Vehicle imaging device

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicular imaging device (10) comprising: an infrared light emitter (20) which is installed in an exterior component of a vehicle (1) to emit infrared light to the periphery of the vehicle (1); a camera (30) which is installed in the exterior component in a position farther toward the outside in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle (1) than the infrared light emitter (20), and which images an imaging range including a range into which the infrared light is emitted; and a light blocking wall (40) which is disposed between the infrared light emitter (20) and the vehicle (1) to block a portion of the infrared light from the infrared light emitter.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A known night vision device for vehicles is built into the vehicle's headlamp unit and includes an infrared projector that projects infrared light, an infrared camera that is positioned close to the infrared projector and captures an image of an object illuminated by the infrared light, and an infrared transmission filter that is positioned opposite a cover included in the headlamp unit and transmits only infrared light.The infrared projector and the infrared camera are positioned so that the illumination range of the infrared projector and the imaging range of the infrared camera do not overlap on the cover included in the headlamp unit, thereby reducing the amount of light reflected by the cover that appears in the image (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-43279 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, when an infrared camera equipped with a lens having a wide angle of view, such as a fisheye lens, is used, the problem is that light reflected from objects placed around the camera is captured in the image, resulting in areas within the infrared camera's imaging range where the target object cannot be detected.

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an imaging device for a vehicle that can prevent objects that hinder the detection of an object from appearing in the image, resulting in the creation of areas within the camera's imaging range where the object cannot be detected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention solves the above problem by providing an infrared floodlight housed in the housing of a side mirror mounted on a vehicle and which projects infrared rays around the vehicle; a camera housed in the housing of the side mirror and mounted at a position further outward in the vehicle width direction than the infrared floodlight and which captures an image range including the area into which the infrared rays are projected; and a light-shielding wall that is part of the housing of the side mirror and is positioned between the infrared floodlight and the vehicle and which blocks the infrared rays that are projected onto parts of the side of the vehicle that are included in the image range of the camera when the side mirror is deployed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an object that hinders detection of an object from appearing in an image and creating a range in the imaging range of a camera where the object cannot be detected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a side mirror equipped with a vehicle imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a front view of the side mirror of FIG. [Figure 2B] 2B is a perspective view of the side mirror of FIG. 2A as viewed from the direction of arrow X. FIG. [Figure 2C] 2B is an enlarged bottom view of a main part of the side mirror of FIG. 2A. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of the arrangement of the infrared projector and the camera in FIG. 2A. [Figure 4] 4 is a plan view showing an example of a light projection range in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a diagram showing an example of an image captured by a camera when the side mirror in FIG. 1 is in an unfolded state. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing an example of an image captured by a camera when the side mirror in FIG. 1 is in a retracted state. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The vehicle imaging device according to the embodiment of the present invention can be used, for example, when parking a vehicle under autonomous driving control or manual operation by a driver. As an example, the vehicle imaging device according to the embodiment stores parking positions where the vehicle has previously parked and uses autonomous driving to park the vehicle at the stored parking position. Specifically, the vehicle imaging device acquires an image of the surroundings of the parking position using a camera equipped with a lens having a wide angle of view (e.g., 150° to 180°), such as a fisheye lens, and stores the parking position in association with the image data. This allows the parking position to be recognized and stored even when there is no boundary line (e.g., a white line) indicating the parking space. Then, when the vehicle travels again near the stored parking position (e.g., within 100 m of the parking position), a driving route to the parking position is set and each device of the vehicle is controlled to travel along the driving route. These controls are performed by a control device (not shown).

[0011] When the surroundings of the vehicle are bright, such as during the day, objects around the vehicle can be detected without any problems from the acquired image. However, when the surroundings of the vehicle are dark, such as at night, the acquired image may be completely blacked out (the average brightness of the image approaches 0), making it impossible to detect objects based on the image contrast. In this case, installing a floodlight near the camera makes it possible to acquire an image with sufficient contrast to detect objects. However, when using a camera with a lens with a wide angle of view, such as a fisheye lens, light reflected from the side of the vehicle body is likely to appear in the image, and ghost images caused by the reflected light can affect object detection. Therefore, in the vehicle imaging device of this embodiment, a light-blocking wall is placed between the vehicle and the floodlight that projects light around the vehicle to block some of the light from the floodlight.

