispherical, the lens support part 213 is prevented from being hidden by the case member 220 or from unnecessarily protruding from the case member 220 even when the second camera 210 is rotated.

[0086] In addition, the case member 220 is provided with a gear portion 222 engageable with the pair of protrusions 109a, 109b of the second main body portion 200, a sliding groove 223 along which the guide support portion 108 of the second main body portion 200 can slide, a regulating protrusion portion 224 capable of abutting against the rotation regulating portion 110 of the second main body portion 200, and a guide portion 225 cut out to guide the lens support portion 213 of the second camera 210 in the rotational direction around the rotation axis Z.

[0087] The gear portion 222 is provided at the base end of the case member 220 and is approximately parallel to the rotation direction of the second main body portion 200. The sliding groove 223 is provided above the gear portion 222, is more concave than the gear portion 222, and is formed approximately parallel to the rotation direction of the second main body portion 200. The restricting protrusion 224 is provided above the sliding groove 223 and is formed so as to be able to come into contact with the restricting surfaces 110a, 110b of the rotation restricting portion 110 when the second main body portion 200 rotates.

[0088] The guide unit 225 is formed so that the lens support unit 213 can move substantially parallel to the central axis X. For example, in the case where the first lens 101 is oriented horizontally and rotated horizontally with respect to the first main body unit 100 whose central axis X is substantially parallel to the horizontal direction, the guide unit 225 can guide the lens support unit 213 from a position slightly rotated toward the first lens 101 side from a position where the lens surface of the second lens 211 held by the lens support unit 213 is substantially parallel to the lens surface of the first lens 101 to a position where the second camera 210 can capture the side of the vehicle when the drive recorder 1 is attached to the attachment position of the vehicle.

[0089] 4(b) and 4(c), the guide portion 225 is formed so that the outer edges 225a located on both sides in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z are more concave than the other outer peripheral surfaces of the case member 220. By forming the outer edges of the guide portion 225 on both sides in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z in a concave shape, for example, the relative amount of protrusion of the lens support portion 213 from the second main body portion 200 in the guide portion 225 is increased, making it easier for the user to move the lens support portion 213. Specifically, even if the lens support portion 213 is formed so that the relative amount of protrusion to an outer peripheral surface (for example, an outer peripheral surface on the opposite side of the guide portion 225) different from the outer peripheral surface near the guide portion 225 of the second main body portion 200 is small, the outer edge of the guide portion 225 is formed more concave than the other outer peripheral surfaces, so that the amount of protrusion of the lens support portion 213 in the guide portion 225 can be made relatively larger than the amount of protrusion from the other outer peripheral surfaces.

[0090] As shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c), the bracket 20 includes a ring member 21 formed in an annular shape, and a mounting member 22 that can be mounted to a mounting location on the vehicle.

[0091] The ring member 21 is formed so that the outer diameter of the inner peripheral surface 21a is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the mounting recess 102 so that the ring member 21 can be mounted in the mounting recess 102 of the first main body part 100 from the base end side in the axial direction of the first main body part 100 and can rotate in the mounting recess 102 when mounted. In addition, the ring member 21 is formed so that the outer diameter is approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter of the first main body part 100 (for example, the same diameter or slightly smaller or slightly larger) so that the outer peripheral surface 100a of the first main body part 100 and the outer peripheral surface 21b of the ring member 21 are positioned on approximately the same plane when the ring member 21 is mounted in the mounting recess 102 of the first main body part 100. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the ring member 21 is formed to be approximately 40 mm, which is the same diameter as the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface 100a of the first main body part 100.

[0092] Furthermore, among the side surfaces 21c and 21d orthogonal to the inner peripheral surface 21a and the outer peripheral surface 21b of the ring member 21, the side surface 21c that can come into contact with the meshing portion 104 of the first main body portion 100 when the ring member 21 is attached to the attachment recess 102 of the first main body portion 100 is provided with an interlocking portion 23 that can mesh with the interlocking portion 104 of the first main body portion 100. The interlocking portion 23 is composed of a plurality of sawtooth-shaped recesses 23a and protrusions 23b formed adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and restricts the relative rotation between the ring member 21 and the first main body portion 100 by meshing with any of the plurality of recesses 104a and protrusions 104b of the interlocking portion 104 of the first main body portion 100.

