Vehicle circumference imaging device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle circumference imaging device that can reduce cost.SOLUTION: A vehicle circumference imaging device includes: a camera 5 installed to an electronic outer mirror 4 to generate a captured image by imaging backward of a vehicle 1; a reflection part 6 installed in the vicinity of the camera 5 on the electronic outer mirror 4 to reflect a region substantially identical to a region that is an imaging region of the camera 5; and an enlarging part 7 installed between the reflection part 6 and a visual line of a driver to enlarge a region reflected by the reflection part 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle surrounding imaging device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique including a first imaging unit capable of capturing an image of the periphery of a vehicle to obtain an image, and a second imaging unit capable of capturing an image of a region substantially the same as the region to be imaged by the first imaging unit, and displaying the image captured by the first imaging unit as an electronic mirror. In this technique, when an abnormality of the first imaging unit is detected, the second imaging unit is activated to simply visualize the situation around the vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that two imaging units have to be provided, which increases the burden at the time of purchase due to cost increase.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle surrounding imaging device capable of reducing costs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a vehicle peripheral imaging device according to the present disclosure is a vehicle peripheral imaging device including an electronic outer mirror, and includes a camera provided on the electronic outer mirror for imaging the rear of the vehicle to generate an imaging image, a reflection portion provided near the camera in the electronic outer mirror for reflecting a region substantially the same as the region that is the imaging region of the camera, and an enlargement portion provided between the reflection portion and the driver's line of sight for enlarging the region reflected by the reflection portion.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, there is an effect that costs can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, a vehicle including a vehicle peripheral imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be replaced and are easy for those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same. Also, each drawing referred to in the following description schematically shows the shape, size, and positional relationship only to the extent that the content of the present disclosure can be understood. That is, the present disclosure is not limited only to the shape, size, and positional relationship illustrated in each drawing.

[0010] 〔Configuration of Vehicle〕 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main part of a vehicle according to an embodiment. The vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an instrument panel 2 (hereinafter referred to as "instrument panel 2"), a front pillar 3 (hereinafter referred to as "A pillar 3"), an electronic outer mirror 4, a camera 5, a reflecting portion 6, and a magnifying portion 7. The instrument panel 2 and the A pillar 3 constitute the vehicle body of the vehicle 1.

[0011] The instrument panel 2 has an instrument panel mirror 21 that displays a captured image corresponding to the image data captured by the camera 5. The instrument panel mirror 21 is configured using a display panel such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL.

[0012] The A pillar 3 is a columnar member that extends along the vehicle body vertical direction, that is, the vertical direction, on the side portion of the vehicle body of the vehicle 1. The A pillar 3 is an end pillar and is disposed at each front portion in the vehicle body front-rear direction of the side portion of the vehicle body.

[0013] The electronic outer mirror 4 is provided outside the vehicle body of the vehicle 1. The camera 5 and the reflecting portion 6 are disposed in the electronic outer mirror 4.

[0014] The camera 5 captures an image of the rear of the vehicle 1 to generate image data, and outputs this image data to the instrument panel mirror 21.

[0015] The reflecting portion 6 is provided in the vicinity of the camera 5 in the electronic outer mirror 4. The reflecting portion 6 is an area substantially the same as the area that is the imaging area of the camera 5, and reflects the area behind the vehicle 1. The reflecting portion 6 is configured using, for example, a mirror or the like.

[0016] The enlarging portion 7 is provided between the reflecting portion 6 and the driver's line of sight, and enlarges the area reflected by the reflecting portion 6. Specifically, the enlarging portion 7 enlarges the area reflected on the reflecting portion 6. The enlarging portion 7 is provided, for example, on a part of the surface side (the inside of the vehicle 1) of the A-pillar 3 and the front side glass 31 (triangle window). Specifically, the enlarging portion 7 is provided in the lower half region of the front side glass 31. The enlarging portion 7 is configured by using, for example, an enlarging lens filter or a transmissive screen filter. The enlargement ratio by the enlarging portion 7 is desirably such that the display size from the driver's line of sight is about the display size of the electronic outer mirror 4. Further, although the enlarging portion 7 is provided on the surface side of the front side glass 31, it may be provided on the back side (the outside of the vehicle 1) of the front side glass 31. In one embodiment, the enlarging portion 7, the reflecting portion 6, the camera 5, and the electronic outer mirror 2 function as a vehicle peripheral imaging device.

