Vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle which can capture images of an entire interior part of a vehicle cabin from an imaging camera without hindering an operation of a driver.SOLUTION: A vehicle includes a center display 21, a side display 22 for a side camera monitor system, and an imaging camera 31 which is configured to image an interior of a vehicle cabin 10. The imaging camera 31 is disposed above the side display 22 and on the center side of a vehicle 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, vehicles equipped with cameras for photographing images inside the vehicle cabin have been increasing. However, there are problems with the installation location of the camera in order to photograph the entire image inside the vehicle cabin. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe vehicles in which a camera is installed on the ceiling of the vehicle cabin.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventional in-vehicle cameras are often installed in the upper front part of the center of the vehicle. In this case, the imaging angle inside the vehicle cabin is fixed to one, and it is difficult to photograph the entire inside of the vehicle cabin. In addition, when a camera is installed inside the vehicle cabin, it is desirable to maintain a sense of unity in the interior of the vehicle cabin and not to interfere with the driver's driving.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a vehicle capable of photographing the entire inside of the vehicle cabin from an imaging camera without interfering with the driver's driving.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the vehicle according to the present invention employs the following configuration. That is, the vehicle according to the present invention includes a center display (e.g., the center display 21 of the embodiment), a side display for a side camera monitoring system (e.g., the side display 22 of the embodiment), and an imaging camera (e.g., the imaging camera 31 of the embodiment) that images the interior of the passenger compartment (e.g., the passenger compartment 10 of the embodiment). The imaging camera is disposed above the side display and on the center side of the vehicle (e.g., the vehicle 100 of the embodiment).

[0007] With the above configuration, the driver's driving is not hindered, and since the imaging camera is arranged to image the interior of the passenger compartment from the side of the driver, it is difficult for the imaging camera to be hidden behind the body of the driver and the passenger sitting next to the driver, and the entire interior of the passenger compartment can be photographed.

[0008] The vehicle includes a connecting portion (e.g., the connecting portion 25 of the embodiment) between the center display and the side display, and the imaging camera may be disposed within the range in the height direction of the center display. In this case, since the imaging camera does not protrude above the center display in the height direction, the driver's driving is not hindered. Also, since the imaging camera does not protrude below the center display in the height direction, the entire interior of the passenger compartment can be photographed.

[0009] The imaging camera includes a connection terminal (e.g., the connection terminal 32 of the embodiment) on the center display side, and the connection terminal may be disposed in the region of the connecting portion. In this case, even if the connection terminal of the imaging camera protrudes from the side display, it can be accommodated between the side display and the center display.

[0010] The imaging camera may be arranged such that the tilt angle of the imaging camera (e.g., the tilt angle 37 of the embodiment) is different from the tilt angle of the side display (e.g., the tilt angle 27 of the embodiment). In this case, even if the orientation of the side display is set in consideration of visibility, the influence of reflected light, etc., the orientation of the imaging camera can be set to an angle suitable for the imaging range.

[0011] The tilt angle of the imaging camera may be set such that the face of the occupant is arranged at the vertical center of the imaging range of the imaging camera (for example, the imaging range 40 of the embodiment). In this case, it becomes easier to include the face of the occupant, which is the subject, in the imaging range, and an image that allows attention to be paid to the expression of the subject can be captured.

[0012] The side display is arranged at least on the passenger seat side (for example, the passenger seat 13 of the embodiment), and the imaging camera may be arranged on the side display on the passenger seat side. In this case, the ratio of the steering wheel in the imaging range can be suppressed as compared with the case where the imaging camera is arranged on the driver's seat side.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] The vehicle according to the present invention can capture the entire interior of the passenger compartment from the imaging camera without interfering with the driver's driving.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the interior of the passenger compartment 10 of the vehicle 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the display 20 disposed in the passenger compartment 10. In FIG. 2, an arrow UP indicating above the vehicle 100, an arrow FR indicating the front of the vehicle 100, and an arrow LH indicating the left side of the vehicle 100 are marked.

[0017] The vehicle 100 includes an instrument panel 11, a driver's seat 12, a passenger seat 13, a steering wheel 14, etc. in the passenger compartment 10.

[0018] The driver's seat 12 is disposed in front of the vehicle 100 and is the seat used by the driver. The passenger seat 13 is disposed adjacent to the driver's seat 12 in front of the vehicle 100 and is the seat used by passengers other than the driver. The driver's seat 12 and the passenger seat 13 are front passenger seats disposed in front of the vehicle 100.

