Imaging device

Abstract

To reduce a temperature difference between a part that defines a visual field space of a window material and a part other than the part in an imaging device that is attached to the vehicle interior side of the window material in the vehicle and has a hood that defines the virtually closed visual field space in cooperation with the window material.SOLUTION: An imaging device X which is installed on the vehicle interior side of a window material 20 in a vehicle 1 and has a hood 38 that defines a closed visual field space S in cooperation with the window material, includes a heat transfer part 52 that extends over the inside and outside of the visual field space on an inner surface of the window material or in a peripheral part of the window material and has a material with higher thermal conductivity than the window material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, efforts to provide access to sustainable transportation systems that take into consideration vulnerable traffic participants have been gaining momentum. The applicant is promoting research and development of preventive safety technology and autonomous driving technology to further improve traffic safety and convenience, with the aim of improving sustainable transportation systems.

[0003] Improvements in preventive safety technology and autonomous driving technology require improvements in the detection accuracy and stability of imaging devices that capture images of the area around a vehicle.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile body equipped with an imaging device (monitoring device) that monitors the environment surrounding the mobile body through a window material (window member). The mobile body is equipped with a heating device for heating a portion of the window material within the monitoring area of ​​the imaging device, and a control device for controlling the operation of the heating device. Heating the monitoring area with the heating device prevents the window material from fogging up, allowing for better monitoring by the imaging device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-152324 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The imaging device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a hood that seals the space between the window material and the imaging device (hereinafter referred to as the visual field space) to prevent reflected light, scattered light, etc. from entering the lens.

[0007] The inventors discovered that when the viewing space is sealed, the hood impedes airflow, creating a temperature difference between the portion of the window material that defines the viewing space and the remaining portions. This temperature difference between the portion that defines the viewing space and the remaining portions can cause fogging and icing to form on the portion of the window material that defines the viewing space.

[0008] In view of the above background, the present invention provides an imaging device that is attached to the interior side of a vehicle window and cooperates with the window to define a substantially closed field of view, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the temperature difference between the portion of the window that defines the field of view and other portions. Another object of the present invention is to contribute to the development of sustainable transportation systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is an imaging device (X) that is attached to the interior side of a window material (20) in a vehicle (1) and that has a hood (38) that cooperates with the window material to define a closed field of view (S), and that has a heat transfer section (52) that extends from the inside of the window material or the periphery of the window material to the inside and outside of the field of view space and is made of a material that has a higher thermal conductivity than the window material.

[0010] According to this aspect, heat is transferred to the inside and outside of the field of view space by the heat transfer portion, so that the temperature difference between the portion of the window material that defines the field of view space and the other portions can be reduced.

[0011] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the device has a heat storage section (51) that is provided outside the field of view and stores heat to be supplied to the inside of the field of view through the heat transfer section, and the heat transfer section is connected to the heat storage section.

[0012] According to this aspect, heat is supplied from the heat storage section to the heat transfer section, so that the temperature difference between the portion of the window material that defines the field of view and the other portions is reduced more effectively.

[0013] In the above aspect, preferably, the heat transfer portion contacts the edge of the field of view space.

[0014] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the heat transfer portion from interfering with the acquisition of an image by the imaging device.

[0015] In the above embodiment, it is preferable to further include a heating device (44) for heating the viewing space.

[0016] According to this aspect, by driving the heating device, it is possible to reduce the temperature difference between the portion of the window material that defines the field of view and the other portion.

[0017] In the above aspect, the heat transfer portion is preferably arranged to be connected to an air blowing area (R) of an air blower (15) that blows air from the inside of the vehicle to the window material to remove fogging from the window material.

[0018] According to this aspect, heat can be stored in the heat storage section satisfactorily.

[0019] In the above aspect, preferably, the window material has a transparent, plate-shaped base layer (21) and a low-transmittance layer (22) provided on the base layer and having lower translucency than the base layer, and the heat storage portion is constituted by the low-transmittance layer.

[0020] According to this aspect, the heat storage section can be simply configured.

[0021] In the above aspect, preferably, the low-transmittance layer includes a portion provided along either the left or right edge of the base layer, and the heat storage portion is constituted by the portion of the low-transmittance layer provided along either the left or right edge of the base layer.

[0022] According to this aspect, the heat storage section can be simply configured, and the heat storage section can be prevented from obstructing the driver's field of vision.

[0023] In order to solve the above problem, in one aspect of the present invention, the heat storage section is constituted by a pillar (7) arranged along the outer edge of the window material, or a roof (70) that defines the upper edge of the passenger compartment.

[0024] According to this aspect, the heat storage section can be simply configured.

[0025] In the above aspect, the heat transfer portion is preferably made of metal.