[0017] According to the above-described embodiment, since the enlarging portion 7 is provided between the reflecting portion 6 and the driver's line of sight and enlarges the area reflected by the reflecting portion 6, even if some trouble occurs in the electronic outer mirror 4, the driver can confirm the situation behind the vehicle 1, so that the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

[0018] Further, according to one embodiment, since the enlarging portion 7 has the same function as a conventional outer mirror, it can move safely to the dealer, and can improve the safety of the passengers without reaching a stop of the vehicle 1.

[0019] In one embodiment, an A-pillar cover that is a detachable cover for the front side glass 31 may be provided. In this case, when there is a display or voice notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the electronic outer mirror 4, the driver or other passengers may remove the A-pillar cover from the front side glass 31.

[0020] (Modification 1) Next, a modification example 1 of an embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main part of a vehicle according to the modification example 1 of the embodiment. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0021] The vehicle 1A shown in FIG. 2 includes an enlarged portion 7A instead of the enlarged portion 7 of the vehicle according to the above-described embodiment. The enlarged portion 7A is detachably provided with respect to the front side glass 31. In this case, when a display or voice notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the electronic outer mirror 4 is given, a passenger such as a driver attaches the enlarged portion 7A to the front side glass 31.

[0022] According to the modification example 1 of the embodiment described above, the cost can be reduced in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

[0023] (Modification Example 2) Next, a modification example 2 of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main part of a vehicle according to the modification example 2 of the embodiment.

[0024] The vehicle 1B shown in FIG. 3 includes an enlarged portion 7B instead of the enlarged portion 7 of the vehicle according to the above-described embodiment. The enlarged portion 7B is provided between the reflecting portion 6 and the driver's line of sight, and enlarges the area reflected by the reflecting portion 6. Specifically, the enlarged portion 7B is detachably provided in an upright state with respect to an end portion (near the A pillar 3) of the instrument panel 2 between the reflecting portion 6 and the driver's line of sight. In this case, when a display or voice notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the electronic outer mirror 4 is given, a passenger such as a driver attaches the enlarged portion 7B to the instrument panel 2.

[0025] According to the modification example 2 of the embodiment described above, the cost can be reduced in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

[0026] In the second modification of the embodiment, the occupant attached the enlarged portion 7B to the instrument panel 2. However, when there is a display or voice notification indicating an abnormality in the electronic outer mirror 4, for example, it may be configured to automatically pop out from the airbag in the instrument panel 2 or from the end of the instrument panel 2.

[0027] Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. The broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments described and represented as above. Therefore, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0028] As described in detail above with reference to the drawings, some of the embodiments of the present application are examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the aspects described in the disclosure column of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0029] 1, 1A, 1B Vehicle 2 Instrument Panel 3 Front Pillar 4 Electronic Outer Mirror 5 Camera 6 Reflecting Portion 7, 7A, 7B Enlarged Portion 21 Instrument Panel Mirror 31 Front Side Glass

Claims

Claim 1 A vehicle peripheral imaging device including an electronic outside mirror, comprising: a camera provided on the electronic outside mirror, configured to image the rear of the vehicle and generate an imaging image; a reflecting portion provided near the camera in the electronic outside mirror, configured to reflect a region substantially the same as the region to be the imaging region of the camera; an enlarging portion provided between the reflecting portion and the driver's line of sight, configured to enlarge the region reflected by the reflecting portion; and a vehicle peripheral imaging device.

Images