JP4453619B2 - Blind corner monitor system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein a monitor display image in the right and left direction imaged by a BCM camera becomes dark when a vehicle reduces the speed in front of the intersection having no street lamp and goes at a slow speed. <P>SOLUTION: The BCM system has a BCM camera 22 mounted to the center of the front end of the vehicle, a liquid crystal liquid display 24 displaying the image in the right and left direction imaged by the BCM camera 22, swivel actuators 28, 29 moving the light axis direction of headlights 26, 27, and an on-vehicle computer 30 controlling to drive the swivel actuators 28, 29. The on-vehicle computer 30 has an irradiation direction change means 38 which changes the irradiation direction of the headlights 26, 27 of the vehicle 10 to the outside in the right and left under the condition wherein it is determined that it is in a light switch ON state by a light lighting on determination means 34 when a monitor display means 32 displays the image from the BCM camera 22 on the liquid crystal display 24. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a blind corner monitor system, and in particular, displays an image of a camera that captures the left and right sides from the front end of a vehicle on an in-vehicle monitor so that the presence of other vehicles and pedestrians can be confirmed from the left and right directions. The present invention relates to a blind corner monitor system configured as described above.

  When a vehicle such as an automobile enters an intersection such as a crossroad or a T-junction where there is no traffic light, the driver slows down or pauses at a low speed to see if there are other vehicles coming from the left or right, or whether there are pedestrians or bicycles. After confirming, driving operation such as passing through an intersection is performed.

  In recent years, in order to facilitate confirmation at such an intersection, a vehicle is equipped with a blind corner monitor system that displays an image from a camera that captures an image in the left-right direction on an in-vehicle monitor (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

In this blind corner monitor system, a camera is provided at the front end of the vehicle, and when the vehicle speed is lower than a predetermined speed, an image from the camera is automatically displayed on the in-vehicle monitor. Without going to the position where you can see the left and right direction, you can check the left and right situation of the intersection from the front end position of the vehicle where the camera is installed.
JP-A-6-171425

  In the blind corner monitor system as described above, when passing through a dark intersection where there is no street light during night driving, the surroundings are dark even if the vehicle is slowed down or paused before slowing down or temporarily stopping, so it will be displayed on the in-vehicle monitor. In some cases, it may be difficult to check the left-right direction of the intersection on the in-vehicle monitor.

  Then, this invention aims at providing the blind corner monitor system which solved the said subject by changing the irradiation direction of a headlamp.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following means.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a camera that images the left and right sides from the front end of the vehicle, and a display unit that displays an image from the camera on an in-vehicle monitor when the vehicle speed is a predetermined low speed or in a stopped state. In a blind corner monitor system comprising: a light lighting state determination unit that determines a state of a light switch of the vehicle; and when the monitor display unit displays an image from the camera on the in-vehicle monitor, the light lighting state Irradiation direction changing means for changing the irradiation direction of the headlight of the vehicle to the left and right outside on the condition that the light switch is determined to be on by the determination means.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the light lighting state determination means includes a first lighting state in which the light switch lights a vehicle width lamp, and a second lighting state in which the light switch lights the headlamp. The light switch has a lighting state detecting means for detecting in a stepwise manner a third lighting state in which the fog lamp is turned on, and it is determined that the light switch is in an on state in any lighting state.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the irradiation direction changing means adjusts the irradiation direction of the headlamp so that the optical axis of the headlamp is set at a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of the vehicle. It is characterized by changing to the outside.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the irradiation direction changing means returns the optical axis of the headlamp to a state before the change when the vehicle speed becomes a predetermined speed or more.

