JP5035102B2 - Infrared projector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an infrared projector that is mainly used in a night vision apparatus capable of imaging an imaging target without irradiating the imaging target with visible light.

  In general, the object to be imaged is not irradiated with visible light, that is, the object to be imaged itself or a person on the object is not given discomfort such as glare, and no visible light is irradiated. The night vision apparatus capable of imaging the imaging target without being noticed when the imaging target is a living organism such as a human being or an animal is mainly based on the near infrared ray in the imaging target. For example, an infrared projector for projecting infrared rays, for example, projecting infrared rays mainly including near infrared rays as described in Patent Document 1 is provided.

In the infrared projector described in Patent Document 1, the bulb (bulb) that is a light emitter is detachably covered with a substantially cylindrical filter for cutting visible light, so that infrared rays are projected and infrared rays are not necessary. In some cases, this filter is removed and the bulb is used as a high beam so that the infrared projector and the high beam share the bulb.
JP 2005-183191 A

  However, in such an infrared projector, the amount of heat and luminous intensity generated by the bulb is highest when it is new, and the characteristics due to aging of the bulb, which is a light emitter, are not taken into consideration, and the visible light cut described above is not taken into consideration. It is necessary to determine the heat resistance performance of the filter for use in correspondence with the amount of heat generated when the valve is new, and the separation distance from the valve to the filter is a distance that can withstand the amount of heat generated by the valve when new. And it is necessary to make the distance necessary for cooling.

  For this reason, the outer diameter of the substantially cylindrical filter for cutting visible light becomes excessive after the new article, and there is a problem that the external dimensions of the components constituting the infrared projector and the infrared projector are increased. .

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an infrared projector that can prevent an increase in the outer dimensions of the components constituting the infrared projector and the infrared projector.

In order to solve the above problem, the infrared projector according to the present invention is:
A light emitting means for generating light including visible light and infrared light, a transmission means for shielding the visible light and transmitting the infrared light, and a voltage adjusting means for adjusting a voltage applied to the light emitting means. The adjusting means increases the voltage as time elapses from an initial value determined based on an expected decrease in temperature or luminous intensity due to aging of the light emitting means .

Here, in the infrared projector,
It is preferable that temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the light emitting means is provided, and that the voltage adjusting means increases the voltage with time so that the temperature becomes constant.

  According to this, by providing the temperature detecting means as appropriate in the infrared projector, the voltage adjusting means sets the voltage to time so that the temperature becomes constant after detecting the temperature of the light emitting means. Can be increased accordingly.

  Thereby, when the light emitting means is new, the initial value of the voltage applied by the voltage adjusting means to the light emitting means can be made smaller than the voltage after the new time. This initial value is appropriately determined according to the amount of decrease due to aging deterioration from the initial value of the heat amount of the light emitting means that is expected in advance to just before replacement.

  That is, the amount of heat generated by the light emitting means at the time of the new article is suppressed, the durability of the light emitting means at the time of the new article is durable, and an appropriate cooling performance is maintained. When the separation distance with respect to the light emitting means is set, the separation distance and thus the outer diameter of the transmission means can be suppressed in advance.

  In addition, since it is possible to prevent the light emitting means from deteriorating over time after the new article and the amount of heat is reduced, the separation distance set at the new article becomes excessive after the new article, and the transmission means It is possible to prevent an increase in the outer dimensions of the infrared projector and, consequently, an increase in the size of the entire infrared projector.

Alternatively, in the infrared projector,
A light intensity detecting means for detecting the light intensity of the light emitting means may be provided, and the voltage adjusting means may increase the voltage with time so that the light intensity becomes constant.

  This also makes it possible to make the initial value of the voltage applied by the voltage adjusting means to the light emitting means smaller than the voltage after the new time when the light emitting means is new. This initial value is appropriately determined according to the amount of decrease due to aging deterioration from the initial value of the luminous intensity of the light emitting means that is expected in advance to just before replacement.

