Vehicle camera mounting structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle camera attachment structure which can prevent the inside of an inner portion of a pillar garnish from being visible.SOLUTION: A vehicle camera attachment structure includes: a pillar garnish which covers a pillar supporting a vehicle body from the inner side of a passenger compartment and has an opening; a camera which can capture images in the passenger compartment from the opening, has an imaging surface facing the opening through a gap, and is disposed between the pillar and the pillar garnish; and see-through prevention ribs which are provided between a pillar side surface of the pillar garnish and the imaging surface and block a visual line leading from the gap to a space between the pillar and the pillar garnish.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera mounting structure for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a driver monitoring device capable of photographing a driver in a vehicle interior has been known. The driver monitoring device is installed inside a pillar garnish that covers a front pillar, and photographs the driver through an opening of the pillar garnish.

[0003] At this time, due to an installation error of the driver monitoring device and the pillar garnish, etc., the imaging surface of the driver monitoring device and the opening of the pillar garnish may come into contact with each other. In order to avoid such a situation, the driver monitoring device and the pillar garnish are attached so that a gap is provided between the imaging surface and the opening.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, as a result of providing a gap between the imaging surface and the opening, the inner part of the pillar garnish may be visible from the vehicle interior through the gap.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a camera mounting structure for a vehicle capable of preventing the inner part of the pillar garnish from being visible.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the camera mounting structure according to the present invention comprises: a pillar garnish that covers a pillar supporting the vehicle body from the inside of the vehicle interior and has an opening; a camera that can photograph the inside of the vehicle interior from the opening and has an imaging surface that faces the opening with a gap between it and the camera, and is positioned between the pillar and the pillar garnish; and an anti-seeing rib provided between the pillar side surface of the pillar garnish and the imaging surface, which blocks the line of sight from the gap toward the space between the pillar and the pillar garnish. The aforementioned rib for preventing visibility is integrally formed and provided on at least one of the pillar garnish and the screen. .

[0008] With this configuration, the anti-visibility ribs block the line of sight from the gap between the pillar and the pillar garnish, thus preventing the inside of the pillar garnish from being visible.

[0009] Furthermore, the anti-visibility rib has a first rib formed on the surface of the pillar garnish facing the pillar, and a second rib formed on the imaging surface of the camera, and at least one of the first and second ribs has a fitting claw that fits into the other.

[0010] This configuration prevents relative misalignment between the aperture and the imaging surface. This reduces the possibility of the edges of the aperture overlapping with the camera's imaging range, allowing the aperture to be made smaller.

[0011] Furthermore, the rib that prevents visibility into the interior extends in the circumferential direction along the edge of the opening.

[0012] With this configuration, the upper part of the opening is covered by an anti-visibility rib, which prevents condensation water that drips down from the top of the vehicle through the inside of the pillar garnish from leaking out of the opening. As a result, it is possible to avoid, for example, condensation water splashing on the driver or a decrease in the quality of captured images due to condensation water adhering to the camera's imaging surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle camera mounting structure that can prevent the inside of the pillar garnish from being visible. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an illustrative schematic diagram showing the front of the passenger compartment of a vehicle to which the pillar garnish according to the embodiment is installed. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a part of the configuration of the pillar garnish and driver monitoring device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the pillar garnish according to Modification 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the pillar garnish according to Modification 2. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the pillar garnish according to Modification 3. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the pillar garnish according to Modification 4. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the pillar garnish according to Modification 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] (Embodiment) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram showing the front of the passenger compartment of a vehicle to which the pillar garnish according to the embodiment is installed.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a windshield glass 10 is provided in the vehicle width direction in front of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and front pillars 20 are provided at both ends of the windshield glass 10 in the vehicle width direction. The front pillar 20 is an example of a pillar. For the sake of convenience of explanation, in FIG. 1, only the front pillar 20 disposed in the right side portion of the passenger compartment and the structure around it are shown.

[0017] The front pillar 20 is a metal member that supports the vehicle body in front of the vehicle. The front pillar 20 extends upwardly and obliquely from the front of the vehicle body toward the rear. The lower end of the front pillar 20 is connected to the instrument panel 31, and the upper end is connected to the front end portion of the roof panel 32. A pillar garnish 40 is attached to the front pillar 20 from the inside of the passenger compartment.

