Vehicle imaging device

Abstract

The heat dissipation performance of the imaging section is improved while suppressing manufacturing costs. [Solution] A vehicle imaging device 10 includes an imaging unit 20 including a lens 21, a metal mounting member 17 on which the imaging unit 20 is disposed and attached to a vehicle 1, and a housing 12 that houses the imaging unit 20 and the mounting member 17 so that the lens 21 is exposed to the outside. A heat-conducting member 26 is attached to the imaging unit 20, with a portion 26a exposed from the imaging unit 20, and a groove 18c is formed in the mounting member 17 into which the portion 26a of the heat-conducting member 26 is inserted.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle imaging device that houses an imaging unit (camera) that captures images of the rear side of the vehicle in a housing. The housing is provided with multiple fins for heat dissipation that are plated and covered with a highly thermally conductive sheet. The imaging unit is housed in the housing so that it is in close contact with the highly thermally conductive sheet, thereby improving heat dissipation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7509675 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the heat dissipation structure of the vehicle imaging device of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to plate a plurality of fins, so there is room for improvement in terms of manufacturing costs.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to improve the heat dissipation performance of the imaging unit while suppressing manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a vehicle imaging device comprising an imaging unit including a lens that images the rear side of a vehicle, a metal mounting member on which the imaging unit is arranged and which is attached to the vehicle, and a housing that accommodates the imaging unit and the mounting member so that the lens is exposed to the outside, wherein a heat conductive member is attached to the imaging unit, a portion of which is exposed from the imaging unit, and a groove portion is formed in the mounting member into which the portion of the heat conductive member is inserted.

[0007] A portion of the thermally conductive member attached to the imaging unit is exposed from the imaging unit and inserted into a groove in a mounting member attached to the vehicle body. This allows heat from the imaging unit to be transferred to the metal mounting member via the thermally conductive member and dissipated. The heat dissipation structure has a simple configuration in which only the thermally conductive member is attached to the imaging unit and a groove is provided in the mounting member, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the vehicle imaging device compared to when multiple plated fins are provided on the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the heat dissipation performance of the imaging section while suppressing manufacturing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an imaging device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a door of a vehicle; [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 1, a vehicle imaging device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to an outer panel (body panel) 2 of a vehicle side door 1, and captures images of the rear side of the vehicle. The vehicle imaging device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is for the right side door 1. The vehicle imaging device 10 for the left side door 1 has a shape symmetrical to that of the vehicle imaging device 10 for the right side door 1.

[0012] In the accompanying drawings, the X direction is the vehicle length direction, with the arrow pointing in the direction of the front side and the opposite direction of the arrow pointing in the direction of the rear side. The Y direction is the vehicle width direction, with the arrow pointing in the direction of the inside (inside the vehicle) and the opposite direction of the arrow pointing in the direction of the outside (outside the vehicle). The Z direction is the vehicle height direction, with the arrow pointing in the direction of the top side and the opposite direction of the arrow pointing in the direction of the bottom side.

[0013] 2 and 3, the vehicle imaging device 10 includes a housing 12, a bracket (mounting member) 17, and a camera (imaging unit) 20. In this embodiment, the configurations of the bracket 17 and the camera 20 are improved to improve the heat dissipation performance of the camera 20.

[0014] 1 to 3, the housing 12 is pentagonal when viewed from the vehicle height direction and is composed of a lower housing 13 and an upper housing 14 that are separated into upper and lower halves. A storage section 15 that is a space for storing a bracket 17 and a camera 20 is formed inside the housing 12. The housing 12 is attached to the side door 1 via the bracket 17.

[0015] The lower housing 13 includes a pentagonal lower wall 13a extending along the XY plane, and a peripheral wall 13b projecting upward from the outer periphery of the lower wall 13a except for the inner portion in the vehicle width direction that contacts the outer panel 2. The upper housing 14 includes a pentagonal upper wall 14a extending along the XY plane and spaced above the lower wall 13a, and a peripheral wall 14b projecting downward from the outer periphery of the upper wall 14a except for the inner portion in the vehicle width direction that contacts the outer panel 2. The peripheral walls 13b, 14b are provided with an assembly structure (not shown) using engaging claws or the like for assembling the lower housing 13 and the upper housing 14 together. The peripheral walls 13b, 14b may be assembled by welding.

[0016] The inner portions of the lower housing 13 and the upper housing 14 in the vehicle width direction form an inner portion 12a of the housing 12. The peripheral wall 13b of the lower housing 13 and the peripheral wall 14b of the upper housing 14 form the front portion 12b, the rear portion 12c, the outer portion 12d, and the inclined portion 12e of the housing 12.