  That is, since the luminous intensity and the heat amount are proportional to each other, the amount of heat generated by the light emitting means at the time of the new article can be suppressed to be durable against the amount of heat generated by the light emitting means at the time of the new article. And when the separation distance with respect to the said light emission means of the said permeation | transmission means is set so that moderate cooling performance may be hold | maintained, the said separation distance and the outer diameter of the said permeation | transmission means can be previously suppressed.

  In addition, since it is possible to prevent the light emitting means from deteriorating over time after the new article and the amount of heat is reduced, the separation distance set at the new article becomes excessive after the new article, and the transmission means It is possible to prevent an increase in the outer dimensions of the infrared projector and, consequently, an increase in the size of the entire infrared projector.

  In addition, since the luminous intensity generated by the light emitting means can be made constant, image processing in the night vision apparatus can be performed stably.

Furthermore, in the infrared projector,
The voltage adjusting means includes storage means for storing the relationship between the time lapse and the voltage when the voltage is actually increased with time, and after the light emitting means is replaced, the voltage It is preferable that the adjusting unit increases the voltage with the passage of time based on the stored relationship.

  According to this, after the relationship between the elapsed time and the voltage is once stored by the storage unit and then the light emitting unit is replaced with a new one, the voltage adjusting unit is based on the stored relationship. The voltage applied to the light emitting means can be adjusted.

  That is, the temperature detection means detects the temperature of the light emitting means, or the light intensity detection means detects the light intensity of the light emitting means, and feedback based on these detection results so that the temperature or the light intensity is constant. Since the necessity of performing control can be eliminated, the voltage adjustment control by the voltage adjusting means can be simplified.

Furthermore, in the infrared projector,
It is preferable that the temperature detecting means or the light intensity detecting means be removable. According to this, after the relationship between the elapsed time and the voltage is once stored by the storage means, the temperature detection means or the luminous intensity which is an unnecessary component for the voltage adjustment control of the voltage adjustment means. The detection means can be removed.

  Accordingly, for example, one vehicle is extracted from a plurality of vehicles belonging to a certain vehicle type, and the temperature detection unit or the light intensity detection unit is provided only for the one vehicle, and the temperature or the light intensity is determined. The storage means stores the relationship between the time lapse and the voltage to be constant by a bench test or an actual vehicle test, so that the time lapse and the voltage stored by the storage means are stored for the infrared projectors of the same vehicle type. By using this relationship in common, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of providing the temperature detection means or the light intensity detection means from the beginning.

Here, in the infrared projector,
It is preferable to include a reflecting means for reflecting the light.

  According to this, by reflecting the light of the reflection means, the optical axis in the light projection as the infrared light projector can be adjusted to match the directing direction of the reflection means.

In the infrared projector,
It is preferable that the transmission means is disposed at a position where visible light contained in the light generated by the light emitting means can be blocked so as not to reach the reflection means.

  According to this, the ratio of the infrared rays contained in the light projected by the infrared projector can be further increased.

Furthermore, in the infrared projector,
It is preferable to provide support means that supports the transmission means in a swingable manner and can selectively arrange the transmission means with respect to the shieldable position.

  According to this, the infrared light can be transmitted without causing the function of shielding the visible light of the transmissive means in the infrared projector by locating the transmissive means at a position other than the shieldable position by the support means. The projector can be used as a simple projector that projects the light including the visible light, more specifically as a high beam or the like. According to this, the light emitting means can be shared between the infrared projector and the high beam.

  In this case, if the transmission means can be reduced in size, the support means can also be reduced in size, so that the entire infrared projector can be reduced in size.

In addition, in the infrared projector,
It is preferable to include a concealing unit that hides the transmission unit and the support unit from view when viewed from the light emission center direction of the light emission unit.

  According to this, the design property of the said infrared projector can be improved.

  Even in this case, if the transmitting means can be reduced in size, the concealing means can also be reduced in size, and with the downsizing of the concealing means, the reflecting means can be further reduced in size. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the entire infrared projector.

