Camera device

Abstract

In the present invention, a camera device for a vehicle comprises: a transmitting member that transmits light; a camera that is provided with a lens and that captures images via the transmitting member and the lens; and a cover that covers the periphery of the camera. The cover is provided with a lower vent hole in the lower part and a side vent hole in a side part, the lower vent hole and the side vent hole being allowed to communicate via the interior, and the interior being allowed to communicate with a space between the transmitting member and the lens.

Description

camera equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a camera device in which a camera captures an image through a transparent member.

[0002] In the vehicle-mounted camera described in JP 2008-239017 A, a lens is provided in the CCD camera, and the lens faces a lens cover, and the CCD camera captures an image through the lens cover and the lens.

[0003] Here, in such an in-vehicle camera, it is preferable to be able to prevent fogging from occurring in the space between the lens cover and the lens.

[0004] The present disclosure provides a camera device that can prevent fogging from occurring in the space between a transparent member and a lens.

[0005] A camera device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a transparent member that transmits light, a camera provided with a lens and capturing images via the transparent member and the lens, and a cover that covers the periphery of the camera, has a bottom air vent at the bottom and side air vents at the sides, and the bottom air vent and the side air vent are connected via the interior, and the interior is connected to a space between the transparent member and the lens.

[0006] A camera device of a second aspect of the present disclosure is the camera device of the first aspect of the present disclosure, in which the side air vents are provided on the inner side of the covering body in the vehicle width direction, and which is provided with an outer covering body that covers the outside of the covering body and has an interior that is wider on the inner side of the covering body in the vehicle width direction than the interior that is wider on the outer side of the covering body in the vehicle width direction.

[0007] A camera device of a third aspect of the present disclosure is a camera device of the first or second aspect of the present disclosure, further comprising a sealing member that seals between the transparent member and the periphery of the lens of the camera, and that has a lower communication hole on the lower air vent side and a side communication hole on the side of the side air vent side, and that communicates the inside of the cover with the space via the lower communication hole and the side communication hole.

[0008] A camera device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the camera device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present disclosure, further comprising a heating mechanism that heats the transparent member.

[0009] A camera device of a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a camera device of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present disclosure, which includes an outer covering that covers the outside of the covering and has suction holes through which air inside is sucked in by wind from the vehicle as it travels.

[0010] A camera device of a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a camera device of any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present disclosure, which is provided with a drain hole that is located below the lower air vent of the cover and through which water from within the cover is drained.

[0011] A camera device of a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a camera device of any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present disclosure, wherein the inner surface of the cover between the lower air vent and the side air vent is arranged along the camera.

[0012] In the camera device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the camera is provided with a lens, and the camera captures an image through the transparent member and the lens. The cover covers the periphery of the camera.

[0013] Here, a bottom vent is provided in the bottom of the cover, and a side vent is provided in the side of the cover, and the bottom vent and the side vent communicate with each other through the cover, and the inside of the cover communicates with the space between the transparent member and the lens. Therefore, the inside of the cover is ventilated between the bottom vent and the side vent, and by ventilating the space, it is possible to prevent fogging in the space.

[0014] In the camera device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the outer cover covers the outside of the cover.

[0015] Here, the side vents are provided on the inner side of the covering body in the vehicle width direction, and the inside of the outer covering body that is inward in the vehicle width direction from the covering body is made wider than the inside of the outer covering body that is outward in the vehicle width direction from the covering body. As a result, air can flow smoothly into and out of the covering body through the side vents, and smooth ventilation can be achieved within the covering body between the lower vents and the side vents.

[0016] In the camera device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the sealing member seals the gap between the transparent member and the periphery of the camera lens.

[0017] Here, a lower communication hole is provided on the lower vent hole side of the seal member, and a side communication hole is provided on the side vent hole side of the seal member, and the interior of the cover is connected to the space via the lower communication hole and the side communication hole. Therefore, even when a seal member is provided, ventilation can be achieved within the cover between the lower vent hole and the side vent hole, thereby allowing ventilation of the space.

[0018] In the camera device according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the heating mechanism heats the transparent member, which allows for efficient generation of airflow within the cover between the lower air vent and the side air vent, thereby enabling efficient ventilation of the space.

[0019] In the camera device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the outer cover covers the outside of the cover.

[0020] Here, the outer covering has suction holes, and air inside the outer covering is sucked in through the suction holes by wind from the vehicle traveling, thereby allowing water vapor inside the outer covering to be discharged.

[0021] In the camera device according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a drain hole is provided in the cover below the lower air vent, and water inside the cover is drained through the drain hole, thereby enabling water inside the cover to be efficiently drained.