[0026] According to this aspect, the heat transfer section can be simply configured.

[0027] In the above aspect, the heat transfer portion is preferably made of copper.

[0028] According to this aspect, the heat transfer portion can transfer heat well inside and outside the visual field space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] According to the above configuration, an imaging device is installed in a vehicle equipped with an imaging device that captures images of the outside of the vehicle through a window from inside the vehicle, and it is possible to prevent fogging of windows located within the imaging range of the imaging device and reduce power consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a side view showing the front of a vehicle equipped with an imaging device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the front of the vehicle including the imaging device with the cover removed. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the front of the vehicle as seen from inside the vehicle [Figure 3] (A) A perspective view showing the front of the vehicle as seen from the front of the vehicle, (B) A cross-sectional view of (A) taken along IIIB-IIIB, and (C) A cross-sectional view of (A) taken along IIIC-IIIC. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing the front camera, the bracket, and the case. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the front part of a vehicle equipped with an imaging device according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the inside of the vehicle. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the front part of a vehicle equipped with an imaging device according to a third embodiment, as viewed from the inside of the vehicle. [Figure 7] 10A is a perspective view showing the front part of a vehicle equipped with an imaging device according to a fourth embodiment, as seen from the vehicle exterior side; and FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing the front part of a vehicle as seen from the vehicle interior side. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a front part of a vehicle provided with an imaging device according to a modification of the third embodiment, as viewed from the inside of the vehicle. [Figure 9] (A) A front view of the upper part of the front window showing a first modified example of the heat transfer section, (B) A partially enlarged view of the front window showing a second modified example of the heat transfer section, and (C) A cross-sectional view of the front window showing a third modified example of the heat transfer section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an imaging device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0032] <<First Embodiment>> The imaging device X is an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle 1 such as a four-wheeled automobile for capturing images of the periphery of the vehicle 1, and in this embodiment, the imaging device X captures images of the area ahead of the vehicle 1. Here, an example in which the imaging device X is mounted on a four-wheeled automobile will be described. For convenience, the following description will be given by defining the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions based on the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. The arrow Fr in the drawings indicates the area ahead of the vehicle 1.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1(A), a vehicle 1 has a vehicle body 2 extending in the longitudinal direction. An interior space SP1 is formed inside the vehicle body 2, and a vehicle compartment 3 for accommodating occupants is provided in the center of the interior space SP1 in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of seats are provided in the vehicle compartment 3. As shown in FIG. 1(B), an imaging device X is provided on the interior side of the front window 6 (inside the vehicle compartment 3).

[0034] The vehicle interior 3 is provided with, for example, a plurality of front seats 4 (driver's seat, passenger seat) and a plurality of rear seats (not shown) arranged behind the front seats 4. In this embodiment, two rows of seats are provided in the front and rear, but in other embodiments, only one row of seats may be provided in the front and rear. Furthermore, three or more rows of seats may be provided in the front and rear.

[0035] A front window 6 (an example of a window) is provided in front of the front seats 4 at the front of the vehicle body 2. The front window 6 is connected at both left and right edges to front pillars 7 (A pillars) provided in front of the driver's seat and passenger seat and on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction.

[0036] A rear window (not shown) is provided behind the rear seats at the rear of the vehicle body 2. A plurality of side doors 9 are provided on both sides of the vehicle body 2, beside the front seats 4 and rear seats, and a side window 10 is provided above each side door 9.

[0037] The vehicle 1 is provided with a defroster 12 that prevents the windshield 6 from fogging by blowing air onto it. As shown in FIG. 2 , the defroster 12 includes a blower 15 that blows air from one or more air outlets 14 at the top of an instrument panel 13 located in front of the front seats 4. When the blower 15 is driven, air hits the bottom and the left and right sides of the windshield 6, preventing the wind from fogging up. The defroster 12 may also include a heater for heating the air blown out from the blower 15.

[0038] 3(A), the imaging device X is provided at the upper edge of the front window 6, approximately in the center in the left-right direction. The following describes in detail the structure of the front window 6 on which the imaging device X is provided.

[0039] The front windshield 6 is composed of a panel 20 that is a flat plate having a substantially trapezoidal shape. In other words, the panel 20 corresponds to the window material that constitutes the front windshield 6. As shown in FIG. 3(B), the panel 20 has a base layer 21 and a low light-transmitting layer 22 provided on the base layer 21.

[0040] The base layer 21 is composed of a translucent, generally trapezoidal flat plate. The base layer 21 may be made of a transparent material, such as glass, or may be made of a transparent material other than glass (for example, a transparent resin such as an acrylic resin). Alternatively, the base layer 21 may be made of a plurality of transparent plate materials (glass plate materials) and at least one interlayer film that bonds the plate materials together.

