Vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle configured to remove a foreign matter on a surface of a rear window that deteriorates a rear visual field through the rear window, while suppressing manufacturing costs from increasing.SOLUTION: A vehicle 1 is provided with: a front camera 3 that photographs a front side of the vehicle 1 through a front window of the vehicle 1; a front-side visual field recognizing part 12 that recognizes a degree of deterioration of a front-side visual field through the front window, on the basis of an image photographed with the front camera 3; a foreign matter removing part 5 that removes a foreign matter on s surface of the rear window that deteriorates a rear-side visual field through the rear window of the vehicle 1; and a rear-side visual field control part 13 that operates the foreign matter removing part 5 so that the part removes the foreign matter on the surface of the rear window, on the basis of a degree of deterioration of the front-side visual field.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle imaging device is known that controls a heater disposed on a rear windshield to prevent the rear windshield from fogging based on a captured image of a camera disposed on the rear windshield (see, 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] Adding a dedicated component to suppress a decrease in the rear view through the rear window causes an increase in component cost. In this technical field, it is desired to remove an abnormality on the surface of the rear window that reduces the rear view through the rear window of the vehicle while suppressing an increase in component cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A vehicle according to an aspect of the present invention includes a front camera that images the front of the vehicle through a front window of the vehicle, a front view recognition unit that recognizes a degree of decrease in the front view through the front window based on a captured image of the front camera, a foreign matter removal unit that removes an abnormality on the surface of the rear window that reduces the rear view through the rear window of the vehicle, and a rear view control unit that operates the foreign matter removal unit to remove the abnormality on the surface of the rear window based on the degree of decrease in the front view.

[0006] In a vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention, based on the captured image of the front camera, the degree of reduction in the forward field of view through the front window is recognized. Based on the degree of reduction in the forward field of view, the foreign matter removal unit is operated to remove the abnormality on the surface of the rear window. In this way, by utilizing the front camera that is generally provided in vehicles in this technical field, additional components for removing abnormalities on the surface of the rear window are not required. Therefore, according to the vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to remove the abnormality on the surface of the rear window that reduces the rear field of view through the rear window of the vehicle while suppressing an increase in component cost.

[0007] In one embodiment, the abnormality on the surface of the rear window is fogging or freezing on the surface of the rear window, the foreign matter removal unit is a defroster that heats the rear window, and the rear field of view control unit may operate the defroster with the amount of heat generation calculated based on the degree of reduction in the forward field of view. In this case, it is possible to remove the fogging or freezing on the surface of the rear window while suppressing an increase in component cost.

[0008] In one embodiment, the vehicle further includes a vehicle speed acquisition unit that acquires the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and the rear field of view control unit may operate the defroster with a second amount of heat generation that becomes smaller as the vehicle speed increases compared to the first amount of heat generation calculated based on the degree of reduction in the forward field of view. In this case, since the way the vehicle speed wind hits the front window and the rear window is different, the rear field of view may be less likely to decrease than the forward field of view. In accordance with this tendency, the amount of heat generation of the defroster can be adjusted.

[0009] In one embodiment, the vehicle further includes a passenger information acquisition unit that acquires passenger information including the seating position of the passengers in the vehicle, and the rear field of view control unit may operate the defroster with a fourth amount of heat generation that is larger than the third amount of heat generation calculated based on the degree of reduction in the forward field of view when there is a passenger in the rear seat of the vehicle and when there is no passenger in the rear seat of the vehicle. In this case, in accordance with the tendency that the rear field of view is more likely to decrease than the forward field of view due to the presence of a passenger in the rear seat close to the rear window, the amount of heat generation of the defroster can be adjusted.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to remove an abnormality on the surface of the rear window that reduces the rear visibility through the rear window of the vehicle while suppressing an increase in component costs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle according to an embodiment. The vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a passenger car. The vehicle 1 may be an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle 1 includes a front camera 3 installed inside the front window 2. The vehicle 1 includes a foreign matter removing unit 5 that removes an abnormality on the surface of the rear window 4. The abnormality on the surface of the rear window 4 means a state in which an object that reduces the rear visibility through the rear window 4 of the vehicle 1 adheres to the surface of the rear window 4. Removing the abnormality means removing an object that reduces the rear visibility through the rear window 4 from the surface of the rear window 4.