[0093] The mounting member 22 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and has a mounting surface 22a to which double-sided tape is attached for fixing to a mounting location on a vehicle, and a connection surface 22b to be connected to the ring member 21. The mounting surface 22a is formed in a flat shape. The connection surface 22b is connected to the outer peripheral surface 21b of the ring member 21 via the support leg 24 so that the mounting surface 22a is approximately parallel to the tangent direction of the outer peripheral surface 21b of the ring member 21.

[0094] As shown in Fig. 7(a) to (c), the fixing member 30 is formed in an annular shape, and a screw groove 31 is formed on the inner peripheral surface 30a so that the fixing member 30 can be screwed into the screw portion 105 of the first main body portion 100 from the base end side in the axial direction of the first main body portion 100. The fixing member 30 is formed to have an outer diameter that is approximately the same diameter (for example, the same diameter, or slightly smaller or slightly larger) as the outer diameter of the first main body portion 100 so that the outer peripheral surface 100a of the first main body portion 100 and the outer peripheral surface 30b of the fixing member 30 are positioned on approximately the same plane when the fixing member 30 is screwed into the screw portion 105 of the first main body portion 100. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the fixing member 30 is formed to be approximately 40 mm, which is the same diameter as the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface 100a of the first main body portion 100. Furthermore, a side surface 30c of the fixing member 30, which is perpendicular to the inner peripheral surface 30a and the outer peripheral surface 30b, is formed so as to be able to come into contact with a side surface 21d of the ring member 21.

[0095] Here, the drive recorder 1 according to this embodiment has a built-in publicly known wireless LAN module, and by downloading a dedicated application to a smartphone or the like, it is possible to check the captured images on the LCD screen of the smartphone or the like.

[0096] In addition, after the drive recorder 1 according to this embodiment is attached to the mounting location of the vehicle, when the user rotates the second main body unit 200 by 90 degrees or more relative to the first main body unit 100 in order to change the shooting direction of the second camera 210, the captured image can be rotated 180 degrees around the normal line of the image and displayed on the liquid crystal screen of a smartphone or the like. For example, the smartphone has a button for rotating the image, and the image is inverted when the button is pressed. Note that the image may be inverted automatically, for example. The button is not limited to a physical button, and may be a touch-type button provided on the liquid crystal screen.

[0097] With this configuration, for example, when an image captured by second camera 210 is confirmed on a smartphone after rotating second main body 200, the image displayed on the smartphone can be in a normally viewed orientation. In other words, it is possible to prevent the image displayed on the smartphone from becoming an image rotated around the normal line (upside-down image) caused by rotating second camera 210.

[0098] Next, a method for mounting the drive recorder 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the drive recorder 1 is mounted on the windshield of the vehicle. In this embodiment, images captured by the first main body 100 and the second camera 210 are displayed on a smartphone via wireless LAN, and the user adjusts the shooting direction while checking the images displayed on the smartphone. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mounting of the drive recorder 1 according to this embodiment.

[0099] 8, the ring member 21 of the bracket 20 is attached to the mounting recess 102 of the drive recorder body 10 from the base end side of the drive recorder body 10. The ring member 21 of the bracket 20 is formed so that the outer diameter of the inner circumferential surface is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the mounting recess 102. Therefore, when the ring member 21 is attached to the mounting recess 102, the bracket 20 is not fixed to the drive recorder body 10 and is in a rotatable state.

[0100] Next, the fixing member 30 is screwed into the threaded portion 105 of the drive recorder body 10 from the base end side of the drive recorder body 10. When the fixing member 30 is screwed into the threaded portion 105, the ring member 21 of the bracket 20 is sandwiched between the abutment surface 103 of the first body portion 100 and the side surface 30c of the fixing member 30, and the rotation of the bracket 20 is restricted. In addition, the meshing portion 104 formed on the abutment surface 103 meshes with the meshing portion 23 formed on the side surface 21c, and the bracket 20 can be fixed to the drive recorder body 10. In this way, the bracket 20 is temporarily fixed to the drive recorder body 10.

[0101] Next, the bracket 20 temporarily fixed to the dashcam body 10 is attached to the windshield of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the bracket 20 is attached to the windshield of the vehicle using double-sided tape attached to the attachment surface 22a of the attachment member 22 of the bracket 20.

