Vehicle-mounted machines

Abstract

To provide an in-vehicle device that allows each of multiple cameras to capture images of a desired location. [Solution] The device comprises a first main body 100 having a first camera and a second camera 210 whose shooting direction can be changed, wherein the second camera 210 is configured to be rotatable relative to the first main body 100 in at least two non-parallel directions, directly and / or indirectly, so that the shooting direction can be changed to any direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device having a plurality of cameras.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, in-vehicle devices equipped with a second camera capable of photographing a location different from that of a first camera, for example, inside the vehicle, in addition to the first camera for photographing the outside of the vehicle, are known. In such an in-vehicle device, for example, in a drive recorder, by attaching the first camera facing the outside of the vehicle and the second camera facing the inside of the vehicle, in a commercial vehicle, the second camera can function as a security camera for the inside of the vehicle, and in a general vehicle, the second camera can function as a camera for photographing the inside of the vehicle during driving.

[0003] On the other hand, the mounting position of a drive recorder is regulated by safety standards for road transport vehicles and the like. For example, when attaching it to the front windshield of a vehicle, it must be attached within a range of 20% or less in the vertical direction from the upper end of the front windshield. Therefore, when the relative positions of the first camera and the second camera are fixed, depending on the mounting position, there may be a case where the second camera cannot photograph an arbitrary location.

[0004] In contrast, a drive recorder that can change the shooting direction by rotating the second camera has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the drive recorder described in Patent Document 1 rotates the second camera with a single rotation mechanism to change the shooting direction. Therefore, depending on the mounting position, it may not be possible to point the second camera in any direction, and thus it may not be possible to record at any desired location.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an in-vehicle device that allows each of multiple cameras to capture images of any location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) The system comprises a first camera and a second camera capable of changing the shooting direction, wherein the second camera is configured to be rotatable relative to the first camera in at least two non-parallel directions, directly and / or indirectly, so that the shooting direction can be changed to any direction.

[0009] According to this, even when the in-vehicle equipment is mounted on the vehicle based on the shooting direction of the first camera, the second camera can be pointed in any direction to photograph any location. In other words, both the first camera and the second camera can each photograph any location.

[0010] The relative rotation of the second camera with respect to the first camera in at least two non-parallel directions can be configured such that the second camera can rotate relative to the first camera in any direction when the in-vehicle equipment is mounted on the vehicle. For example, a rotation mechanism can be provided that allows the second camera to rotate relative to the first camera in any direction. By configuring the second camera to rotate relative to any direction, the shooting direction of the second camera can be changed more precisely to any direction pointing to any desired location.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferable to configure the second camera to be rotatable horizontally and vertically relative to the first camera when the in-vehicle equipment is mounted at a vehicle mounting location. For example, two rotation mechanisms may be provided that allow the second camera to rotate counterclockwise and / or clockwise in the horizontal direction, and upward and / or downward in the vertical direction, relative to the first camera. In this case, the second camera may be configured to rotate directly or indirectly. By configuring the second camera in this way, it becomes possible to change the shooting direction of the second camera from at least two non-parallel directions with a simple configuration.

[0012] The two non-parallel directions referred to here are two directions in which the rotation directions of the second camera intersect at least in one way. The two intersecting directions may be configured to intersect at an acute angle (for example, the second rotation direction is within 30 degrees of the first rotation direction), or even better, to be configured to intersect at orthogonal angles (for example, 90 degrees).

[0013] As a configuration in which the second camera is rotated indirectly relative to the first camera in two non-parallel directions, for example, the case supporting the second camera can be configured to rotate in two non-parallel directions relative to the first camera. Furthermore, as a configuration in which the second camera is rotated directly and indirectly relative to the first camera in two non-parallel directions, the case that rotatably supports the second camera can be configured to rotate relative to the first camera in a direction different from the rotation direction of the second camera.

[0014] Furthermore, when the in-vehicle equipment is mounted to a vehicle mounting location, the first camera should be configured to be fixed to the vehicle directly or indirectly. For example, it may be configured to be fixed to the vehicle via a mounting bracket, or it may be configured to be fixed to a case and the case may be fixed to the vehicle via a mounting bracket. It is also preferable that the first camera remains fixed even when the second camera is rotated.

[0015] Furthermore, the first and second cameras may be configured such that the first camera faces outwards and the second camera faces inwards, or the first camera faces inwards and the second camera faces outwards. In particular, it is preferable to configure the first camera to face outwards and the second camera to face inwards.

[0016] Furthermore, the in-vehicle equipment should ideally be a navigation system with multiple cameras, and even better, a navigation system or dashcam with a dashcam function. When used in a navigation system, for example, images (still images or videos) captured by the first and second cameras can be associated with and stored in relation to map information. When used in a dashcam, for example, the second camera can be used as a security camera or as a camera to record the inside of the car while driving.

[0017] Furthermore, for example, the shooting direction of the second camera can be changed to capture areas that are blind spots for the driver both outside and inside the vehicle. In this case, the in-vehicle equipment should have a monitor capable of displaying the image. The monitor may be provided by the in-vehicle equipment, or it may be configured to use a monitor from another device (for example, a navigation system or a smartphone's LCD monitor). In this way, the driver can check blind spots by looking at the monitor. When using it in this way, it is even better to use a second camera with an appropriate field of view for viewing blind spots, for example, a camera with a field of view that does not curve on both sides in the width direction. By not curving on both sides in the width direction of the captured image, it becomes easier to grasp the sense of distance and to check blind spots more easily. In particular, it is good to use a second camera with a field of view that does not curve on both sides in the width direction, and a first camera with a wide angle that curves on both sides in the width direction.

[0018] (2) At least one of the two non-parallel relative rotations is configured to allow the second camera to rotate to a position where it can photograph locations that the first camera cannot photograph.

[0019] According to this method, after rotating the second camera to a position where it can photograph areas that the first camera cannot, further changes in the shooting direction of the second camera become possible in areas that the first camera cannot photograph by rotating the second camera in a different direction from the direction it was rotated in (for example, in an intersecting direction).

[0020] A location that cannot be photographed by the first camera may, for example, be a location outside the field of view of the first camera, and it is even better if it is a location rotated 180 degrees from the shooting direction of the first camera. Furthermore, in order to photograph a location that cannot be photographed by the first camera with the second camera, it is good to configure the second camera to be able to rotate directly or indirectly so that the location that cannot be photographed by the first camera falls within the field of view of the second camera, and it is even better if the second camera is able to rotate directly or indirectly by 180 degrees or more relative to the first camera.