[0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, vehicle 1 includes an ECU [Electronic Control Unit] 10 as an example of a controller that controls the foreign object removal unit 5. The ECU 10 is an electronic control unit composed of a CPU [Central Processing Unit], a ROM [Read Only Memory], a RAM [Random Access Memory], etc. In the ECU 10, various vehicle controls are executed by loading the programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing them with the CPU. The ECU 10 may be composed of a plurality of electronic control units.

[0015] The ECU 10 is connected to a front camera 3, a foreign object removal unit 5, an internal information acquisition unit 6, and an external information acquisition unit 7.

[0016] The front camera 3 is a camera for imaging the surrounding environment in front of the vehicle 1. The front camera 3 images the front of the vehicle 1 through the front window 2. The front camera 3 may be a camera having a distance measurement function such as a stereo camera. The front camera 3 may be a monocular camera capable of measuring the distance of an object in the captured image by performing predetermined image processing on the captured image. The front camera 3 transmits the captured image information to the ECU 10.

[0017] The foreign object removal unit 5 is a component that functions to remove abnormalities on the surface of the rear window 4 when operated. The abnormalities on the surface of the rear window 4 may be, for example, fogging or freezing on the surface of the rear window 4. In this case, the foreign object removal unit 5 is a component that heats the rear window 4. As the foreign object removal unit 5, for example, a defogger provided on the rear window 4 can be used.

[0018] The defroster is a heating device that heats the rear window 4 of the vehicle 1. The defroster may be, for example, a hot wire heater that heats the rear window 4 in order to eliminate fogging or freezing that occurs in the range of the rear view through the rear window 4. The defroster is supplied with power in response to a control signal from the ECU 10.

[0019] The internal information acquisition unit 6 includes a vehicle speed sensor (vehicle speed acquisition unit) 6a, an occupant sensor (occupant information acquisition unit) 6b, an interior temperature sensor 6c, and a wiper switch 6d.

[0020] The vehicle speed sensor 6a is a detector that detects (acquires) the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1. As the vehicle speed sensor 6a, for example, a wheel speed sensor provided for a wheel of the vehicle 1 or a drive shaft that rotates integrally with the wheel and that detects the rotational speed of the wheel is used. The vehicle speed sensor 6a transmits the detected vehicle speed information (wheel speed information) to the ECU 10.

[0021] The occupant sensor 6b is a detector that acquires occupant information including the seating position of the occupant of the vehicle 1. The occupant sensor 6b may be, for example, a seat belt sensor provided for each seat of the vehicle 1 and that detects the presence or absence of the occupant's seat belt being fastened. The occupant sensor 6b may be a seating sensor provided for each seat of the vehicle 1 and that detects the pressure of the occupant seated on the seat. The occupant sensor 6b may be an in-vehicle camera that images the interior of the vehicle. The occupant sensor 6b acquires, as occupant information, the seating position of the occupant seated on each seat of the vehicle 1. The detection result of the occupant sensor 6b includes information on the seating position of the occupant according to whether the occupant is seated on the seat or not. The occupant sensor 6b transmits the detected occupant information to the ECU 10.

[0022] The interior temperature sensor 6c is a detector that detects the temperature inside the vehicle 1. As the interior temperature sensor 6c, for example, a temperature sensor provided in the in-vehicle air conditioning device can be used. The interior temperature sensor 6c transmits the detected interior temperature information to the ECU 10.

[0023] The wiper switch 6d is a detector that detects the operation instruction of the wiper provided on the front window 2 of the vehicle 1. The wiper switch 6d is provided, for example, on the steering column. The operation instructions of the wiper may include, for example, intermittent operation instruction, low-speed continuous operation instruction, and high-speed continuous operation instruction. The wiper switch 6d transmits the detected wiper operation instruction information to the ECU 10.

[0024] The external information acquisition unit 7 includes an outside air temperature sensor 7a, an illuminance sensor 7b, and a peripheral monitoring camera 7c.

[0025] The outside air temperature sensor 7a is a detector that detects the temperature of the outside of the vehicle 1. As the outside air temperature sensor 7a, for example, a temperature sensor for controlling an in-vehicle air conditioner can be used. The outside air temperature sensor 7a transmits the detected outside air temperature information to the ECU 10.

[0026] The illuminance sensor 7b is a detector that detects the intensity of light received by the vehicle 1. The illuminance sensor 7b is provided, for example, near the front window 2 in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1. The illuminance sensor 7b transmits the detected illuminance information to the ECU 10.