[0102] Here, when attaching the drive recorder 1 to the windshield of the vehicle, the drive recorder 1 must be attached within a range of 20% in the vertical direction from the top edge of the windshield due to safety standards for road transport vehicles, etc. Therefore, first, from inside the vehicle, the bracket 20 temporarily fixed to the drive recorder main body 10 is attached within a range of 20% in the vertical direction from the top edge of the windshield. At this time, the bracket 20 is attached to the windshield so that the center axis X of the drive recorder main body 10 is approximately parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0103] After the bracket 20 is attached to the windshield, the fixing member 30 screwed to the dashcam body 10 is loosened to allow the dashcam body 10 to rotate relative to the bracket 20 attached to the windshield. Once the dashcam body 10 is rotatable, the image captured by the first body unit 100 is displayed on the smartphone. A dedicated application is downloaded to the smartphone in advance. The drive recorder 1 is also connected to a power source in advance. When the image captured by the first body unit 100 is displayed on the smartphone, the user rotates the first body unit 100 up and down while watching the image displayed on the smartphone, and adjusts the shooting direction so as to obtain the desired image.

[0104] When the desired image can be obtained by the first main body unit 100, the fixing member 30 is screwed into the screw portion 105, and the first main body unit 100 is fixed to the bracket 20 so as not to rotate. When the fixing member 30 is screwed into the screw portion 105, the meshing portion 104 formed on the abutment surface 103 meshes with the meshing portion 23 formed on the side surface 21c, so that the first main body unit 100 is fixed to the bracket 20 so as not to rotate. Therefore, for example, the fixation of the first main body unit 100 to the bracket 20 will not loosen due to vibrations of the vehicle while it is running. In other words, the orientation of the image captured by the first main body unit 100 will not be unnecessarily changed due to vibrations of the vehicle.

[0105] Next, the second main body 200 is rotated from above to face the second camera 210 toward the inside of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the second main body 200 is rotated 180 degrees relative to the first main body 100. By rotating the second main body 200 180 degrees relative to the first main body 100, the second camera 210 can capture the inside of the vehicle. At this time, the second main body 200 is held so as not to rotate by the engagement between the pair of protrusions 109a, 109b of the first main body 100 and the gear portion 222 of the second main body 200, but becomes rotatable when the user applies a rotational torque to the second main body 200. In addition, when the second main body 200 is rotated 90 degrees or more relative to the first main body 100, the image displayed on the smartphone becomes an image obtained by rotating the image captured by the second camera 210 180 degrees around the normal line. In other words, the image displayed on the smartphone is oriented in the same direction as the image is normally viewed.

[0106] Next, the user rotates the second camera 210 in the horizontal direction while viewing the image captured by the second camera 210 displayed on the smartphone so that the desired location can be captured. At this time, the second camera 210 is held so as not to rotate by the engagement between the engagement protrusions 232 of the pair of rotation support members 230a, 230b and the sawtooth uneven portion 215 provided on the main body portion 214 of the camera housing 212, but becomes rotatable when the user applies a rotation torque to the second camera 210. At this time, the second camera 210 rotates with a rotation torque smaller than the rotation torque for rotating the second main body portion 200, so that the second main body portion 200 is maintained in a state of being held by the first main body portion 100. In addition, since the outer edge 225a of the guide portion 225 is formed in a concave shape, the second camera 210 is easy to move even when attached to the windshield.

[0107] When the shooting direction of the second camera 210 is determined, the mounting of the drive recorder 1 on the windshield of the vehicle is completed. As a result, desired images of the outside and inside of the vehicle are captured in conjunction with starting and stopping of the vehicle engine. Note that the second main body 200 and the second camera 210 are not rotated by the rotational torque acting due to the vibration of the vehicle while traveling, so that the direction of the image captured by the second camera 210 is not unnecessarily shifted due to the vibration of the vehicle while traveling.

[0108] As described above, in the drive recorder 1 according to this embodiment, the second body unit 200 is supported to be rotatable by 180 degrees or more relative to the first body unit 100, and the second camera 210 is supported to be rotatable relative to the second body unit 200 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the second body unit 200. Therefore, even if the drive recorder 1 is attached to the windshield so that the first lens 101 of the first body unit 100 faces the outside of the vehicle, the second body unit 200 can be rotated to capture the inside of the vehicle with the second camera 210, and a desired location in the vehicle can be captured by rotating the second body unit 200 and the second camera 210. In other words, the drive recorder 1 can capture desired images both outside and inside the vehicle.