[0012] [Structure of vehicle imaging device] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a side mirror equipped with a vehicle imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of a vehicle 1 as seen from the left front. The vehicle imaging device of this embodiment is mounted on an exterior part attached to the exterior of the vehicle, and the side mirror shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an exterior part. In addition to the side mirror, examples of exterior parts include a bumper, a fender, a roof, and a wing. The side mirror is a rearview mirror installed outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1, and specifically includes a side mirror attached to the front door of the vehicle 1 (hereinafter also referred to as a door mirror) and a side mirror attached to the fender of the vehicle 1 (hereinafter also referred to as a fender mirror). In the vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1, a side mirror 12 is attached to the left front door 11.

[0013] The side mirror 12 attached to the front door 11 is in an unfolded state shown on the left side of FIG. 1 when the vehicle 1 is moving, and in a retracted state shown on the right side of FIG. 1 when the vehicle 1 is parked. The unfolded state is a state in which the mirror surface of the side mirror 12 is perpendicular to the side of the vehicle body 1 and faces rearward. In contrast, the retracted state is a state in which the side mirror 12 is folded so that the protruding length of the side mirror 12 in the vehicle width direction is shorter than in the unfolded state. For example, the mirror surface of the side mirror 12 is parallel to the side of the vehicle body 1 and faces the side of the vehicle body 1. The two states shown in FIG. 1 can be switched by operating a switch or the like provided at the driver's seat of the vehicle 1. Note that the side mirror 12 may not be retracted and may always be in an unfolded state. For example, a fender mirror is not retracted and is always in an unfolded state.

[0014] FIG. 2A is a front view of the side mirror 12 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2A, the side mirror 12 includes housings 12a and 12b. The housing 12a supports a mirror surface that ensures rearward visibility for the driver while driving, and is attached to the housing 12b. The mirror surface of the side mirror is made of, for example, glass, and a thin film is formed on the surface by sputtering. Meanwhile, the housing 12b supports the housing 12a and is attached to a base 12d of the front door 11 via an arm 12c shown in FIG. 1. The side mirror 12 does not necessarily have to be attached to the front door 11, and may be attached to the edge of the side roof, for example, or may be housed in a pot provided in the center of the roof.

[0015] The housings 12a, 12b, the arm 12c, and the base 12d are made of, for example, synthetic resin and can be shaped appropriately as long as the driver can properly recognize the traffic conditions behind the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the housings 12a, 12b may be configured to be rotatable about rotation axes in the front-rear and width directions of the vehicle 1 in addition to a rotation axis in the height direction of the vehicle 1 so that the driver can ensure a good rearward field of view according to the driver's line of sight. In this case, the housings 12a, 12b may be rotated manually by an occupant of the vehicle 1 or may be rotated by a motor (not shown) housed in the housing 12b. The housings 12a, 12b may be molded as a single unit.

[0016] The vehicle imaging device of this embodiment includes an infrared projector, a camera, and a light-shielding wall that suppresses reflection of infrared light so as to reliably recognize surrounding objects even when it is dark around the vehicle 1. As shown in FIG. 2A, the infrared projector 20 and the camera 30 are housed in a housing 12b. To explain the positional relationship of these components, FIG. 2B is used, which is a perspective view of the side mirror 12 shown in FIG. 2A as viewed from the direction of arrow X. Note that FIG. 2B shows only the housing 12b, the infrared projector 20, and the camera 30 out of the components shown in FIG. 2A.

[0017] The infrared projector 20 is a projector that projects infrared rays around the vehicle 1, and includes, for example, a light source that emits infrared rays and an output port from which the infrared rays are output. Examples of the light source include an LED light source and a laser light source, and the wavelength of the output infrared rays is, for example, 700 to 1000 nm. The projection range over which the infrared projector 20 projects the infrared rays depends on the type of light source and the shape and direction of the output port. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, if the output port is directed toward the ground on which the vehicle 1 stands, the projection range is within a range of 4 to 8 m from the infrared projector 20 when viewed from above.

