Window glass for vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

To provide a window glass for a vehicle which is installed on a vehicle with a wide angle camera and a telephoto camera to be capable of appropriately antifogging respective viewing angle areas of the wide angle camera and the telephoto camera.SOLUTION: A window glass for a vehicle comprises: a glass plate; and a heating wire which is laid out in the glass plate. The heating wire is laid out to pass through an inner side of a region of the glass plate which is a field angle of a wide angle camera. The heating wire is laid out to pass through an area around the region of the glass plate which is a field angle of a telephoto camera. On the other hand, the heating wire is not laid out at the inner side of the region of the glass plate which is a field angle of the telephoto camera.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an anti-fogging device for a vehicle window glass mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles generally include a camera as a sensor for capturing images of the surrounding environment. The camera is typically installed through a vehicle window glass to capture images of the environment outside the vehicle cabin from inside the vehicle. However, the glass pane of the window glass can become fogged due to factors such as temperature differences between the interior and exterior of the vehicle. Fogging in the field of view of the glass pane, which is the camera's field of view, significantly reduces the camera's detection performance. For this reason, vehicle window glass installed in a vehicle is required to be able to defog the camera's field of view.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle window glass equipped with a defogger made of an electric heating wire. In the vehicle window glass disclosed in Patent Document 1, the field of view area (imaging range) of a camera on the glass plate is designated as a wiring prohibited area for the electric heating wire, and the electric heating wire is wired so as to surround the wiring prohibited area. Patent Document 1 also discloses that the field of view area of ​​the camera is defogging by the electric heating wire wired so as to surround the wiring prohibited area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7259747 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, with the advancement of advanced safety systems such as collision mitigation braking, vehicles equipped with two cameras have become common: a wide-angle camera for capturing images of a wide range and a telephoto camera for capturing images of distant objects. In such vehicles, the field of view (imaging range) of the cameras on the glass plate is the combined field of view of both the wide-angle camera and the telephoto camera. The field of view of the wide-angle camera is particularly wide. For this reason, the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot adequately defog the field of view of both the wide-angle camera and the telephoto camera because the wiring prohibited area is wide.

[0006] One object of the present disclosure is to propose a technology for vehicle window glass attached to a vehicle equipped with a wide-angle camera and a telephoto camera, capable of appropriately defogging the respective angle of view areas of the wide-angle camera and the telephoto camera. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle window glass mounted on a vehicle equipped with a wide-angle camera and a telephoto camera. The wide-angle camera and the telephoto camera are mounted on the vehicle so as to capture an image of the environment outside the vehicle cabin from within the vehicle cabin via the vehicle window glass. The first angle of view region is a region of the glass plate that forms the angle of view of the wide-angle camera when the vehicle window glass is mounted on the vehicle. The second angle of view region is a region of the glass plate that forms the angle of view of the telephoto camera when the vehicle window glass is mounted on the vehicle. The vehicle window glass according to the present disclosure includes a glass plate and an electric heating wire wired on the glass plate. The electric heating wire is wired so as to pass inside the first angle of view region and around the second angle of view region, but is not wired inside the second angle of view region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately prevent fogging in the respective angle of view regions of a wide-angle camera and a telephoto camera. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a first field of view region and a second field of view region. [Figure 2] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a first configuration example of a vehicle window glass according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a modified example of the first configuration example. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a second configuration example of a vehicle window glass according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a modified example of the second configuration example. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a third configuration example of a vehicle window glass according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0011] 1. Overview Consider a vehicle equipped with a wide-angle camera and a telephoto camera as sensors for capturing images of the surrounding environment. In this vehicle, the wide-angle camera and the telephoto camera are typically installed between the vehicle's window glass (e.g., front window, rear window) so as to capture images of the environment outside the vehicle from inside the vehicle. Therefore, the glass pane of the window glass has a field of view area that is the field of view of the wide-angle camera and the telephoto camera. The field of view area can also be considered as the "imaging range" of the wide-angle camera and the telephoto camera.

[0012] 1(A) and 1(B) are conceptual diagrams showing an example of a field of view 31 (hereinafter also referred to as a first field of view 31) of a wide-angle camera 21 and a field of view 32 (hereinafter also referred to as a second field of view 32) of a telephoto camera 22 on a glass plate 10. 1(A) and 1(B) show the first field of view 31 and the second field of view 32 with respect to the positional relationship between the wide-angle camera 21 and the telephoto camera 22 and the glass plate 10, which are shown in a top view and a side view.