[0041] The low-light-transmittance layer 22 is a layer bonded to the outer surface of the base layer 21, and has lower light transmittance (transparency) than the base layer 21. In this embodiment, the low-light-transmittance layer 22 is formed by printing a colored paint on the base layer 21. More specifically, the low-light-transmittance layer 22 is formed by baking a black paint (black ceramic ink) containing ceramic. That is, the low-light-transmittance layer 22 corresponds to a so-called black ceramic layer (black ceramic layer). The paint (black ceramic ink) for forming the low-light-transmittance layer 22 may be a black ink containing ceramic as a main component, and may be, for example, a known ink containing alumina as a main component and further containing metal oxide, copper chromate, titanium carbide, etc.

[0042] Alternatively, the low light-transmitting layer 22 may be formed by adhering a film or tape to the base layer 21. The film or tape may be made of a synthetic resin material such as polyester or polyurethane.

[0043] The low light-transmitting layers 22 are provided on the upper edge, lower edge, left edge, and right edge of the base layer 21. A rectangular frame portion 25 is provided in the center in the left-right direction of the portion of the low light-transmitting layer 22 provided along the upper edge of the base layer 21, and a substantially trapezoidal opening 26 is provided inside the frame portion 25. Light from the front of the vehicle reaches the interior of the vehicle through the opening 26.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the imaging device X includes a front camera 31 and a bracket 32 ​​for attaching the front camera 31 to the front window 6.

[0045] A front camera 31 (an example of a camera) is provided at the upper rear of the windshield 6. The front camera 31 is attached to the inner surface of the windshield 6 via a bracket 32. In this embodiment, the front camera 31 and the bracket 32 ​​are integrally covered from the passenger compartment side by a cover 33 (not shown).

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, front camera 31 captures an image of an exterior space SP2 from an interior space SP1 of the vehicle through the front window 6. As shown in FIG. 4, front camera 31 is a so-called digital camera, and includes a housing 31A that houses a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD or CMOS, a lens barrel 31B that protrudes from housing 31A, and a lens 31C housed in lens barrel 31B. Housing 31A includes an upper portion that is a flat rectangular parallelepiped extending in a predetermined direction, and a lower portion connected to the lower end of the upper portion. Lens barrel 31B is a cylindrical portion that protrudes from approximately the center of the upper portion in the extension direction of housing 31A.

[0047] The front camera 31 is connected to a control device 34 (see FIG. 1). The control device 34 is configured to execute advanced driving assistance control (for example, lane keeping control and leading vehicle following control) for the vehicle 1 based on image data transmitted from the front camera 31.

[0048] The bracket 32 ​​functions as a fixing member provided for fixing the front camera 31 to the vehicle interior side of the panel 20 that constitutes the windshield 6. The bracket 32 ​​has a fixing frame 36 that is fixed to the inner surface of the panel 20 that constitutes the windshield 6, a camera fixing portion 37 that is provided on the fixing frame 36, and a hood 38 that protrudes toward the rear lower side (vehicle interior side).

[0049] The fixing frame 36 is flat and has an opening that aligns with the opening 26 when viewed from the front of the vehicle 1. The fixing frame 36 is disposed so that its opening overlaps the opening 26, and its front surface is adhered to the rear surface of the panel 20 that constitutes the windshield 6. As a result, the bracket 32 ​​is joined without any gaps to the inner surface of the panel 20 that constitutes the windshield 6 at its front surface.

[0050] A plurality of camera fixing portions 37 are provided on the underside of the fixing frame 36. The camera fixing portions 37 engage with the front camera 31 and connect the front camera 31 to the front window 6 via the fixing frame 36. The camera fixing portions 37 may be provided with a known configuration such as a locking claw that engages with a predetermined locking portion (for example, a locking hole) provided on the front camera 31.

[0051] The hood 38 has a pair of left and right vertical walls 40 that extend downward from the left and right edges of the fixed frame 36 and face each other in the left-right direction, and a bottom wall 41 that connects the lower edges of the vertical walls 40. The rear edges of the pair of left and right vertical walls 40 and the rear edge of the bottom wall 41 form a lens opening 42 that directs light from the front of the vehicle into the passenger compartment 3.

[0052] The fixing frame 36 is joined to the panel 20 that constitutes the windshield 6, and the front camera 31 is fixed to the fixing frame 36 by the camera fixing portion 37. In this way, the front camera 31 is attached to the windshield 6 via the bracket 32. At this time, the lens barrel portion 31B extends in the front-to-rear direction, and the lens 31C is arranged so that its optical axis is approximately horizontal and faces in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0053] In this embodiment, the lens barrel 31B protrudes into the hood through the lens opening , and the lens 31C is exposed inside the hood .