  According to the present invention, when it is determined by the light lighting state determining means that the light switch is on, and the monitor display determining means determines that the image from the camera is to be displayed on the in-vehicle monitor, the irradiation direction of the headlamp of the vehicle is determined. Because it changes to the left and right outside, the headlamp illumination area is changed in the left and right direction so that the image from the camera can be displayed easily.For example, even when passing through a dark intersection without street lights, the image in the left and right direction is brightened on the in-vehicle monitor. Thus, it can be displayed so that the presence or absence of a pedestrian or bicycle can be easily confirmed.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a blind corner monitor system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of a vehicle equipped with a blind corner monitor system. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle 10 composed of an automobile is equipped with a blind corner monitor system (hereinafter referred to as “BCM system”) 20 that monitors and displays the left and right directions of an intersection 14. When the driver who operates the vehicle 10 travels on the road 12 and enters the intersection 14 without a traffic light, the driver decelerates before the intersection 14 and slows down or pauses to see an image displayed by the BCM system 20. After confirming safety in the left and right directions, the user enters the intersection 14 and performs an operation such as turning left or right while visually confirming safety.

  The BCM system 20 generally includes a BCM camera 22 attached to the center of the front end of the vehicle 10, a liquid crystal display (in-vehicle monitor) 24 that displays a left-right image captured by the BCM camera 22, and a headlight (headlight). ) The swivel actuators 28 and 29 for moving the optical axis directions 26 and 27 and the in-vehicle computer 30 for driving and controlling the swivel actuators 28 and 29 are provided.

One BCM camera 22 is configured to simultaneously image the imaging region α in the left-right direction (for example, α = 20 degrees), and is attached to the center of the radiator grille of the vehicle 10, for example. The BCM camera 22 is a CCD (charge) as an element that converts received light into a video signal.
The image signal is output to the in-vehicle computer 30 when the vehicle is stopped or when the vehicle speed is decelerated below a predetermined value.

  The swivel actuators 28, 29 move the reflectors of the headlamps 26, 27 or the lenses of the headlamps 26, 27 to direct the optical axes of the headlamps 26, 27 to the outside, thereby causing the headlamps 26, 27. Is configured such that the irradiation direction can be shifted by an angle β (for example, β = 5 to 15 degrees) to the left and right.

  The in-vehicle computer 30 includes a monitor display unit 32 for displaying an image from the BCM camera 22 on the liquid crystal display 24 when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is lower than a predetermined speed or in a stopped state, and a light for determining the state of the light switch of the vehicle 10. Lighting state determination means 34. In addition, when the operation angle becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined angle based on the operation angle detection signal, the in-vehicle computer 30 moves the optical axis on the steering direction side out of the headlamps 26 and 27 to increase visibility during night cornering. When the headlamp control means 36 and the monitor display means 32 display the image from the BCM camera 22 on the liquid crystal display 24, the vehicle 10 is subject to the condition that the light lighting state determination means 34 determines that the light switch is on. Irradiation direction changing means 38 for changing the irradiation direction of the headlamps 26 and 27 to the left and right outside.

  In addition, headlamps 26 and 27, a vehicle width lamp 50, and a fog light 52 are provided at the front end of the vehicle 10. Further, the vehicle 10 includes a shift lever operation position detection sensor 82 that detects the operation position of the shift lever 80, and a steering angle sensor 86 that detects the steering angle of the handle 84. The shift lever operation position detection sensor 82 is moved to each operation position when the operation position of the shift lever 80 is operated to the parking position (P), the reverse position (R), the neutral position (N), or the drive position (D). A corresponding detection signal is output.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the BCM camera 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the BCM camera 22 has a prism 42, a lens 44, and a CCD 46 housed in a triangular housing 40. In addition, windows 40 a and 40 b that open in the left-right direction are provided on the front inclined surface of the housing 40. The light incident from the windows 40 a and 40 b is reflected by the prism 42 in the direction of the lens 44, reversed by the lens 44, and imaged on the surface of the CCD 46. In the CCD 46, light from the left direction is incident on the left half, and light from the right direction is incident on the right half. Then, the CCD 46 converts the image into an NTSC (National Television System Committee) video signal corresponding to each image formed in the left-right direction and outputs it.

  FIG. 4 is a front view showing a display example of the liquid crystal display 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid crystal display 24 includes, for example, a liquid crystal monitor and is provided at a position that is easy to see from the driver's seat. The liquid crystal display 24 is also used as a monitor for displaying map information of the car navigation system, and displays an image from the BCM camera 22 when the vehicle speed is a predetermined speed or less, and displays map information when the vehicle speed is a predetermined speed or more. .