[0013] The wide-angle camera 21 has a wide angle of view 41. On the other hand, the telephoto camera 22 has a narrow angle of view 42. Therefore, the first angle of view region 31 on the glass plate 10 is wide, and the second angle of view region 32 is narrower than the first angle of view region 31. The wide-angle camera 21 and the telephoto camera 22 are typically installed adjacent to each other near the center of the vehicle width direction. This is to enable the wide-angle camera 21 and the telephoto camera 22 to more appropriately detect the surrounding environment. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first angle of view region 31 and the second angle of view region 32 overlap. FIG. 1A particularly illustrates an example in which the wide-angle camera 21 and the telephoto camera 22 are installed adjacent to each other horizontally. On the other hand, FIG. 1B particularly illustrates an example in which the wide-angle camera 21 and the telephoto camera 22 are installed adjacent to each other vertically. 1(A) and 1(B) are merely examples. Various patterns of the first angle of view region 31 and the second angle of view region 32 can be considered depending on the positional relationship between the wide-angle camera 21 and the telephoto camera 22 and the glass plate 10.

[0014] Glass plate 10 may become fogged due to factors such as temperature differences between the interior and exterior of the vehicle. In particular, fog in first angle of view region 31 or second angle of view region 32 on glass plate 10 significantly reduces the detection performance of wide-angle camera 21 or telephoto camera 22. This can lead to performance degradation or failure of various vehicle functions that use detection information from wide-angle camera 21 and telephoto camera 22. For this reason, vehicles equipped with wide-angle camera 21 and telephoto camera 22 are required to be able to defog first angle of view region 31 and second angle of view region 32 on glass plate 10 of the window glass.

[0015] This embodiment relates to a vehicle window glass attached to a vehicle equipped with a wide-angle camera 21 and a telephoto camera 22. In view of the above, the vehicle window glass according to this embodiment makes it possible to appropriately defog the first angle of view region 31 and the second angle of view region 32 on the glass plate 10. An overview of the vehicle window glass according to this embodiment will be described below. In the following description, the configurations and specifications of the wide-angle camera 21 and the telephoto camera 22 mounted on the vehicle are not particularly limited. The wide-angle camera 21 refers to all cameras using a wide-angle lens. Similarly, the telephoto camera 22 refers to all cameras using a telephoto lens.

[0016] The vehicle window glass according to this embodiment includes a glass plate 10 and a heating wire wired to the glass plate 10. The vehicle window glass according to this embodiment is configured to defog the first field of view region 31 and the second field of view region 32 using the heating wire.

[0017] Defogging using electric heating wires is achieved by transferring heat from the heating wire to the area to be defrosted. For this reason, the heating wires are usually routed so that they pass inside the area to be defrosted. However, if the heating wire is routed inside the camera's field of view, the heating wire will be reflected in the camera's field of view. In addition, the temperature gradient in the field of view caused by the heat of the heating wire will cause distortion in the glass reflected in the camera's field of view according to the degree of the temperature gradient. These can reduce the camera's detection performance. Therefore, when using electric heating wires to defrost the camera's field of view, the wiring of the heating wire should be considered taking into account both the anti-fogging performance of the field of view and the camera's detection performance. In particular, the degradation of the camera's detection performance due to the reflection of the heating wire and glass distortion will vary depending on the camera's characteristics.

[0018] Therefore, in the vehicle window glass according to this embodiment, the wiring of the heating wire is performed taking into consideration the characteristics related to each of the wide-angle camera 21 and the telephoto camera 22. Below, the characteristics related to each of the wide-angle camera 21 and the telephoto camera 22 will be described. After that, the wiring of the heating wire in the vehicle window glass according to this embodiment will be described.

[0019] As described above, one of the features of wide-angle camera 21 is that first angle-of-view region 31 is wide. For this reason, simply wiring a heating wire outside first angle-of-view region 31 makes it difficult to sufficiently transfer heat from the heating wire to first angle-of-view region 31. In other words, first angle-of-view region 31 cannot be sufficiently defogged.

[0020] In contrast, one of the features associated with the telephoto camera 22 is that the second angle of view region 32 is narrow. Therefore, even if a heating wire is wired outside the second angle of view region 32, the heating wire wired around the second angle of view region 32 can sufficiently transfer heat from the heating wire to the second angle of view region 32.