[0027] The peripheral monitoring camera 7c is a camera for imaging the situation in the vicinity of the vehicle 1. The peripheral monitoring camera 7c may be a panoramic view camera installed on the grill, bumper, or door mirror of the vehicle 1, etc. The peripheral monitoring camera 7c here is used to obtain at least the brightness in the vicinity of the vehicle 1 from its captured image. The peripheral monitoring camera 7c transmits the peripheral image information to the ECU 10.

[0028] The GPS receiver 8 measures the position (for example, the latitude and longitude of the vehicle) and orientation of the vehicle 1 by receiving signals from three or more GPS satellites. The GPS receiver 8 transmits the positioning information, which is the measured position and orientation of the vehicle 1 on the map, to the ECU 10.

[0029] Next, the functional configuration of the ECU 10 will be described. The ECU 10 includes a vehicle state recognition unit 11, a front field of view recognition unit 12, and a rear field of view control unit 13. The ECU 10 controls the foreign object removal unit 5 of the rear window 4 based on the captured image of the front camera 3. Note that a part of the functions of the ECU 10 described below may be executed in a server or a mobile terminal that can communicate with the vehicle 1.

[0030] The vehicle state recognition unit 11 acquires the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 based on, for example, the detection result of the vehicle speed sensor 6a. The vehicle state recognition unit 11 acquires occupant information including the seating position of the occupant in the vehicle 1 based on, for example, the detection result of the occupant sensor 6b. The vehicle state recognition unit 11 acquires the vehicle interior temperature of the vehicle 1 based on the detection result of the vehicle interior temperature sensor 6c. The vehicle state recognition unit 11 acquires an operation instruction for the wiper based on the detection result of the wiper switch 6d. The vehicle state recognition unit 11 acquires the outside air temperature based on the detection result of the outside air temperature sensor 7a. The vehicle state recognition unit 11 acquires the intensity of light received by the vehicle 1 as illuminance based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor 7b. The vehicle state recognition unit 11 may acquire the brightness in the vicinity of the vehicle 1 as illuminance based on the captured image of the surrounding monitoring camera 7c. The vehicle state recognition unit 11 acquires the position and orientation of the vehicle 1 on the map based on the positioning information of the GPS receiver 8.

[0031] The front field of view recognition unit 12 recognizes the degree of reduction of the front field of view through the front window 2 based on the captured image of the front camera 3. The reduction of the front field of view means a poor visibility state with respect to the case where there is no such abnormality of the front field of view through the front window 2 caused by an abnormality on the surface of the front window 2. As an example of the abnormality on the surface of the front window 2, there is fogging or freezing on the surface of the front window 2. The front field of view recognition unit 12 recognizes, for example, the degree of fogging or freezing on the surface of the front window 2 that reduces the front field of view through the front window 2 as the degree of reduction of the front field of view by known image processing using the captured image of the front camera 3.

[0032] The rear visibility control unit 13 operates the foreign object removal unit 5 to remove an abnormality on the surface of the rear window 4 based on the degree of reduction in the front visibility. As an example of the abnormality on the surface of the rear window 4, there may be mentioned fogging or freezing on the surface of the rear window 4. From the viewpoint of removing the abnormality on the surface of the rear window 4 based on the degree of reduction in the front visibility, the type of the abnormality on the surface of the rear window 4 may be the same as the type of the abnormality on the surface of the front window 2 described above.

[0033] The rear visibility control unit 13 operates the defroster, for example, with the calorific value calculated based on the degree of reduction in the front visibility. The calorific value is a command value (hereinafter simply referred to as "calorific value") for the calorific value generated in the defroster based on the degree of fogging or freezing on the surface of the front window 2. The rear visibility control unit 13 performs energization control to supply power corresponding to the calorific value to the defroster of the rear window 4. Thereby, heat is generated by the defroster to eliminate fogging or freezing on the surface of the rear window 4.