[0017] The inner portion 12a is disposed in contact with the outer panel 2 and extends in the vehicle length direction along the outer panel 2. The inner portion 12a has an opening defined by a lower wall 13a, an upper wall 14a, and peripheral walls 13b, 14b, and communicating with the storage space 15. The front portion 12b extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the inner portion 12a. The rear portion 12c extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the inner portion 12a. The outer portion 12d is positioned outward in the vehicle width direction with a gap relative to the inner portion 12a and extends in the vehicle length direction. The outer portion 12d is connected to the outer end of the front portion 12b via an inclined portion 12e and is also connected to the outer end of the rear portion 12c. The inclined portion 12e is connected to the outer end of the front portion 12b and the front end of the outer portion 12d and is inclined from the inner side in the vehicle width direction to the outer side toward the rear in the vehicle length direction.

[0018] Cutouts 13c, 14c are provided in the portions of the peripheral walls 13b, 14b of the lower housing 13 and the upper housing 14 that form the rear portion 12c. The cutouts 13c, 14c are configured to expose the lens 21 of the camera 20 to the outside, and are provided outside the center of the rear portion 12c in the vehicle width direction. The cutouts 13c, 14c are semicircular and become circular when the lower housing 13 and the upper housing 14 are assembled.

[0019] 2 and 3, bracket 17 is made of a metal (e.g., aluminum) with good thermal conductivity and is accommodated in accommodation portion 15 of housing 12. Bracket 17 is L-shaped when viewed from the vehicle height direction and extends in the vehicle width and length directions. More specifically, bracket 17 includes a bottom plate portion 17a and a frame plate portion 17d.

[0020] The bottom plate portion 17a is an L-shaped plate extending along the XY plane and placed in surface contact with the lower wall 13a of the lower housing 13. The bottom plate portion 17a includes a first portion 17b extending in the vehicle width direction and a second portion 17c protruding forward in the vehicle length direction from the inner side of the first portion 17b in the vehicle width direction.

[0021] Frame plate portion 17d protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge of bottom plate portion 17a and abuts against the upper wall 14a of upper housing 14. As a result, bracket 17 is sandwiched between the bottom wall 13a of lower housing 13 and the upper wall 14a of upper housing 14. Reinforcing ribs 17h extending in the vehicle width direction are further provided within frame plate portion 17d.

[0022] Of the frame plate portion 17d, an inner plate portion 17e located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is exposed to the outside through an opening in the inner portion 12a of the housing 12 and is disposed so as to be in surface contact with the metal outer panel 2. The inner plate portion 17e has a shape that can close the opening in the inner portion 12a and protrudes in the vehicle length direction beyond the front plate portion 17f and the rear plate portion 17g located at the front and rear of the frame plate portion 17d in the vehicle length direction. The entire vehicle imaging device 10 including the bracket 17 is attached to the side door 1 by connecting the inner plate portion 17e to the outer panel 2 with a connecting member (not shown).

[0023] 2 and 4, a camera mounting portion 18 for mounting a camera 20 is provided in a portion of the first portion 17b of the bottom plate portion 17a that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the second portion 17c. The specific configuration of the camera mounting portion 18 will be described in detail later.

[0024] Camera 20 is placed in camera placement section 18 of bracket 17 and is accommodated together with bracket 17 in accommodation section 15 of housing 12. Camera 20 includes a lens 21, an image sensor section 22, a circuit board 23 including a number of chip components 24, and a cover member 25. A heat sink (thermal conductive member) 26 is attached to camera 20 to dissipate heat from image sensor section 22.

[0025] An optical axis Ao of the camera 20 extends rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction from the lens 21. Image data captured through the lens 21 is sent from an image sensor unit 22 arranged adjacent to the lens 21 on the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown) of the vehicle via a circuit board 23.

[0026] Cover member 25 is screwed to camera mounting portion 18 to cover image sensor unit 22, circuit board 23, and heat sink 26 of camera 20, excluding lens 21. More specifically, image sensor unit 22, circuit board 23, and heat sink 26 are placed on cover member 25 through an opening at the bottom end and screwed in. Thus, by placing cover member 25 on camera mounting portion 18, all of camera 20, excluding lens 21, can be placed on bracket 17.

[0027] The heat sink 26 is made of metal (e.g., aluminum) and is configured as a flat, rectangular plate. The heat sink 26 is disposed adjacent to the front side of the image sensor unit 22 in the vehicle length direction, and extends along the YZ plane so as to be perpendicular to the optical axis Ao. The width of the heat sink 26 in the vehicle width direction is the same as the width of the image sensor unit 22 in the vehicle width direction. As long as the heat sink 26 can absorb heat from the image sensor unit 22, the width of the heat sink 26 may be different from the width of the image sensor unit 22, or the heat sink 26 may have a curved shape.

[0028] The heat sink 26 has an exposed portion (part of the heat conduction member) 26a exposed from the cover member 25. When the heat sink 26 is attached to the cover member 25 and before the cover member 25 is attached to the bracket 17, the exposed portion 26a protrudes downward from the cover member 25 and extends elongatedly in the vehicle width direction when viewed in the vehicle length direction and the vehicle width direction.