[0021] Another feature of wide-angle camera 21 is that there is little degradation in the camera's detection performance due to the reflection of the heating wire or distortion of the glass. This is because wide-angle camera 21 has a wide angle of view, so the reflected portion of the heating wire is small relative to angle of view 41. Also, wide-angle camera 21 has a short focal length, so the effect of glass distortion on the image is small.

[0022] In contrast, one of the features associated with the telephoto camera 22 is that the camera's detection performance is significantly reduced due to the reflection of the heating wire and distortion of the glass. This is because the telephoto camera 22 has a narrow angle of view, and the reflected portion of the heating wire is large relative to the angle of view 41. Also, the telephoto camera 22 has a long focal length, so the influence of glass distortion on the image is significant.

[0023] From the characteristics related to the wide-angle camera 21 and the telephoto camera 22 described above, the following guidelines can be obtained regarding the wiring of the heating wire. (a) An electric heating wire is wired inside the first field of view area 31 so as to transfer heat to the first field of view area 31. (b) No heating wire is laid inside the second field of view area 32. (c) Outside the second field of view area 32, a heating wire is laid so as to conduct heat to the second field of view area 32.

[0024] Policy (a) takes into consideration the anti-fogging performance of the first angle-of-view region 31. As described above, it is difficult to ensure the anti-fogging performance of the first angle-of-view region 31 simply by wiring a heating wire outside the first angle-of-view region 31. On the other hand, wiring a heating wire inside the angle-of-view region of the wide-angle camera 21 does not significantly reduce the detection performance of the camera. Therefore, it is appropriate to prioritize ensuring anti-fogging performance and wire the heating wire inside the first angle-of-view region 31. However, it is desirable that the heating wire wired inside the first angle-of-view region 31 be just long enough to ensure the anti-fogging performance, taking into account the shape of the first angle-of-view region 31. This is to prevent unnecessary degradation of the detection performance of the wide-angle camera 21.

[0025] Policy (b) takes into consideration the detection performance of the telephoto camera 22. As described above, wiring a heating wire inside the angle of view region of the telephoto camera 22 significantly reduces the detection performance of the camera. Therefore, it is appropriate not to wire a heating wire inside the second angle of view region 32. However, there may be cases where not all information about the second angle of view region 32 is required, such as when performing image recognition. In such cases, policy (b) may be replaced with policy (b'), which allows wiring a heating wire only in a portion of the inside of the second angle of view region 32 (for example, the outer edge) to the extent that the detection performance required of the telephoto camera 22 is ensured.

[0026] The approach (c) takes into consideration the anti-fogging performance of the second angle of view region 32. As described above, even when wiring the heating wire outside the second angle of view region 32, the anti-fogging performance of the second angle of view region 32 can be ensured. Therefore, it is appropriate to wire the heating wire outside the second angle of view region 32 so as to conduct heat to the second angle of view region 32. Typically, the heating wire is wired around the periphery of the second angle of view region 32.

[0027] In the vehicle window glass according to this embodiment, the wiring of the heating wire is performed according to the above principles (a), (b or (b'), and (c). As a result, the vehicle window glass according to this embodiment can defog the first angle-of-view region 31 and the second angle-of-view region 32 while ensuring the detection performance of each of the wide-angle camera 21 and the telephoto camera 22. Below, configuration examples of the vehicle window glass according to this embodiment, including specific examples of wiring of the heating wire, are shown.

[0028] 2. Configuration example 2.1 First Configuration Example FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a first configuration example of a vehicle window glass 1 according to this embodiment. The vehicle window glass 1 includes a glass plate 10 and a heating wire 50 wired to the glass plate 10. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the wiring portion 2 of the heating wire 50 on the glass plate 10 that is associated with the first angle of view region 31 and the second angle of view region 32. The first configuration example relates to a case where the first angle of view region 31 and the second angle of view region 32 on the glass plate 10 are as shown in FIG. 1(A). The vehicle window glass 1 may be installed as a rear window or a front window. Alternatively, it may be installed as a side window.

[0029] The heating wire 50 is typically printed on the glass plate 10. The heating wire 50 is made of, for example, a conductor whose main component is silver.

[0030] The heating wire 50 includes electrode terminals 51a and 51b. The electrode terminals 51a and 51b are connected to a power supply system. When a current flows through the heating wire 50 between the electrode terminals 51a and 51b, the heating wire 50 generates heat. The heat from the heating wire 50 is transferred to the surrounding area, preventing fogging.