[0018] The infrared projector 20 is mounted on the right or left side of the vehicle 1 so as to project infrared rays onto the ground on which the vehicle 1 stands within a range of at least 4 m from the vehicle. For example, when infrared rays are projected from the infrared projector 20 shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the projection range is a range 23 shown in Figure 4. The details of the projection range 23 will be described later.

[0019] Returning to FIG. 2B , camera 30 is a camera that captures an image capture range that includes at least a portion of the range into which infrared light is projected. The range into which infrared light is projected is the range into which infrared light is projected by infrared projector 20 and corresponds to the projection range of infrared projector 20. The image capture range is the range in which camera 30 can capture an image of an object, and the size of this range (i.e., the angle of view) depends on the lens of camera 30, etc. The object is an object that is imaged by camera 30 and can be used to recognize the parking position of vehicle 1, for example. Specific examples include boundary lines, center lines, road markings, guardrails, curbs, road sidewalls, road signs, traffic lights, and crosswalks. The object also includes vehicle 1, other vehicles other than vehicle 1, motorcycles, bicycles, etc. Furthermore, the object also includes buildings around vehicle 1 and roadside installations (e.g., mailboxes, vending machines, etc.). Camera 30 is mounted in a position that allows it to capture images of these objects.

[0020] The camera 30 may be, for example, a known quantum or uncooled infrared camera. Alternatively, a camera capable of capturing both visible light and infrared light by adjusting the filter may be used. For example, a camera capable of capturing visible light and near-infrared light of a predetermined wavelength may be used. The predetermined wavelength is a wavelength that includes the peak wavelength of the spectrum of the near-infrared light output from the infrared projector 20, for example, 930 to 950 nm. In this embodiment, near-infrared light is defined as electromagnetic waves having a wavelength in the range of 700 to 2500 nm.

[0021] Furthermore, the camera 30 is mounted on the exterior part at a position farther outward in the vehicle width direction than the infrared projector 20. The outer side in the vehicle width direction refers to the direction away from the center of the vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction. For example, in FIG. 2B , the upper side of the drawing is the side closer to the body of the vehicle 1, and the lower side of the drawing is the side farther away from the body of the vehicle 1, but the camera 30 shown in FIG. 2B is mounted lower in the drawing than the infrared projector 20 shown in FIG. 2B. In other words, the camera 30 shown in FIG. 2B is mounted at a position farther from the body of the vehicle 1 than the infrared projector 20 shown in FIG. 2B. In other words, the infrared projector 20 is mounted at a position closer to the vehicle 1 than the camera 30.

[0022] A light-shielding wall (hereinafter also referred to as a first light-shielding wall) for suppressing reflection of infrared rays is disposed between the infrared projector 20 and the vehicle 1, and blocks a portion of the infrared rays output from the infrared projector 20. The shape of the first light-shielding wall can be any appropriate shape as long as it can block a portion of the infrared rays output from the infrared projector 20. The first light-shielding wall may also be a portion of the housing 12a, 12b of the side mirror 12. As an example, in the housing 12b shown in FIG. 2B , the portion surrounded by the dashed line corresponds to the first light-shielding wall 40.

[0023] The positional relationship between the infrared projector 20 and the first light-shielding wall 40 will be explained using Fig. 2C. Fig. 2C is an enlarged bottom view of the main part of the side mirror 12 shown in Fig. 2A, with the infrared projector 20 portion enlarged. The first light-shielding wall 40 shown in Fig. 2C is shaped to cover approximately one-third of the output port of the infrared projector 20 on the side closer to the vehicle 1 (i.e., the left side of the drawing). Which part of the infrared rays output from the infrared projector 20 is blocked by the first light-shielding wall 40 depends on the body shape of the vehicle 1, the mounting positions of the infrared projector 20 and the camera 30, etc.