[0018] The pillar garnish 40 is an interior member that covers the front pillar 20 from the inside of the passenger compartment. The pillar garnish 40 is formed of an injection molded resin material. The pillar garnish 40 has a longitudinal shape extending along the extending direction of the front pillar 20, and bulges while curving from the front pillar 20 side toward the inside of the passenger compartment. As a result, a space is formed between the front pillar 20 and the pillar garnish 40. Further, the pillar garnish 40 has an opening 41 at the height of the driver's line of sight. A driver monitor device 50 described with reference to FIG. 2 is exposed in the opening 41.

[0019] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the detailed configurations of the pillar garnish 40 and the driver monitor device 50 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1. That is, FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure around the pillar garnish 40 disposed in the right side portion of the passenger compartment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a part of the configurations of the pillar garnish 40 and the driver monitor device 50 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 3, for the sake of clarity, some configurations such as the opening 41 of the pillar garnish 40 are shown with omission.

[0020] In this specification, the vertical direction of the vehicle is defined as the Z direction, with the upward direction being the positive Z direction and the downward direction of the vehicle being the negative Z direction. A predetermined direction intersecting the Z direction is defined as the X direction. The X direction is also the left-right direction along the plane of Figure 2. The left direction on the plane of the paper is the positive X direction, and the right direction on the plane of the paper is the negative X direction. Furthermore, a direction intersecting the X direction and the Z direction is defined as the Y direction, with the forward direction on the plane of the paper being the negative Y direction and the backward direction on the plane of the paper being the positive Y direction. In Figure 2, the positive X direction side is the outside of the vehicle, and the negative X direction side is the inside of the vehicle.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, a driver monitoring device 50 is positioned in the space between the front pillar 20 and the pillar garnish 40. The driver monitoring device 50 is positioned opposite the opening 41 of the pillar garnish 40. Before describing the driver monitoring device 50, the detailed configuration of the opening 41 will be described first.

[0022] The pillar garnish 40 is composed of an opening 41 and a main portion 42 that covers the front pillar 20. The main portion 42 extends inclined with respect to the Z direction, curves and terminates near the opening 41 so as to project in the positive X direction. The end portion 421 of this main portion 42 forms the opening 41. At this time, the amount of projection from the surface 422 along the extension direction of the main portion 42 to the end portion 421 is different above and below the opening 41. Specifically, the amount of projection of the main portion 42 above the opening 41 is greater than the amount of projection below the opening 41. As a result, the opening 41 is formed along the Z direction, which is different from the extension direction of the main portion 42.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the opening 41 is formed in a roughly rectangular shape when viewed from the inside of the vehicle. The opening 41 is formed to be large enough so that the end 421 of the main part 42 does not overlap with the imaging range of the driver monitor device 50, which will be described later.

[0024] Furthermore, a first rib 423 is formed on the front pillar side surface 425 of the main portion 42. The first rib 423 also serves as the internal visibility prevention rib 100. The first rib 423 is formed integrally with the main portion 42 and extends from the surface 425 so as to protrude in the positive direction of X. Details of the first rib 423 will be described later.

[0025] The driver monitoring device 50 is an imaging device capable of photographing the driver inside the vehicle through the opening 41. The driver monitoring device 50 is an example of a camera. The driver monitoring device 50 is composed of a substrate 51, a light source 52, an optical system 53, and a screen 54.

[0026] The substrate 51 is an electronic circuit board on which the light source 52 and the optical system 53 are mounted. The substrate 51 controls each part, including the light source 52 and the optical system 53, by communicating with a control unit (not shown) via a wiring section 55. The substrate 51 is positioned so that the mounting surface on which the light source 52 and the optical system 53 are mounted faces the opening 41 of the pillar garnish 40. The substrate 51 and the wiring section 55 are covered from the back side of the substrate 51 by a cover member 56 when viewed from the opening 41. The cover member 56 is fixed to the main part 42 by tapping screws 60.

[0027] The light source 52 is, for example, an infrared LED. The light source 52 is composed of an LED element 521 and a lens 522. The LED element 521 is mounted on the substrate 51 and emits infrared light through the lens 522 within a predetermined range. This illuminates the interior of the vehicle. The optical system 53 is mounted on the substrate 51 alongside the light source 52 and collects light from the interior of the vehicle to form an image.