Furthermore, in the infrared projector,
It is preferable that the transmission means has a cylindrical shape centered on the light emission center of the light emitting means.

  According to this, when the light emitting means has a substantially columnar shape, the transmitting means can be selectively arranged with respect to the light emitting means with respect to the position that can be shielded by the support means. Can be made easier.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the infrared projector which can prevent the enlargement of the external dimension of the component which comprises an infrared projector and an infrared projector can be provided.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an infrared projector according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an installation mode of the infrared projector according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a BB cross section of the infrared projector according to the present invention shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the infrared projector according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the control contents of the infrared projector according to the present invention. Furthermore, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the effect of the infrared projector according to the present invention. 2 and 3, UP indicates the upper side, FR indicates the front side of the vehicle, and IN indicates the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an infrared projector 1 according to the present invention includes a valve 2, a filter 3, an arm 4, an actuator 5, a reflector 6, a filter structure cover 7, a temperature sensor 8, and a body ECU 9. And a selection switch 10.

  The bulb 2 is a halogen bulb (Halogen Bulb) in which an inert gas such as nitrogen and argon and a halogen gas are sealed inside a substantially cylindrical light bulb having a filament, and is visible by a voltage V applied by the body ECU 9. It constitutes light emitting means for emitting light including light rays and near infrared rays, and is installed so that the light emission center is directed forward of the vehicle.

  The filter 3 is formed by coating a thin glass film of a predetermined thickness having a property of shielding visible light and transmitting only near infrared light on a glass surface configured in a cylindrical shape that encloses the central axis of the cylindrical bulb 2. Thus, it constitutes a transmission means that shields visible light and transmits only near infrared rays.

  The arm 4 supports the filter 3 so as to be swingable with a shaft 4a provided on the vehicle body side as a swing center, so that visible light contained in the light generated by the bulb 2 can be shielded from the reflector 6. Thus, the support means capable of selectively arranging the filter 3 is configured.

  The actuator 5 includes a plunger 5a and a solenoid 5b, and is connected to the side of the arm 4 opposite to the side where the filter 3 is held and the rear side of the plunger 5a extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.

  Under such a configuration, when the high beam is selected by operating the selection switch 10, the solenoid 5b of the actuator 5 is energized by the body ECU 9, and the solenoid 5b is pushed out to the plunger 5a to the right in FIG. The arm 4 is moved counterclockwise around the shaft 4a in FIG. 3 so that the filter 3 does not enclose the valve 2, that is, as indicated by the broken line in FIG. The visible light contained in the generated light is moved to a position where the filter 3 does not shield the reflector 6.

  On the contrary, if the high beam is not selected by the operation of the selection switch, the solenoid 5b is not energized by the body ECU 9, the plunger 5a is moved from the solenoid 5b in a direction approaching by a return spring (not shown), and the arm 4 is moved. The filter 3 is swung clockwise in FIG. 3 so that the filter 3 surrounds the bulb 2, that is, visible light contained in the light generated by the bulb 2 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 is moved to a shielding position.

  The reflector 6 is composed of a concave mirror surface in which the optical axis located at the rear of the bulb 2 is directed to the front of the vehicle and thus toward the light emission center of the bulb 2, and the reflector 6 passes through the filter 3 from the bulb 2 and reaches the mirror surface. Reflecting means for projecting the infrared rays and visible rays that are not shielded by the filter 3 so as to be directed toward the front of the vehicle.

  The filter structure cover 7 constitutes a concealing means for hiding the bulb 2 and the filter 3, the arm 4 and the actuator 5 from the front of the vehicle, that is, from the light emission center of the bulb 2 so as not to be seen. The surface is configured in black, and the surface on the front side of the vehicle is configured in a mirror shape.

  The temperature sensor 8 is a thermistor or thermocouple provided on the surface of the valve 2 and constitutes temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the valve 2 and outputting the detection result to the body ECU 9. 1 has a structure that can be removed after the vehicle is assembled. The temperature sensor 8 may be a non-contact type.