[0029] The camera placement section 18 includes a board placement section 18a, a notch 18b, and a groove 18c.

[0030] The board placement section 18a is configured to accommodate the circuit board 23 including the chip components 24. The board placement section 18a has a rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the circuit board 23 and is recessed downward.

[0031] Notch 18b is configured to hold lens 21 of camera 20. Notch 18b is U-shaped and is provided in rear plate 17g of bracket 17 so as to correspond to notches 13c and 14c of housing 12.

[0032] The groove 18c is configured to transfer heat from the image sensor unit 22 to the bracket 17 and dissipate it when the exposed portion 26a of the heat sink 26 is inserted into the groove 18c. The groove 18c is provided on the rear side of the circuit board placement portion 18a in the vehicle length direction. The groove 18c is a single, elongated recessed groove that is recessed downward and extends in the vehicle width direction along the outer shape of the exposed portion 26a. The groove 18c may be configured as a through-hole that penetrates in the vehicle height direction, as long as the heat sink 26 is in direct or indirect contact with the bracket 17.

[0033] A heat dissipation material 28 made of a heat dissipation resin (e.g., silicone) with good thermal conductivity is embedded in the groove portion 18c. The heat dissipation material 28 is in close contact with the outer surface of the exposed portion 26a of the heat sink 26 and also with the wall surfaces that define the groove portion 18c. This ensures a sufficient contact area between the heat sink 26 and the bracket 17. The outer surfaces of the exposed portion 26a refer to both side surfaces in the thickness direction of the heat sink 26, which is the vehicle length direction, the lower surface in the vehicle height direction, and both end surfaces in the vehicle width direction. The wall surfaces that define the groove portion 18c refer to the four groove wall surfaces and groove bottom surface that surround the heat sink 26.

[0034] In the vehicle imaging device 10 configured as described above, the camera 20 can capture image data of the rear side of the vehicle. The image data is sent to the vehicle's ECU and displayed on an in-vehicle monitor (not shown). When the camera 20 captures an image, the image sensor unit 22 generates heat. This heat is absorbed by the heat sink 26 in contact with the image sensor unit 22, and is then transmitted in this order to the heat dissipation material 28, the bracket 17, and the outer panel 2 exposed to the outside air. This ensures that the heat from the camera 20 can be dissipated reliably.

[0035] The vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment has the following features.

[0036] The exposed portion 26a of the heat sink 26 attached to the camera 20 is exposed from the camera 20 and is inserted into the groove 18c of the bracket 17 attached to the side door 1. This allows heat from the camera 20 to be transferred to the metal bracket 17 via the heat sink 26 and dissipated. The heat dissipation structure is a simple configuration in which the heat sink 26 is attached to the camera 20 and the groove 18c is provided in the bracket 17, so the manufacturing cost of the vehicle image capture device 10 can be reduced compared to when multiple plated fins are provided on the housing 12.

[0037] Since the heat dissipation material 28 is embedded in the groove 18c, it is possible to ensure a sufficient contact area between the heat sink 26 and the bracket 17. Therefore, the heat of the camera 20 can be efficiently transferred to the bracket 17 via the heat sink 26 and dissipated.

[0038] Groove 18c is a single elongated member that extends along the outer shape of exposed portion 26a of heat sink 26. Therefore, compared to when multiple grooves 18c are formed, it is possible to prevent dimensional control of heat sink 26 and groove 18c from becoming complicated, and it is also possible to improve the ease of assembling heat sink 26 to groove 18c.

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0040] For example, the heat dissipation material 28 may not be embedded in the groove 18c of the bracket 17, and the exposed portion 26a of the heat sink 26 may be in contact with the wall surface that defines the groove 18c.

[0041] The groove portion 18c of the bracket 17 and the exposed portion 26a of the heat sink 26 may have a curved or bent shape, or may have a different shape as long as the exposed portion 26a can be inserted into the groove portion 18c. In addition, two or more groove portions 18c and two or more exposed portions 26a may be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Side door (vehicle) 10 Vehicle imaging device 12 Housing 17 Bracket (mounting part) 18c Groove 20 Camera (imaging unit) 21 Lens 26 Heat sink (thermal conductive material) 26a Exposed part (part of the thermal conductive material) 28 Heat dissipation material Ao optical axis

Claims

1. an imaging unit including a lens for imaging the rear side of the vehicle; a metal mounting member on which the imaging unit is disposed and which is attached to the vehicle; a housing that accommodates the imaging unit and the mounting member so that the lens is exposed to the outside; In a vehicle imaging device equipped with, a heat conductive member that is partially exposed from the imaging unit is attached to the imaging unit; The mounting member has a groove formed therein into which the portion of the heat conduction member is inserted.

2. The imaging device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein a heat dissipation material is embedded in the groove.

3. The vehicle imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the groove portion is a single elongated portion extending along an outer shape of the portion of the heat conduction member.

Images