[0031] In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the heating wire 50 is wired so as to pass almost uniformly inside the first angle-of-view region 31. However, the heating wire 50 is wired so as to avoid overlapping with the second angle-of-view region 32. In particular, the heating wire 50 is not wired inside the second angle-of-view region 32. Furthermore, the heating wire 50 is wired so as to pass around the periphery of the second angle-of-view region 32.

[0032] As described above, in the first configuration example of the vehicle window glass 1, the wiring of the heating wire 50 follows the above-described principles (a), (b), and (c). That is, according to the first configuration example shown in FIG. 2, the heating wire 50 is wired inside the first angle-of-view region 31, thereby enabling the first angle-of-view region 31 to be defogging. Furthermore, the heating wire 50 is not wired inside the second angle-of-view region 32, thereby preventing a decrease in the detection performance of the telephoto camera 22. Furthermore, the heating wire 50 is wired around the second angle-of-view region 32, thereby enabling the second angle-of-view region 32 to be defogging. In this way, the vehicle window glass 1 according to the first configuration example can appropriately defogging the first angle-of-view region 31 and the second angle-of-view region 32.

[0033] In particular, in the example shown in Fig. 2, the wiring of the heating wire 50 is implemented as a single heating wire. By implementing the wiring with a single heating wire, it is possible to reduce costs. However, the above wiring may be implemented as a plurality of heating wires.

[0034] The vehicle window glass 1 may further include a heating wire in a portion of the glass plate 10 different from the wiring portion 2 for the purpose of preventing fogging in other regions.

[0035] 2.1.1 Modification: Configuration for improving anti-fogging performance in the second angle of view region As described above, in the first configuration example, the heating wire 50 is not wired inside the second angle-of-view region 32. This is because the second angle-of-view region 32 is relatively narrow, and therefore, defogging can usually be achieved by the heat of the heating wire 50 wired around the periphery of the second angle-of-view region 32.

[0036] However, in some cases, such as when an extremely low-temperature environment is assumed, higher anti-fogging performance may be required for the second angle-of-view region 32. In such cases, the anti-fogging performance of the second angle-of-view region 32 can be effectively improved by reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the heating wire 50 wired around the second angle-of-view region 32. This is because reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the heating wire 50 increases the resistance per unit length and the amount of heat generated by the heating wire 50. Reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the heating wire 50 can be achieved, for example, by reducing the width or thickness of the heating wire 50.

[0037] 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle window glass 1 according to a modified example of the first configuration example, where only the wiring portion 2 is shown.

[0038] In the example shown in FIG. 3, compared to FIG. 2, portions 50a, 50b, and 50c of the heating wire 50 wired around the second angle of view region 32 have smaller cross-sectional areas than the other portions. This makes it possible to improve the anti-fogging performance of the second angle of view region 32 in the first configuration example without changing the wiring path. Note that the portion with the smaller cross-sectional area may be a portion of the heating wire 50 wired around the second angle of view region 32. For example, portion 50c may be configured to have a cross-sectional area similar to that of the other portions. In this way, the portion of the heating wire 50 with the smaller cross-sectional area may be determined depending on the required anti-fogging performance.

[0039] 2.2 Second configuration example Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a second configuration example of the vehicle window glass 1 according to this embodiment. Similar to Fig. 2, Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view of the wiring portion 2 of the heating wire 50 on the glass plate 10 related to the first angle-of-view region 31 and the second angle-of-view region 32. The second configuration example relates to the case where the first angle-of-view region 31 and the second angle-of-view region 32 on the glass plate 10 are as shown in Fig. 1(B).

[0040] 4, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 2, the heating wire 50 is wired so as to pass approximately uniformly inside the first angle-of-view region 31. However, the heating wire 50 is wired so as to avoid overlapping with the second angle-of-view region 32. In particular, the heating wire 50 is not wired inside the second angle-of-view region 32. Furthermore, the heating wire 50 is wired so as to pass around the periphery of the second angle-of-view region 32.