[0028] Specifically, the optical system 53 includes a lens 531 and a photoelectric conversion element 532. The lens 531 is positioned so that its optical axis faces the aperture 41, and it focuses infrared light at a predetermined angle of view, causing the focused infrared light to enter the photoelectric conversion element 532. The photoelectric conversion element 532 converts the incident infrared light into an electrical signal. The converted electrical signal is transmitted via the substrate 51 to a control unit (not shown).

[0029] The screen 54 is a plate-shaped member that covers the substrate 51, the light source 52, and the optical system 53. The screen 54 is an example of an imaging surface. The screen 54 is made of a translucent black resin material and is capable of selectively transmitting infrared rays. Specifically, the screen 54 is positioned opposite the opening 41. As a result, infrared rays emitted from the light source 52 enter the vehicle interior through the screen 54 and the opening 41, and the infrared rays reflected inside the vehicle interior are focused into the optical system 53 through the opening 41 and the screen 54. The screen 54 also faces the opening 41 with a predetermined gap Va. This is to avoid contact between the screen 54 and the opening 41. Contact can cause abnormal noises, etc.

[0030] Furthermore, the screen 54 has a second rib 541. The second rib 541 also serves as a rib 100 to prevent visibility. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the second rib 541 extends from the end of the screen 54 along the direction of extension of the screen 54 and is formed around the entire circumference of the screen 54. The circumferential direction of the screen 54 is also the direction along the edge of the opening 41 facing the screen 54.

[0031] Specifically, the second rib 541 is formed outside the boundary B of the region where the screen 54 and the opening 41 face each other. This second rib 541 blocks the line of sight from the gap Va towards the space between the front pillar 20 and the pillar garnish 40. The second rib 541 is formed integrally with the screen 54. The first rib 423 of the pillar garnish 40 is fitted to the outer circumference of the second rib 541.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first rib 423 is composed of first ribs 423a to 423d. The first rib 423a extends from the surface 425 of the main part 42 in the positive X direction above the edge of the opening 41 to a position where it overlaps with the screen 54 in the Z direction. The first rib 423b extends from the surface 425 in the positive X direction below the edge of the opening 41 to a position where it overlaps with the screen 54 in the Z direction. The first ribs 423c and 423d extend from the surface 425 in the positive X direction near the edges on both sides of the opening 41 to a position where they overlap with the screen 54 in the Y direction. These first ribs 423a to 423d block the line of sight from the gap Va towards the space between the front pillar 20 and the pillar garnish 40.

[0033] Each of the first ribs 423a to 423d has a fitting claw 424a to 424d formed thereon that engages with the second rib 541. Each of the fitting claws 424a to 424d protrudes from the respective end of the first ribs 423a to 423d toward the opening 41.

[0034] Specifically, the fitting claw 424a protrudes from the end of the first rib 423a in the negative Z direction. The fitting claw 424a engages with the second rib 541 from the positive Z direction side above the opening 41. The fitting claw 424b protrudes from the end of the first rib 423b in the positive Z direction. The fitting claw 424b engages with the second rib 541 from the negative Z direction side below the opening 41. In addition, the fitting claws 424c and 424d protrude from the ends of the first ribs 423c and 423d in the positive and negative Y directions. The fitting claws 424c and 424d engage with the second rib 541 from the positive and negative Y directions on both sides of the opening 41. In this way, the relative positions of the screen 54 and the opening 41 are fixed by fitting the fitting claws 424a to 424d from the positive and negative Z directions and the positive and negative Y directions, respectively, when viewed from the screen 54.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the first rib 423a extends circumferentially along the edge of the opening 41. As a result, the opening 41, the gap Va, and the area above the screen 54 are covered by the first rib 423a. Note that the example in Figure 3 is not limited to this; in addition to the first rib 423a, first ribs 423b to 423d may also extend circumferentially along the edge of the opening 41.

