vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle that can prevent attached objects from entering the field of view of a monitoring device. [Solution] The vehicle 11 comprises a front panel 21, a roof 13, a monitoring unit 20 that passes through the front panel 21 to monitor the area in front of the vehicle, and an aerodynamic unit 16 provided in a location corresponding to the area of ​​the roof 13 where the monitoring unit 20 is located, and arranged to narrow the airflow path in the direction of travel. According to this embodiment, when driving, it is possible to prevent water droplets and the like from remaining on the front surface of the front panel 21 in the area corresponding to the front of the monitoring unit 20, and the vehicle 11 can drive while the monitoring unit 20 monitors the area in front of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a monitoring function for monitoring the front of the vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a stereo-type vehicle exterior monitoring device using a pair of stereo cameras incorporating solid-state imaging devices has been used. In vehicle exterior recognition in this type of vehicle exterior monitoring device, the front of the vehicle is photographed with a stereo camera, and predetermined arithmetic processing is performed based on the photographed image data. Specifically, distance data is calculated using the principle of triangulation, and known grouping processing or the like is performed on this distance data to recognize an object in the captured image. Such a technique is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the invention described in the above-mentioned patent document, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of more stably monitoring the front of the vehicle.

[0005] Specifically, the monitoring device described in Patent Document 1 monitors the front of the vehicle through the windshield of the vehicle. Therefore, when there are deposits such as water droplets, mud, and snow on the front surface of the windshield corresponding to the front of the monitoring device, the deposits enter the field of view of the monitoring device, and there is a problem that it is difficult to monitor the front of the vehicle by the monitoring device.

[0006] Furthermore, even if debris adheres to the front surface of the windshield, it is possible to remove it by wiping the front surface of the windshield with the wipers. However, because the wipers wipe the front surface of the windshield while rotating and reciprocating, the debris remains attached to the windshield from the time it adheres until the wipers wipe it away. Therefore, during this time, the debris may enter the field of view of the monitoring device, which presents a problem in that the monitoring function of the monitoring device may not be adequately ensured.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of these problems, and its objective is to provide a vehicle that can prevent attached objects from entering the field of view of a monitoring device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vehicle of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a front panel; a roof; a monitoring unit that penetrates the front panel to monitor the area in front of the vehicle; and an aerodynamic unit provided in the vehicle width direction, corresponding to the area of ​​the roof where the monitoring unit is located, and arranged to narrow the airflow path in the direction of travel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the vehicle of the present invention, the airflow generated by the vehicle's movement is affected by the aerodynamic components, causing air to be drawn backward from the front surface of the front panel corresponding to the front of the monitoring unit. As a result, water droplets, snow, mud, etc., adhering to the front surface of the front panel corresponding to the front of the monitoring unit are moved backward along with the moisture. This prevents water droplets, etc., from remaining on the front surface of the front panel corresponding to the front of the monitoring unit during driving, allowing the monitoring unit to effectively monitor the area in front of the vehicle while the vehicle can be driven safely. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a connection diagram showing a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]This is a partial perspective view showing a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a top view showing a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a top view partially showing a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] This is a top view showing a flow path formed by an aerodynamic section in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] This is a side view showing a flow path formed by an aerodynamic component in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6A] This figure shows a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a top view showing a wall portion as an aerodynamic part. [Figure 6B] This figure shows a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view showing a wall portion as an aerodynamic part. [Figure 7] This figure shows a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a top view showing another form of the wall portion as an aerodynamic part. [Figure 8A] This figure shows a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a top view showing a groove as an aerodynamic part. [Figure 8B] This figure shows a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view showing a groove as an aerodynamic part. [Figure 9] This figure shows a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a top view showing another form of the groove as an aerodynamic part. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, a vehicle 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the directions of front, rear, up, down, left, and right will be used, but left and right will refer to the left and right when the vehicle 11 is viewed from the front. Furthermore, in the following description, the same reference numeral will be used for the same component in principle, and repeated explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, in the following description, the front-rear direction of the vehicle may be referred to as the front-rear direction, and the vehicle width direction may be referred to as the left-right direction.