[0021] (3) The system is characterized by having a control means that rotates the image captured by the second camera by 180 degrees in the direction of the normal of the image, so that when the second camera is rotated by a predetermined angle or more, directly and / or indirectly with respect to the first camera, the image captured by the second camera becomes an image that is normally visible.

[0022] According to this, even when the second camera is rotated, the image captured by the second camera can be an image in the orientation normally viewed. For example, even if the in-vehicle equipment is mounted to a vehicle mounting location based on the shooting direction of the first camera, and then the second camera is rotated vertically by 90 degrees or more relative to the first camera, the image captured by the second camera can be an image in the orientation normally viewed, without becoming an image rotated 180 degrees around the normal of the captured image relative to the user's view (for example, an image that is upside down).

[0023] The predetermined angle is preferably set to 90 degrees or more in the vertical direction, and even better if the second camera is rotated 180 degrees vertically relative to the first camera.

[0024] As a generally visible image, when a display device capable of displaying a photographed image is installed in a normal state and the photographed image is displayed on the display device, the image displayed on the display device may be an image that is not recognized as an image whose vertical direction is reversed with respect to the user's visual recognition.

[0025] (4) The first camera is configured such that a horizontal viewing angle when attached to the vehicle is larger than a horizontal viewing angle of the second camera.

[0026] According to this, when the first camera is attached to the attachment location of the vehicle with the first camera facing outside the vehicle to photograph the outside of the vehicle, a wider-angle video in the horizontal direction can be photographed than when photographing the outside of the vehicle with the second camera. As a configuration for making the horizontal viewing angle of the first camera larger than the horizontal viewing angle of the second camera, it is preferable to use a lens with a wider angle than the second camera.

[0027] (5) The first camera is configured such that a vertical viewing angle when attached to the vehicle is smaller than a vertical viewing angle of the second camera.

[0028] According to this, when the first camera is attached to the attachment location of the vehicle with the first camera facing outside the vehicle to photograph the outside of the vehicle, the incidence of external light can be reduced more than when photographing the outside of the vehicle with the second camera. As a configuration for making the vertical viewing angle of the first camera smaller than the vertical viewing angle of the second camera, it is preferable to use a lens with a narrower vertical viewing angle than the second camera.

[0029] (6) A first main body portion having the first camera, a second main body portion having the second camera, the second camera being rotatably supported, and being configured to be relatively rotatable with respect to the first main body portion.

[0030] According to this, even when the first main unit is mounted on the vehicle based on the shooting direction of the first camera, the second main unit and the second camera can be rotated relative to the first main unit to orient the second camera in any direction, allowing the second camera to photograph any location.

[0031] The second camera may be supported on the second body so as to be rotatable in any direction, including the rotational direction of the second body relative to the first body, and even better if it is supported on the second body so as to be rotatable in a direction different from the rotational direction of the second body relative to the first body. As a configuration in which the second body supports the second camera so as to be rotatable in any direction, a rotation center may be set on the second camera, and the second body may support the second camera so as to be rotatable around this rotation center. For example, a ball joint may be integrally attached to the second camera, and the ball joint may be supported on the second body so as to be rotatable around the rotation center of the ball joint. Alternatively, as a configuration in which the second camera is rotatably supported on the second body, a rotation axis may be set on the second camera, and the second body may support the second camera so as to be rotatable around this rotation axis.

[0032] The second main body is preferably configured to be rotatable relative to the first main body, extending to a rotational position where the second camera can capture images of areas outside the field of view of the first camera in the rotational direction of the second main body. For example, the second main body may be configured to be rotatable by 180 degrees or more relative to the first main body, and it is even better if it is configured to be rotatable by at least 180 degrees. By configuring the second main body to be rotatable by 180 degrees or more relative to the first main body, it is possible to capture images from the area overlapping with the field of view of the first camera to areas outside the field of view of the first camera in the rotational direction of the second main body. Furthermore, by being configured to be rotatable by 180 degrees, at least areas outside the field of view of the first camera in the rotational direction of the second main body can be captured by the second camera.

[0033] The first camera is preferably rotatably fixed (hereinafter referred to as "semi-fixed") to the first main body, and even better if it is integrally provided with the first main body. By semi-fixing the first camera to the first main body, the orientation of the first camera can be changed even after the first main body has been installed in the vehicle's mounting position. Furthermore, by integrally providing the first camera with the first main body, the in-vehicle equipment can be made simpler in configuration.

[0034] In addition, "semi-fixed" means that the camera rotates when a rotational torque above a predetermined level is applied, and maintains its position without rotating when a rotational torque below a predetermined level is applied. The rotational torque above the predetermined level may be, for example, the rotational torque that acts when a user grasps and rotates the first camera. In other words, the rotational torque above the predetermined level may be the rotational torque that acts on the first camera directly or indirectly at the user's will, for example, the rotational torque that acts due to power such as a motor driven by the user's operation or the user's hand. The rotational torque below the predetermined level may be the rotational torque that acts on the first camera due to vibrations of the vehicle while it is in motion after the in-vehicle equipment has been installed at the vehicle's mounting location. In other words, the rotational torque below the predetermined level may be the rotational torque that acts on the first camera regardless of the user's will to rotate the first camera.

[0035] The first camera being integrated with the first main body means that at least the first lens constituting the first camera is fixed to the first main body.

[0036] Furthermore, the first and second main body sections may be rectangular box-shaped, and even better if they are cylindrical. If they are cylindrical, the first and second main body sections should have the same diameter.

[0037] (7) The second main body has a guide portion cut out for guiding the second camera in the rotational direction, and at least a portion of the outer edge of the guide portion is formed to be concave with respect to the outer surface of the second main body.

[0038] According to this, since the outer edge of the guide portion of the second main body is formed to be concave with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the second main body, the relative protrusion amount of the second camera from the second main body in the guide portion increases, making it easier for the user to move the second camera. For example, even if the second camera is formed such that the amount of protrusion from an outer circumferential surface different from the outer circumferential surface of the outer edge of the guide portion of the second main body (for example, the outer circumferential surface on the opposite side of the guide portion (another outer circumferential surface)) is small, the outer edge of the guide portion is formed to be more concave than the aforementioned other outer circumferential surface, making the amount of protrusion of the second camera in the guide portion relatively larger than the amount of protrusion from the other outer circumferential surface.

[0039] The outer edges of the concave guide portion should be on both sides that are approximately parallel to the guidance direction of the second camera.

[0040] (8) The first main body is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the second main body is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the central axis of the second main body is located coaxially with the central axis of the first main body, and the second main body is rotatably connected to the first main body so as to rotate relative to the first main body on the same axis as the central axis of the first main body.