[0054] A space S is defined by a pair of left and right vertical walls 40, a bottom wall 41, the front surface of the housing 31A, and the panel 20 that constitutes the windshield 6. The space S is also called a field of view space that allows light from the outside space SP2 to be incident on the lens 31C of the front camera 31. The space S is provided behind the windshield 6 (inside the vehicle).

[0055] A pair of left and right vertical walls 40 and a bottom wall 41 close the gap between the panel 20 constituting the front window 6 and the imaging device X from the left, right, and bottom, respectively. This prevents light other than light from the front entering through the front window 6 from entering the lens 31C. As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom wall 41 may be provided with an anti-reflection structure 43 (also referred to as a stray light shield structure) for reducing the effect of reflection of sunlight entering through the front window 6.

[0056] In this embodiment, a heating device 44 for heating the space S (visual space) is provided on the upper surface (also referred to as the inner surface) of the bottom wall 41. In this embodiment, the heating device 44 is configured by a heater 44A. The voltage applied to the heater 44A may be controlled by the control device 34. The control device 34 may be configured by a known computer equipped with a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and a storage device. The control device 34 (more specifically, the processor) may be configured to determine whether or not the inner surface of the front windshield 6 is fogged up based on the image captured by the front camera 31, and when it is determined that fog is present, to heat the space S with the heating device 44 and remove the fog.

[0057] In other words, the space S does not need to be sealed as long as the vertical wall 40 and the bottom wall 41 close the space between the panel 20 constituting the front window 6 and the imaging device X to an extent that halation or the like does not occur. However, because the space S is in a closed state, air flow between the inside and outside of the space S is unlikely to occur.

[0058] The inventors of the present application have found that by closing off the inside and outside of space S, it is difficult for wind from the defroster 12 to enter space S, and a temperature difference may occur between the portion (hereinafter, "inner field of view 45") that defines space S (field of view space) of panel 20 constituting front windshield 6 and the other portion (hereinafter, "outer field of view 46"). The temperature difference between inner field of view 45 and outer field of view 46 may cause fogging on the inside of the field of view 45 and ice to form on the outside of the vehicle.

[0059] Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the imaging device X includes a heat storage section 51 and a heat transfer section 52.

[0060] 3, the heat storage unit 51 is provided in a location other than the inside field of view 45, i.e., in any part of the outside field of view 46, of the panel 20 that constitutes the front windshield 6. The heat storage unit 51 stores heat to be supplied to the inside field of view 45 in order to reduce the temperature difference between the inside field of view 45 and the outside field of view 46.

[0061] The heat storage section 51 is connected to the surface of the panel 20 on the vehicle interior side of the field of view 46. The heat storage section 51 is located outside the portion of the front window 6 to which the fixing frame 36 is connected, and is provided on at least one of the upper, left side, and right side of the panel 20.

[0062] 2, in this embodiment, the heat storage units 51 are provided on the left and right sides of the panel 20, in areas where air is blown from the air blower 15 of the defroster 12 (i.e., air blowing area R). As a result, the heat storage units 51 function as heat receiving units that receive the heat of the air blown out from the defroster 12.

[0063] The heat storage section 51 is made of a film adhered to the surface of the panel 20 facing the interior of the vehicle. The heat storage section 51 is preferably made of a material that has a higher heat storage capacity (i.e., that stores heat more easily) than the material that makes up the panel 20.

[0064] In particular, the heat storage section 51 is preferably made of a material having a larger specific heat capacity than the material constituting the panel 20. Specifically, when the material constituting the panel 20 is glass, the heat storage section 51 is preferably made of a metal such as iron or copper.

[0065] The heat storage section 51 is not limited to being configured by being joined to the panel 20, and may be configured as a part or multiple parts of the panel 20. In detail, the heat storage section 51 may be configured as a part having higher heat storage capacity than other parts by doping a material such as metal into the material (glass, transparent resin, etc.) that configures the base layer 21.

[0066] Alternatively, the heat storage section 51 may be configured as a part of the panel 20 that receives wind from the defroster 12 or the like and stores heat.

[0067] The heat transfer section 52 transfers the heat stored in the heat storage section 51 to the inside of the field of view 45 in order to reduce the temperature difference between the inside of the field of view 45 and the outside of the field of view 46 .