[0012] Figure 1 is a connection diagram showing the connection configuration of vehicle 11.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, the vehicle 11 mainly includes a front plate member 21, a roof 13, a monitoring unit 20, and an aerodynamic portion 16. The vehicle 11 also has an external vehicle monitoring device 10. The external vehicle monitoring device 10 mainly includes a monitoring unit 20, a control arithmetic unit 28, and an image processing element 26.

[0014] The vehicle 11 is, for example, a passenger car. Specifically, the vehicle 11 is an engine vehicle, an EV (Electric Vehicle), a HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or the like. As will be described later, the vehicle 11 can execute vehicle driving support based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 20.

[0015] The monitoring unit 20 includes, for example, a solid-state imaging device such as a CMOS or a CCD, and monitors the front of the vehicle through the front glass 19 which is the front plate member 21. The monitoring unit 20 is provided in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 11. The monitoring unit 20 is disposed near the upper end portion of the front glass 19 and substantially at the center in the left-right direction of the vehicle 11. As will be described later, two monitoring units 20 are provided and, for example, constitute a stereo camera unit. Here, other than a solid-state imaging device can also be adopted as the monitoring unit 20. Specifically, as the monitoring unit 20, a component for generating a radar or the like can be adopted.

[0016] The aerodynamic portion 16 is formed on the roof 13 and is a portion that generates an aerodynamic effect. The aerodynamic portion 16 is provided on the roof 13 corresponding to the region where the monitoring unit 20 is disposed in the vehicle width direction. The aerodynamic portion 16 is arranged so as to narrow the flow path of the traveling wind in the traveling direction. As will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 and subsequent figures, the aerodynamic portion 16 generates a predetermined aerodynamic effect to remove deposits from the front surface of the front glass 19 in front of the monitoring unit 20.

[0017] The control arithmetic unit 28 consists of a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc., and controls the operations of each part of the vehicle 11 including the vehicle external monitoring device 10. The control arithmetic unit 28 is also referred to as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0018] The image processing element 26 is a semiconductor element that performs predetermined image processing using the image data transmitted from the monitoring unit 20 based on the instructions of the control arithmetic unit 28. The image processing element 26 is, for example, a semiconductor chip dedicated to image processing consisting of an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0019] The vehicle drive device 27 is a device for driving the vehicle external monitoring device 10, and has, for example, a drive device, a brake device, and a steering device not shown here.

[0020] The driving support function using the vehicle external monitoring device 10 will be described. Specifically, the image processing element 26 of the vehicle external monitoring device 10 calculates distance data based on the reference image data and the comparison image data input from the monitoring unit 20 that captures the front of the vehicle. Further, the image processing element 26 performs a well-known grouping process on this distance data to extract various three-dimensional objects, etc. Here, the three-dimensional objects, etc. are white lines, guardrails, curbstones, two-wheeled vehicles, ordinary vehicles, large vehicles, pedestrians, utility poles, etc.

[0021] The vehicle drive device 27 controls the drive device, the brake device, and the steering device based on the instructions of the image processing element 26 and the control arithmetic unit 28 to realize vehicle driving support. For example, the vehicle drive device 27 can decelerate, accelerate, or stop the vehicle 11 by controlling the brake device and the drive device. Also, the vehicle drive device 27 can correct the traveling direction of the vehicle 11 by controlling the steering device. Furthermore, the vehicle drive device 27 can also perform adaptive cruise control (ACC) with vehicle distance control by controlling the drive device, the brake device, and the steering device.

[0022] In the external monitoring device 10 of this embodiment, the aerodynamic section 16 causes water droplets, snow, mud, etc. adhering to the front surface of the front plate material 21 in the portion corresponding to the front of the monitoring unit 20 to move backward along with the moisture. As a result, water droplets, etc. are prevented from remaining on the front surface of the front plate material 21 in the portion corresponding to the front of the monitoring unit 20 during driving, allowing the vehicle 11 to drive while the monitoring unit 20 monitors the area in front of the vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle drive system 27 can perform driving assistance for the vehicle, enabling safer execution of automatic or semi-automatic driving.

