Imaging device

Abstract

This imaging device comprises: an attachment base part (11) which can be attached inside a vehicle; a bracket part (12) disposed on the attachment base part (11); and a sensor unit (13) disposed on the bracket part (12) and accommodating a camera (13a). Further, in the imaging device, an adjustment mechanism (12a) for adjusting the attachment angle of the bracket part (12) relative to the attachment base part (11) is disposed on the bracket part (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a photographing device.

Background Art

[0002] There is a photographing device used for driver monitoring (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The photographing device is attached to, for example, the front glass in a vehicle or the ceiling in the vehicle using a double-sided tape.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the photographing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the attachment position to the front glass or the like is not an appropriate position, it may not be possible to photograph the occupant. Once the double-sided tape is peeled off, the adhesive strength may decrease. For this reason, there has been a problem that when the attachment position is not an appropriate position, the attachment position may not be adjustable.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to obtain a photographing device capable of adjusting the mounting posture of a camera so as to be able to photograph an occupant.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The imaging device according to the present disclosure includes a mounting base portion that can be mounted inside a vehicle, a bracket portion provided on the mounting base portion, and a sensor unit provided on the bracket portion and housing a camera. Further, an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the mounting angle of the bracket portion with respect to the mounting base portion is provided on the bracket portion. The adjustment mechanism includes a fan-shaped notch portion formed in the bracket portion and an adjustment screw portion inserted into the fan-shaped notch portion. The attachment base portion and the pillar portion inside the vehicle are attached to each other so as to sandwich the assist grip.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the mounting posture of the camera can be adjusted so as to be able to image an occupant.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, in order to explain the present disclosure in more detail, embodiments for implementing the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the mounting position of the imaging device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the imaging device according to Embodiment 1 is mounted. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the imaging device according to Embodiment 1 is mounted. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing the imaging device according to Embodiment 1. The dimensions of the imaging device illustrated in each of FIGS. 1 to 4 do not exactly match. The pillar portion 1 is, for example, an A-pillar inside the vehicle. The assist grip 2 is provided on the pillar portion 1 and is, for example, gripped by an occupant when getting in and out of the vehicle. The imaging device according to Embodiment 1 includes a mounting base portion 11, a bracket portion 12, and a sensor unit 13.

[0011] The mounting base portion 11 is a member that can be mounted inside the vehicle. In the imaging device shown in FIG. 2, the mounting base portion 11 can be mounted on the pillar portion 1. The mounting base portion 11 has a mounting hole 11a. By passing a screw 2a for attaching the assist grip 2 to the pillar portion 1 through the mounting hole 11a, the mounting base portion 11 and the assist grip 2 are clamped together with respect to the pillar portion 1. The mounting hole 11a is provided on the lower end side of the mounting base portion 11. Mounting holes (not shown) are also provided on the upper end side of the mounting base portion 11. By passing screws (not shown) through the mounting holes, the upper end side of the mounting base portion 11 is fixed to the pillar portion 1. The position of the mounting hole on the upper end side of the mounting base portion 11 may be a position hidden by the bracket portion 12 in the figure or a position below the bracket portion 12.

[0012] The bracket portion 12 is provided on the mounting base portion 11. The bracket portion 12 is provided with an adjustment mechanism 12a for adjusting the mounting angle with respect to the mounting base portion 11. The adjustment mechanism 12a is a fan-shaped notch provided on the bracket portion 12. The screw portion of the adjustment screw 12b is inserted into the adjustment mechanism 12a. In FIG. 2, the adjustment mechanism 12a appears as a linear notch, but as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shape of the notch is a fan shape centered on the fixing screw 12c. When adjusting the mounting angle of the bracket portion 12 with respect to the mounting base portion 11 as an adjustment of the mounting posture of the camera 13a, the user loosens the adjustment screw 12b inserted into the adjustment mechanism 12a and then changes the relative position of the bracket portion 12 with respect to the mounting base portion 11. By changing the relative position, when the mounting angle of the bracket portion 12 with respect to the mounting base portion 11 is determined, the user fixes the mounting angle by tightening the adjustment screw 12b. The fixing screw 12c is a screw for attaching the bracket portion 12 to the mounting base portion 11. Note that the material used for the bracket portion 12 is a material having rigidity.

[0013] The sensor unit 13 is provided on the bracket portion 12. The sensor unit 13 houses a camera 13a for photographing a vehicle occupant and a light emitting portion 13b that emits light toward the occupant.

[0014] The photographing device according to Embodiment 1 is used, for example, in a driver monitoring system. For example, when a driver monitoring system is retrofitted to a vehicle, the photographing device is also retrofitted to the vehicle.