[0041] According to this, since the first and second main body parts are both roughly cylindrical, the second main body part can be rotated relative to the first main body part without significantly changing the external shape of the in-vehicle device. In other words, the shooting direction of the second camera can be changed without significantly altering the external shape of the in-vehicle device.

[0042] The first and second main body parts should have the same outer diameter. By making their outer diameters the same, it is possible to further prevent the external shape of the in-vehicle equipment from changing significantly when the second main body part is rotated. For example, even if the second main body part is rotated after the in-vehicle equipment has been mounted to a mounting location on the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the second main body part from interfering with other equipment.

[0043] (9) The second camera is characterized in that it is rotatably supported on the second main body with respect to a rotation axis perpendicular to the central axis of the second main body.

[0044] According to this configuration, the second camera can be positioned on the axial end side of the central axis of the second main body (opposite the side to which the first main body is connected in the axial direction of the central axis) rather than the second camera rotating diagonally with respect to the central axis of the second main body. For example, this allows for a larger range of rotation in the horizontal direction.

[0045] (10) The end of the second main body opposite to the first main body in the axial direction of the central axis of the second main body is formed in a hemispherical shape so as to conform to the rotation of the second camera.

[0046] According to this, the second camera can be rotated along the end of the second main body without unnecessarily protruding or recessing at the end of the second main body opposite to the first main body in the axial direction.

[0047] (11) The second main body is characterized in that it is supported so as to be rotatable at least 180 degrees relative to the first main body.

[0048] According to this, by simply rotating the second main unit, the second camera can capture areas outside the field of view of the first camera.

[0049] (12) The device is characterized by having a body holding means that, when a rotational torque of a predetermined value or more is applied to the second body, the second body rotates relative to the first body, and when a rotational torque of less than the predetermined value is applied to the second body, the second body does not rotate and is held by the first body.

[0050] According to this, when a rotational torque greater than a predetermined value is applied to the second main body, the second main body becomes rotatable relative to the first main body, and when a rotational torque less than the predetermined value is applied to the second main body, the second main body can be held at any rotational position relative to the main body.

[0051] For example, a rotational torque above a predetermined value may be the rotational torque acting on the second main body when a user grasps and rotates the second main body. In other words, a rotational torque above a predetermined value may be the rotational torque acting directly or indirectly on the second main body due to the user's intention to rotate the second main body, for example, this may be the power of a motor operated by the user or the rotational torque acting by the user's hand. For example, a rotational torque below a predetermined value may be the rotational torque acting on the second main body due to vibrations of the vehicle while it is in motion after the in-vehicle equipment has been installed at the mounting location on the vehicle, or the rotational torque acting on the second main body when rotating the second camera. In other words, a rotational torque below a predetermined value may be the rotational torque acting on the second main body regardless of the user's intention to rotate the second main body.

[0052] In this case, the first main body should be fixed to the vehicle's mounting location either directly or via a mounting bracket or the like. When fixed to the vehicle's mounting location, the first camera should be fixed so that it faces outwards from the vehicle.

[0053] (13) The device is characterized by having a camera holding means that, when a rotational torque greater than or equal to a predetermined value is applied to the second camera, the second camera rotates relative to the second main body, and when a rotational torque less than the predetermined value is applied to the second camera, the second camera is held in the second main body.

[0054] According to this, if a rotational torque greater than a predetermined value is applied to the second camera, the second camera becomes rotatable, and if a rotational torque less than the predetermined value is applied to the second camera, the second camera can be held in any rotational position by the second main body.

[0055] A rotational torque above a predetermined value may be, for example, the rotational torque acting on the second camera when the user grasps and rotates the second camera. In other words, a rotational torque above a predetermined value may be the rotational torque acting directly or indirectly on the second camera due to the user's intention to rotate the second camera, for example, the power of a motor operated by the user or the rotational torque acting by the user's hand. A rotational torque below a predetermined value may be the rotational torque acting on the second camera due to vibrations of the vehicle while it is in motion after the in-vehicle equipment has been attached to the vehicle's mounting location, or the rotational torque acting on the second camera when the second main body is rotated. In other words, a rotational torque below a predetermined value may be the rotational torque acting on the second camera regardless of the user's intention to rotate the second camera. At this time, the second main body may be held in an arbitrary rotational position on the first main body by the main body holding means. For example, the rotational torque in (12) (for example, referred to as the first rotational torque) may be configured to be greater than the rotational torque in (13) (for example, referred to as the second rotational torque).

[0056] (14) The first main body is characterized by being equipped with fixing means for fixing the main body to the mounting position of the vehicle.

[0057] According to this, the first main body can be attached to the vehicle's mounting location so that it does not move unnecessarily. As a means of fixing, for example, a mounting bracket that can be attached to the first main body is preferable. The mounting bracket should be configured to allow the orientation of the first main body (for example, the posture of the first main body at the vehicle's mounting location) to be changed. In other words, the first main body should be configured to be fixed in a way that allows the shooting direction of the first camera to be changed.

[0058] Furthermore, the fixing means may include a mounting bracket having a ring member that can be attached to the first main body and a mounting member that can be attached to the mounting location, and a fixing member that fixes the ring member to the first main body. The fixing member may be configured to sandwich and fix the ring member between the first main body and the fixing member, and it may be configured to screw into the first main body for fixing. By screwing the fixing member into the first main body and sandwiching and fixing the ring member, for example, simply loosening the screw of the fixing member will loosen the grip on the ring member, making it possible to easily rotate the first main body. In other words, it becomes easy to change between the fixed state and the movable state of the first main body.

[0059] Furthermore, the first main body only needs to be held in place by a fixing member so as not to rotate unnecessarily. For example, it is preferable that it be held with a rotational torque greater than the rotational torque acting when rotating the second main body relative to the first main body (for example, the first rotational torque described above) (for example, referred to as the third rotational torque). In particular, it is preferable that the first main body be fixed to the fixing member so as not to rotate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0060] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle device that allows each of multiple cameras to capture images of any location. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0061] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a drive recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the dashcam unit of the dashcam according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the first main body of the dashcam according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the second main body of the dashcam according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is an exploded assembly diagram of the second main body. [Figure 6] This figure shows the bracket for the drive recorder according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows the fixing member for the drive recorder according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the installation of the drive recorder according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0062] An in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, as an example of an in-vehicle device, a drive recorder 1 having two cameras capable of simultaneously capturing images of any location outside and inside the vehicle will be used for description.