[0022] In the camera device according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the inner surface of the cover between the lower air vent and the side air vent is arranged along the camera, thereby allowing good ventilation between the lower air vent and the side air vent within the cover.

[0023] 1 is a front view showing a vehicle camera device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the rear side of the vehicle; FIG. 2 is a front view showing the interior of the vehicle camera device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the rear side of the vehicle; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the vehicle camera device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the rear side and below the vehicle; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a camera mechanism of the vehicle camera device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the rear side and outside in the vehicle width direction; FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the camera mechanism of the vehicle camera device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the rear side and inside in the vehicle width direction; FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing the camera mechanism of the vehicle camera device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the bottom; FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the camera mechanism of the vehicle camera device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the bottom and inside in the vehicle width direction; FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a main part of the camera mechanism of the vehicle camera device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the rear side and inside in the vehicle width direction; FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the interior of the camera mechanism of the vehicle camera device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the rear side and inside in the vehicle width direction; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the camera mechanism of the vehicle camera device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the rear side of the vehicle.

[0024] 1A shows a front view of a vehicle camera device 10 as a camera device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the rear of the vehicle, and FIG. 1B shows a front view of the interior of the vehicle camera device 10 as seen from the rear of the vehicle. In the drawings, the front of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow FR, the outward direction in the vehicle width direction (to the right of the vehicle) is indicated by an arrow OUT, and the upward direction is indicated by an arrow UP.

[0025] The vehicle camera device 10 according to this embodiment is disposed on the outside of the vehicle body at the vertically intermediate portion and the front end of a side door (particularly a front side door) of the vehicle. The vehicle camera device 10 includes a stand (not shown) as an installation body, and the stand is fixed to the side door to install the vehicle camera device 10 on the side door.

[0026] 1B, the inner end in the vehicle width direction of a substantially long plate-shaped frame 12 serving as a support is supported on the upper side of the stand, and the frame 12 extends outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the stand. A support frame 12A having a substantially L-shaped cross section is integrally provided on the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the frame 12, and the interior of the support frame 12A is open to the top, front side, rear side, and outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] 1A and 1B, the outside of the frame 12 is covered by a visor 14 (see FIG. 2) in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box, which serves as an outer covering, and the outer peripheral surface of the visor 14 forms the design surface of the vehicle camera device 10. The visor 14 is configured by combining an upper visor cover 14A on the front and upper side of the vehicle as a first covering part, a lower visor cover 14B on the front and lower side of the vehicle as a second covering part, and a visor rim 14C on the rear side of the vehicle as a third covering part.

[0028] The lower wall of the visor 14 at the inner end in the vehicle width direction is a bottom wall 14D in the shape of a substantially circular ring plate, and a stand is inserted through the bottom wall 14D. The bottom wall 14D is inclined downward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction. A circular suction hole 14E is formed through the bottom wall 14D, and the suction hole 14E is located near the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the rear portion of the bottom wall 14D. The lower surface of the visor 14 is inclined downward as it extends inward in the vehicle width direction, outside the bottom wall 14D, and the suction hole 14E is located near the lowest end of the visor 14. A circular imaging hole 14F is formed through the vehicle rear wall at the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the visor 14, and the imaging hole 14F opens the interior of the visor 14 to the rear of the vehicle.

[0029] A turn signal lamp 16 serving as an exposure mechanism is fixed to the inside of the visor 14 from the front wall of the vehicle to the outer wall in the vehicle width direction, and a transparent lamp lens 16A is provided as an exposure portion on the turn signal lamp 16. The lamp lens 16A is exposed to the outside of the visor 14 through the gap between the upper visor cover 14A and the lower visor cover 14B, and the turn signal lamp 16 emits light to the outside of the visor 14 via the lamp lens 16A.

[0030] A camera mechanism 18 (see Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, and 5A) is supported within the support frame 12A of the frame 12, and the camera mechanism 18 is housed within the visor 14 and is covered on the outside by the visor 14.

[0031] The camera mechanism 18 is provided with a bracket 20 (housing) in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box, which serves as a cover, and the interior of the bracket 20 is open to the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle front end of the bracket 20 is fixed to the vehicle front end of the support frame 12A, so that the camera mechanism 18 is supported within the support frame 12A with the lower surface and the vehicle width direction inner surface of the bracket 20 spaced apart from the lower wall and the vehicle width direction inner wall of the support frame 12A, respectively. An expansion chamber 20A (see FIG. 6A ) is formed within the vehicle rear end of the bracket 20, and the expansion chamber 20A expands the interior of the bracket 20 in the entire circumferential direction and is open to the vehicle rear of the bracket 20.