[0034] The rear visibility control unit 13 may operate the defroster with a second calorific value that becomes smaller as the vehicle speed increases compared to the first calorific value calculated based on the degree of reduction in the forward visibility. The first calorific value means a virtual calorific value when it is assumed that the fogging or freezing on the surface of the front window 2 corresponding to the degree of reduction in the forward visibility is eliminated by the defroster. The second calorific value is the calorific value for the defroster of the rear window 4 calculated using the first calorific value. During the running of the vehicle 1, since the way the vehicle speed wind hits the front window 2 and the rear window 4 is different, the rear visibility may be less likely to decrease than the front visibility. For example, when the outside air temperature is below the dew point inside the vehicle cabin, the front window 2 is cooled more than the rear window 4 by the vehicle speed wind and is more likely to fog up. For example, when the outside air temperature is below freezing, the front window 2 is cooled more than the rear window 4 by the vehicle speed wind and is more likely to freeze. Therefore, the first calorific value for eliminating the fogging or freezing of the front window 2 tends to be larger than the second calorific value for eliminating the fogging or freezing of the rear window 4 as the vehicle speed increases. Thus, when the vehicle 1 stops, the rear visibility control unit 13 calculates, for example, the second calorific value to be equal to the first calorific value. As the vehicle speed increases, the rear visibility control unit 13 may calculate the second calorific value to remain the same as the second calorific value when the vehicle 1 stops, and calculate the first calorific value to be larger according to the vehicle speed than the second calorific value when the vehicle 1 stops. The rear visibility control unit 13 may calculate the second calorific value, for example, by subtracting a vehicle speed correction amount whose absolute value increases as the vehicle speed increases from the first calorific value. The vehicle speed correction amount is a correction amount of the calorific value for calculating the second calorific value from the first calorific value affected by the fact that the front window 2 is more likely to be cooled than the rear window 4 by the vehicle speed wind. The vehicle speed correction amount may be a preset parameter or the like.

[0035] When there is an occupant in the rear seat of the vehicle 1, the rear vision control unit 13 may operate the defroster with a fourth calorific value that is greater than the third calorific value calculated based on the degree of reduction in the forward visibility when there is no occupant in the rear seat of the vehicle 1. The third calorific value means a virtual calorific value when it is assumed that the fogging or freezing on the surface of the front window 2 corresponding to the degree of reduction in the forward visibility is eliminated by the defroster. The third calorific value may be equal to or different from the first calorific value. The fourth calorific value is the calorific value for the defroster of the rear window 4 calculated using the third calorific value. When there is an occupant in the rear seat, due to the water vapor contained in the occupant's exhalation, the rear window 4 tends to fog more easily than when there is no occupant in the rear seat. Therefore, for example, when there is an occupant in the rear seat, the rear vision control unit 13 may calculate the fourth calorific value by adding an occupant correction amount to the third calorific value when there is no occupant in the rear seat. The occupant correction amount is a correction amount of the calorific value for calculating the fourth calorific value affected by the tendency of the rear window 4 to fog more easily due to the presence of the occupant in the rear seat from the third calorific value when there is no occupant in the rear seat. The occupant correction amount may be a preset parameter or the like. The occupant correction amount may be set to a larger value as the number of occupants in the rear seat increases.

[0036] When direct sunlight from the sun hits the rear window 4, the rear vision control unit 13 may reduce the calorific value of the defroster of the rear window 4 in response to the increase in the glass surface temperature and the resulting reduced tendency for fogging. For example, when a state where the illuminance is greater than a preset predetermined illuminance threshold value continues for a predetermined time, when the illuminance is equal to or less than the illuminance threshold value, or when a state where the illuminance is greater than the illuminance threshold value does not continue for a predetermined time, the rear vision control unit 13 may calculate a smaller calorific value compared to when the illuminance is greater than the illuminance threshold value and continues for a predetermined time. The rear vision control unit 13 may use the intensity of the light received by the vehicle 1 detected by the illuminance sensor 7b as the illuminance, or may use the brightness of the vicinity of the vehicle 1 detected by the surrounding monitoring camera 7c.

[0037] The rear visibility control unit 13 may calculate the calorific value according to the incidence direction of direct sunlight estimated in consideration of the azimuth of the sun using the position and orientation of the vehicle 1 on the map based on the positioning information of the GPS receiver 8 and the current time. For example, in a time zone when the sun is located in the east, if the vehicle 1 is facing west, the rear visibility control unit 13 may calculate a smaller calorific value compared to when the vehicle 1 is in other orientations. For example, in a time zone when the sun is located in the south, if the vehicle 1 is facing north, the rear visibility control unit 13 may calculate a smaller calorific value compared to when the vehicle 1 is in other orientations. For example, in a time zone when the sun is located in the west, if the vehicle 1 is facing east, the rear visibility control unit 13 may calculate a smaller calorific value compared to when the vehicle 1 is in other orientations.