[0063] First, the general configuration of the drive recorder 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Figure 1(a) is a perspective view of the drive recorder 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the base end, and (b) is a perspective view viewed from the front end. Figure 2(a) is a perspective view of the drive recorder body 10 of the drive recorder 1 according to this embodiment, viewed from the base end, and (b) is a top view of the drive recorder body 10. Figures 3(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the first main body portion 100 of the drive recorder body 10 according to this embodiment, and (c) is a side view. In Figures 1 to 3, the second main body portion 200 is shown rotated 180 degrees relative to the first main body portion 100. Also, in Figure 3, electronic components and the like housed inside the first main body portion 100 are omitted.

[0064] Figure 4(a) is a perspective view of the second main body 200 of the dashcam body 10 according to this embodiment, (b) is a front view of the second main body 200, and (c) is a top view. Figure 5 is an exploded assembly view of the second main body 200. Figures 6(a) and (b) are perspective views of the bracket 20 of the dashcam 1 according to this embodiment, and (c) is a side view. Figures 7(a) and (b) are perspective views of the fixing member 30 of the dashcam 1 according to this embodiment, and (c) is a side view.

[0065] As shown in Figures 1(a) and (b), the drive recorder 1 comprises a drive recorder body (hereinafter referred to as "drive recorder body") 10 whose tip is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a substantially hemispherical shape, a mounting bracket (hereinafter simply referred to as "bracket") 20 which is attached to the base end of the drive recorder body 10 so as to be rotatable relative to the central axis X of the drive recorder body 10, and a fixing member 30 which fixes the bracket 20 to the base end of the drive recorder body 10.

[0066] The dashcam body 10 comprises a first main body portion 100 to which a bracket 20 is rotatably mounted around a central axis X, and a second main body portion 200 which is rotatably supported by the first main body portion 100 around the central axis X. In other words, the dashcam body 10 is configured such that the first main body portion 100 is rotatable relative to the bracket 20 attached to the mounting location on the vehicle, around the central axis X, and the second main body portion 200 is rotatable relative to the first main body portion 100, around the central axis X. In this embodiment, the dashcam body 10 has a diameter of approximately 40 mm and an axial length of approximately 110 mm.

[0067] As shown in Figure 2(a), the first main body 100 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and houses (not shown) electronic components such as an image sensor that constitute the first camera, and the first lens 101 that constitutes the first camera is disposed on the outer circumferential surface 100a. As shown in Figure 2(b), the first lens 101 is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the central axis X at approximately the center of the dashcam body 10 in the axial direction, and is provided so as to protrude slightly from the outer circumferential surface 101a of the main body 100.

[0068] Furthermore, the first lens 101 is designed such that, when the drive recorder 1 is mounted on the vehicle so that its central axis X is approximately parallel to the horizontal direction, the horizontal field of view displayed on the monitor is larger than that of the second lens 211 of the second camera 210 (described later), and the vertical field of view displayed on the monitor is smaller than that of the second lens 211. The monitor referred to here is a monitor for displaying captured images, such as the LCD screen of a smartphone. By increasing the horizontal field of view, it becomes possible to obtain a wide-angle image when shooting outside the vehicle, and by decreasing the vertical field of view, it becomes possible to reduce the incidence of unwanted ambient light when shooting outside the vehicle. In this embodiment, the first lens 101 is a lens with a horizontal field of view of 100 degrees and a vertical field of view of 75 degrees. However, a horizontal field of view of 90 degrees or more is preferable.

[0069] A mounting recess 102 is provided on the base end side of the first lens 101 of the first main body 100, to which the bracket 20 can be attached. The mounting recess 102 is formed concave with respect to the outer surface 100a so that when the bracket 20 is attached, the outer surface 21b (see Figure 6) of the ring member 21 of the bracket 20 (described later) and the outer surface 100a of the first main body 100 are on the same plane. In other words, the mounting recess 102 is formed concave with respect to the outer surface 100a by the thickness of the ring member 21 of the bracket 20. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the mounting recess 102 is formed to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the ring member 21 of the bracket 20 so that the bracket 20 can rotate.

[0070] At the boundary between the outer peripheral surface 100a and the mounting recess 102, a contact surface 103 is erected in a direction perpendicular to the central axis X, which can come into contact with the side surface 21c (see Figure 6) of the ring member 21 of the bracket 20 when the bracket 20 is mounted in the mounting recess 102. A meshing portion 104 is formed on a part of the circumferential direction of the contact surface 103, and the meshing portion 104 is composed of a plurality of adjacent recesses 104a and protrusions 104b.

[0071] The base end of the mounting recess 102 of the first main body 100 (the base end of the dashcam body 10) is provided with a screw portion 105 into which the fixing member 40 can be screwed toward the tip. The screw portion 105 is formed in a concave shape relative to the mounting recess 102, and a restricting surface 106 is erected at the boundary between the mounting recess 102 and the screw portion 105 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis X, which restricts the amount of screwing in the fixing member 30 in the axial direction.

[0072] Here, the length of the mounting recess 102 in the axial direction of the central axis X is formed to be shorter than the length of the ring member 21 of the bracket 20 in the axial direction when the ring member 21 of the bracket 20 is mounted in the mounting recess 102. Therefore, when the ring member 21 of the bracket 20 is mounted in the mounting recess 102, the aforementioned restricting surface 106 is located on the inside of the ring member 21. As a result, when the fixing member 30 is screwed into the threaded portion 105 after the ring member 21 has been mounted in the mounting recess 102, the fixing member 30 is not restricted by the restricting surface 106, and the ring member 21 is held between the fixing member 30 and the contact surface 103, making it possible to fix the ring member 21. On the other hand, if the amount of screwing in the fixing member 30 is reduced, the ring member 21 becomes rotatable on the mounting recess 102.

[0073] As shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), the tip of the first main body portion 100 is provided with a support portion 107 that rotatably supports the second main body portion 200 around the central axis X. The support portion 107 is formed on the inner circumferential surface 100b of the first main body portion 100. In other words, the first main body portion 100 rotatably supports the second main body portion 200 on the inner circumferential surface 100b side.

[0074] The support portion 107 includes a guide support portion 108 that guides the second main body portion 200 in a rotational direction about the central axis X and supports the second main body portion 200 so that it does not fall out of the first main body portion 100 in the axial direction, a pair of projections 109a, 109b that engage with the gear portion 222 of the second main body portion 200 (described later) to hold the second main body portion 200 at any rotational position, and a rotation restricting portion 110 that restricts the relative amount of rotation of the second main body portion 200 with respect to the first main body portion 100.