  Further, when an image from the BCM camera 22 is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display 24, a mask 24a is displayed at the center of the screen, and an image in the left direction from the front end of the vehicle 10 is displayed in the display area 24b on the left half of the screen. Then, an image in the right direction from the front end of the vehicle 10 is displayed in the display area 24c on the right half of the screen. Therefore, the driver can simultaneously see the left and right images captured by the BCM camera 22 displayed on the liquid crystal display 24.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the BCM system. As shown in FIG. 5, the in-vehicle computer 30 includes a vehicle width light 50 in addition to the BCM camera 22, the liquid crystal display 24, the headlamps 26 and 27, and the swivel actuators 28 and 29 via a cable such as a CAN communication line. A fog light 52 is connected.

  The in-vehicle computer 30 includes a conlight sensor 62, a light switch 64, a fog light switch 66, a blind corner monitor switch 68, a vehicle speed sensor 70, a shift lever operation position detection sensor 82, a steering via a cable such as a CAN communication line. An angle sensor 86 is connected.

  The steering angle sensor 86 detects an operation angle of the steering wheel and outputs an operation angle detection signal to the in-vehicle computer 30. The in-vehicle computer 30 drives the swivel actuators 28 and 29 to drive the swivel actuators 28 and 29 on the steering direction side when the operation angle becomes equal to or larger than the predetermined angle based on the operation angle detection signal detected by the steering angle sensor 86. The optical axis is moved to the outside to control the visibility during night cornering.

  The conlight sensor 62 detects ambient brightness (luminance) due to sunlight, and outputs the detected luminance detection signal to the in-vehicle computer 30. The in-vehicle computer 30 automatically turns on the vehicle width lamp 50 and the taillight (not shown) according to the luminance detection signal when the sun goes down and dusk, and turns on the headlamps 26 and 27 when it gets darker.

  The light switch 64 is a switch that is manually operated by the driver. When the light switch 64 is operated in the first on state (first lighting state), the vehicle width light 50 and the taillight (not shown) are turned on, and the second on state ( When the second lighting state is operated, the headlamps 26 and 27 are turned on.

  The fog light switch 66 is a switch that turns on or turns off the fog light 52 by a manual operation. The BCM switch 68 is a switch for turning on or off the display of an image from the BCM camera 22 by a manual operation.

  The vehicle speed sensor 70 detects the rotation of the wheel of the vehicle 10, and the traveling speed of the vehicle 10 is calculated from the wheel rotation speed. In the in-vehicle computer 30, the speed obtained from the vehicle speed sensor 70 must be a predetermined speed set in advance (for example, 10 km / h or less), and the position of the shift lever 80 must be the parking position (P) or the reverse position (R). For example, an image captured by the BCM camera 22 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 24.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the optical axes of the headlamps 26 and 27 are moved by a steering operation during traveling, (A) is a diagram showing a left cornering state, and (B) is a right cornering. It is a figure which shows a state.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (A), when the driver steers to the left and the operation angle becomes a predetermined angle or more (for example, 7.5 degrees or more), the swivel actuator 28 is driven to The optical axis 26a of the headlamp 26 is moved by a predetermined angle β1 (for example, β1 = 5 degrees) in the steering direction (left direction).

  As shown in FIG. 6 (B), when the driver steers to the right and the operation angle becomes a predetermined angle or more (for example, 7.5 degrees or more), the swivel actuator 29 is driven to the right side. The optical axis 27a of the headlamp 27 is moved by a predetermined angle β2 (for example, β2 = 15 degrees) in the steering direction (right direction).

  As a result, the driver can easily see the steering direction and can easily check the safety in the steering direction.