  The body ECU 9 (Electronic Control Unit) is composed of, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a data bus for connecting them, and an input / output interface, and the CPU performs predetermined processing described below in accordance with a program stored in the ROM. Thus, the voltage adjusting means 9a, the storage means 9b, and the control means 9c are configured.

  The voltage adjusting means 9a of the body ECU 9 applies a voltage to a valve 2 by appropriately reducing a voltage supplied from a 12V battery (not shown) for a vehicle using a semiconductor switching element such as a MOSFET. More specifically, the voltage adjusting means 9a detects the detected value of the temperature sensor 8, that is, the temperature C (° C.), and the voltage V (V applied to the valve 2 so that the temperature C (° C.) becomes constant. ) Is feedback-controlled, and the voltage V is increased according to the elapsed time T (s).

  Furthermore, the storage means 9b of the body ECU 9 stores the relationship between the time lapse T and the voltage V when the voltage adjustment means 9a actually increases the voltage V according to the time lapse T, and the voltage adjustment of the body ECU 9 The means 9a increases the voltage V according to the time passage T based on the relationship between the time passage T and the voltage V stored in the storage portion 9b after the valve 2 is replaced.

  Further, the control means 9 c of the body ECU 9 energizes the solenoid 5 b of the actuator 5 when the high beam is selected by the selection switch 10.

  Hereinafter, the control content of the infrared projector 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. In S1 shown in FIG. 4, the voltage adjusting means 9a of the body ECU 9 applies the initial value V0 of the voltage V to the valve 2, detects the detection value C of the temperature sensor 8 in S2, and controls in S3. Read the target constant value CC.

  Subsequently, in S4, the voltage adjusting means 9a calculates the difference between the detected value C and the constant value CC, determines whether or not the difference is larger than the control threshold value α, and proceeds to S5 if determined to be affirmative. The voltage V is decreased by ΔV. If it is determined negative in S4, the process proceeds to S6.

  In S6, the voltage adjusting means 9a determines whether or not the difference between the detected value C and the constant value CC is smaller than the control threshold value -α. If it is determined positive, the process proceeds to S7, and the voltage adjusting means 9a V is increased by ΔV. When it is determined negative in S6, the process proceeds to S8, and the voltage adjusting unit 9a sets the voltage V to the next voltage V.

  Each time the process of S5 or S7, S8 is executed, the storage means 9b of the body ECU 9 stores the relationship between the time T and the voltage V. In S10, it is determined whether or not it is IGON. If it is IGON, the processes from S1 to S9 are repeatedly executed.

  According to the infrared projector 1 of the first embodiment realized by the control contents described above, the following operational effects can be obtained. That is, by detecting the temperature C of the valve 2 by providing the temperature sensor 8 in the infrared projector 1, the voltage adjusting means 9a of the body ECU 9 sets the voltage V so that the temperature C becomes constant as shown in FIG. It can be controlled to increase as time elapses T.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, when the valve 2 is new, the initial value V0 of the voltage V applied to the valve 2 by the voltage adjusting means 9a of the body ECU 9 is smaller than the voltage V after the new product. can do. This initial value V0 is appropriately determined based on the amount of heat of the valve 2, which is predicted in advance, that is, the amount of decrease ΔC due to aging from the initial value C0 of the temperature C to just before replacement.

  That is, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 6, the amount of heat generated when the bulb 2 is new is suppressed, and the radial separation distance D1 from the light emission center of the bulb 2 toward the filter 3 is set to In addition to ensuring that the radiated heat is sufficiently weakened so as to be durable against the amount of heat generated by the bulb 2, the diameter of the filter 3 from the emission center to the bulb 2 is maintained so as to maintain an appropriate cooling performance. In the case of securing in the direction, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  That is, in the prior art as shown in the upper part of FIG. 6, for example, the voltage V is constant so as to be equal to the battery voltage 12V, and durability and cooling performance can be maintained based on the amount of heat generated by the valve 2 when new. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 6, the separation distance D <b> 1 can be reduced with respect to the radial separation distance D <b> 0 of the filter 53 from the valve 2. Thus, the outer diameter φ1 of the filter 3 can be suppressed in advance with respect to the outer diameter φ0 of the filter 53 of the prior art.