[0109] Furthermore, when the second main body unit 200 is rotated by 90 degrees or more, the drive recorder 1 rotates the image captured by the second camera 210 by 180 degrees in the normal direction of the image, and displays the image on the smartphone as an image oriented in a normally visible direction. Therefore, even when the second main body unit 200 is rotated, it is easy to adjust the imaging direction of the second camera 210 while looking at the smartphone.

[0110] In addition, the drive recorder 1 uses a lens with a large horizontal angle of view and a narrow vertical angle of view for the first lens 101 of the first main body unit 100 that captures the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to capture the outside of the vehicle at a wide angle while reducing the incidence of external light.

[0111] In addition, the drive recorder 1 is configured such that the first main body 100 and the second main body 200 are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with substantially the same diameter, and rotate relatively on the same axis. Therefore, for example, even when the first main body 100 and the second main body 200 are rotated, there is almost no change in the outer diameter of the drive recorder 1, and even when the drive recorder is attached to an attachment location of a vehicle, interference with other devices due to rotation can be prevented.

[0112] Furthermore, in the drive recorder 1, the outer edge 225a of the guide portion 225 of the second main body portion 200 is formed in a concave shape. Therefore, the user can easily rotate the second camera 210 without unnecessarily protruding the lens support portion. For example, even after the drive recorder 1 is attached to the attachment location of the vehicle, the user can easily rotate the second camera 210.

[0113] Furthermore, the drive recorder 1 is configured such that the bracket 20 is rotatably attached to the first main body unit 100, and the bracket 20 is sandwiched and fixed between the fixing member 30 and the first main body unit 100. Therefore, even after the bracket 20 is attached to the windshield of the vehicle, the first main body unit 100 can be easily rotated to adjust the shooting direction by the first main body unit 100.

[0114] Also, the second camera 210 is configured to rotate in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the second main body unit 200. Therefore, for example, the second camera 210 can be positioned on the tip side in the axial direction of the central axis X of the second main body unit 200 (the side opposite to the side to which the first main body unit 100 is connected in the axial direction of the central axis X) rather than rotating the second camera 210 obliquely with respect to the rotation direction of the second main body unit 200, and for example, the rotation range in the horizontal direction can be increased.

[0115] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely a list of the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0116] For example, in the present embodiment, the drive recorder 1 has been used as an example of an in-vehicle device, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The in-vehicle device according to the present invention may be used, for example, in a navigation device having a plurality of cameras. By using the device in a navigation device, captured images (moving images or still images) can be stored in association with map information of the navigation function. For example, a map can be constructed using captured images instead of pictures.

[0117] In addition, in the present embodiment, the drive recorder 1 having two cameras has been described as an example of the in-vehicle device, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The in-vehicle device according to the present invention may be, for example, a drive recorder having three or more cameras, with any two or each of the three or more cameras having the same configuration as the present invention.

[0118] In the present embodiment, the second camera 210 is configured to be rotatable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the second main body 200, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the in-vehicle device according to the present invention, the second camera may be supported by the second main body so as to be rotatable in any direction relative to the second main body. For example, the main body of the camera housing of the second camera may be configured with a ball joint that is rotatable around a rotation center, and the camera housing may be rotatably supported by a case member. In addition, the second camera may be rotatably supported by the second main body so as to be rotatable in a direction that is not perpendicular to but intersects with the rotation direction of the second main body.

[0119] In the present embodiment, the first lens is fixed to the first body unit 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first lens may be rotatably supported by the first body unit 100. The second camera may be integral with the second body unit, and the second body unit may be configured to be rotatable in two directions that are not parallel to the first body unit. For example, the first body unit may be the first camera, the second body unit may be the second camera, and the second camera may be configured to be rotatable in two directions that are not parallel to the first camera.

[0120] In the present embodiment, the second camera 210 is rotated in two non-parallel directions directly and indirectly relative to the first main body 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. The second camera 210 may be rotated in two non-parallel directions directly relative to the first main body 100, or the second camera may be rotated in two non-parallel directions indirectly relative to the first main body 100.