[0024] As an example, when the side mirror 12 is in the unfolded state, the first light-shielding wall 40 blocks infrared rays from the infrared projector 20 that are projected onto a portion of the side of the vehicle 1 that is included in the imaging range of the camera 30. The range in which the first light-shielding wall 40 blocks infrared rays from the infrared projector 20 will be specifically described below with reference to FIG. 3.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an example of the arrangement of the infrared projector 20 and the camera 30 in FIG. 2A. Specifically, it is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts when viewed from the front along the AA cross section shown in the plan view of FIG. 4. The vehicle 1 on the left side of FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the left side of the vehicle body, and the side mirror 12 of the vehicle 1 is in an unfolded state. As shown in FIG. 3, the infrared projector 20, camera 30, and first light-shielding wall 40 that constitute the vehicle imaging device 10 are arranged on the left side of the vehicle 1 (the right side in FIG. 3). In addition, a second light-shielding wall 50, which will be described later, is arranged between the infrared projector 20 and the camera 30. For the sake of explanation, other components such as the housing 12b are not shown.

[0026] The camera 30 shown in Fig. 3 is equipped with a fisheye lens, and its imaging range is a range 33 defined by boundaries 31 and 32. Because the angle of view of the camera 30 is wide as shown in Fig. 3, a portion 11a shown in Fig. 3 of the side of the vehicle 1 (specifically, the front door 11) is included in the imaging range 33. On the other hand, when the first light-shielding wall 40 and the second light-shielding wall 50 do not exist, the projection range of the infrared projector 20 is a range 20z defined by boundaries 20x and 20y, and in this case, a portion 11x shown in Fig. 3 of the side of the vehicle 1 (specifically, the front door 11) is included in the projection range 20z.

[0027] The first light-shielding wall 40 blocks the infrared rays output from the infrared projector 20 so that the portion 11a is not included in the portion 11x (i.e., so that the portion 11a is outside the light-projection range 20z). For example, the first light-shielding wall 40 is arranged so that, among the boundaries defining the light-projection range of the infrared projector 20, the boundary on the left side of the drawing narrows to the boundary 21a that passes through the left lower edge 13 of the body of the vehicle 1. As another example, as shown in FIG. 3, the first light-shielding wall 40 is arranged so that the infrared rays are not projected into a first range 61 of the ground 60 on which the vehicle 1 stands, the first range 61 being a first distance (e.g., 0.3 to 0.6 m) from the left lower edge 13 of the body of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the first light-shielding wall 40 may be arranged so that at least a portion of the portion 11a is outside the light-projection range 20z. For example, the first light-shielding wall 40 blocks the infrared rays output from the infrared projector 20 so that a portion of the portion 11a is outside the portion 11x. This makes it possible to prevent infrared light reflected by the portion 11a from appearing in the image captured by the camera 30.

[0028] Furthermore, the vehicle imaging device 10 may include a second light-shielding wall 50, which is different from the first light-shielding wall 40 and which blocks a portion of the infrared light output from the infrared projector 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the second light-shielding wall 50 is disposed between the infrared projector 20 and the camera 30 so as to prevent the infrared light from the infrared projector 20 from being projected onto the camera 30. In other words, if the second light-shielding wall 50 were not present, the projection range of the infrared projector 20 would extend to the boundary 20y on the right side of the drawing, and there is a risk that the light would be projected directly onto the camera 30. However, by disposing the second light-shielding wall 50 shown in FIG. 3, of the boundaries that define the projection range of the infrared projector 20, the boundary on the right side of the drawing is narrowed to the boundary 22, and the infrared light from the infrared projector 20 will no longer be projected onto the camera 30.