  In addition, since it is possible to prevent the valve 2 from aging and reducing the amount of heat after the new article, the separation distance D1 set at the new article becomes excessive after the new article, and the outer dimension φ1 of the filter 3 It is possible to prevent an increase in size and, consequently, an increase in the size of the entire infrared projector 1.

  Furthermore, in the infrared projector 1 described above, the voltage adjusting means 9a of the body ECU 9 feedback-controls the voltage V so as to keep the temperature C at a constant value CC, and actually increases the voltage V according to the time T. In this case, the storage means 9b of the body ECU 9 stores the relationship between the time lapse T and the voltage V. After the valve 2 is replaced again, the voltage adjustment means 9a of the body ECU 9 is stored by the storage means 9b. Based on the relationship between the elapsed time T and the voltage V, the voltage V can be increased according to the elapsed time T counted by a timer incorporating the voltage V.

  According to this, after the relationship between the time lapse T and the voltage V is once stored in the storage means 9b of the body ECU 9, and after the valve 2 is replaced with a new one, the voltage adjusting means 9a of the body ECU 9 is stored in the storage means 9b. The voltage V applied to the valve 2 can be adjusted based on the relationship between the elapsed time T and the voltage V.

  That is, after the relationship between the time lapse T and the voltage V is once stored in the storage unit 9b of the body ECU 9, the temperature of the valve 2 is detected by the temperature sensor 8 in the subsequent control, and based on the detection result. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of performing feedback control so that the temperature C becomes constant, so that the adjustment control of the voltage V by the voltage adjusting means 9a of the body ECU 9 can be simplified.

  Further, in the infrared projector 1 described above, since the temperature sensor 8 is removable, the voltage adjustment of the body ECU 9 is performed after the relationship between the time T and the voltage V is once stored by the storage means 9b of the body ECU 9. The temperature sensor 8, which is a component unnecessary for the adjustment control of the voltage V of the means 9a, can be removed.

  Thus, one vehicle is extracted from a plurality of vehicles belonging to a certain vehicle type, the temperature sensor 8 is provided only for the extracted one vehicle, and the time lapse T at which the temperature C becomes constant The storage means 9b of the body ECU 9 stores the relationship with the voltage V by a bench test or an actual vehicle test, so that for the infrared projector 1 of the same vehicle type, the time lapse T and the voltage V stored by the storage means 9b of the body ECU 9 are stored. By using the relationship in common, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of providing the temperature sensor 8 from the beginning of the vehicle shipment stage.

  In addition, the infrared projector 1 described above includes the reflector 6 that reflects light, whereby the optical axis in the light projection as the infrared projector 1 is set in the direction of the reflector 6 by the reflection of the light from the reflector 6. Matched and adjustable.

  Further, the high-beam is not selected by the selection switch 10 at a position where the filter 3 can be shielded so that visible light included in the light generated by the bulb 2 does not reach the reflector 6, and the control means 9 c of the body ECU 9 operates as an actuator. In the case where the solenoid 5b is not energized, the arrangement of the solenoid 5b can increase the proportion of infrared rays contained in the light projected by the infrared projector 1.

  Furthermore, the infrared projector 1 described above includes an arm 4 that swingably supports the filter 3 and an actuator 5 that swings the arm 4 so that visible light contained in the bulb 2 can be shielded from the reflector 6. The filter 3 can be selectively arranged with respect to various positions. For this reason, the arm 4 is swung counterclockwise in FIG. 3 by the actuator 5, so that the visible light contained in the light generated by the bulb 2 can be moved to a position other than the position where the light can be shielded from the reflector 6. By arranging, it is possible to select that the function of shielding the visible light of the filter 3 in the infrared projector 1 is not functioned.