[0068] The heat transfer portion 52 is coupled to the inner surface of the windshield 6. The heat transfer portion 52 is preferably arranged along the top, left side, and right side of the windshield 6. The heat transfer portion 52 extends across the inside and outside of the space S (field of view space) and connects the outside field of view 46 and the inside field of view 45 of the panel 20. However, the heat transfer portion 52 extending across the inside and outside of the space S (field of view space) as used herein includes a state in which the heat transfer portion 52 is in contact with the inside field of view 45, extends toward the outside field of view 46, and connects to the outside field of view 46, a state in which the heat transfer portion 52 is connected to the inside field of view 45, extends toward the outside field of view 46, and contacts the outside field of view 46, and a state in which the heat transfer portion 52 is in contact with the inside field of view 45, extends toward the outside field of view 46, and contacts the outside field of view 46.

[0069] Heat transfer portion 52 is formed by a layer provided on the interior surface of panel 20, i.e., heat transfer layer 52A. Heat transfer portion 52 may be formed by a membrane formed by vapor deposition or the like on the interior surface of panel 20, or may be formed by a film. Heat transfer portion 52 is preferably formed by a material that has higher thermal conductivity (i.e., that transfers heat more easily) than the material that constitutes panel 20.

[0070] In this embodiment, the heat transfer section 52 is provided so as to overlap the low light-transmitting layer 22. As shown in Fig. 3(C), it is preferable that the heat transfer layer 52A constituting the heat transfer section 52 is provided between the base layer 21 and the low light-transmitting layer 22, and the low light-transmitting layer 22 overlaps the heat transfer layer 52A. This prevents the provision of the heat transfer section 52 from narrowing the driver's field of view.

[0071] The heat transfer section 52 is made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the material constituting the panel 20. Specifically, when the material constituting the panel 20 is glass, the heat transfer section 52 is preferably made of a metal such as iron, copper, or silver. In this embodiment, the heat transfer section 52 is made of copper foil (copper film) from the viewpoints of thermal conductivity, cost, ease of manufacture, and the like.

[0072] The heat transfer section 52 is not limited to being configured by being joined to the panel 20, and may be configured as a part or multiple parts of the panel 20. In detail, the heat transfer section 52 may be configured as a part that is higher than other parts by doping a material such as metal into the material (glass, transparent resin, etc.) that configures the base layer 21.

[0073] 3, the heat transfer section 52 is in contact with the heat storage section 51 and the field of view interior 45 (see FIG. 4 for the contact portion with the field of view interior 45). As a result, the heat stored in the heat storage section 51 is transferred to the heat transfer section 52, and the heat transferred to the heat transfer section 52 is transferred to the field of view interior 45. In other words, the end of the heat transfer section 52 in contact with the field of view interior 45 functions as a heat dissipation section that dissipates the heat from the heat storage section 51 to the field of view interior 45.

[0074] The heat transfer parts 52 are provided on the left and right sides of the field of view interior 45. The heat transfer parts 52 extend left and right along the upper part of the front windshield 6, are bonded to the heat storage part 51 at one end, and are arranged so as to contact the field of view interior 45 at the other end.

[0075] A portion of the frame 25 of the low-light-transmitting layer 22 may not be provided with a black coating, and a band-shaped connecting passage (not shown) extending in the left-right direction may be formed to connect the opening 26 to the outside. The other end of the heat transfer portion 52 may extend toward the inside field of view 45 via the connecting passage, and the end may be configured to contact the edge of the inside field of view 45. The width of the heat transfer portion 52 may be equal to the width of the connecting passage, and a gap between the frame 25 and the heat transfer portion 52 may be sealed. The thickness of the film constituting the heat transfer portion 52 is preferably equal to the thickness of the low-light-transmitting layer 22. This makes it less likely that gaps will form between the fixing frame 36 and the low-light-transmitting layer 22, and between the fixing frame 36 and the heat transfer portion 52.

[0076] Next, the effects of the imaging device X configured in this manner will be described.

[0077] The space S between the front camera 31 and the panel 20 that constitutes the front window 6 is closed by a pair of left and right vertical walls 40 and a bottom wall 41, defining a field of view. This prevents light from entering the camera lens 31C from the outside left and right of the vertical walls 40 or from below the bottom wall 41, allowing the imaging device X to capture good images of the front. In this embodiment, an anti-reflection structure 43 is provided on the bottom wall 41, preventing light from the front from being reflected by the upper surface of the bottom wall 41 and entering the range.

[0078] On the other hand, if the space S is sealed, air does not circulate between the inside and outside of the space S (visual space), and fogging may occur. Although it is conceivable to operate the defroster 12 to eliminate the fogging, the wind from the defroster 12 is blocked by the vertical wall 40 and the bottom wall 41, making it difficult for the wind to reach the inside of the space S.