[0029] The vehicle imaging device 10 needs to capture an image of objects within a certain range in order to detect objects present on a road or the like and appropriately recognize the parking position of the vehicle 1 from the image data. This certain range is, for example, a range from a position that is a first distance away from the lower left edge 13 of the body of the vehicle 1 to a second distance from the lower left edge 13. This range is shown in FIG. 3 as a second range 62. The second distance is approximately half the width of the road (e.g., 6 m), e.g., 3.5 to 4.5 m. When the second baffle wall 50 is disposed, the position and shape of the second baffle wall 50 are set so that infrared light is projected into the second range 62. The second distance is set to be longer than the first distance.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of the positional relationship between the light-projection area 23, the first area 61, and the second area 62 in FIG. 3. The light-projection area 23, shown with the lightest hatching, is illuminated by infrared light from the infrared projector 20 housed in the housing 12b of the side mirror 12. In contrast, the first area 61, shown with the second lightest hatching, is not illuminated by the infrared projector 20 because the infrared light is blocked by the first light-shielding wall 40 shown in FIG. 3. The first distance D1 described above corresponds to the distance from the side mirror 12 to the second area 62, as shown in FIG. 4. The second area 62, shown with the darkest hatching, is located within the light-projection area 23, as shown in FIG. 4. The distance from the side mirror 12 to the left end of the second area 62 (the lower end in FIG. 4) corresponds to the second distance D2 described above. The second area 62 has a length of a third distance D3 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. The third distance D3 can be set to a length corresponding to the overall length of the vehicle 1, for example, 3.5 to 4.5 m.

[0031] At least one of the first light-shielding wall 40 and the second light-shielding wall 50 may be disposed at a position that is not included in the imaging range 33 of the camera 30. Similarly, the infrared projector 20 may be mounted at a position that is not included in the imaging range 33 of the camera 30. For example, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 , the infrared projector 20, the first light-shielding wall 40, and the second light-shielding wall 50 are disposed at positions that are not included in the imaging range 33 of the camera 30.

[0032] Furthermore, when the infrared floodlight 20 and the camera 30 are housed in the housing 12b of the side mirror 12 mounted on the vehicle 1, the camera 30 may be mounted in a position where it can capture images of the front and rear wheels of the vehicle 1 when the side mirror 12 is in at least one of the deployed and retracted states.

[0033] Furthermore, when the infrared projector 20 and the camera 30 are housed in the housing 12b of the side mirror 12 mounted on the vehicle 1, the camera 30 may be mounted in a position where it can capture an image of the body of the vehicle 1 (particularly the edge of the side of the body or the front and rear edges of the body) and the horizon of the ground 60 on which the vehicle 1 stands when the side mirror 12 is in at least one of the unfolded state and the retracted state. Note that the horizon refers to the boundary between the sky and the ground 60 on which the vehicle 1 stands in the image captured by the camera 30.

[0034] In this embodiment, the infrared projector 20 and the camera 30 are housed in the housing 12b, but the infrared projector 20 and the camera 30 may be housed in the housing 12a.

[0035] [Function of the vehicle imaging device] 3, when infrared light is projected onto projection range 20z, portion 11a is included in portion 11x, and therefore infrared light reflected by portion 11a may appear in the image captured by camera 30, causing ghost images. The image appears white in the portion where the ghost image appears, making it impossible to detect the target object.

[0036] 3, the projection range of the infrared projector 20 is narrowed by the first light-shielding wall 40 and the second light-shielding wall 50, and the infrared projector 20 projects light into a projection range 23 defined by the boundaries 21 and 22. In this way, by blocking part of the infrared light from the infrared projector 20 and narrowing the projection range, the infrared light is not projected into the range corresponding to the area between the boundary 20x and the boundary 21. Therefore, no part of the side of the vehicle 1 is included in the projection range of the infrared projector 20, and it is possible to prevent the infrared light reflected by the portion 11a from appearing in the image.

[0037] Furthermore, by arranging the infrared projector 20, the first light-shielding wall 40, and the second light-shielding wall 50 in positions that are not included in the imaging range 33 of the camera 30, it is possible to prevent the frames of these components from appearing in the image captured by the camera 30 and causing vignetting. In areas where vignetting occurs, the target cannot be captured, making it impossible to detect the target. By preventing the occurrence of vignetting, it is possible to stably recognize the parking position of the vehicle 1 regardless of the surrounding environment.