[0019] Although not particularly shown, one or more rows of passenger seats may be provided behind the front passenger seats in the passenger compartment 10. Whether the passenger sitting in the passenger seat 13 assists the driver during the operation of the vehicle 100 or not is not a matter, and there may be no passengers in the passenger seat 13. In the illustrated vehicle 100, the driver's seat 12 is disposed on the left side of the passenger seat 13, but conversely to the illustrated example, the driver's seat 12 may be disposed on the right side of the passenger seat 13. The number, arrangement, etc. of the seats are not limited to the illustrated example and may be changed as appropriate.

[0020] The vehicle 100 includes a center display 21, a side display 22 for a side camera monitoring system, and an imaging camera 31 for imaging the interior of the passenger compartment 10. The center display 21 in the illustrated example is attached to the instrument panel 11. A front window 15F is disposed in front of the center display 21.

[0021] The display 20 in the illustrated figure includes side displays 22 on the left and right sides of the center display 21. More specifically, the center display 21 consists of a driver's seat side center display 21A and a passenger seat side center display 21B. Also, the side display 22 consists of a driver's seat side side display 22A and a passenger seat side side display 22B.

[0022] The driver's seat side center display 21A and the passenger seat side center display 21B are arranged in the center display mounting portion 23 of the display 20. The side display 22 is arranged in the side display mounting portion 24. In a preferred embodiment, the display 20 includes the center display mounting portion 23 and the side display mounting portion 24.

[0023] In the center display 21 in the illustrated figure, the driver's seat side center display 21A is in a smaller rectangular shape than the passenger seat side center display 21B, but the arrangement, shape, dimensions, etc. of each center display 21 are not particularly limited. It is also possible to divide the display surface into a plurality and display information for the driver and information for other passengers on the same center display 21.

[0024] The imaging camera 31 is located above the side display 22 and on the center C side of the vehicle 100. The upper part of the side display 22 means the area above the side display 22 in the vertical direction of the vehicle 100. In the left - right direction, it may be arranged in the side display mounting portion 24, either directly above the side display 22 or diagonally above. The center C side of the vehicle 100 means the side closer to the center C when the left - right direction of the side display 22 is divided into a side closer to the center C and a side farther from the center C. The center C of the vehicle 100 represents the position of the longitudinal center plane.

[0025] The side display 22 is a side display 22 for a side camera monitoring system. The side camera monitoring system is a confirmation device that captures an image of the rear or the like of the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle 100 and is provided at a position visible to the driver.

[0026] With the above configuration, the imaging camera 31 can image the interior of the vehicle compartment 10 from the side of the driver. Compared with the case where the camera is installed at the upper front of the center of the vehicle 100, it does not interfere with the driver's driving. Also, since it is difficult for the imaging camera 31 to be hidden by the body of the passenger in front of the vehicle 100, the entire interior of the vehicle compartment 10 can be photographed from the imaging camera 31.

[0027] The display 20 in the illustrated example is a display module that integrally mounts the center display 21 and the side display 22. A connecting portion 25 between the center display 21 and the side display 22 is arranged. More specifically, the side display mounting portions are connected to the left and right sides of the center display mounting portion 23 via the connecting portion 25. Although not particularly shown, the side display 22 provided with the imaging camera 31 may be attached to the vehicle 100 as a separate component from the center display 21.

[0028] The display 20 of the present embodiment includes a center display 21, a side display 22 for a side camera monitoring system, and an imaging camera 31 that images the interior of the vehicle compartment 10. The imaging camera 31 is above the side display 22 and is arranged on the center C side of the vehicle 100.

[0029] The imaging camera 31 is preferably disposed within the range in the height direction of the center display 21. In this case, since the imaging camera 31 does not protrude above the center display 21 in the height direction, compared with the case where it is disposed above the center display 21, it does not obstruct the driver's field of view, or it is less likely to be misrecognized as another object by the driver, and it is less likely to inhibit the driver's driving. Also, compared with the case where the imaging camera 31 protrudes below the center display 21 in the height direction, it is easier to arrange to photograph the entire interior of the passenger compartment 10.

[0030] The positions of the imaging camera 31 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the positions of the light receiving portions of the imaging camera 31. The light receiving portions of the imaging camera 31 are disposed on the display surface side of the side display 22. Although not particularly shown, the imaging camera 31 may be provided with various mechanisms such as an image processing unit on the back side of the light receiving portion.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the side display 22 as seen from part A of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a top view showing the arrangement of the imaging camera 31 in the side display 22. In these figures, the illustration of the configuration that does not require explanation may be omitted as appropriate.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging camera 31 is provided with connection terminals 32 such as connectors on the center display 21 side. The holder 33 fixes the imaging camera 31 to the front surface of the side display mounting portion 24. The imaging camera 31 receives the supply of electrical energy from the power source in the vehicle 100, similarly to the center display 21 and the side display 22. A cord 34 is connected to the connection terminal 32. The cord 34 is connected to the connection portion 35 on the center display 21 side.

