In-vehicle camera

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle cabin imaging device comprising: a camera (1) that images a vehicle cabin; a light-emitting element (2) that emits light to the vehicle cabin; a reflector (3) that reflects the light of the light-emitting element (2); and a housing (4) that accommodates the camera (1), the light-emitting element (2), and the reflector (3). The reflector (3) is substantially tubular and is provided so as to surround the light-emitting element (2). An inner surface of the substantially tubular reflector (3) serving as a reflection surface for the light. Moreover, the reflector (3) has a cutout (3a) in a portion of a side surface thereof.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle imaging device that captures images of the inside of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Driver monitoring systems that monitor the state of a vehicle driver have been put into practical use, but in recent years, development of passenger monitoring systems that expand the scope of monitoring to include all passengers in the vehicle cabin has been progressing. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below proposes an in-vehicle imaging device that uses a single camera to capture images of all seats in the vehicle cabin. An in-vehicle imaging device that uses a single camera to capture images of all seats in the vehicle cabin can reduce costs and equipment size compared to using multiple cameras. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-253987 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to capture clear images of all seats using an in-vehicle camera with a single camera, it is necessary to provide lighting for each seat or to provide lighting that illuminates all seats within the in-vehicle camera. The latter is preferable in order to contribute to reducing costs and the size of the device, and an in-vehicle camera equipped with lighting that effectively illuminates the interior of the vehicle is desirable.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an interior imaging device equipped with lighting that effectively illuminates the interior of a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle interior imaging device according to the present disclosure is a camera that captures images of the interior of a vehicle. Camera board with and, It is installed at an angle to the camera board, Light-emitting element that emits light into the vehicle interior Light emitting element substrate on which and surround the light-emitting element. On the light emitting element substrate a substantially cylindrical reflector having a notch on a side surface; and a camera. Camera board with , and Light emitter and reflector Light emitting element substrate on which and a housing in which the [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the vehicle interior imaging device of the present disclosure, the light emitted by the light-emitting element is spread to the camera's imaging range by an approximately cylindrical reflector, making it possible to effectively illuminate the interior of the vehicle while capturing images of all seats.

[0008] The objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a vehicle interior imaging device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a vehicle interior imaging device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining adjustment of the mounting angle of the light-emitting element relative to the camera. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining adjustment of the inclination angle of the reflecting surface of the reflector with respect to the light emitting element. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining adjustment of the opening angle of the notch centered on the light emitting element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <First Embodiment> Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of an in-vehicle imaging device according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the in-vehicle imaging device according to embodiment 1 includes a camera 1 that captures images of the interior of the vehicle, a light-emitting element 2 that emits light into the vehicle interior, and a reflector 3 that reflects the light from the light-emitting element 2. Note that Fig. 1 shows only the main components of the in-vehicle imaging device, and does not show detailed components.

[0011] The camera 1 is a camera module mounted on a camera board 1s. The in-vehicle image capturing device according to the first embodiment is installed in a position overlooking all the seats in the vehicle, such as an overhead console of the vehicle, and the camera 1 has a wide angle of view that can capture images of all the seats.

[0012] The light emitting element 2 is, for example, an LED mounted on a light emitting element substrate 2s. The light emitted by the light emitting element 2 may be infrared light.

[0013] The reflector 3 is generally cylindrical and is provided to surround the light emitting element 2. The inner surface of the generally cylindrical reflector 3 serves as a light reflecting surface. The reflector 3 also has a notch 3a in part of the side surface. The reflector 3 may be generally cylindrical with a curved reflecting surface on the inner surface, or generally rectangular tubular with multiple reflecting surfaces on the inner surface.

[0014] The camera board 1s, light-emitting element board 2s, and reflector 3 are housed in a housing 4 consisting of a front cover 4a and a rear cover 4b to form an in-vehicle imaging device. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the assembled in-vehicle imaging device. However, the front cover 4a is not shown in Figure 2.

[0015] According to the vehicle interior imaging device of embodiment 1, reflector 3 having cutout 3a reflects a portion of the light emitted by light-emitting element 2 and diffuses it within the imaging range of camera 1. This effectively spreads the light from light-emitting element 2 inside the vehicle cabin, allowing the vehicle interior imaging device to image all seats with camera 1 while effectively illuminating all seats, thereby enabling clear images of occupants in all seats. Furthermore, being able to image all seats in the vehicle cabin with one camera 1 and eliminating the need to provide lighting for each seat can greatly contribute to reducing costs and the size of the device.