[0075] The guide support portion 108 is provided substantially parallel to the circumferential direction of the first main body portion 100 so that the second main body portion 200 rotates in the circumferential direction of the first main body portion 100, and protrudes from the inner circumferential surface 100b toward the central axis X. The pair of projections 109a and 109b protrude from the inner circumferential surface 100b side toward the central axis X and are formed to elastically deform when a rotational torque above a predetermined level is applied, and not to elastically deform when a rotational torque below a predetermined level is applied. Specifically, the pair of projections 109a and 109b elastically deform when a rotational torque is applied to the second main body portion 200 by the user in order to rotate the second main body portion 200, but do not elastically deform when a rotational torque is applied to the second main body portion 200 due to vehicle vibration or when rotating the second camera 210, etc. The elastic deformation of the pair of protrusions 109a and 109b allows them to move on the gear portion 222 of the engaging second body portion 200, enabling the second body portion 200 to rotate relative to the first body portion 100. On the other hand, the non-elastic deformation of the pair of protrusions 109a and 109b maintains the engagement of the second body portion 200 with the gear portion 222, thereby maintaining the rotational position of the second body portion 200 relative to the first body portion 100.

[0076] The rotation restricting unit 110 contacts a restricting projection 224, which will be described later, provided on the second main body 200, thereby restricting the amount of rotation of the second main body 200 relative to the first main body 100. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3(c), the rotation restricting unit 110 has restricting surfaces 110a and 110b that can contact the restricting projection of the second main body 200, and the rotation of the second main body 200 is restricted by the contact of the restricting surfaces 110a and 110b with the restricting projection 224 of the second main body 200, which is guided by the guide support unit 108.

[0077] The range of rotation restricted by the restricting surfaces 110a and 110b is such that, for example, when the second main body 200 is rotated vertically relative to the first main body 100 with the first lens 101 oriented horizontally, the restricting surfaces 110a and 110b are provided such that the second camera 210 can rotate from a position slightly below the shooting direction of the first lens 101 to a position slightly below a position rotated 180 degrees from above relative to the shooting direction of the first lens 101. For example, the second main body 200 is provided such that it can rotate 230 degrees vertically relative to the first main body 100.

[0078] As shown in Figures 4(a) to (c), the second main body portion 200 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a substantially hemispherical tip, and the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion connected to the first main body portion 100 is formed to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the first main body portion 100. By making the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the second main body portion 200 substantially the same as the outer diameter of the first main body portion 100, the outer shape of the dashcam body 10 does not change significantly even when the second main body portion 200 is rotated. Therefore, even if the second main body portion 200 is rotated after the dashcam 1 is mounted on the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the second main body portion 200 from interfering with other equipment in the vicinity of the mounting location.

[0079] Furthermore, the second main body 200 includes a second camera 210 capable of photographing the interior of the vehicle, and a case member 220 that rotatably supports the second camera 210.

[0080] The second camera 210 includes a second lens 211 for photographing the interior of the vehicle and electronic components such as an image sensor (not shown), and a camera housing 212 that supports the second lens 211 and houses the electronic components. In this embodiment, the second lens 211 is a lens that has a larger vertical field of view than the first lens 101 when the drive recorder 1 is mounted on the vehicle so that its central axis X is approximately parallel to the horizontal direction. For example, a lens with a horizontal field of view of 45 degrees and a vertical field of view of 30 degrees is used.

[0081] As shown in Figure 5, the camera housing 212 includes a lens support portion 213 that supports the second lens 211, and a main body portion 214 to which the lens support portion 213 is connected. The lens support portion 213 is provided so as to protrude from the main body portion 214. The main body portion 214 is rotatably supported on the case member 220 via a pair of rotating support members 230a, 230b (see Figure 5) about a rotation axis Z (see Figure 4(a)) that is perpendicular to the central axis X (see Figure 4(a)).

[0082] Specifically, the main body 214 is formed in a substantially spherical shape with both ends cut off in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z, and a pair of rotation support members 230a and 230b are arranged in the cut-off portions. The pair of rotation support members 230a and 230b are provided with a fixing projection 231 that is fixed to a fixing recess 221 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the case member 220, and an engaging projection 232 that can engage with a sawtooth-shaped uneven portion 215 provided on the inner surface of the main body 214. With the fixing projection 231 fixed to the fixing recess 221 of the case member 220, the engaging projection 232 rotatably holds the uneven portion 215 of the main body 214.

[0083] The engaging projection 232 protrudes toward the uneven portion 215 of the main body 214 and is designed to elastically deform when a rotational torque above a predetermined level is applied, and not elastically deform when a rotational torque below a predetermined level is applied. Specifically, when a rotational torque is applied to the second camera 210 by the user in order to rotate the second camera 210, the engaging projection 232 elastically deforms, but does not elastically deform when rotational torque is applied due to vehicle vibration or when rotating the second main body 200. The elastic deformation of the engaging projection 232 allows the uneven portion 215 of the main body 214 to move on the engaging projection 232, and the second camera 210 becomes rotatable relative to the case member 220. On the other hand, when the engaging projection 232 does not elastically deform, the engagement between the uneven portion 215 of the main body 214 and the engaging projection 232 is maintained, and the rotational position of the second camera 210 relative to the case member 220 is maintained.

[0084] In this embodiment, the rotational torque for rotating the second camera 210 is set to be smaller than the rotational torque for rotating the second main body 200 described above.

[0085] The case member 220 has a substantially hemispherical tip so that the lens support portion 213 can move along the outer shape of the case member 220 when the second camera 210 rotates around the rotation axis Z. By making the tip of the case member 220 substantially hemispherical, the lens support portion 213 is prevented from being hidden by the case member 220 or from unnecessarily protruding from the case member 220 even when the second camera 210 is rotated.

[0086] Furthermore, the case member 220 includes a gear portion 222 that can engage with the aforementioned pair of protrusions 109a and 109b of the second main body portion 200, a sliding groove 223 on which the aforementioned guide support portion 108 of the second main body portion 200 can slide, a restricting protrusion 224 that can contact the aforementioned rotation restricting portion 110 of the second main body portion 200, and a guide portion 225 that is cut out so that the lens support portion 213 of the second camera 210 can be guided in the rotational direction about the rotation axis Z.

[0087] The gear portion 222 is provided at the base end of the case member 220, substantially parallel to the rotational direction of the second main body portion 200. The sliding groove 223 is provided above the gear portion 222, is more concave than the gear portion 222, and is formed substantially parallel to the rotational direction of the second main body portion 200. The regulating projection 224 is provided above the sliding groove 223 and is formed so as to be able to contact the regulating surfaces 110a and 110b of the rotation regulating portion 110 when the second main body portion 200 rotates.