[0015] Next, the attachment of the photographing device to the pillar portion 1 will be described. First, the user performs an operation of removing the screw 2a. Next, the user aligns the screw hole of the screw 2a with the mounting hole 11a of the mounting base portion 11 such that the mounting base portion 11 and the pillar portion 1 sandwich the assist grip 2. Next, after the user passes the screw 2a through the mounting hole 11a, the user tightens the screw 2a to jointly fasten the mounting base portion 11 and the assist grip 2 to the pillar portion 1. Next, after the user passes a screw (not shown) through the mounting hole provided on the upper end side of the mounting base portion 11 and then tightens the screw, the user fixes the mounting base portion 11 to the pillar portion 1.

[0016] Next, the user aligns the mounting hole of the bracket portion 12 for passing the fixing screw 12c with the screw hole of the mounting base portion 11 engaged with the fixing screw 12c. Next, after the user passes the fixing screw 12c through the mounting hole of the bracket portion 12, the user lightly tightens the fixing screw 12c to temporarily fix the bracket portion 12 to the mounting base portion 11. When the bracket portion 12 is temporarily fixed to the mounting base portion 11, the screw hole of the mounting base portion 11 engaged with the adjustment screw 12b appears at any position on the adjustment screw 12b. In a state where the bracket portion 12 is temporarily fixed to the mounting base portion 11, the user can change the mounting angle of the bracket portion 12 with respect to the mounting base portion 11. The mounting angle of the bracket portion 12 corresponds to the pitch angle with respect to the horizontal direction of the vehicle. Once the mounting angle of the bracket portion 12 with respect to the mounting base portion 11 is determined, the user passes the screw portion of the adjustment screw 12b through the adjustment mechanism 12a, aligns the tip portion of the adjustment screw 12b with the screw hole of the mounting base portion 11 engaged with the adjustment screw 12b, and tightens the adjustment screw 12b. Then, the user tightens the fixing screw 12c to fix the bracket portion 12 to the mounting base portion 11.

[0017] After fixing the bracket portion 12 to the mounting base portion 11, if it is necessary to adjust the mounting angle of the bracket portion 12 with respect to the mounting base portion 11, the user loosens each of the adjustment screw 12b and the fixing screw 12c. The user adjusts the mounting angle of the bracket portion 12 with respect to the mounting base portion 11. Once the mounting angle is determined, the user tightens each of the adjustment screw 12b and the fixing screw 12c to fix the mounting angle.

[0018] If the positional relationship between the camera 13a and the occupant is the positional relationship as shown in FIG. 5, the mounting position of the imaging device is an appropriate mounting position. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing each of the positional relationship in the vehicle width direction between the camera 13a and the occupant and the positional relationship in the vehicle length direction between the camera 13a and the occupant. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship in the vehicle height direction between the camera 13a and the occupant. In the example of FIG. 5, if the distance in the vehicle width direction between the camera 13a and the occupant is in the range of △△ mm ± α, the distance in the vehicle length direction between the camera 13a and the occupant is in the range of ○○ mm ± β, and the distance in the vehicle height direction between the camera 13a and the occupant is in the range of □□ mm ± γ, the mounting position of the imaging device is an appropriate mounting position. Each of α, β, and γ is a constant. Even if the occupant slides the position of the driver's seat in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, by adjusting the mounting angle of the bracket portion 12 with respect to the mounting base portion 11, the distance in the vehicle length direction between the camera 13a and the occupant can be adjusted. Note that by attaching the imaging device to the pillar portion 1 as described above, each of the distance in the vehicle width direction between the camera 13a and the occupant, the distance in the vehicle length direction between the camera 13a and the occupant, and the distance in the vehicle height direction between the camera 13a and the occupant falls within an appropriate distance range.

[0019] In the above-described Embodiment 1, the photographing device is configured to include an attachment base portion 11 that can be attached inside the vehicle, a bracket portion 12 provided on the attachment base portion 11, and a sensor unit 13 provided on the bracket portion 12 and housing a camera 13a. Further, an adjustment mechanism 12a for adjusting the attachment angle of the bracket portion 12 with respect to the attachment base portion 11 is provided on the bracket portion 12. Therefore, the photographing device can adjust the attachment posture of the camera 13a so as to be able to photograph the occupant.

[0020] In the photographing device shown in FIG. 2, the attachment base portion 11 is attached to the pillar portion 1 inside the vehicle. However, this is merely an example, and for example, the attachment base portion 11 may be attached to the windshield inside the vehicle or the instrument panel inside the vehicle. For example, when the attachment base portion 11 is attached to the windshield inside the vehicle or the instrument panel inside the vehicle, for example, the attachment base portion 11 is attached to the instrument panel or the like using double-sided tape. Even in this case, since the adjustment mechanism 12a for adjusting the attachment angle of the bracket portion 12 with respect to the attachment base portion 11 is provided on the bracket portion 12, the attachment posture of the camera 13a can be adjusted.