[0016] Furthermore, since the reflector 3 can effectively diffuse light, the number of light-emitting elements 2 provided in the in-vehicle image capturing device can be reduced, which also contributes to cost reduction. In the first embodiment, an example has been shown in which the in-vehicle image capturing device is provided with only one pair of light-emitting element 2 and reflector 3, but multiple pairs of light-emitting element 2 and reflector 3 may be provided.

[0017] <Embodiment 2> It is expected that the in-vehicle imaging device will be installed in various types of vehicles, and therefore it is preferable that the direction of light emitted by the light emitting element 2 of the in-vehicle imaging device be adjustable according to the size of the vehicle interior and the position of each seat.

[0018] Therefore, in embodiment 2, in order to adjust the direction of light emitted by the light-emitting element 2, one or more of (a) the mounting angle of the light-emitting element 2 relative to the camera 1, (b) the inclination angle of the reflective surface of the reflector 3 relative to the light-emitting element 2, and (c) the opening angle of the notch 3a centered on the light-emitting element 2 are made adjustable.

[0019] The mounting angle of the light-emitting element 2 relative to the camera 1 corresponds to the angle θ1 formed between the camera substrate 1s and the light-emitting element substrate 2s shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, the mounting angle of the light-emitting element 2 relative to the camera 1 can be adjusted by configuring the mounting angle of the light-emitting element substrate 2s relative to the camera substrate 1s to be adjustable.

[0020] The inclination angle of the reflective surface of the reflector 3 relative to the light-emitting element 2 corresponds to the angle θ2 formed between the light-emitting element substrate 2s and the inner surface of the reflector 3 shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, the inclination angle of the reflective surface of the reflector 3 relative to the light-emitting element 2 can be adjusted by configuring the attachment angle of the reflector 3 relative to the light-emitting element substrate 2s to be adjustable.

[0021] The opening angle of the notch 3a centered on the light-emitting element 2 is defined as the angle θ3 formed by two lines connecting the light-emitting element 2 and both ends of the notch 3a, as shown in Fig. 5. The opening angle of the notch 3a centered on the light-emitting element 2 can be adjusted by making the mounting position of the reflector 3 adjustable and making the positional relationship between the light-emitting element 2 and the reflector 3 adjustable. Alternatively, the width of the notch 3a may be adjustable by forming the reflector 3 from a deformable material.

[0022] According to the in-vehicle imaging device of embodiment 2, the direction of light emitted by the light-emitting element 2 (the direction of reflection by the reflector 3) can be adjusted to suit the size of the vehicle interior and the position of each seat, making it applicable to vehicles of various types and improving versatility.

[0023] It is possible to freely combine the embodiments, and to modify or omit the embodiments as appropriate.

[0024] The above description is illustrative in all respects, and it is understood that countless variations not illustrated can be envisioned. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 1 camera, 1s camera board, 2 light emitting element, 2s light emitting element board, 3 reflector, 3a cutout, 4 housing, 4a front cover, 4b rear cover.

Claims

1. A camera board equipped with a camera that captures images of the interior of the vehicle, a light emitting element substrate mounted with a light emitting element that emits light into the vehicle interior and is attached at an angle to the camera substrate; a substantially cylindrical reflector provided on the light-emitting element substrate so as to surround the light-emitting element and having a notch in a part of a side surface; a housing that houses the camera board on which the camera is mounted and the light-emitting element board on which the light-emitting element and the reflector are mounted; An in-vehicle imaging device equipped with the device.

2. The reflector is a substantially rectangular cylindrical member having a plurality of reflecting surfaces on its inner surface. The vehicle interior imaging device according to claim 1 .

3. The light emitted by the light-emitting element is infrared light. The vehicle interior imaging device according to claim 1 .

4. The mounting angle of the light-emitting element substrate relative to the camera substrate is adjustable. The vehicle interior imaging device according to claim 1 .

5. The inclination angle of the reflecting surface of the reflector with respect to the light emitting element is adjustable. The vehicle interior imaging device according to claim 1 .

6. The opening angle of the notch centered on the light emitting element is adjustable. The vehicle interior imaging device according to claim 1 .

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