[0033] The power source within the vehicle 100 may be a device that supplies electrical energy to the power source in a vehicle equipped with a power source driven by electrical energy, or may be a battery provided in a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine. Examples of vehicles equipped with a power source driven by electrical energy include electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), etc. Examples of electric vehicles include battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid vehicles (HEVs) equipped with an internal combustion engine that provides at least part of the power, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), etc.

[0034] The connection terminal 32 of the imaging camera 31 is preferably arranged in the area of the connecting part 25 between the center display 21 and the side display 22. In this case, even if the connection terminal 32 protrudes from the side display 22, it can be accommodated in the recess 26 between the center display 21 and the side display 22, and the connection terminal 32 is arranged hidden behind the display 20. Compared with the case where the connection terminal 32 protrudes above the side display 22 or the like, it does not obstruct the driver's field of vision, or it is less likely to be misrecognized as other objects, and it is less likely to interfere with the driver's driving.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the arrangement of the imaging camera 31 on the display surface side of the side display 22. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the imaging camera 31 is preferably arranged such that the tilt angle 37 of the imaging camera 31 is different from the tilt angle 27 of the side display 22.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the tilt angle 27 is set along the display panel 28 that forms the display surface of the side display 22. Also, the tilt angle 37 of the imaging camera 31 is different from the tilt angle 27 of the side display 22 through a difference in angle α. The magnitude of the angle α is not particularly limited.

[0037] The inclination angle 27 of the side display 22 is set in consideration of visibility as seen from the driver and the influence of reflected light on the driver. The inclination angle 27 is, for example, the angle at which the display surface of the display panel 28 is inclined with respect to the upper part of the vehicle.

[0038] Since the inclination angle 37 of the imaging camera 31 does not need to have good visibility from the driver or other passengers, it is set to an angle suitable for the imaging range. The inclination angle 37 is, for example, the angle at which the light receiving surface 36 of the imaging camera 31 is inclined with respect to the upper part of the vehicle. When the light receiving surface 36 is not flat, the inclination angle 37 may be set along a plane perpendicular to the incident optical axis passing through the light receiving surface 36.

[0039] In the case of the illustrated example, when the inclination angles 27 and 37 are defined as angles inclined with respect to the upper part of the vehicle, the inclination angle 37 of the imaging camera 31 is set to an angle smaller than the inclination angle 27 of the side display 22. Although not particularly illustrated, the inclination angle 37 of the imaging camera 31 may be set to an angle larger than the inclination angle 27 of the side display 22.

[0040] The inclination angle 37 of the imaging camera 31 may be set according to the viewpoint of the AM50 dummy. The AM50 dummy is a model that covers 50% of adult males in the United States among the dummies for crash tests. In this case, it becomes easier to include the face of the passenger sitting in the front passenger seat in the imaging range of the imaging camera 31 (see the imaging range 40 in FIG. 7 described later), and it becomes easier to take an image that can focus on the expression of the passenger who is the subject. When the inclination angle 37 is set according to the viewpoint of the dummy, if the inclination angles 27 and 37 are made different, the inclination angle 27 of the side display 22 is set to be different from the angle according to the viewpoint of the dummy. Note that the dummy used for adjusting the inclination angle 37 (see the dummy 41 in FIG. 7 described later) is not limited to the AM50 dummy, and may be set based on a JM50 dummy (a model that covers 50% of Japanese adult males), etc.

[0041] The dummy's viewing point may be any position towards which the line of sight of the dummy installed on the seat is directed, whether it is a forward view or a side view. For example, when the dummy's face is facing the side display 22, the light-receiving part of the imaging camera 31 may be facing the dummy's eyes. Also, when the dummy's face is facing the front of the vehicle 100, the light-receiving part of the imaging camera 31 may be facing the dummy's eyes.

[0042] The imaging camera 31 is preferably disposed on the passenger seat side side display 22B. Compared with the case where the imaging camera 31 is disposed on the driver's seat side side display 22A, the ratio of the steering wheel 14 in the imaging range of the imaging camera 31 can be suppressed. It is also possible to dispose the imaging camera 31 on both the driver's seat side side display 22A and the passenger seat side side display 22B.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the imaging range 40 by the imaging camera 31. The tilt angle 37 of the imaging camera 31 is preferably set such that the face of the occupant is disposed at the vertical center of the imaging range 40 of the imaging camera 31. In the imaging range 40 of the illustrated example, a driver dummy 42 which is a dummy 41 installed on the driver's seat 12, a passenger dummy 43 which is a dummy 41 installed on the passenger seat 13, etc. are photographed. It is preferable that the faces (such as the glabella, nose, etc.) of the driver dummy 42 and the passenger dummy 43 are disposed at substantially the vertical center portion of the imaging range 40. By changing the tilt angle 37 of the imaging camera 31, the position of the face of the dummy 41 in the vertical direction of the imaging range 40 can be adjusted. The dummy 41 used for adjusting the imaging range 40 may be a dummy 41 disposed at another position in the driver's seat 12, the passenger seat 13, or the vehicle interior 10, and further, a plurality of dummies may be used.