[0032] A substantially rectangular lower air vent 20B and a substantially rectangular side air vent 20C are formed through the lower wall and the vehicle widthwise inner wall of the bracket 20, respectively, and the lower air vent 20B and the side air vent 20C are open downward and toward the vehicle widthwise inner side within the bracket 20. A corner wall 20D on the lower side and the vehicle widthwise inner side of the bracket 20 is disposed between the lower air vent 20B and the side air vent 20C, and the inner surface of the corner wall 20D is curved substantially along the circumferential direction of the bracket 20 (see FIG. 6B ).

[0033] A substantially rectangular exhaust hole 20E (see FIGS. 4A and 4B ) is formed through the lower wall of the bracket 20 at the end on the vehicle rear side and outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the exhaust hole 20E opens downward inside the bracket 20 and also opens to the vehicle rear side of the bracket 20. The exhaust hole 20E is located at the lowest end inside the bracket 20 (excluding the expanding chamber 20A), and is located below and to the vehicle rear of the lower air vent 20B on the inner surface of the bracket 20 (excluding the vehicle front side and peripheral surface of the expanding chamber 20A).

[0034] A camera 22 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B ) having a generally rectangular columnar shape is fixed within the bracket 20 as a viewing mechanism. The entire periphery of the camera 22 is covered by the bracket 20, and a gap is formed between the peripheral surface of the camera 22 and the inner surface of the bracket 20 along the entire circumferential direction. A corner surface 22A on the lower side of the camera 22 and on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is curved along the inner surface of a corner wall 20D of the bracket 20, and the gap between the corner surface 22A and the corner wall 20D is generally constant along the circumferential direction of the camera 22 and the bracket 20. A lens 22B is provided in the center of the rear end of the camera 22, and the lens 22B is exposed to the rear of the vehicle from the rear side surface of the camera 22.

[0035] A cover glass 24 (see FIG. 5B ) having a substantially rectangular plate shape as a transparent member is fitted into the rear portion of the magnifying chamber 20A of the bracket 20, and the cover glass 24 closes the rear side of the magnifying chamber 20A. The cover glass 24 faces the rear side of the lens 22B of the camera 22, and the cover glass 24 is transparent so that light can pass through.

[0036] A substantially rectangular plate-shaped double-sided tape 26 (see FIG. 5B ) serving as a sealing member is provided on the vehicle front portion of the expanding chamber 20A of the bracket 20, and the vehicle front side of the double-sided tape 26 is attached to the vehicle front side of the expanding chamber 20A around the entire periphery, while the vehicle rear side of the double-sided tape 26 is attached to the cover glass 24 around the entire periphery. The double-sided tape 26 has sealing properties (the ability to seal out water and water vapor), and the double-sided tape 26 provides a seal between the vehicle front side of the expanding chamber 20A and the cover glass 24 around the entire periphery.

[0037] A circular exposure hole 26A is formed through the center of the double-sided tape 26. The exposure hole 26A is arranged coaxially with the lens 22B of the camera 22, exposing the lens 22B to the rear side of the vehicle (toward the cover glass 24). The front side of the double-sided tape 26 is attached to the periphery of the lens 22B on the rear side of the camera 22 around the exposure hole 26A, and the double-sided tape 26 seals the gap between the periphery of the lens 22B on the rear side of the camera 22 and the cover glass 24. The double-sided tape 26 closes the inside of the exposure hole 26A, and a closed space 28 is formed between the lens 22B of the camera 22 and the cover glass 24 within the exposure hole 26A.

[0038] The double-sided tape 26 has rectangular (trapezoidal) lower communication hole 26B, inner communication hole 26C (side communication hole), and outer communication hole 26D formed therethrough on the lower side of the exposure hole 26A, on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the lower communication hole 26B, inner communication hole 26C, and outer communication hole 26D connect the closed space 28 to the gap with the camera 22 inside the bracket 20.

[0039] A heater 30 in the form of a substantially long film is provided as a heating mechanism from the rear side of the bracket 20 to the outside in the vehicle width direction. The portion of the heater 30 between the rear side and the outside side in the vehicle width direction is bent, and the rear side of the heater 30 is attached to the rear side of the cover glass 24, while the outside side in the vehicle width direction of the heater 30 is attached to the outside of the bracket 20 in the vehicle width direction. A circular through-hole 30A is formed through the rear side of the heater 30, and the through-hole 30A is arranged coaxially with the lens 22B of the camera 22. A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element is provided in the rear side of the heater 30, and the rear side of the heater 30 generates heat when supplied with current and limits the supply of current above a predetermined temperature to maintain a constant heat generation amount.