[0038] Furthermore, by appropriately setting the shapes and positions of the first light-shielding wall 40 and the second light-shielding wall 50, infrared light can be projected onto the second range 62, and objects present in the second range 62 can be reliably recognized. This makes it possible to stably recognize the parking position of the vehicle 1 regardless of the surrounding environment.

[0039] Fig. 5 is an example of an image captured by the camera 30 shown in Fig. 2A when the side mirror 12 shown in Fig. 1 is in the unfolded state. As shown in Fig. 5, the vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment reliably captures images of objects around the vehicle 1 regardless of the environment around the vehicle 1. Specifically, it captures images of the front wheels 14 and rear wheels 15 of the vehicle 1. It also captures an image of an intersection 16 between the body of the vehicle 1 and a horizon 64, which is the boundary between the ground 60 on which the vehicle 1 stands and the sky 63.

[0040] Fig. 6 is an example of an image captured by the camera 30 shown in Fig. 2A when the side mirror 12 shown in Fig. 1 is in the retracted state. As with the image shown in Fig. 5, the image shown in Fig. 6 also captures the front wheels 14 and rear wheels 15 of the vehicle 1, as well as the intersection 16 between the body of the vehicle 1 and the horizon 64 of the ground 60 on which the vehicle 1 stands.

[0041] Note that if the sea is reflected in the image and the reflected sea and the sky 63 are in contact with each other, the horizon line, which is the boundary between the sky 63 and the sea, may be used instead of the horizon line 64. In other words, if the infrared projector 20 and the camera 30 are housed in the housing 12b of the side mirror 12 attached to the front door 11 of the vehicle 1, the camera 30 may be mounted in a position where it can capture an image of the body of the vehicle 1 reflected in the image and the horizon line when the side mirror 12 is in at least one of the unfolded and retracted states.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vehicle imaging devices are disposed on the right and left sides of the vehicle 1, but the vehicle imaging devices may also be disposed on the front and rear sides of the vehicle 1. For example, when the vehicle imaging device is attached to the upper part of the windshield or rear window of the vehicle 1 and the camera 30 captures an image of the imaging range in front of or behind the vehicle 1, the vehicle imaging device can achieve the same effects and advantages as those described above by disposing the first light-shielding wall 40 to block part of the infrared rays from the infrared projector 20.

[0043] [Embodiments of the present invention] As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is provided an imaging device 10 for a vehicle, which includes an infrared projector 20 that is mounted on an exterior part of a vehicle 1 and projects infrared rays around the vehicle 1, a camera 30 that is mounted on the exterior part at a position spaced apart from the infrared projector 20 on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 1 and that captures an object onto which the infrared rays are projected, and a first light-shielding wall 40 that is disposed between the infrared projector 20 and the vehicle 1 and blocks a portion of the infrared rays from the infrared projector 20. This makes it possible to prevent something that obstructs detection of an object from appearing in an image and to prevent the occurrence of a range in the imaging range 33 of the camera 30 where the object cannot be detected.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment, the exterior part is the side mirror 12 mounted on the vehicle 1, the infrared projector 20 and the camera 30 are housed in a housing 12b of the side mirror 12, and the first light-shielding wall 40 is a part of the housing 12b, and when the side mirror 12 is in an unfolded state, blocks the infrared light projected onto a portion 11a of the side of the vehicle 1 that is included in the imaging range 33 of the camera 30. This makes it possible to prevent reflected light from appearing in an image and causing a ghost.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment, the infrared projector 20 is mounted at a position that is not included in the imaging range 33 of the camera 30. This makes it possible to prevent the infrared projector 20 from appearing in the image and causing vignetting.