[0038] Incidentally, when an object blocking the direct sunlight of the sun from reaching the rear window 4 is recognized using the captured image of the surrounding monitoring camera 7c, the rear visibility control unit 13 does not necessarily have to calculate a smaller calorific value than the calorific value when the illuminance is below the illuminance threshold even if the illuminance near the front window 2 is greater than the illuminance threshold.

[0039] The rear visibility control unit 13 may calculate a larger calorific value for the defroster of the rear window 4 as the outside air temperature is lower in response to the fact that the rear window 4 is more likely to fog up as the outside air temperature is lower. For example, when the outside air temperature is lower than a preset outside air temperature threshold, the rear visibility control unit 13 may calculate a larger calorific value compared to when the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than the outside air temperature threshold.

[0040] The rear visibility control unit 13 may calculate a larger calorific value for the defroster of the rear window 4 as the deviation between the outside air temperature and the vehicle interior temperature is larger in response to the fact that the rear window 4 is more likely to fog up as the deviation between the outside air temperature and the vehicle interior temperature is larger. For example, when the deviation between the outside air temperature and the vehicle interior temperature is larger than a preset temperature deviation threshold, the rear visibility control unit 13 may calculate a larger calorific value compared to when the deviation is equal to or less than the temperature deviation threshold.

[0041] The rear visibility control unit 13 may adjust the heating amount of the defroster of the rear window 4 based on the wiper operation instruction in response to the increase in the moisture content in the air when it is raining, which makes the rear window 4 more likely to fog up. For example, when the wiper operation instructions are intermittent operation instruction, low-speed continuous operation instruction, and high-speed continuous operation instruction respectively, the rear visibility control unit 13 may calculate the heating amount of the defroster of the rear window 4 to increase in this order.

[0042] Next, an example of the processing of the ECU 10 of the vehicle 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the ECU in FIG. 2. The processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is repeatedly performed at a predetermined cycle when, for example, the defroster switch is in the ON state.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, in step S11, the ECU 10 performs imaging of the front of the vehicle 1 through the front window 2 by the front visibility recognition unit 12. The front visibility recognition unit 12 continuously or intermittently images the peripheral environment in front of the vehicle 1 including the surface of the front window 2 with the front camera 3, for example.

[0044] In step S12, the ECU 10 recognizes the degree of reduction of the front visibility by the front visibility recognition unit 12. The front visibility recognition unit 12 recognizes, as the degree of reduction of the front visibility, the degree of fogging or freezing of the surface of the front window 2 that reduces the front visibility through the front window 2 by known image processing using the captured image of the front camera 3, for example.

[0045] In step S13, the ECU 10 calculates the first heating amount of the defroster based on the degree of reduction of the front visibility by the rear visibility control unit 13. The rear visibility control unit 13 calculates the first heating amount of the defroster of the rear window 4 as, for example, the heating amount set to eliminate the fogging or freezing of the surface of the front window 2 according to the degree of fogging or freezing of the surface of the front window 2.

[0046] In step S14, the ECU 10 acquires the vehicle speed through the vehicle state recognition unit 11. The vehicle state recognition unit 11 acquires the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 based on, for example, the detection result of the vehicle speed sensor 6a.

[0047] In step S15, the ECU 10 determines whether the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the vehicle speed threshold through the rear view control unit 13. When the ECU 10 determines that the vehicle speed is not equal to or higher than the vehicle speed threshold (the vehicle speed is less than the vehicle speed threshold) (step S15: NO), it proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, when the ECU 10 determines that the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the vehicle speed threshold (step S15: YES), it proceeds to step S17.

[0048] In step S16, the ECU 10 operates the defogger with the first heating amount through the rear view control unit 13. The rear view control unit 13 supplies power corresponding to the first heating amount calculated based on the degree of decrease in the front view to the defogger. Then, the processing of FIG. 3 for this time is terminated.