  Here, the BCM control process executed by the in-vehicle computer 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The in-vehicle computer 30 determines whether the BCM switch 68 is ON in S11 of FIG. 7 and the shift lever operation position detected by the shift lever operation position detection sensor 82 is the forward position (D: drive position or N: neutral position). It is checked whether or not (monitor display means 32). In S11, when the BCM switch 68 is ON and the detection position of the shift lever 80 is the forward position, the process proceeds to S12, and it is checked whether or not the light switch 64 or the headlight switch of the conlight sensor 62 is ON (S11). Light lighting state determination means 34). If the headlight switch 64 is off in S12, the process proceeds to S13 to check whether the light switch 64 or the width sensor switch of the conlight sensor 62 is on (light lighting state determination means 34). When the vehicle width light switch is off in S13, the process proceeds to S14 to check whether or not the fog light switch 66 is on (light lighting state determination means 34). If the fog light switch 66 is off in S14, the process returns to S11.

In S12, if the headlamp switch is on, the process proceeds to S15 to turn on the headlamps (low beams) 26 and 27. Subsequently, in S16, it is checked whether or not the vehicle traveling speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 70 is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed V (for example, 10 km / h or lower). In S16, when the vehicle traveling speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed V, the process proceeds to S17, in which whether or not the steering operation angle detected by the steering angle sensor 86 is equal to or larger than a predetermined angle X (for example, X = 7.5 degrees). Check If the steering operation angle is equal to or greater than the predetermined angle X in S17, the process proceeds to S18, in which the steering direction side of the swivel actuators 28, 29 is driven and the optical axis on the steering direction side of the headlamps 26, 27 is predetermined. By directing to the outside of the angle, the irradiation direction on the steering direction side is changed to the side (right direction or left direction) (see headlamp control means 36, FIGS. 6A and 6B). Subsequently, in S19, it is checked whether or not the steering operation angle detected by the steering angle sensor 86 is a predetermined angle X (for example, X = 7.5 degrees) or more. In S19, the steering operation angle is a predetermined angle X or less. In S20, the swivel actuators 28 and 29 are driven so that the optical axes of the headlamps 26 and 27 facing outward in S18 return to the axis of the front of the vehicle (headlamp control means 36). In S17, when the steering operation angle is equal to or smaller than the predetermined angle X, the processes of S18 to S20 are omitted.

  In S16, when the vehicle traveling speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 70 is low speed traveling below the predetermined speed V or temporarily stopped, the process proceeds to S21, the BCM system is turned on, and the liquid crystal display 24 is imaged by the BCM camera 22. The displayed left and right images are displayed (see FIG. 4).

  In the next S22, the optical axes of the headlamps 26 and 27 are simultaneously directed outward (irradiation direction changing means 38, see FIG. 1). Thereby, since the light irradiation direction of the headlamps 26 and 27 moves in the left-right direction of the vehicle 10, for example, even when the vehicle 10 enters an intersection where there is no streetlight, the light from the headlamps 26 and 27 is BCM camera. Since the imaging area α in the left-right direction imaged by the camera 22 can be partially illuminated, safety confirmation at a dark intersection such as at night can be easily performed.

  Subsequently, in S23, it is checked whether or not the vehicle traveling speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 70 is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed V (for example, 10 km / h or higher). In S23, when the vehicle traveling speed is equal to or lower than the predetermined speed V, the process returns to S21, and the processes of S21 to S23 are repeated. In S23, when the vehicle traveling speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed V, the process proceeds to S24, and both the swivel actuators 28 and 29 are driven so that the optical axes of the headlamps 26 and 27 are returned to the state before the change. (Irradiation direction changing means 38).

  In the next S25, the display on the liquid crystal display 24 is switched to the car navigation mode.

  In S13, when the light switch 64 or the width light switch of the conlight sensor 62 is turned on, the process proceeds to S26, and the width light 50 is turned on. In next S27, it is checked whether or not the vehicle traveling speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 70 is a predetermined speed V or less (for example, 10 km / h or less).

  If the fog light switch 66 is turned on in S14, the process proceeds to S28, and the fog light 52 is turned on. In S27, it is checked whether or not the vehicle traveling speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 70 is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed V (for example, 10 km / h or lower) (display means 32).

  In S27, when the vehicle traveling speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 70 is low speed traveling below the predetermined speed V or temporarily stopped, the process proceeds to S29, the blind corner monitor system is turned on, and the image is captured by the BCM camera 22 on the liquid crystal display 24. The left and right images are displayed (see FIG. 4).