[0023] Referring to Figure 2, the monitoring unit 20 is positioned near the portion of the windshield 19 that is obscured by the ceramic line 29. The monitoring unit 20 is positioned facing forward from the back of the opening 12, which is a partial cutout in the ceramic line 29. To ensure a wide field of view for the monitoring unit 20, it is positioned in the vehicle interior as close to the rear of the windshield 19 as possible. The monitoring unit 20 is also covered from the rear by the hood 22 in the vehicle interior. In other words, the opening 12 is the portion sandwiched between the cutout in the ceramic line 29 and the hood 22. Furthermore, the opening 12 is made to be equal to, or slightly larger than, the field of view of the monitoring unit 20 projected onto the windshield 19. In this way, the ceramic line 29 or the hood 22 surrounding the opening 12 do not unintentionally narrow the field of view of the monitoring unit 20.

[0024] The aerodynamic section 16 is formed on the roof 13 in the portion corresponding to the rear portion of the opening 12. The aerodynamic section 16 can be a portion of the roof 13 that is convex or concave. Details of the aerodynamic section 16 will be described later with reference to Figures 3 and later.

[0025] Figure 3 is a top view of vehicle 11.

[0026] The vehicle 11 is provided with two openings 12 corresponding to each of the aforementioned monitoring units 20. An aerodynamic section 16 is formed in the roof 13 in the portion corresponding to the rear side of each opening 12. The front end of the aerodynamic section 16 extends to the front end of the roof 13. The rear end of the aerodynamic section 16 may be positioned in the middle of the roof 13 in the front-rear direction, or it may extend to the rear end of the roof 13.

[0027] Figure 4 is a top view showing the vehicle 11 in the area where the aerodynamic section 16 is formed.

[0028] The length L11 of the aerodynamic section 16 along the vehicle's longitudinal direction is, for example, 10 cm or more. This allows the aerodynamic function generated by the aerodynamic section 16 to be fully realized. This aerodynamic function will be described later with reference to Figure 5A, etc. On the other hand, the length L11 of the aerodynamic section 16 may also be the length to the rear end of the roof 13, as mentioned above. The aerodynamic section 16 is a part of the roof 13 that is convex or concave. Therefore, by forming the aerodynamic section 16 from the front end to the rear end of the roof 13, the strength of the roof 13 can be improved.

[0029] The width L12 of the aerodynamic section 16 along the left-right direction of the vehicle is made shorter than the width L10 of the opening 12 along the left-right direction of the vehicle. This allows for a sufficient aerodynamic effect to be achieved when the vehicle 11 is in motion, by increasing the speed of the airflow passing through the aerodynamic section 16. As a result, moisture and other deposits adhering to the front surface of the windshield 19 are drawn towards the aerodynamic section 16, and the deposits can be removed from the windshield 19.

[0030] Figure 5A is a top view showing the airflow formed by the aerodynamic section 16 on the vehicle 11. Figure 5B is a side view showing the airflow formed by the aerodynamic section 16 on the vehicle 11. In Figures 5A and 5B, the airflow is indicated by dotted arrows.

[0031] Referring to Figures 5A and 5B, when the vehicle 11 is in motion, airflow is generated. The windshield 19 and its surface are basically flat. The airflow flows towards the rear along the flat surfaces of the windshield 19 and the roof 13.

[0032] In this embodiment, an aerodynamic section 16 is formed on the roof 13 on the rear side of the opening 12. As described above, the aerodynamic section 16 is a concave or convex portion of the roof 13. Therefore, when airflow passes through the aerodynamic section 16, the airflow velocity increases in the aerodynamic section 16, and the pressure inside the aerodynamic section 16 decreases. As a result, deposits such as water droplets and mud adhering to the surface of the windshield 19 in front of the aerodynamic section 16 are attracted to the aerodynamic section 16 and move away from the windshield 19. Therefore, deposits are removed from the windshield 19 on the front side of the opening 12, and the aforementioned monitoring unit 20 can see through the windshield 19 and monitor the area ahead well.

[0033] Figure 6A is a top view showing the wall portion 17 as an aerodynamic portion 16. Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view showing the wall portion 17 as an aerodynamic portion 16.