[0079] Therefore, a heat transfer section 52 is provided so as to extend from the inside to the outside of the space S and connect the inside of the field of view 45 and the outside of the field of view 46. The heat transfer section 52 (heat transfer layer 52A) is made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the material constituting the panel 20, and is in contact with the heat storage section 51 and the inside of the field of view 45. Therefore, the heat stored in the heat storage section 51 is transferred to the inside of the field of view 45 via the heat transfer section 52.

[0080] By providing the heat transfer section 52, the heat stored in the heat storage section 51 is transferred to the field of view interior 45 more quickly than when it is transferred to the field of view interior 45 via the base material layer 21. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the temperature difference between the part (field of view interior 45) that defines the space S (field of view space) of the panel 20 (window material) and the other part (field of view exterior 46).

[0081] This reduces the probability of icing occurring on the outside of the vehicle within the field of view 45 and fogging up on the inside of the vehicle within the field of view 45. Even if the outside of the vehicle within the field of view 45 freezes, heat is quickly transferred to the inside of the field of view 45, allowing the ice on the outside of the vehicle to melt quickly. By preventing icing and fogging from occurring on the outside and inside of the field of view 45, it becomes possible to perform good imaging by the imaging device X. This promotes the development of preventive safety technology and autonomous driving technology, further improving traffic safety, and therefore the present invention can contribute to the development of sustainable transportation systems.

[0082] The heat transfer portion 52 is provided so as to be in contact with the heat storage portion 51 provided on the windshield 6. The wind from the defroster 12 hits the heat storage portion 51, and the heat supplied by the wind is stored in the heat storage portion 51. Therefore, the heat stored in the heat storage portion 51 is supplied to the inside field of view 45 via the heat transfer portion 52, and the temperature difference between the inside field of view 45 and the outside field of view 46 is reduced. This more effectively reduces the temperature difference between the portion of the windshield 6 that defines the space S (field of view space) and the other portions.

[0083] The heat storage section 51 is provided in the air blowing area R to which the air is blown from the defroster 12. Therefore, the heat storage section 51 can store heat well.

[0084] The heat transfer section 52 is provided so as to contact the edge of the field of view interior 45. Therefore, since the heat transfer section 52 is provided so as to contact the edge from the outside of the space S (field of view space), the heat transfer section 52 is prevented from entering the inside of the field of view space. Therefore, the heat transfer section 52 can be prevented from interfering with the acquisition of an image by the imaging device X.

[0085] In this embodiment, a heating device 44 for heating the space S is provided on the bottom wall 41. Therefore, the space S can be heated by driving the heating device 44. This makes it possible to reduce the temperature difference between the inside 45 of the field of view and the outside 46 of the field of view.

[0086] <<Second embodiment>> The imaging device X according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the heat storage section 51 is not made of film. Other configurations are generally similar to those of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0087] In the imaging device X according to the second embodiment, the heat transfer portion 52 is configured by a layer provided on the interior surface of the panel 20, i.e., a heat transfer layer 52A, as in the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, one end of the heat transfer portion 52 contacts the outer edge of the field of view interior 45. As shown in FIG. 5 , the heat transfer portion 52 extends outward to the left and right from the outer edge of the field of view interior 45 along the upper edge of the windshield 6. The other end of the heat transfer portion 52 contacts low-light-transmitting layers 22 provided on the left and right edge portions of the panel 20 that constitutes the windshield 6.

[0088] The low light-transmitting layer 22 is provided at a position where air is blown from the defroster 12. The low light-transmitting layer 22 is made of a material that has a higher heat storage capacity than the base material layer 21, and in this embodiment is made of a black ceramic, a so-called black ceramic layer. Heat is supplied to the low light-transmitting layer 22 by the air blown from the defroster 12, and the low light-transmitting layer 22 stores the heat. In other words, the low light-transmitting layer 22 functions as a heat storage section 51 that stores the heat sent from the defroster 12.

[0089] Next, the effects of the imaging device X configured as described above will be described. Air blown from the defroster 12 is stored in the low light-transmitting layer 22 located on the left and right edges of the windshield 6. The heat stored in the low light-transmitting layer 22 is transferred to the inside field of view 45 via the heat transfer section 52. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, the heat stored in the low light-transmitting layer 22 (heat storage section 51) is supplied to the inside field of view 45 via the heat transfer section 52, reducing the temperature difference between the inside field of view 45 and the outside field of view 46. As a result, the temperature difference between the part of the panel 20 constituting the windshield 6 that defines the space S (field of view space) and the other part is more effectively reduced.

[0090] In this embodiment, there is no need to provide a separate film or layer on the front window 6 to configure the heat storage section 51, and the heat storage section 51 can be configured simply.