That is, the infrared projector 1 can be used as a simple projector, more specifically, a high beam, which projects light including visible light forward of the vehicle by the reflector 6. According to this, the bulb 2 can be shared between the infrared projector 1 and the high beam.
In addition to this, if the filter 3 can be reduced in size, the arm 4 and thus the actuator 5 can also be reduced in size, so that the entire infrared projector 1 can be reduced in size.

  Further, the infrared projector 1 described above includes the filter structure cover 7 that hides the filter 3, the arm 4, and the actuator 5 from the light emission center direction of the bulb 2 so as not to be seen. Or since the pedestrian can conceal the mechanism inside the infrared projector 1 so as not to be seen, the design of the infrared projector 1 can be improved.

  Even in this case, if the filter 3 can be reduced in size, the filter structure cover 7 can also be reduced in size. As the filter structure cover 7 is reduced in size, the amount of light reflected by the reflector 6 and projected to the front of the vehicle can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the entire infrared projector 1.

  Further, in the infrared projector 1 described above, the filter 3 is configured to have a cylindrical shape centered on the light emission center of the bulb 2, but when the bulb 2 is particularly substantially cylindrical, the filter 3 is For the bulb 2, it is possible to more easily realize that the visible light contained in the light generated by the bulb 2 can be selectively arranged with respect to the reflector 6 by the arm 4. it can.

  In the first embodiment, as a means for increasing the voltage V applied to the valve 2 over time, the temperature sensor 8 is provided to detect the temperature C and control the temperature C to coincide with the constant value CC. Alternatively, the voltage V may be increased with respect to the time lapse T by detecting the light intensity and making the light intensity constant. The configuration will be described below.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an infrared projector according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the control contents of the infrared projector according to the present invention. Further, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the infrared projector according to the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the effect of the infrared projector according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the infrared projector 21 according to the present invention includes a valve 2, a filter 3, an arm 4, an actuator 5, a reflector 6, a filter structure cover 7, a light intensity sensor 11, and a body ECU 9. And a selection switch 10. In addition, since each component other than the photometric sensor 11 is the same as that shown in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given, and overlapping explanations are omitted, and parts specific to the second embodiment are described below. explain.

  The luminous intensity sensor 11 constitutes luminous intensity detection means for detecting the luminous intensity L of the bulb 2 and outputting the detection result to the body ECU 9, and is provided in the infrared projector 21 or in a night vision device not shown here. It is assumed that the infrared projector 21 has a detachable structure.

  The voltage adjusting means 9a of the body ECU 9 applies a voltage to a valve 2 by appropriately reducing a voltage supplied from a 12V battery (not shown) for a vehicle using a semiconductor switching element such as a MOSFET. More specifically, the voltage adjusting unit 9a detects the detection value of the light intensity sensor 11, that is, the light intensity L (Luminous Intensity), and sets the voltage V (V) applied to the valve 2 so that the light intensity L becomes constant. Feedback control is performed, and the voltage V is increased in accordance with the elapsed time T (s).

  Furthermore, the storage means 9b of the body ECU 9 stores the relationship between the time lapse T and the voltage V when the voltage adjustment means 9a actually increases the voltage V according to the time lapse T, and the voltage adjustment of the body ECU 9 The means 9a increases the voltage V according to the time passage T based on the relationship between the time passage T and the voltage V stored in the storage portion 9b after the valve 2 is replaced.

  Hereinafter, the control content of the infrared projector 21 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. In S11 shown in FIG. 8, the voltage adjusting means 9a of the body ECU 9 applies the initial value V0 of the voltage V to the valve 2, detects the detection value L of the light intensity sensor 11 in S12, and in S13. A constant value LC that is a control target is read.