[0088] The guide section 225 is formed so that the lens support section 213 can move approximately parallel to the central axis X. As an example of the guiding range of the lens support section 213 by the guide section 225, if we consider the case where the first lens 101 is oriented horizontally and rotated horizontally with respect to the first main body section 100 whose central axis X is approximately parallel to the horizontal direction, the guide section 225 can guide the lens support section 213 from a position slightly rotated towards the first lens 101 than the position where the lens surface of the second lens 211 held by the lens support section 213 is approximately parallel to the lens surface of the first lens 101, to a position where the second camera 210 can capture the side of the vehicle when the drive recorder 1 is mounted in the vehicle's mounting position.

[0089] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4(b) and (c), the guide portion 225 is formed such that the outer edges 225a located on both sides in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z are concave compared to the other outer surfaces of the case member 220. By making the outer edges on both sides in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z of the guide portion 225 concave, for example, the relative protrusion amount of the lens support portion 213 from the second main body portion 200 in the guide portion 225 is increased, making it easier for the user to move the lens support portion 213. Specifically, even when the lens support portion 213 is formed such that the relative protrusion amount with respect to an outer surface of the second main body portion 200 that is different from the outer surface near the guide portion 225 (for example, the outer surface on the opposite side of the guide portion 225) is small, the outward protrusion amount of the lens support portion 213 in the guide portion 225 can be made relatively larger than the protrusion amount from the other outer surfaces by forming the outer edge of the guide portion 225 to be concave compared to the other outer surfaces.

[0090] As shown in Figures 6(a) to (c), the bracket 20 comprises a ring member 21 formed in an annular shape and a mounting member 22 that can be attached to a mounting location on a vehicle.

[0091] The ring member 21 is formed such that the outer diameter of its inner circumferential surface 21a is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the mounting recess 102, so that it can be mounted in the mounting recess 102 of the first main body 100 from the base end side in the axial direction of the first main body 100, and can rotate within the mounting recess 102 when mounted. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the ring member 21 is formed to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the first main body 100 (for example, the same diameter, or slightly smaller or slightly larger), so that when the ring member 21 is mounted in the mounting recess 102 of the first main body 100, the outer circumferential surface 100a of the first main body 100 and the outer circumferential surface 21b of the ring member 21 are located on substantially the same plane. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the ring member 21 is formed to be approximately 40 mm, which is the same diameter as the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface 100a of the first main body 100.

[0092] Furthermore, of the side surfaces 21c and 21d of the ring member 21 that are perpendicular to the inner circumferential surface 21a and outer circumferential surface 21b, the side surface 21c that can come into contact with the aforementioned meshing portion 104 of the first main body 100 when the ring member 21 is mounted in the mounting recess 102 of the first main body 100 is provided with a meshing portion 23 that can mesh with the meshing portion 104 of the first main body 100. The meshing portion 23 is composed of a plurality of sawtooth-shaped recesses 23a and protrusions 23b formed adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and by meshing with any of the plurality of recesses 104a and protrusions 104b of the meshing portion 104 of the first main body 100, it restricts the relative rotation between the ring member 21 and the first main body 100.

[0093] The mounting member 22 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate and has a mounting surface 22a to which double-sided tape for fixing to a mounting location on a vehicle is attached, and a connecting surface 22b that is connected to the ring member 21. The mounting surface 22a is formed in a planar shape. The connecting surface 22b is connected to the outer circumferential surface 21b of the ring member 21 via the support legs 24 such that the mounting surface 22a is substantially parallel to the tangential direction of the outer circumferential surface 21b of the ring member 21.

[0094] As shown in Figures 7(a) to (c), the fixing member 30 is formed in an annular shape, and a screw groove 31 is formed on its inner circumferential surface 30a so that it can be screwed onto the threaded portion 105 of the first main body 100 from the base end side in the axial direction of the first main body 100. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the fixing member 30 is formed to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the first main body 100 (for example, the same diameter, or slightly smaller or slightly larger) so that when the fixing member 30 is screwed onto the threaded portion 105 of the first main body 100, the outer circumferential surface 100a of the first main body 100 and the outer circumferential surface 30b of the fixing member 30 are located on substantially the same plane. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the fixing member 30 is formed to be approximately 40 mm, which is the same diameter as the outer circumferential surface 100a of the first main body 100. Furthermore, the side surface 30c of the fixing member 30, which is perpendicular to the inner circumferential surface 30a and the outer circumferential surface 30b, is formed so as to be able to come into contact with the side surface 21d of the ring member 21.

[0095] In this embodiment, the drive recorder 1 incorporates a known wireless LAN module, and by downloading a dedicated application to a smartphone or the like, the captured images can be viewed on the LCD screen of the smartphone or the like.

[0096] Furthermore, the drive recorder 1 according to this embodiment is configured such that, after being mounted on a vehicle, if the user rotates the second main unit 200 90 degrees or more relative to the first main unit 100 to change the shooting direction of the second camera 210, the captured image can be rotated 180 degrees around the normal of the image and displayed on the LCD screen of a smartphone or the like. For example, the smartphone may have a button for rotating the image, and pressing the button will invert it. Note that the image inversion may be configured to invert automatically, for example. Also, the button is not limited to a physical button, but may be a touch-type button provided on the LCD screen.

[0097] With this configuration, for example, when viewing an image captured by the second camera 210 on a smartphone after rotating the second main unit 200, the image displayed on the smartphone can be oriented in a way that is normally visible. In other words, it is possible to prevent the image displayed on the smartphone from being rotated around the normal vector (an inverted image) due to the rotation of the second camera 210.

[0098] Next, the method for installing the drive recorder 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 8. In this embodiment, the installation location of the drive recorder 1 on the vehicle will be described using the case where it is installed on the windshield of the vehicle. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image captured by the first main unit 100 and the second camera 210 will be displayed on a smartphone via wireless LAN, and the user will be able to adjust the shooting direction while checking the image displayed on the smartphone. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating the installation of the drive recorder 1 according to this embodiment.

[0099] First, as shown in Figure 8, the ring member 21 of the bracket 20 is attached to the mounting recess 102 of the dashcam body 10 from the base end side of the dashcam body 10. The ring member 21 of the bracket 20 is formed such that the outer diameter of the inner circumferential surface is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the mounting recess 102. Therefore, when the ring member 21 is attached to the mounting recess 102, the bracket 20 is not fixed to the dashcam body 10 and is in a rotatable state.