[0046] Furthermore, the vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment includes a second light-shielding wall 50 that is disposed between the infrared projector 20 and the camera 30 and blocks a portion of the infrared rays from the infrared projector 20 so that the infrared rays from the infrared projector 20 are not projected onto the camera 30. This makes it possible to prevent strong light (infrared rays) from being reflected in the image and causing a ghost.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment, the second baffle wall 50 is disposed at a position that is not included in the imaging range of the camera 30. This makes it possible to prevent the second baffle wall 50 from appearing in the image and causing vignetting.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment, the exterior part is the side mirror 12 mounted on the vehicle 1, the infrared projector 20 and the camera 30 are housed in a housing 12b of the side mirror 12, and the camera 30 is mounted in a position where it can capture images of the front wheels 14 and rear wheels 15 of the vehicle 1 when the side mirror 12 is in an unfolded state. This allows the parking position of the vehicle 1 to be recognized more accurately.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment, the exterior part is the side mirror 12 mounted on the vehicle 1, the infrared projector 20 and the camera 30 are housed in a housing 12b of the side mirror 12, and the camera 30 is mounted in a position where it can capture an image of the vehicle 1 and the horizon 64 of the ground 60 on which the vehicle 1 stands when the side mirror 12 is in an unfolded state. This allows the parking position of the vehicle 1 to be recognized more accurately.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment, the exterior part is the side mirror 12 mounted on the vehicle 1, the infrared projector 20 and the camera 30 are housed in a housing 12b of the side mirror 12, and the camera 30 is mounted in a position where it can capture an image of the vehicle 1 and the horizon 64 of the ground 60 on which the vehicle 1 stands when the side mirror 12 is in a retracted state. This allows the parking position of the vehicle 1 to be recognized more accurately.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment, the first baffle wall 40 is disposed at a position that is not included in the imaging range 33 of the camera 30. This makes it possible to prevent the first baffle wall 40 from appearing in the image and causing vignetting.

[0052] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a side mirror 12 is provided that includes the above-described vehicle imaging device 10. This makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of a range in the imaging range 33 of the camera 30 where an object cannot be detected, particularly on the side of the vehicle 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1...Vehicle 10... Vehicle imaging device 11...Front door 11a...Area included in the imaging range 11x: Area included in the projection range 12...Side mirror 12a, 12b...Housing 12c...Arm 12d...bass 13...Lower left end of the vehicle 14...Front wheel 15...Rear wheel 16...Intersection 20...Infrared floodlight 21,21a,22,20x,20y…boundary 23,20z...Projection range 30...Camera 31,32...boundary 33...Image range 40...First light-blocking wall 50...Second blackout wall 60...ground 61...1st range 62...Second range 63…Sky 64...Horizon D1: First distance D2…Second distance D3: Third distance

Claims

1. an infrared projector mounted on a side mirror mounted on a vehicle and projecting infrared rays around the vehicle; a camera mounted on the side mirror at a position outwardly and away from the infrared projector in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle, the camera capturing an image of an imaging range including a range onto which the infrared light is projected; a first light-shielding wall disposed between the infrared projector and the vehicle, the first light-shielding wall blocking a portion of the infrared light from the infrared projector; The infrared projector and the camera are housed in a housing of the side mirror, The first light-shielding wall is part of the housing and blocks the infrared rays projected onto a portion of the side of the vehicle that is included in the imaging range of the camera when the side mirror is in an unfolded state.

2. The vehicle imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the infrared projector is mounted at a position that is not included in an imaging range of the camera.

3. 3. The vehicle imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second light-shielding wall disposed between the infrared projector and the camera, the second light-shielding wall blocking a portion of the infrared light from the infrared projector so that the infrared light from the infrared projector is not projected onto the camera.

4. The vehicle imaging device according to claim 3 , wherein the second light-shielding wall is disposed at a position that is not included in an imaging range of the camera.

5. 3. The vehicle imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the camera is mounted at a position where it can capture images of the front and rear wheels of the vehicle when the side mirrors are in an unfolded state.

6. 3. The vehicle imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the camera is mounted at a position where it can capture an image of the vehicle and a horizon of the ground on which the vehicle stands when the side mirror is in an unfolded state.

7. 3. The vehicle imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the camera is mounted at a position where it can capture an image of the vehicle and a horizon of the ground on which the vehicle stands when the side mirror is in a retracted state.

8. The vehicle imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the first light-shielding wall is disposed at a position that is not included in an imaging range of the camera.

9. A side mirror comprising the vehicle imaging device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images