[0040] The lens 22B of the camera 22 faces the imaging hole 14F of the visor 14 via the closed space 28 (inside the exposure hole 26A of the double-sided tape 26), the cover glass 24, and the through-hole 30A of the heater 30. The camera 22 is electrically connected to a vehicle control device 32 (see FIG. 3B ). The camera 22 is operated under the control of the control device 32 to capture an image of the rear of the vehicle through the imaging hole 14F, the through-hole 30A, the cover glass 24, the closed space 28, and the lens 22B. A monitor 34 (see FIG. 3B ) serving as a display mechanism is electrically connected to the control device. The monitor 34 displays the image captured by the camera 22 under the control of the control device 32. The monitor 34 is installed in the passenger compartment, and the image displayed by the monitor 34 is visually viewed by a vehicle occupant (particularly the driver) to assist the occupant in viewing the rear of the vehicle.

[0041] The heater 30 has an outer portion in the vehicle width direction electrically connected to a control device 32 (see FIG. 3A), and the heater 30 is operated under the control of the control device 32 to generate heat at the rear portion of the vehicle. Therefore, the rear portion of the heater 30 heats the cover glass 24, which heats the air in the enclosed space 28 and suppresses fogging (condensation) in the enclosed space 28.

[0042] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0043] In the vehicle camera device 10 configured as described above, the visor 14 covers the outside of the bracket 20 of the camera mechanism 18, and the bracket 20 covers the periphery of the camera 22. In addition, the double-sided tape 26 seals the gap between the cover glass 24 and the periphery of the lens 22B of the camera 22, forming a closed space 28 between the lens 22B and the cover glass 24.

[0044] Here, a lower air vent 20B is provided in the lower wall of the bracket 20, and a side air vent 20C is provided in the inner wall of the bracket 20 in the vehicle width direction. The lower air vent 20B and the side air vent 20C are connected through the inside of the bracket 20, and the inside of the bracket 20 is connected to the closed space 28 through the lower communication hole 26B, the inner communication hole 26C, and the outer communication hole 26D of the double-sided tape 26. Therefore, for example, a temperature difference occurs between the inside and outside of the bracket 20 due to the operating heat of the camera 22, generating an airflow, which ventilates the inside of the bracket 20 between the lower air vent 20B and the side air vent 20C and ventilates the closed space 28. This allows water vapor from inside the bracket 20 (including the closed space 28) to be discharged to the outside of the bracket 20, suppressing fogging (condensation) in the closed space 28, and allowing the camera 22 to capture good images of the rear of the vehicle through the closed space 28.

[0045] Furthermore, a lower communication hole 26B is provided on the lower ventilation hole 20B side (lower side) of the double-sided tape 26, and an inner communication hole 26C is provided on the side ventilation hole 20C side (inner side in the vehicle width direction) of the double-sided tape 26. Therefore, the inside of the bracket 20 is ventilated between the lower ventilation hole 20B and the side ventilation hole 20C, which allows a good airflow to be generated in the closed space 28 between the lower communication hole 26B and the inner communication hole 26C, and the closed space 28 can be well ventilated.

[0046] Furthermore, the gap between the corner wall 20D on the lower side of the bracket 20 and on the inner side in the vehicle width direction (between the lower air vent 20B and the side air vent 20C) and the corner surface 22A on the lower side of the camera 22 and on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is kept substantially constant in the circumferential direction of the camera 22 and the bracket 20. Therefore, the gap between the corner wall 20D and the corner surface 22A in the bracket 20 can be well ventilated between the lower air vent 20B and the side air vent 20C, and a good airflow can be generated in the closed space 28 between the lower communication hole 26B and the inner communication hole 26C, allowing the closed space 28 to be well ventilated.

[0047] The heater 30 also heats the cover glass 24. This effectively creates a temperature difference between the inside and outside of the bracket 20, generating a good air flow, allowing good ventilation within the bracket 20 between the lower ventilation hole 20B and the side ventilation hole 20C, and thus allowing good ventilation within the closed space 28.

[0048] Furthermore, a drain hole 20E is provided below the lower vent hole 20B of the bracket 20, and water inside the bracket 20 is drained through the drain hole 20E. This allows water inside the bracket 20 to be efficiently drained, and effectively prevents fogging in the closed space 28.