[0021] In the photographing device shown in FIG. 2, after the attachment base portion 11 is fixed to the pillar portion 1, the bracket portion 12 is attached to the attachment base portion 11. However, this is merely an example, and the attachment base portion 11 provided with the bracket portion 12 may be fixed to the pillar portion 1. Even in this case, the user can adjust the attachment angle of the bracket portion 12 with respect to the attachment base portion 11 by loosening each of the adjustment screw 12b and the fixing screw 12c.

[0022] If the vehicle models are different, the shape of the pillar portion 1 may be different. Also, if the vehicle models are different, the position of the assist grip 2 with respect to the pillar portion 1 may be different. Therefore, in the imaging device according to the first embodiment, for each vehicle type, the respective shapes and dimensions of the mounting base portion 11 and the bracket portion 12 may be changed.

[0023] Second Embodiment. In the second embodiment, an imaging device in which the lower end side of the mounting base portion 11 is attached to the pillar portion 1 by a fixing screw 11b will be described.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which the imaging device according to the second embodiment is attached. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 denote the same or corresponding parts, and thus the description thereof is omitted. The fixing screw 11b is a screw for attaching the lower end side of the mounting base portion 11 to the pillar portion 1.

[0025] The attachment of the imaging device to the pillar portion 1 will be described. The user performs an operation of applying a screw hole related to the fixing screw 11b to the pillar portion 1. Next, the user passes the fixing screw 11b through the mounting hole 11a, and then aligns the tip of the fixing screw 11b with the screw hole related to the fixing screw 11b, and tightens the fixing screw 11b to fix the mounting base portion 11 to the pillar portion 1. Since the rest is the same as the imaging device according to the first embodiment, the detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0026] Third Embodiment. In the third embodiment, an imaging device in which the lower end side of the mounting base portion 11 is attached to the assist grip 2 by a fixing component 14 will be described.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which the imaging device according to the third embodiment is attached. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 denote the same or corresponding parts, and thus the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing the imaging device according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 4 denote the same or corresponding parts, and thus the description thereof is omitted. The fixing component 14 is a crank-shaped component that can wrap the assist grip 2. The fixing part 14 has an inclusion part 14a that wraps around the assist grip 2, and flange parts 14b and 14c that project from the inclusion part 14a. The flange part 14b is provided with a screw hole for engaging with the screw 2a. The flange part 14c is provided with a screw hole for engaging with the screw 2b. In the imaging device shown in FIG. 8, the mounting base part 11 is provided with a mounting hole 11c for passing the screw 2b in addition to the mounting hole 11a.

[0028] The attachment of the imaging device to the pillar part 1 will be described. First, the user arranges the fixing part 14 such that the inclusion part 14a wraps around the assist grip 2. Next, the user aligns the mounting hole 11a of the mounting base part 11 with the screw hole for engaging with the screw 2a provided in the flange part 14b. Also, the user aligns the mounting hole 11c of the mounting base part 11 with the screw hole for engaging with the screw 2b provided in the flange part 14c.

[0029] Next, after the user passes the screw 2a through the mounting hole 11a, the user tightens the screw 2a to jointly fasten the mounting base part 11 and the fixing part 14. Also, after the user passes the screw 2b through the mounting hole 11c, the user tightens the screw 2b to jointly fasten the mounting base part 11 and the fixing part 14. The rest is the same as the imaging device according to the first embodiment, so detailed description is omitted.

[0030] Note that in the present disclosure, free combination of each embodiment, modification of any component of each embodiment, or omission of any component in each embodiment is possible.

Industrial Applicability

[0031] The present disclosure is suitable for an imaging device.

Explanation of Signs

[0032] 1 Pillar part, 2 Assist grip, 2a, 2b Screws, 11 Mounting base part, 11a Mounting hole, 11b Fixing screw, 11c, Mounting hole, 12 Bracket part, 12a Adjustment mechanism, 12b Adjusting screw, 12c Fixing screw, 13 Sensor unit, 13a Camera, 13b Light emitting part, 14 Fixing parts, 14a Inclusion part, 14b, 14c Flange part.

Claims

1. An attachment base portion that can be attached inside a vehicle, a bracket portion provided on the attachment base portion, and a sensor unit provided on the bracket portion and housing a camera, wherein an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the attachment angle of the bracket portion with respect to the attachment base portion is provided on the bracket portion, the adjustment mechanism includes a fan-shaped notch portion formed in the bracket portion and an adjustment screw portion inserted into the fan-shaped notch portion, the attachment base portion and a pillar portion inside the vehicle are attached to each other so as to sandwich an assist grip Characterized in that it is a photographing device.

2. The photographing device according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing component attached to the attachment base portion so as to wrap around the assist grip.

3. The sensor unit houses, in addition to the camera, a light emitting portion that emits light toward an occupant of the vehicle. Characterized in that it is a photographing device according to claim 1. ​

Images