[0121] In this embodiment, the orientation of second camera 210 is adjusted so that a desired location in the vehicle can be photographed, but second camera 210 may be adjusted so that the driver's blind spot can be photographed. By making it possible to check the driver's blind spot with second camera 210, safe driving becomes possible.

[0122] In the present embodiment, the images captured by the first main body 100 and the second camera 210 are confirmed on a smartphone, but for example, the first main body 100 and the second main body 200 of the dashcam main body 10 may each be provided with a liquid crystal monitor, and the captured images may be confirmed on the respective liquid crystal monitors. The first main body 100 may also be provided with a liquid crystal monitor, and the images captured by the first main body 100 and the second camera 210 may be confirmed on the liquid crystal monitor. The images may also be displayed on an existing or portable navigation device.

[0123] In addition, in this embodiment, the dashcam main body 10 is attached to the vehicle windshield via the bracket 20 that is rotatably attached to the dashcam main body 10, but, for example, the first main body portion 100 may be directly attached and fixed to the windshield.

[0124] In the present embodiment, the second main body 200 is configured to be rotatable by 180 degrees or more with respect to the first main body 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. The second main body 200 only needs to be rotatable at least to a position where the second camera 210 can capture the interior of the vehicle. Also, the second main body 200 only needs to be rotatable to a position where the second camera 210 can capture a place that the first main body 100 cannot capture. For example, the second main body 200 only needs to be rotatable to a position where the second camera 210 can capture a place that is out of the angle of view of the first lens 101.

[0125] In addition, in this embodiment, the first main body portion 100 and the second main body portion 200 are each formed into an approximately cylindrical shape with approximately the same diameter, but, for example, the first main body portion and the second main body portion may each be formed into a rectangular box shape or may be formed into a similar shape.

[0126] In addition, in the present embodiment, the first main body unit 100 is attached facing the outside of the vehicle, and the second camera 210 captures the inside of the vehicle, but the first main body unit 100 may be attached facing the inside of the vehicle, and the second camera 210 may capture the outside of the vehicle. In this case, it is preferable to use a second lens of the second camera 210 that has a large angle of view in the horizontal direction and a small angle of view in the vertical direction.

[0127] The components of the modified examples and the contents of each embodiment, and elements to which the elements and ideas described in the means for solving the problems are applied may be combined in any manner to form an embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 1. Drive recorder (an example of in-vehicle equipment) 10 Drive recorder body 20 Mounting bracket 21 Ring member 30 Fixing member 100 First body part 101 First Lens 102 Mounting recess 105 Threaded part 200 Second body part 210 Second Camera 211 Second Lens X center axis Z Rotation Axis

Claims

1. A first body portion; a second body portion that rotatably supports a camera and is connected to the first body portion so as to be rotatable relative to the camera; a body holding means for rotating the second body part relative to the first body part when a rotational torque equal to or greater than a first rotational torque is applied to the second body part, and for holding the second body part on the first body part without rotating when a rotational torque less than the first rotational torque is applied to the second body part; a camera holding means for rotating the camera relative to the second main body when a rotational torque equal to or greater than a second rotational torque is applied to the camera, and for holding the camera on the second main body without rotating when a rotational torque less than the second rotational torque is applied to the camera; Equipped with The first rotational torque is greater than the second rotational torque. The in-vehicle device is characterized by the above.

2. the second body portion has a guide portion that is cut out to guide the camera in a rotation direction; At least a part of the outer edge of the guide portion is formed to be concave with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the second main body portion.

2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1.

3. The first body portion is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, The second body portion is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is rotatably connected to the first body portion such that a central axis of the second body portion is positioned coaxially with a central axis of the first body portion and the second body portion rotates coaxially with the central axis of the first body portion relative to the first body portion.

2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1.

4. The camera is supported by the second body so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis perpendicular to a central axis of the second body.

4. The in-vehicle device according to claim 3.

5. The end of the second main body part on the opposite side to the first main body part in the axial direction of the central axis is formed in a hemispherical shape so as to follow the rotation of the camera.

4. The in-vehicle device according to claim 3.

6. A fixing means is provided for fixing the first body portion to a mounting position on a vehicle.

2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1.

7. The first body portion is held by the fixing means with a rotational torque larger than the first rotational torque.

7. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 6.

8. The on-vehicle device according to claim 1 , which is a drive recorder.

Images