  Subsequently, in S14, the voltage adjusting unit 9a calculates the difference between the detected value L and the constant value LC, determines whether the difference is larger than the control threshold value β, and proceeds to S15 if it is determined affirmative. The voltage V is decreased by ΔV. If it is determined negative in S14, the process proceeds to S16.

  In S16, the voltage adjusting means 9a determines whether or not the difference between the detected value L and the constant value LC is smaller than the control threshold value -β. If it is determined affirmative, the process proceeds to S17, and the voltage adjusting means 9a V is increased by ΔV. When it is determined negative in S16, the process proceeds to S18, and the voltage adjusting unit 9a sets the voltage V to the next voltage V.

  Each time the processing of S15 or S17, S18 is executed, the storage means 9b of the body ECU 9 stores the relationship between the time lapse T and the voltage V. In S20, it is determined whether or not it is IGON. If it is IGON, the processing from S11 to S19 is repeatedly executed.

  In the infrared projector 21 according to the second embodiment realized by the control contents described above, the following operational effects can be obtained as in the first embodiment. That is, by detecting the light intensity L of the bulb 2 by providing the light intensity sensor 11 in the infrared projector 21 or in a night vision device (not shown), the voltage of the body ECU 9 is set so that the light intensity L becomes constant as shown in FIG. The adjusting means 9a can control the voltage V so as to increase with the passage of time T.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, when the valve 2 is new, the initial value V0 of the voltage V applied to the valve 2 by the voltage adjusting means 9a of the body ECU 9 is smaller than the voltage V after the new product. can do. The initial value V0 is appropriately determined based on the amount of decrease ΔL due to aging deterioration from the initial value L0 of the light intensity L of the bulb 2 that is expected in advance to just before replacement.

  That is, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, the amount of heat generated when the bulb 2 is new is suppressed, and the radial distance D1 from the light emission center of the bulb 2 toward the filter 3 is set to In addition to ensuring that the radiated heat is sufficiently weakened so as to be durable against the amount of heat generated by the bulb 2, light emission to the bulb 2 of the filter 3 so as to maintain an appropriate cooling performance In the case of securing from the center toward the radial direction, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, in the conventional technology as shown in the upper part of FIG. 10, for example, the voltage V is constant so as to be equal to the battery voltage 12 V, and durability and cooling performance can be maintained based on the amount of heat generated by the valve 2 when new. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, the separation distance D <b> 1 can be reduced with respect to the radial separation distance D <b> 0 of the filter 53 from the valve 2. Thus, the outer diameter φ1 of the filter 3 can be suppressed in advance with respect to the outer diameter φ0 of the filter 53 of the prior art.

  In addition, since it is possible to prevent the valve 2 from aging and reducing the amount of heat after the new article, the separation distance D1 set at the new article becomes excessive after the new article, and the outer dimension φ1 of the filter 3 It is possible to prevent the increase in size and the increase in the size of the entire infrared projector 21. Furthermore, since the light intensity L generated by the bulb 2 can be made constant, the above-described image processing in the night vision apparatus can be performed stably.

  Further, in the infrared projector 21 described above, the voltage adjusting means 9a of the body ECU 9 feedback-controls the voltage V so as to keep the light intensity L at a constant value LC, and actually increases the voltage V according to the time T. In this case, the storage means 9b of the body ECU 9 stores the relationship between the time lapse T and the voltage V. After the valve 2 is replaced again, the voltage adjustment means 9a of the body ECU 9 is stored by the storage means 9b. Based on the relationship between the elapsed time T and the voltage V, the voltage V can be increased according to the elapsed time T counted by a timer incorporating the voltage V.

  According to this, after the relationship between the time lapse T and the voltage V is once stored in the storage means 9b of the body ECU 9, and after the valve 2 is replaced with a new one, the voltage adjusting means 9a of the body ECU 9 is stored in the storage means 9b. The voltage V applied to the valve 2 can be adjusted based on the relationship between the elapsed time T and the voltage V.