  In the next S30, the left and right headlamps 26 and 27 are turned on. Subsequently, the process proceeds to S31, in which the optical axes of the headlamps 26 and 27 are simultaneously directed outward (irradiation direction changing means 38, see FIG. 1). Thereby, since the light irradiation direction of the headlamps 26 and 27 moves in the left-right direction of the vehicle 10, for example, even when the vehicle 10 enters an intersection where there is no streetlight, the light from the headlamps 26 and 27 is BCM camera. Since the imaging area α in the left-right direction imaged by the camera 22 can be partially illuminated, safety confirmation at a dark intersection such as at night can be easily performed.

  Subsequently, in S32, it is checked whether or not the vehicle traveling speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 70 is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed V (for example, 10 km / h or higher). If the vehicle traveling speed is equal to or lower than the predetermined speed V in S32, the process returns to S30, and the processes of S30 to S32 are repeated. In S32, if the vehicle traveling speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed V, the process proceeds to S33, and both the swivel actuators 28 and 29 are driven so that the optical axes of the headlamps 26 and 27 are returned to the state before the change. (Irradiation direction changing means 38).

  Thereafter, in S34, the headlamps 26 and 27 are turned off and the process proceeds to S25 described above, and the display on the liquid crystal display 24 is switched to the car navigation mode.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the swivel actuators 28 and 29 move the optical axes of the headlamps 26 and 27 in the left-right direction so that the light irradiation direction is directed toward the imaging region of the BCM camera 22. For example, if the fog light 52 is also provided with a swivel actuator so that the optical axis can be moved in the left-right direction, the headlamps 26 and 27 are displayed when the image of the BCM camera 22 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 24. At the same time, the optical axis of the fog light 52 may be moved in the left-right direction.

  Further, when a cornering light is provided on the front side surface of the vehicle, when displaying the image of the BCM camera 22 on the liquid crystal display 24, the optical axes of the headlamps 26 and 27 are moved in the left-right direction. The left and right cornering lights may be turned on.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of one Example of the blind corner monitor system which becomes this invention. It is a side view of the vehicle carrying a blind corner monitor system. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of a BCM camera 22. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a display example of a liquid crystal display 24. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a blind corner monitor system. It is a top view which shows the state which moves the optical axis of the headlamps 26 and 27 by steering operation in driving | running | working, (A) is a figure which shows the cornering state of the left direction, (B) shows the cornering state of the right direction. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the BCM control process which the vehicle-mounted computer 30 performs.

Explanation of symbols

10 Vehicle 20 Blind corner monitor system (BCM system)
22 BCM camera 24 Liquid crystal display 26, 27 Headlight 28, 29 Swivel actuator 30 On-vehicle computer 32 Display means 34 Light lighting state judgment means 36 Monitor display judgment means 38 Irradiation direction change means 39 Headlight control means

Claims (4)

A camera that images the left and right sides from the front end of the vehicle;
Monitor display means for displaying an image from the camera on the in-vehicle monitor when the vehicle speed of the vehicle is lower than a predetermined speed or in a stopped state;
In the blind corner monitor system with
Light lighting state determination means for determining the state of the light switch of the vehicle;
When the monitor display means displays an image from the camera on the in-vehicle monitor, the irradiation direction of the headlight of the vehicle is changed to the left and right outside on condition that the light lighting state determination means determines that the light switch is on. Irradiation direction changing means for changing to,
A blind corner monitor system comprising:   The light lighting state determination means includes a first lighting state in which the light switch lights a vehicle width lamp, a second lighting state in which the light switch lights the headlamp, and the light switch lights a fog lamp. The blind corner monitor system according to claim 1, further comprising: a lighting state detection unit that detects the third lighting state in a stepwise manner, and determines that the light switch is on in any lighting state.   The irradiation direction changing means changes the irradiation direction of the headlamp to the left and right outside so that the optical axis of the headlamp becomes a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of the vehicle. Item 2. The blind corner monitor system according to Item 1.   2. The blind corner monitor system according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation direction changing unit returns the optical axis of the headlamp to a state before the change when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed.

Images