[0036] (Overview) The vehicle camera mounting structure of the embodiment includes a pillar garnish 40 that covers the front pillar 20 from the inside of the vehicle interior and has an opening 41, and a driver monitor device 50 that is positioned between the front pillar 20 and the pillar garnish 40 and has a screen 54 that can photograph the inside of the vehicle interior from the opening 41 and faces the opening 41 with a gap Va between them. The vehicle camera mounting structure also includes an anti-see-through rib 100 provided between the front pillar 20 side surface 425 of the pillar garnish 40 and the screen 54, which blocks the line of sight from the gap Va toward the space between the front pillar 20 and the pillar garnish 40. Specifically, the anti-see-through rib 100 is integrally formed and provided on at least one of the front pillar 20 side surface 425 of the pillar garnish 40 and the screen 54.

[0037] In this way, the anti-visibility rib 100 blocks the line of sight from the gap Va towards the space between the front pillar 20 and the pillar garnish 40, thereby suppressing the visibility of the inner part of the pillar garnish 40. As a result, the appearance of the pillar garnish 40 as seen from inside the vehicle is improved.

[0038] The anti-visibility rib 100 has a first rib 423 formed on the surface 425 of the pillar garnish 40 and a second rib 541 formed on the screen 54, and at least one of the first rib 423 and the second rib 541 has a fitting claw that fits into the other.

[0039] These interlocking claws relatively fix the positions of the screen 54 and the opening 41. This reduces the possibility that a portion of the imaging range of the driver monitor device 50 may be obstructed by the pillar garnish 40. Furthermore, taking this possibility into consideration, the opening 41, which was conventionally formed larger than the size corresponding to the imaging range of the driver monitor device 50, can now be formed to an appropriate size. As a result, the visibility of the inner part of the pillar garnish 40 is suppressed, and the appearance of the pillar garnish 40 as seen from inside the vehicle is improved.

[0040] Furthermore, the rib 100 that prevents visibility into the interior extends circumferentially along the edge of the opening 41.

[0041] As a result, the opening 41, the gap Va, and the area above the screen 54 are covered by the anti-visibility rib 100. This prevents condensation water that falls from the roof panel 32 along the surface 425 of the pillar garnish 40 from leaking into the passenger compartment through the gap Va. This prevents, for example, condensation water from splashing onto the driver or degrading the quality of captured images due to condensation water adhering to the screen 54. In addition, by positioning the anti-visibility rib 100 outside the edge of the opening 41 (more preferably outside the edge of the screen 54), condensation water can be prevented from adhering to the screen 54.

[0042] Next, a modified example of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 8. In the following description, components similar to those in the above-described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions may be omitted.

[0043] (Variation 1) Using Figure 4, the camera mounting structure of Modification 1 of the embodiment will be described. In the camera mounting structure of Modification 1, the second rib 541 protrudes in a direction intersecting the direction in which the screen 54 extends, which is different from the embodiment described above.

[0044] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the pillar garnish 40 according to Modification 1. As shown in Figure 4, the second rib 541 protrudes from the end of the screen 54 in the negative X direction and extends to a position where it overlaps with the opening 41 in the Z direction. The second rib 541 also extends in the circumferential direction of the screen 54.

[0045] The second rib 541 has a fitting claw 542 that engages with the first rib 423. The fitting claw 542 protrudes from the end of the second rib 541 in a direction toward the outside of the screen 54. Specifically, the fitting claw 542 engages with the fitting claw 424a from the negative Z direction side above the opening 41. Also, the fitting claw 542 engages with the fitting claw 424b from the positive Z direction side below the opening 41. Furthermore, the fitting claw 542 engages with the fitting claws 424c and 424d on both sides of the opening 41 from the positive and negative Y directions, respectively. This fixes the relative position of the screen 54 and the opening 41.

[0046] (Modification 2) Using Figure 5, a camera mounting structure of Modification 2 of the embodiment will be described. The camera mounting structure of Modification 2 differs from the above-described embodiment in that a fitting claw is not formed on the first rib 423.

[0047] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the pillar garnish 40 according to the modified example 2. As shown in Figure 5, the first rib 423 extends from the surface 425 in the positive X direction to a position where it overlaps with the screen 54 in the Z direction. The second rib 541 extends from the end of the screen 54 along the direction of extension of the screen 54 and is formed around the entire circumference of the screen 54. The first rib 423 and the second rib 541 block the line of sight from the gap Va towards the front pillar 20 and the pillar garnish 40, thereby preventing the inside of the pillar garnish 40 from being seen.