[0049] In step S17, the ECU 10 operates the defogger with a second heating amount smaller than the first heating amount through the rear view control unit 13. The rear view control unit 13 supplies power corresponding to the second heating amount smaller than the first heating amount calculated based on the degree of decrease in the front view to the defogger. The rear view control unit 13 may calculate the second heating amount, for example, by subtracting a vehicle speed correction amount whose absolute value increases as the vehicle speed increases from the first heating amount. That is, the rear view control unit 13 operates the defogger with the second heating amount that becomes smaller as the vehicle speed increases compared to the first heating amount calculated based on the degree of decrease in the front view. Then, the processing of FIG. 3 for this time is terminated.

[0050] As described above, in the vehicle 1, based on the captured image of the front camera 3, the degree of reduction of the forward field of view through the front window 2 is recognized. Based on the degree of reduction of the forward field of view, the foreign matter removal unit 5 is operated to remove the abnormality on the surface of the rear window 4. In this way, by utilizing the front camera 3 generally equipped in a vehicle, additional components for removing the abnormality on the surface of the rear window 4 become unnecessary. The additional components mean, for example, a rear camera etc. that is exclusively used for recognizing the degree of reduction of the rear field of view for removing the abnormality on the surface of the rear window 4. Therefore, according to the vehicle 1, it is possible to remove the abnormality on the surface of the rear window 4 that reduces the rear field of view through the rear window 4 of the vehicle 1 while suppressing an increase in component cost.

[0051] An example of the abnormality on the surface of the rear window 4 is fogging or freezing on the surface of the rear window 4. An example of the foreign matter removal unit 5 is a defogger that heats the rear window 4. The rear field of view control unit 13 operates the defogger with the calorific value calculated based on the degree of reduction of the forward field of view. Thereby, it becomes possible to remove the fogging or freezing on the surface of the rear window 4 while suppressing an increase in component cost.

[0052] The vehicle 1 further includes a vehicle speed sensor 6a that acquires the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1. The rear field of view control unit 13 operates the defogger with a second calorific value that becomes smaller as the vehicle speed becomes faster compared to the first calorific value calculated based on the degree of reduction of the forward field of view. Thereby, since the way the vehicle speed wind hits the front window 2 and the rear window 4 is different, the calorific value of the defogger can be adjusted in accordance with the tendency that the rear field of view is less likely to decrease than the forward field of view.

[0053] [Modification Example] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various forms with various changes and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the above-described embodiments.

[0054] In the process of FIG. 3 described above, the rear view control unit 13 adjusted the heat generation amount of the defroster according to the vehicle speed. In addition to or instead of this, the heat generation amount of the defroster may be adjusted according to the passenger information including the seating position of the passengers in the vehicle 1. For example, instead of the process of the flowchart in FIG. 3, the ECU 10 may execute the process of the flowchart in FIG. 4.

[0055] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another example of the process of the ECU in FIG. 2. The process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is repeated at a predetermined cycle, for example, when the defroster switch is in the on state.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 4, in step S21, the ECU 10 performs imaging of the front of the vehicle 1 through the front window 2 by the front view recognition unit 12. In step S22, the ECU 10 recognizes the degree of decrease in the front view by the front view recognition unit 12. Steps S21 and S22 in FIG. 4 may be the same processes as steps S11 and S12 in FIG. 3.

[0057] In step S23, the ECU 10 calculates the third heat generation amount of the defroster based on the degree of decrease in the front view by the rear view control unit 13. The third heat generation amount may be equal to the first heat generation amount calculated in step S13 of FIG. 3.

[0058] In step S24, the ECU 10 acquires passenger information by the vehicle state recognition unit 11. The vehicle state recognition unit 11 acquires passenger information including the seating position of the passengers in the vehicle 1 based on, for example, the detection result of the passenger sensor 6b.

[0059] In step S25, the ECU 10 determines whether there is a passenger in the rear seat by the rear view control unit 13. If the ECU 10 determines that there is no passenger in the rear seat (step S25: NO), it proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, if the ECU 10 determines that there is a passenger in the rear seat (step S25: YES), it proceeds to step S27.

[0060] In step S26, the ECU 10 operates the defroster at the third calorific value by the rear view control unit 13. The rear view control unit 13 supplies power corresponding to the third calorific value calculated based on the degree of decrease in the front view to the defroster. Then, the processing of FIG. 4 for this time is terminated.