[0041] Therefore, in the second configuration example of the vehicle window glass 1, the wiring of the heating wire 50 also follows the above-mentioned principles (a), (b), and (c). That is, according to the second configuration example shown in FIG. 4, the heating wire 50 is wired inside the first angle-of-view region 31, thereby enabling the first angle-of-view region 31 to be defogging. Furthermore, the heating wire 50 is not wired inside the second angle-of-view region 32, thereby preventing a decrease in the detection performance of the telephoto camera 22. Furthermore, the heating wire 50 is wired around the second angle-of-view region 32, thereby enabling the second angle-of-view region 32 to be defogging. In this way, the vehicle window glass 1 according to the second configuration example can appropriately defogging the first angle-of-view region 31 and the second angle-of-view region 32.

[0042] With regard to the second configuration example, as with the first configuration example, the anti-fogging performance of the second field of view area 32 can be effectively improved by reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the heating wire 50 wired around the second field of view area 32.

[0043] 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle window glass 1 according to a modified example of the second configuration example, where only the wiring portion 2 is shown.

[0044] 5, compared to FIG. 4, portions 50d, 50e, and 50f of the heating wire 50 wired around the second angle-of-view region 32 have smaller cross-sectional areas than the other portions. This makes it possible to improve the anti-fogging performance of the second angle-of-view region 32 in the second configuration example without changing the wiring path. Note that the portions with smaller cross-sectional areas may be part of the heating wire 50 wired around the second angle-of-view region 32.

[0045] 2.3 Third Configuration Example Fig. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a third configuration example of a vehicle window glass 1 according to this embodiment. However, Fig. 6 shows only the wiring portion 2, similar to Fig. 3. Similar to the first configuration example, the third configuration example relates to a case where the first field angle region 31 and the second field angle region 32 on the glass plate 10 are as shown in Fig. 1(A).

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6 , in the third configuration example, the heating wire 50 is wired in a portion of the inside of the second angle of view region 32, compared to the first configuration example. In the example shown in FIG. 6 , portions 50s and 50t of the heating wire 50 are wired on the outer edge of the inside of the second angle of view region 32. The third configuration example shows a case where the above-mentioned principle (b) is replaced with principle (b') in the first configuration example. In other words, in the third configuration example, the heating wire 50 is allowed to be wired only in a portion of the inside of the second angle of view region 32, to the extent that the detection performance required of the telephoto camera 22 is ensured. Compared to the vehicle window glass 1 according to the first configuration example, the vehicle window glass 1 according to the third configuration example can improve the anti-fogging performance of the second angle of view region 32 while taking into account the detection performance of the telephoto camera 22.

[0047] As described above, the vehicle window glass 1 according to the present embodiment is configured. Furthermore, by installing the vehicle window glass 1 according to the present embodiment, the vehicle according to the present embodiment is realized. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Vehicle window glass 10 Glass Plate 21 Wide-angle camera 22 Telephoto Camera 31 First angle of view 32 Second Angle of View 50 heating wire

Claims

1. A vehicle window glass to be attached to a vehicle equipped with a wide-angle camera and a telephoto camera, A glass plate and a heating wire wired to the glass plate; Including, the wide-angle camera and the telephoto camera are provided in the vehicle so as to capture an image of an environment outside the vehicle cabin from inside the vehicle cabin through the vehicle window glass; a first field of view area is an area of ​​the glass plate that forms a field of view of the wide-angle camera when the vehicle window glass is attached to the vehicle; a second field of view area is an area of ​​the glass plate that defines a field of view of the telephoto camera when the vehicle window glass is attached to the vehicle; The heating wire is wired so as to pass through the inside of the first angle of view region and the periphery of the second angle of view region, and is not wired inside the second angle of view region. Vehicle window glass.

2. The vehicle window glass according to claim 1, At least a part of the heating wire wired around the second field of view area has a smaller cross-sectional area than the other part. Vehicle window glass.

3. The vehicle window glass according to claim 1, the first field of view region and the second field of view region overlap, The wiring of the heating wire is implemented by a single heating wire. Vehicle window glass.

4. A vehicle equipped with a wide-angle camera and a telephoto camera, a glass plate used as a window glass of the vehicle; a heating wire wired to the glass plate; Equipped with the wide-angle camera and the telephoto camera are provided to capture an image of an environment outside the vehicle cabin from inside the vehicle cabin across the glass plate, a first field of view area is an area of ​​the glass plate that corresponds to the field of view of the wide-angle camera; a second field of view area is an area of ​​the glass plate that corresponds to the field of view of the telephoto camera; The heating wire is wired so as to pass through the inside of the first angle of view region and the periphery of the second angle of view region, and is not wired inside the second angle of view region. vehicle.

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