[0048] (Variation 3) Using Figure 6, a camera mounting structure of Modification 3 of the embodiment will be described. The camera mounting structure of Modification 3 differs from the above-described embodiment in that the first rib 423 is not provided.

[0049] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the pillar garnish 40 according to the modified example 3. As shown in Figure 6, the pillar garnish 40 does not have a first rib 423. The second rib 541 extends from the end of the screen 54 along the direction of extension of the screen 54 and is formed around the entire circumference of the screen 54. This second rib 541 blocks the line of sight from the gap Va towards the space between the front pillar 20 and the pillar garnish 40, thereby preventing the inside of the pillar garnish 40 from being seen.

[0050] (Modification 4) Using Figure 7, the camera mounting structure of the modified embodiment 4 will be described. The camera mounting structure of modified embodiment 4 is a modified version corresponding to modified embodiment 1, and differs from modified embodiment 1 in that the first rib 423 and the second rib 541 are not provided with fitting claws.

[0051] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the pillar garnish 40 according to the modified example 4. As shown in Figure 7, the first rib 423 extends from the surface 425 to a position where it overlaps with the screen 54. The second rib 541 protrudes from the end of the screen 54 in the negative X direction and extends to a position where it overlaps with the opening 41 in the Z direction. The first rib 423 and the second rib 541 block the line of sight from the gap Va towards the front pillar 20 and the pillar garnish 40, thereby preventing the inside of the pillar garnish 40 from being seen.

[0052] (Variation 5) Using Figure 8, the camera mounting structure of the modified embodiment 5 will be described. The camera mounting structure of modified embodiment 5 is a modified version corresponding to modified embodiments 2 and 4, and differs from the above-mentioned modified embodiments 2 and 4 in that the second rib 541 is not provided.

[0053] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a camera mounting structure according to a modified example 5 of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the screen 54 does not have a second rib 541 formed thereon. The first rib 423 extends from the surface 425 in the positive direction of X to a position where it overlaps with the screen 54. This first rib 423 blocks the line of sight from the gap Va towards the space between the front pillar 20 and the pillar garnish 40, thereby preventing the inside of the pillar garnish 40 from being seen.

[0054] (Other variations) In the embodiments and modifications described above, the first rib 423 and the second rib 541, which constitute the anti-visibility rib 100, were described as being formed in a direction along the region corresponding to the edge of the opening 41, but the invention is not limited thereto. The anti-visibility rib 100 may be formed either in the region corresponding to the edge of the opening 41 or outside of that region.

[0055] While embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments and modifications can be implemented in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 10 Windshield glass, 20 Front pillar, 31 Instrument panel, 40 Pillar garnish, 41 Opening, 42 Main part, 50 Driver monitor device, 51 Substrate, 52 Light source, 53 Optical system, 54 Screen, 100 Anti-visibility rib, 421 End, 422 Face, 423, 423a, 423b, 423c, 423d First rib, 424a, 424b, 424c, 424d Engaging claw, 425 Face, 541 Second rib, 542 Engaging claw.

Claims

1. A pillar garnish that covers the pillar supporting the vehicle body from the inside of the vehicle and has an opening, A camera is positioned between the pillar and the pillar garnish, having an imaging surface that faces the opening with a gap between it and the opening, and capable of photographing the interior of the vehicle through the opening. A rib is provided between the pillar-side surface of the pillar garnish and the imaging surface, which blocks the line of sight from the gap towards the space between the pillar and the pillar garnish, Equipped with, The aforementioned rib for preventing visibility inside is The pillar garnish and the screen are integrally formed and provided on at least one of them. Vehicle camera mounting structure.

2. The aforementioned rib for preventing visibility inside is The pillar garnish has a first rib formed on the surface facing the pillar, and the camera has a second rib formed on the imaging surface. At least one of the first and second ribs has a fitting claw that engages with the other. The vehicle camera mounting structure according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned rib for preventing visibility inside is Extending in the circumferential direction along the edge of the opening, The vehicle camera mounting structure according to claim 1.

Images