[0061] In step S27, the ECU 10 operates the defroster at the fourth calorific value, which is larger than the third calorific value, by the rear view control unit 13. The rear view control unit 13 supplies power corresponding to the fourth calorific value, which is larger than the third calorific value calculated based on the degree of decrease in the front view, to the defroster. That is, when there is a passenger in the rear seat of the vehicle 1, the rear view control unit 13 operates the defroster at the fourth calorific value, which is larger than the third calorific value calculated based on the degree of decrease in the front view when there is no passenger in the rear seat of the vehicle 1. Then, the processing of FIG. 4 for this time is terminated.

[0062] Note that in addition to the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 3, the ECU 10 may execute the processing of steps S23 to S27 of the flowchart in FIG. 4.

[0063] As described above, the vehicle 1 further includes an occupant sensor 6b that acquires occupant information including the seating position of the occupants of the vehicle 1. When there is a passenger in the rear seat of the vehicle 1, the rear view control unit 13 operates the defroster at the fourth calorific value, which is larger than the third calorific value calculated based on the degree of decrease in the front view when there is no passenger in the rear seat of the vehicle 1. Thereby, in accordance with the tendency that the rear view is more likely to decrease than the front view due to the presence of a passenger in the rear seat close to the rear window 4, the calorific value of the defroster can be adjusted.

[0064] In the above-described embodiments and modified examples, the rear visibility control unit 13 performs at least one of adjusting the heat generation amount of the defroster according to the vehicle speed and adjusting the heat generation amount of the defroster according to the passenger information including the seating position of the passenger in the vehicle 1, but both of these may be omitted. For example, the ECU 10 may execute the processes of steps S11, S12, S13, and S16 in the flowchart of FIG. 3. In this case, the internal information acquisition unit 6 and the external information acquisition unit 7 in FIG. 2 may be omitted.

[0065] In the above-described embodiments and modified examples, the foreign matter removal unit 5 is a defroster (heat ray heater) provided on the surface of the rear window 4, but is not limited to this example. The foreign matter removal unit 5 may be a heating device provided near the rear window 4 and indirectly heating the rear window 4. For example, the foreign matter removal unit 5 has a heat source provided apart from the rear window 4, and the heat of the foreign matter removal unit 5 may be transmitted to the rear window 4 by radiation or warm air using the wind of a blower.

[0066] In the above-described embodiments and modified examples, the foreign matter removal unit 5 removes fogging or freezing as an abnormality on the surface of the rear window 4, but is not limited to this example. Other abnormalities on the surface of the rear window 4 may be dirt adhering to the surface of the rear window 4. The dirt includes, for example, mud stains, dust, and the like. In this case, the foreign matter removal unit 5 is a component that physically removes the dirt on the surface of the rear window 4, and may be, for example, a wiper or a cleaning device.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0067] 1... Vehicle, 2... Front window, 3... Front camera, 4... Rear window, 5... Foreign matter removal unit, 6a... Vehicle speed sensor (vehicle speed acquisition unit), 6b... Occupant sensor (occupant information acquisition unit), 12... Front visibility recognition unit, 13... Rear visibility control unit.

Claims

1. A front camera that images the front of the vehicle through the front window of the vehicle; A forward visibility recognition unit that recognizes the degree of reduction in the forward visibility through the front window based on the captured image of the front camera; A foreign object removal unit that removes an abnormality on the surface of the rear window that reduces the rear visibility through the rear window of the vehicle; A rear visibility control unit that operates the foreign object removal unit to remove the abnormality on the surface of the rear window based on the degree of reduction in the forward visibility, and The abnormality is fogging or freezing on the surface of the rear window, The foreign object removal unit is a defroster that heats the rear window, The rear visibility control unit operates the defroster with a calorific value calculated based on the degree of reduction in the forward visibility. A vehicle.

2. The vehicle further includes a vehicle speed acquisition unit that acquires the vehicle speed of the vehicle, The rear visibility control unit operates the defroster with a second calorific value that becomes smaller as the vehicle speed increases compared to a first calorific value calculated based on the degree of reduction in the forward visibility. The vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The vehicle further includes a passenger information acquisition unit that acquires passenger information including the seating position of a passenger in the vehicle, When there is a passenger boarding in the rear seat of the vehicle, the rear visibility control unit has a fourth calorific value that is larger than a third calorific value calculated based on the degree of reduction in the forward visibility when there is no passenger boarding in the rear seat of the vehicle. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the defroster is operated with the calorific value.

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