[0091] <<Third Embodiment>> The imaging device X according to the third embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that the heat storage section 51 is not made of film. Other configurations are generally similar to those of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0092] In the imaging device X according to the second embodiment, the heat transfer section 52 is made of a film, as in the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, as in the first embodiment, one end of the heat transfer section 52 is in contact with the outer edge of the field of view interior 45. The heat transfer section 52 extends outward to the left and right along the upper edge of the windshield 6 and is in contact with the front pillars 7 provided on the left and right sides of the windshield 6.

[0093] The front pillar 7 is configured so that air is blown from the defroster 12. That is, the air blowing area R of the defroster 12 is configured to include the front pillar 7 inside. Heat is supplied to the front pillar 7 by the air blown from the defroster 12, and the heat is stored. That is, the front pillar 7 functions as a heat storage section 51 that stores the heat sent from the defroster 12.

[0094] Next, the effects of the imaging device X configured as described above will be described. Air is blown from the defroster 12 and stored in the front pillar 7. The heat stored in the front pillar 7 is transferred to the inside field of view 45 via the heat transfer section 52. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, the heat stored in the front pillar 7 (heat storage section 51) is supplied to the inside field of view 45 via the heat transfer section 52, reducing the temperature difference between the inside field of view 45 and the outside field of view 46. This more effectively reduces the temperature difference between the portion of the panel 20 constituting the front windshield 6 that defines the space S (field of view space) and the other portions.

[0095] In this embodiment, there is no need to provide a separate film on the panel 20 that constitutes the front window 6 in order to configure the heat storage section 51, and the heat storage section 51 can be configured simply.

[0096] <<Fourth Embodiment>> The imaging device X according to the fourth embodiment does not include a heat storage section 51, and the configuration of the heat transfer section 52 differs from that of the first embodiment. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0097] The heat transfer section 52 according to the fourth embodiment is configured by a heat pipe 52H. The heat pipe 52H is formed of a metal (such as copper) that has a higher thermal conductivity than the material (such as glass) that constitutes the panel 20, and serves to transfer heat. More specifically, the heat pipe 52H is configured by a metal (such as copper) pipe that has a working fluid sealed inside, and transfers heat by utilizing latent heat.

[0098] 7(A) and 7(B), in this embodiment, one end of the heat pipe 52H (heat transfer portion 52) is provided so as to be in contact with a drive device 81 such as an engine or a motor 80 that drives the vehicle 1. However, the configuration of the heat pipe 52H is not limited to this, and one end of the heat pipe 52H may be provided in any position where it can receive heat from a heat source device or the like and store the heat. Specifically, one end of the heat pipe 52H may be provided so as to be adjacent to a PCU (power control unit) equipped with a battery or an inverter, in addition to the engine or the motor 80.

[0099] The heat pipe 52H connects a heat-generating device such as the drive unit 81 to a portion of the panel 20 constituting the front windshield 6 that defines the space S (field of view). As a result, the heat pipe 52H receives heat at one end and dissipates heat at the portion of the panel 20 constituting the front windshield 6 that defines the space S (field of view). In this embodiment, the other end of the heat pipe 52H is in contact with the field of view interior 45. Alternatively, the heat transfer section 52 may be formed by the heat pipe 52H, the other end of which is in contact with the upper edge of the panel 20, and copper foil that is in contact with the other end of the heat pipe 52H at one end and also in contact with the field of view interior 45 at the other end.

[0100] The heat pipe 52H is provided on the periphery of the panel 20 that constitutes the front windshield 6. In this embodiment, the heat pipe 52H extends along the peripheral edge of the panel 20 that constitutes the front windshield 6. In detail, the heat pipe 52H extends from below to above on the left and right sides, and extends along the upper edge of the panel 20 toward a portion that defines the space S (field of view) of the panel 20. It is preferable that a portion of the heat pipe 52H is housed inside the front pillar 7 or inside the roof lining 82.

[0101] Next, the effects of the imaging device X configured in this manner will be described. Heat generated from the drive device and the like is transferred to the field of view interior 45 via the heat pipes 52H that constitute the heat transfer section 52. As a result, the heat is transferred to the portion of the panel 20 that constitutes the front windshield 6 that defines the space S (field of view space), reducing the temperature difference between the portion of the panel 20 that constitutes the front windshield 6 that defines the space S (field of view space) and other portions.

[0102] Although the description of the specific embodiment has been completed above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be widely modified and implemented.

[0103] In the third embodiment, the heat storage unit 51 is formed by the front pillar 7, but it may be formed by the roof 70 that defines the upper edge of the passenger compartment 3, instead of the front pillar 7. In this case, as shown in Fig. 8, the heat transfer unit 52 may be configured so that one end contacts the inside of the field of view 45 and the other end is connected to the roof 70. Alternatively, the heat storage unit 51 may be configured to receive sunlight and store heat.