[0034] Referring to Figure 6A, the aerodynamic section 16 described above is formed by the wall section 17. Specifically, the aerodynamic section 16 is formed as the space between the wall sections 17. The wall section 17 has a first wall section 171 and a second wall section 172. As shown in Figure 6A, the first wall section 171 is located on the left side of the monitoring section 20, and the second wall section 172 is located on the right side of the monitoring section 20. The aerodynamic section 16 is the space formed between the first wall section 171 and the second wall section 172.

[0035] The width L13 of the aerodynamic section 16 formed between the first wall 171 and the second wall 172 is the distance between the first wall 171 and the second wall 172. Here again, the width L13 of the aerodynamic section 16 is shorter than the width L10 of the opening 12. With this configuration, as explained with reference to Figure 6A, the airflow path can be narrowed in the aerodynamic section 16 formed between the first wall 171 and the second wall 172, thereby removing deposits from the front surface of the windshield 19.

[0036] Referring to Figure 6B, the first wall portion 171 and the second wall portion 172 are parts that project upward in a wall-like manner from the roof 13. The height L14 to which the wall portion 17 protrudes from the upper surface of the roof 13 is, for example, 3 mm or more. In this way, the aerodynamic effect of the aerodynamic portion 16 can be fully realized.

[0037] In Figure 6A, the first wall section 171 and the second wall section 172 are arranged to be approximately parallel. Here, the first wall section 171 and the second wall section 172 may be inclined to move apart from each other toward the rear. Furthermore, the first wall section 171 and the second wall section 172 may be inclined to move closer to each other toward the rear. Even in this case, the same effects as described above can be achieved.

[0038] Figure 7 is a top view showing another form of the wall portion 17 as an aerodynamic portion 16.

[0039] The basic configuration of the wall section 17 shown here is the same as that described with reference to Figure 6A, etc. Here, the aerodynamic section 16 is narrower in the intermediate section 14 of the wall section 17. The intermediate section 14 corresponds to the approximate center of the first wall section 171 and the second wall section 172 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0040] The portion of the first wall 171 in front of the intermediate portion 14 is inclined to the left when viewed from the front. Conversely, the portion of the first wall 171 behind the intermediate portion 14 is inclined to the right when viewed from the front. Therefore, the first wall 171 has a shape in which both ends bend to the left, starting from the intermediate portion 14.

[0041] The portion of the second wall 172 in front of the intermediate portion 14 is inclined to the right when viewed from the front. Conversely, the portion of the second wall 172 behind the intermediate portion 14 is inclined to the left when viewed from the front. Therefore, the second wall 172 has a shape in which both ends bend to the right, starting from the intermediate portion 14.

[0042] With the wall portion 17 having such a shape, the aerodynamic portion 16 narrows in the intermediate portion 14, and the airflow in the intermediate portion 14 becomes even faster and lower in pressure, making it possible to significantly increase the effect of drawing deposits adhering to the windshield 19 towards the aerodynamic portion 16. Therefore, the surface of the windshield 19 can be kept clean, and monitoring by the monitoring unit 20 can be performed even more effectively.

[0043] Figure 8A is a top view showing the groove 18 as an aerodynamic part 16. Figure 8B is a cross-sectional view showing the groove 18 as an aerodynamic part 16.

[0044] The groove 18 is a portion of the roof 13 that is recessed in a groove-like shape along the front-rear direction. The groove 18 is located on the rear side of the monitoring section 20 and the opening 12 in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] The width L13 of the groove 18 is made shorter than the width L10 of the opening 12. In this way, when the vehicle 11 is in motion, any deposits adhering to the windshield 19 can be attracted to the groove 18. Therefore, the front surface of the windshield 19 on the front side of the monitoring unit 20 can be kept clean, and monitoring by the monitoring unit 20 can be performed effectively.

[0046] Here, the front end of the groove 18 can also be given a flared shape that widens in the left-right direction. Doing so can further enhance the aerodynamic effect mentioned above.

[0047] Referring to Figure 8B, the depth L15 of the groove 18 can be, for example, 3 mm or more. In this way, the groove 18 can fully achieve the aerodynamic effect described above.

[0048] Figure 9 is a top view showing another form of the groove 18 as an aerodynamic part 16.