[0044] Furthermore, the imaging range 40 preferably includes the steering wheel 14. Thereby, the driving posture of the driver can be recorded. Furthermore, it is preferable that the imaging range 40 includes a bust shot that includes the chests of the respective dummies 41 that are the subjects. Thereby, it is possible to record the expressions and upper body movements of the driver and passengers in the passenger compartment 10.

[0045] Furthermore, it is preferable that the imaging range 40 includes vehicle windows such as the side window 15S and the rear window 15R. Thereby, since the moving scenery of the vehicle can be recorded, the state outside the vehicle can be confirmed. In particular, the weather, time, etc. can also be confirmed depending on the amount of light outside the vehicle, etc. These vehicle windows may be door windows or may be fixed to the vehicle body. These vehicle windows may be openable / closable or may be non-openable / closable.

[0046] Furthermore, it is preferable that the imaging range 40 includes at least one of the pillar 16 and the roof 17 in the passenger compartment 10. Thereby, the pillar 16 and the roof 17 function as a frame for the images of the driver and passengers, and it becomes easier for an observer viewing the images to pay attention to the movements of the driver and passengers due to the frame effect.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a processing step in imaging using the imaging camera 31. The processing step 50 in the illustrated example includes an imaging step 51, a distortion correction step 52, and a display step 53. The imaging step 51 is a step of imaging the interior of the passenger compartment 10 and can be performed using the imaging camera 31. As described above, it is preferable that the imaging range 40 includes the scenery outside the vehicle. The image may be in color or monochrome. The light rays used for imaging are not limited to visible light such as the three primary colors (RGB), and may be infrared rays or the like.

[0048] The distortion correction step 52 is a step of correcting the distortion of the image obtained in the imaging step 51. For the distortion correction step 52, an image processing circuit arranged outside the imaging camera 31 may be used, or an image processing circuit built into the imaging camera 31 may be used. The image processing circuit may be attached to the display 20.

[0049] The display step 53 is a step of displaying the image corrected in the distortion correction step 52. The center display 21 or the side display 22 may be used in the display step 53. In the display step 53, an image may be displayed on an external vehicle display. For example, after storing the image obtained in the imaging step 51 or the image corrected in the distortion correction step 52 in a storage device, the stored image may be displayed afterwards. Also, after transmitting the image outside the vehicle by wireless communication or the like, the image received outside the vehicle may be displayed in real time or afterwards.

[0050] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes are possible without departing from the gist thereof. Examples of the vehicle include an automobile having a passenger compartment. The automobile is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include automobiles having four to eight wheels, and more specifically, passenger cars, trucks, and the like. The display provided with the above-described imaging camera can also be applied to other moving bodies, transportation equipment, and the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0051] α... angle, C... center, 10... passenger compartment, 11... instrument panel, 12... driver's seat, 13... passenger seat, 14... steering wheel, 15F... front window, 15R... rear window, 15S... side window, 16... pillar, 17... roof, 20... display, 21... center display, 21A... driver's side center display, 21B... passenger's side center display, 22... side display, 22A... driver's side side display, 22B... passenger's side side display, 23... center display mounting portion, 24... side display mounting portion, 25... connecting portion, 26... recess, 27... inclination angle of the side display, 28... display panel, 31... imaging camera, 32... connection terminal, 33... holder, 34... cord, 35... connection portion, 36... light receiving surface of the imaging camera, 37... inclination angle of the imaging camera, 40... imaging range, 41... dummy, 42... driver dummy, 43... passenger dummy, 50... processing step, 51... imaging step, 52... distortion correction step, 53... display step, 100... vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising a center display, a side display for a side camera monitoring system, and an imaging camera for imaging the interior of the vehicle, wherein the imaging camera is disposed above the side display and on the center side of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting portion between the center display and the side display, wherein the imaging camera is disposed within the range in the height direction of the center display.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the imaging camera includes a connection terminal on the center display side, and the connection terminal is disposed in the region of the connecting portion.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the imaging camera is disposed such that the tilt angle of the imaging camera is different from the tilt angle of the side display.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the tilt angle of the imaging camera is set such that the face of an occupant is disposed at the vertical center of the imaging range of the imaging camera.

6. The side display is disposed at least on the passenger seat side, and the imaging camera is disposed on the side display on the passenger seat side.

Images