[0100] Next, the fixing member 30 is screwed onto the threaded portion 105 of the dashcam body 10 from the base end side. When the fixing member 30 is screwed onto the threaded portion 105, the ring member 21 of the bracket 20 is sandwiched between the contact surface 103 of the first body portion 100 and the side surface 30c of the fixing member 30, restricting the rotation of the bracket 20. In addition, the interlocking portion 104 formed on the contact surface 103 and the interlocking portion 23 formed on the side surface 21c engage, making it possible to fix the bracket 20 to the dashcam body 10. In this way, the bracket 20 is temporarily fixed to the dashcam body 10.

[0101] Next, the bracket 20, which is temporarily fixed to the dashcam unit 10, is attached to the vehicle's windshield. In this embodiment, the bracket 20 is attached to the vehicle's windshield using double-sided tape attached to the mounting surface 22a of the mounting member 22 of the bracket 20.

[0102] Here, when attaching the drive recorder 1 to the windshield of a vehicle, according to the safety standards for road transport vehicles, the drive recorder 1 must be attached within 20% of the upper edge of the windshield in the vertical direction. Therefore, first, the bracket 20, which is temporarily fixed to the drive recorder body 10, is attached from inside the vehicle within 20% of the upper edge of the windshield in the vertical direction. At this time, the bracket 20 is attached to the windshield so that the central axis X of the drive recorder body 10 is approximately parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0103] After attaching the bracket 20 to the windshield, the fixing member 30 screwed into the dashcam body 10 is loosened, allowing the dashcam body 10 to rotate relative to the bracket 20 attached to the windshield. Once the dashcam body 10 can rotate, the image captured by the first main unit 100 is displayed on the smartphone. A dedicated application must be downloaded to the smartphone in advance. The dashcam 1 must also be connected to a power source in advance. Once the image captured by the first main unit 100 is displayed on the smartphone, the user adjusts the shooting direction by rotating the first main unit 100 vertically while viewing the image displayed on the smartphone, in order to obtain the desired image.

[0104] When the desired image is obtained using the first main body 100, the fixing member 30 is screwed into the threaded portion 105, fixing the first main body 100 to the bracket 20 in a non-rotatable manner. When the fixing member 30 is screwed into the threaded portion 105, the interlocking portion 104 formed on the contact surface 103 and the interlocking portion 23 formed on the side surface 21c engage, thereby fixing the first main body 100 to the bracket 20 in a non-rotatable manner. Therefore, for example, the fixing of the first main body 100 to the bracket 20 will not loosen due to vibrations of the vehicle while it is in motion. In other words, the orientation of the image captured by the first main body 100 will not be unnecessarily changed due to vibrations of the vehicle.

[0105] Next, the second main body 200 is rotated from above so that the second camera 210 is directed into the vehicle. In this embodiment, the second main body 200 is rotated 180 degrees relative to the first main body 100. By rotating the second main body 200 180 degrees relative to the first main body 100, the second camera 210 becomes capable of photographing the interior of the vehicle. At this time, the second main body 200 is held in place by the engagement of a pair of protrusions 109a, 109b of the first main body 100 with the gear portion 222 of the second main body 200, but it can be rotated by the user applying rotational torque to the second main body 200. Furthermore, if the second main body 200 is rotated 90 degrees or more relative to the first main body 100, the image displayed on the smartphone will be an image captured by the second camera 210 rotated 180 degrees around the normal. In other words, smartphones display images in the same orientation as how we normally view them.

[0106] Next, the user rotates the second camera 210 horizontally so that the desired location can be photographed, while viewing the image captured by the second camera 210 displayed on the smartphone. At this time, the second camera 210 is held in place by the engagement of the engaging projections 232 of the pair of rotation support members 230a, 230b and the sawtooth-shaped protrusions 215 provided on the main body portion 214 of the camera housing 212, but it becomes rotatable when the user applies rotational torque to the second camera 210. At this time, the second camera 210 rotates with a rotational torque smaller than the rotational torque required to rotate the second main body portion 200, so the second main body portion 200 remains held by the first main body portion 100. In addition, because the outer edge 225a of the guide portion 225 is formed in a concave shape, the second camera 210 is easier to move even when it is mounted on the windshield.

[0107] Once the shooting direction of the second camera 210 is determined, the mounting of the drive recorder 1 to the vehicle's windshield is completed. As a result, desired images of both the exterior and interior of the vehicle are captured in conjunction with the starting and stopping of the vehicle's engine. Furthermore, since the second main unit 200 and the second camera 210 are designed not to rotate due to the rotational torque acting on the vibrations of the moving vehicle, the orientation of the image captured by the second camera 210 will not be unnecessarily shifted due to vibrations of the moving vehicle.

[0108] As described above, in this embodiment, the drive recorder 1 has a second main body 200 supported on the first main body 100 so as to be rotatable by 180 degrees or more, and a second camera 210 is rotatably supported on the second main body 200 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the second main body 200. Therefore, even when the drive recorder 1 is mounted on the windshield so that the first lens 101 of the first main body 100 faces outwards, the interior of the vehicle can be filmed with the second camera 210 by rotating the second main body 200, and a desired location inside the vehicle can be filmed by rotating the second main body 200 and the second camera 210. In other words, the drive recorder 1 can film desired images both outside and inside the vehicle.

[0109] Furthermore, when the second main unit 200 of the drive recorder 1 is rotated by more than 90 degrees, the image captured by the second camera 210 is rotated by 180 degrees in the direction of the image normal, and displayed on the smartphone as an image in a normally viewable orientation. Therefore, even when the second main unit 200 is rotated, it is easy to adjust the imaging direction of the second camera 210 while looking at the smartphone.

[0110] Furthermore, the drive recorder 1 uses a lens 101 in the first main unit 100 that records the area outside the vehicle, which has a wide horizontal field of view and a narrow vertical field of view. Therefore, it is possible to record the area outside the vehicle at a wide angle while reducing the incidence of ambient light.

[0111] Furthermore, the drive recorder 1 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a first main body 100 and a second main body 200 having substantially the same diameter, and is configured to rotate relatively on the same axis. Therefore, even when the first main body 100 and the second main body 200 are rotated, for example, the outer diameter of the drive recorder 1 hardly changes, and even when mounted on a vehicle, interference with other equipment due to rotation can be prevented.

[0112] Furthermore, the drive recorder 1 has a concave outer edge 225a of the guide portion 225 of the second main body portion 200. Therefore, the user can easily rotate the second camera 210 without unnecessarily protruding the lens support portion. For example, even after the drive recorder 1 has been installed in a vehicle, the second camera 210 can be easily rotated.

[0113] Furthermore, the drive recorder 1 is configured such that the bracket 20 is rotatably attached to the first main body 100, and the bracket 20 is fixed by sandwiching it between the fixing member 30 and the first main body 100. Therefore, even after the bracket 20 has been attached to the windshield of the vehicle, the first main body 100 can be easily rotated to adjust the shooting direction of the first main body 100.