[0049] The basic configuration of the groove 18 shown here is the same as that described with reference to Figure 8A, etc. Here, the groove 18 is narrower in the intermediate section 14. The intermediate section 14 corresponds to the approximate center of the groove 18 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0050] With the groove portion 18 having such a shape, the groove portion 18 narrows in the intermediate portion 14, and in the intermediate portion 14, the airflow becomes even faster and lower in pressure, making it possible to significantly increase the effect of drawing deposits adhering to the windshield 19 towards the aerodynamic portion 16. Therefore, the surface of the windshield 19 can be kept clean, and monitoring by the monitoring unit 20 can be performed even more effectively.

[0051] The technical concepts that can be understood from the above-mentioned embodiment, along with their effects, are described below.

[0052] The vehicle of the present invention is characterized by comprising a front panel, a roof, a monitoring unit that passes through the front panel to monitor the area in front of the vehicle, and an aerodynamic unit provided on the roof corresponding to the area where the monitoring unit is located, and arranged to narrow the airflow path in the direction of travel. According to the vehicle of the present invention, the airflow generated when the vehicle is in motion is affected by the aerodynamic unit, causing air to be drawn out towards the rear from the front surface of the front panel in the area corresponding to the front of the monitoring unit. As a result, water droplets, snow, mud, etc. that have adhered to the front surface of the front panel in the area corresponding to the front of the monitoring unit move to the rear along with the moisture. This prevents water droplets, etc. from remaining on the front surface of the front panel in the area corresponding to the front of the monitoring unit while the vehicle is in motion, and allows the vehicle to be driven while the area in front of the vehicle is monitored by the monitoring unit.

[0053] Furthermore, in the vehicle of the present invention, the aerodynamic section is a space sandwiched between wall-like protruding wall sections on the roof, and a plurality of these wall sections are arranged in the vehicle width direction at positions that sandwich the monitoring section. According to the vehicle of the present invention, the airflow path can be narrowed between the wall sections, thereby removing water droplets and the like from the front surface of the front panel.

[0054] Furthermore, the vehicle of the present invention is characterized in that the width between the wall portions is narrower than the width of the opening of the monitoring portion in the front panel. According to the vehicle of the present invention, by narrowing the width between the wall portions to the width of the opening of the monitoring portion in the front panel, the airflow path can be sufficiently narrowed, and water droplets and the like adhering to the front panel in the portion corresponding to the opening can be removed more effectively.

[0055] Furthermore, in the vehicle of the present invention, the aerodynamic section is a groove formed by recessing the roof in a groove shape, and the groove is arranged on the rear side of the monitoring section in the vehicle width direction. According to the vehicle of the present invention, the flow path of the airflow can be narrowed by the groove, thereby removing water droplets and the like from the front surface of the front panel material.

[0056] Furthermore, the vehicle of the present invention is characterized in that the width of the groove is narrower than the width of the opening of the monitoring section in the front panel. According to the vehicle of the present invention, by making the width of the groove narrower than the width of the opening of the monitoring section in the front panel, the airflow path can be sufficiently narrowed, and water droplets and the like adhering to the front panel in the portion corresponding to the opening can be removed more effectively.

[0057] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 10. External monitoring device 11 vehicles 12 Openings 13 Roof 14. Middle section 16 Aerodynamic section 17 Wall 171 1st wall section 172 2nd wall section 18 grooves 19 Windshield 20 Monitoring Department 21 Front panel 22 Food 26 Image processing elements 27 Vehicle drive system 28 Control and Processing Unit 29 Ceramic Line

Claims

1. Front panel material, The roof and A monitoring unit that passes through the aforementioned front panel material to monitor the area in front of the vehicle, A vehicle characterized by comprising: an aerodynamic section provided in the vehicle width direction on the roof corresponding to the area on which the monitoring section is installed, and arranged to narrow the airflow path in the direction of travel.

2. The aerodynamic section is a space sandwiched between wall-like protruding sections of the roof. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of the wall portions are arranged in the vehicle width direction, flanking the monitoring portion.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the width between the wall portions is narrower than the width of the opening of the monitoring portion in the front panel.

4. The aerodynamic section is a groove formed by recessing the roof in a groove-like shape. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the groove is located on the rear side of the monitoring unit in the vehicle width direction.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the width of the groove is narrower than the width of the opening of the monitoring portion in the front plate material.

Images