[0104] 3 to 5 show an example in which the heat transfer section 52 (heat transfer layer 52A) is configured to extend outward to the left and right from both left and right ends of the inside field of view 45, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in a first modified example in FIG. 9(A), the heat transfer section 52 (heat transfer layer 52A) may be configured to extend along the edge of the inside field of view 45. This increases the contact area between the edge of the inside field of view 45 and the heat transfer section 52, thereby improving heat dissipation from the heat transfer section 52 to the inside field of view 45.

[0105] The heat transfer portion 52 may be configured to have a fractal structure 52B in a portion that contacts the inside field of view 45. As shown in a second modified example in FIG. 9(B), the fractal structure 52B may be configured as a portion 52C in which the heat transfer layer 52A is formed to have a linear shape extending along a so-called Koch curve. By providing the fractal structure 52B in the contact portion between the heat transfer portion 52 and the inside field of view 45 in this manner, the contact area between the heat transfer portion 52 and the inside field of view 45 can be expanded, thereby improving heat dissipation. Furthermore, since the heat transfer portion 52 can be formed by printing or the like, the fractal structure 52B can be easily provided in the heat transfer portion 52.

[0106] At least one of the heat storage section 51 and the heat transfer section 52 may be configured as a doped layer formed by doping a material such as metal into the material (glass, transparent resin, etc.) that constitutes the base layer 21. FIG. 9(C) shows an example (third modified example) in which the heat transfer section 52 is formed by doping a material such as metal into the base layer 21. As shown in FIG. 9(C), the heat transfer section 52 is provided inside the base layer 21, so the surface of the portion where the low light-transmitting layer 22 is provided is flat. Therefore, when the low light-transmitting layer 22 is formed using black ink, the ink can be applied well and easily, and the adhesion between the low light-transmitting layer 22 and the base layer 21 can be improved.

[0107] In the fourth embodiment, an example in which the heat storage unit 51 is not provided has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the heat storage unit 51 made of a material capable of storing waste heat may be provided near a heat source such as the motor 80. The heat pipe 52H may be configured such that one end thereof is in proximity to or in contact with the heat storage unit 51 and is capable of receiving the heat stored in the heat storage unit 51. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1: Vehicle 3: Vehicle interior 7: Front pillar (example of a pillar) 20: Panel (an example of window material) 15: Air blower 21: Base material layer 22:Low transmittance layer 38: Food 51: Heat storage part 52: Heat transfer section 52A: Heat transfer layer 70: Roof R: Ventilation area S: Space (visual space) X: Imaging device

Claims

1. An imaging device including a hood attached to an interior side of a window material in a vehicle and defining a closed field of view in cooperation with the window material, a heat transfer section extending from inside to outside of the field of view on the inner surface of the window material or at the periphery of the window material, and made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the window material; The imaging device is arranged so that the heat transfer portion is connected to a blowing area of ​​a blower that blows air from inside the vehicle onto the window material to remove fogging from the window material.

2. a heat storage section provided outside the field of view and configured to store heat to be supplied to the field of view through the heat transfer section; The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer section is connected to the heat storage section.

3. An imaging device having a hood attached to an interior side of a window material in a vehicle and defining a closed field of view in cooperation with the window material, a heat transfer section extending from inside to outside of the field of view on the inner surface of the window material or at the periphery of the window material, and made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the window material; a heat storage section provided outside the field of view and configured to store heat to be supplied to the field of view through the heat transfer section; the heat transfer portion is connected to the heat storage portion, the window material includes a transparent, plate-shaped base layer and a low-light-transmittance layer provided on the base layer and having a lower light transmittance than the base layer; The imaging device, wherein the heat storage section is formed by the low light-transmitting layer.

4. the low light-transmitting layer includes a portion provided along one of the left and right edges of the base layer, The imaging device according to claim 3 , wherein the heat storage portion is formed by a portion of the low light-transmitting layer provided along one of the left and right edges of the base layer.

5. An imaging device having a hood attached to an interior side of a window material in a vehicle and defining a closed field of view in cooperation with the window material, a heat transfer section extending from inside to outside of the field of view on the inner surface of the window material or at the periphery of the window material, and made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the window material; a heat storage section provided outside the field of view and configured to store heat to be supplied to the field of view through the heat transfer section; the heat transfer portion is connected to the heat storage portion, The heat storage unit is an imaging device configured by a pillar provided along the outer edge of the window material, or a roof that defines the upper edge of the vehicle interior.

6. 6. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer portion is in contact with an edge of the field of view space.

7. 6. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a heating device for heating the field of view space.

8. 6. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer portion is made of metal.

9. The imaging device according to claim 8 , wherein the heat transfer portion is made of copper.

Images