[0114] Furthermore, the second camera 210 is configured to rotate in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the second main body 200. Therefore, for example, the second camera 210 can be positioned on the tip side in the axial direction of the central axis X of the second main body 200 (opposite the side to which the first main body 100 is connected in the axial direction of the central axis X) rather than rotating the second camera 210 at an angle to the rotation direction of the second main body 200, and for example, the range of rotation in the horizontal direction can be increased.

[0115] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely a list of the most preferred effects arising from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments.

[0116] For example, in this embodiment, a drive recorder 1 was used as an example of an in-vehicle device, but the present invention is not limited thereto. An example of an in-vehicle device according to the present invention may be used in a navigation device having multiple cameras. By using it in a navigation device, captured images (video or still images) can be stored in association with map information of the navigation function. For example, a map can be constructed using captured images instead of a diagram.

[0117] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a drive recorder 1 having two cameras as an example of an in-vehicle device, the present invention is not limited to this. An in-vehicle device according to the present invention may be, for example, a drive recorder having three or more cameras, where any two of the three or more cameras, or each of them, have a configuration similar to that of the present invention.

[0118] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second camera 210 is configured to be rotatable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the second main body 200, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the in-vehicle device according to the present invention, the second camera may be supported on the second main body so as to be rotatable in any direction relative to the second main body. For example, the main body of the camera housing of the second camera may be configured with a ball joint that is rotatable around a rotation center, and the camera housing may be rotatably supported by a case member. Alternatively, the second camera may be rotatably supported on the second main body so as to be rotatable in a direction that intersects, rather than being perpendicular to, the rotation direction of the second main body.

[0119] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a configuration in which the first lens is fixed to the first main body 100, the present invention is not limited to this. The first lens may be rotatably supported on the first main body 100. Alternatively, the second camera may be integrated with the second main body, and the second main body may be configured to rotate in two non-parallel directions relative to the first main body. For example, the first main body may be the first camera, and the second main body may be the second camera, and the second camera may be configured to rotate in two non-parallel directions relative to the first camera.

[0120] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a configuration in which the second camera 210 is rotated directly and indirectly in two non-parallel directions relative to the first main body 100, the present invention is not limited thereto. The second camera 210 may be rotated directly in two non-parallel directions relative to the first main body 100, or it may be rotated indirectly in two non-parallel directions.

[0121] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the orientation of the second camera 210 was adjusted so that a desired location inside the vehicle could be photographed. However, the second camera 210 may also be adjusted so that the driver's blind spot can be photographed. By enabling the driver's blind spot to be checked with the second camera 210, safer driving becomes possible.

[0122] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a configuration in which images captured by the first main unit 100 and the second camera 210 are viewed on a smartphone, for example, the dashcam unit 10 may be configured to have LCD monitors on both the first main unit 100 and the second main unit 200, allowing the captured images to be viewed on each LCD monitor. Alternatively, the first main unit 100 may be equipped with an LCD monitor, allowing the images captured by the first main unit 100 and the second camera 210 to be viewed on this LCD monitor. Alternatively, the images may be displayed on an existing or portable navigation device.

[0123] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a configuration in which the dashcam body 10 is attached to the vehicle's windshield via a bracket 20 that is rotatably mounted to the dashcam body 10, it is also possible to use a configuration in which, for example, the first main body 100 is directly attached and fixed to the windshield.

[0124] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second main body 200 is configured to be rotatable by 180 degrees or more relative to the first main body 100, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The second main body 200 only needs to be rotatable to a position where the interior of the vehicle can be photographed by at least the second camera 210. It also needs to be rotatable to a position where the second camera 210 can photograph areas that the first main body 100 cannot photograph. For example, it needs to be rotatable to a position where the second camera 210 can photograph areas outside the field of view of the first lens 101.

[0125] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first main body portion 100 and the second main body portion 200 are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with substantially the same diameter, but for example, the first main body portion and the second main body portion may be formed in a rectangular box shape, or they may be formed in a similar shape.

[0126] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a configuration in which the first main unit 100 is mounted facing outwards and the second camera 210 is used to photograph the interior of the vehicle, the first main unit 100 may also be mounted facing inwards and the second camera 210 may be used to photograph the exterior of the vehicle. In this case, it is preferable to use a second lens for the second camera 210 that has a large horizontal field of view and a small vertical field of view.

[0127] Modified examples, constituent elements of each embodiment, and elements to which the elements and ideas described in the means for solving the problem are applied may be combined in any way to form an embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0128] 1. Dashcam (an example of in-vehicle equipment) 10. Dashcam unit 20 Mounting brackets 21 Ring member 30 Fixing member 100 First main body 101 First lens 102 Mounting recess 105 Screw part 200 Second main body 210 Second camera 211 The second lens X center axis Z axis of rotation

Claims

1. The first main body and A second main body that rotatably supports the camera and is rotatably connected to the first main body, When a rotational torque greater than or equal to the first rotational torque is applied to the second main body, the second main body rotates relative to the first main body, and when a rotational torque less than the first rotational torque is applied to the second main body, the second main body does not rotate and is held by the first main body by the main body holding means, When a rotational torque greater than or equal to the second rotational torque is applied to the camera, the camera rotates relative to the second main body, and when a rotational torque less than the second rotational torque is applied to the camera, the camera does not rotate and is held by the second main body; Equipped with, The first rotational torque is greater than the second rotational torque. An in-vehicle device characterized by the following features.

2. The second main body has a guide portion cut out to guide the camera in the rotational direction, At least a portion of the outer edge of the guide portion is formed to be concave with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the second main body portion. The in-vehicle device according to feature 1.

3. The first main body is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, The second main body is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and its central axis lies coaxial with the central axis of the first main body. The second main body is rotatably connected to the first main body so as to rotate relative to the first main body on the same axis as the central axis of the first main body. The in-vehicle device according to feature 1.

4. The camera is rotatably supported on the second main body with respect to a rotation axis perpendicular to the central axis of the second main body. The in-vehicle device according to feature 3.

5. The end of the second main body opposite to the first main body in the axial direction of the central axis is formed in a hemispherical shape so as to conform to the rotation of the camera. The in-vehicle device according to feature 3.

6. The first main body is provided with fixing means for fixing it to the mounting position of the vehicle. The in-vehicle device according to feature 1.

7. The first main body is held by the fixing means with a rotational torque greater than the first rotational torque. The in-vehicle device according to feature 6.

8. An in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is a drive recorder.

Images