[0049] Furthermore, the bracket 20 is disposed at the outer end in the vehicle width direction inside the visor 14, and the interior of the visor 14 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the bracket 20 is wider than the interior of the visor 14 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the bracket 20. Therefore, by providing the side air vents 20C on the inner wall of the bracket 20 in the vehicle width direction, air can smoothly flow in and out of the bracket 20 through the side air vents 20C, and the inside of the bracket 20 can be smoothly ventilated between the lower air vents 20B and the side air vents 20C, effectively preventing fogging in the closed space 28.

[0050] Furthermore, suction holes 14E are provided in the visor 14, and air inside the visor 14 is sucked in through the suction holes 14E by the wind from the vehicle as it travels. This allows water vapor inside the visor 14 to be efficiently discharged, water vapor inside the bracket 20 to be efficiently discharged, and water vapor in the closed space 28 to be efficiently prevented from fogging up in the closed space 28. Moreover, the suction holes 14E are located near the bottom end of the visor 14. This allows water inside the visor 14 to be efficiently discharged through the suction holes 14E, effectively preventing fogging up in the closed space 28.

[0051] In addition, the side air vents 20C are provided on the inner wall of the bracket 20 in the vehicle width direction, and no air vents are provided on the outer wall of the bracket 20 in the vehicle width direction or on the vehicle front side wall. Therefore, the outer portion of the heater 30 in the vehicle width direction can be appropriately positioned on the outer side of the bracket 20 in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, even if water (e.g., car wash water) seeps into the visor 14 from between the upper visor cover 14A and the lower visor cover 14B of the visor 14 (between the upper visor cover 14A and the turn signal lamp 16 and between the lower visor cover 14B and the turn signal lamp 16), the water can be prevented from seeping into the bracket 20.

[0052] In this embodiment, the ventilation holes (lower ventilation hole 20B and side ventilation hole 20C) are provided on the lower side and the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the bracket 20. However, the ventilation holes may be provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the bracket 20, on the front side of the vehicle, or on the upper side.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, communication holes (lower communication hole 26B, inner communication hole 26C, and outer communication hole 26D) are provided on the underside, inner side in the vehicle width direction, and outer side in the vehicle width direction of the double-sided tape 26. However, communication holes may be provided on the upper side of the double-sided tape 26.

[0054] In this embodiment, the double-sided tape 26 (sealing member) seals the gap between the cover glass 24 and the periphery of the lens 22B of the camera 22. However, the sealing member is not limited to the double-sided tape 26 as long as it can seal the gap between the cover glass 24 and the periphery of the lens 22B of the camera 22.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a PTC element is provided in the vehicle rear portion of the heater 30, and the vehicle rear portion of the heater 30 is attached to the cover glass 24. However, for example, a thin-film PTC element may be formed on the cover glass 24. Furthermore, for example, a thin-film transparent conductive film may be provided in the vehicle rear portion of the heater 30, and the vehicle rear portion of the heater 30 may be attached to the cover glass 24, or for example, a thin-film transparent conductive film may be formed on the cover glass 24. Moreover, for example, an extremely thin heating wire may be provided in the vehicle rear portion of the heater 30, and the vehicle rear portion of the heater 30 may be attached to the cover glass 24, or for example, an extremely thin heating wire may be formed on the cover glass 24.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the camera device is a vehicle camera device and is provided on a door of the vehicle. However, the camera device may be provided on a portion of the vehicle other than the door (for example, a fender), or may be provided on a location other than the vehicle.

[0057] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-104560, filed on June 26, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0058] All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A camera device comprising: a transparent member that transmits light; a camera provided with a lens and that takes an image via said transparent member and said lens; and a cover that covers the periphery of said camera and has a bottom air vent at a bottom and a side air vent at a side, said bottom air vent and said side air vent communicate with each other via an interior that communicates with a space between said transparent member and said lens.

2. A camera device as described in claim 1, wherein the side air vents are provided on the inner side of the covering body in the vehicle width direction, and an outer covering body is provided which covers the outside of the covering body and has an inside part on the inner side of the covering body in the vehicle width direction that is wider than an inside part on the outer side of the covering body in the vehicle width direction.

3. A camera device as described in claim 1, further comprising a sealing member which seals between the transparent member and the periphery of the lens of the camera, and which has a lower communication hole on the lower air hole side and a side communication hole on the side of the side air hole, and which communicates with the space through the lower communication hole and the side communication hole.

4. A camera device according to claim 1, further comprising a heating mechanism for heating said transparent member.

5. A camera device according to claim 1, further comprising an outer cover which covers the outside of said cover and has suction holes through which air is sucked in by wind generated when the vehicle is moving.

6. A camera device according to claim 1, further comprising a drain hole provided below said lower air vent of said cover for draining water from within said cover.

7. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of said enclosure between said bottom vent and said side vent is disposed along said camera.

Images