  That is, after the relationship between the time lapse T and the voltage V is once stored in the storage means 9b of the body ECU 9, the light intensity L of the bulb 2 is detected by the light intensity sensor 11 in the subsequent control, and the detection result is Since it is possible to eliminate the necessity of performing feedback control so that the light intensity L is constant based on the adjustment, the adjustment control of the voltage V by the voltage adjusting means 9a of the body ECU 9 can be simplified.

  Further, in the infrared projector 21 described above, since the light intensity sensor 11 is removable, the voltage adjustment of the body ECU 9 is performed after the relationship between the time T and the voltage V is once stored by the storage means 9b of the body ECU 9. The light intensity sensor 11, which is a component unnecessary for the adjustment control of the voltage V of the means 9a, can be removed.

  As a result, one vehicle is extracted from a plurality of vehicles belonging to a certain vehicle type, the light intensity sensor 11 is provided only for the extracted one vehicle, and the light intensity L is constant. The storage means 9b of the body ECU 9 stores the relationship with the voltage V by a bench test or an actual vehicle test, so that for the infrared projector 21 of the same vehicle type, the time lapse T and the voltage V stored by the storage means 9b of the body ECU 9 are stored. By using the relationship in common, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of providing the light intensity sensor 11 from the beginning of the vehicle shipment stage.

  In addition, the infrared projector 21 described above includes a reflector 6 that reflects light, similar to that shown in the first embodiment, whereby the light is projected as the infrared projector 21 by the reflection of the light from the reflector 6. The optical axis at is matched with the directing direction of the reflector 6 so as to be adjustable.

  Further, the filter 3 is disposed in a position where the visible light contained in the light generated by the bulb 2 can be blocked so as not to reach the reflector 6 when the control means 9c of the body ECU 9 does not energize the solenoid 5b of the actuator 5. By doing so, the ratio of the near infrared rays contained in the light projected by the infrared projector 21 can be further increased.

  Further, the infrared projector 21 described above also includes an arm 4 that supports the filter 3 so as to be swingable, and an actuator 5 that swings the arm 4 so that visible light contained in the bulb 2 can be shielded from the reflector 6. The filter 3 can be selectively arranged with respect to various positions.

  For this reason, the arm 4 is swung counterclockwise in FIG. 3 by the actuator 5, so that the visible light contained in the light generated by the bulb 2 can be moved to a position other than the position where the light can be shielded from the reflector 6. By arranging, it is possible to select that the function of shielding the visible light of the filter 3 in the infrared projector 21 is not functioned.

  That is, here too, the infrared projector 21 can be used as a simple projector, more specifically, a high beam, which projects light including visible light forward of the vehicle by the reflector 6. According to this, the bulb 2 can be shared between the infrared projector 21 and the high beam. In addition to this, if the filter 3 can be reduced in size, the arm 4 and thus the actuator 5 can also be reduced in size, so that the entire infrared projector 21 can be reduced in size.

  Further, the infrared projector 21 described above includes a filter structure cover 7 that hides the filter 3, the arm 4, and the actuator 5 from the light emission center direction of the bulb 2 so as not to be seen. Or since the pedestrian can conceal the mechanism inside the infrared projector 21 from being seen, the design of the infrared projector 21 can be improved.

  Even in this case, if the filter 3 can be miniaturized, the filter structure cover 7 can be miniaturized and the reflector 6 can be miniaturized, so the entire infrared projector 21 can be miniaturized. Can be achieved.

  In the infrared projector 21 described above, the filter 3 is configured to have a cylindrical shape centered on the light emission center of the bulb 2. However, when the bulb 2 is particularly substantially columnar, the filter 3 is For the bulb 2, it is possible to more easily realize that the visible light contained in the light generated by the bulb 2 can be selectively arranged with respect to the reflector 6 by the arm 4. it can.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions are made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. be able to.

  For example, in the infrared projector 1 according to the first embodiment or the infrared projector 21 according to the second embodiment, the visible light cutting filter 3 has a cylindrical shape, but may have a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom in front of the vehicle. it can. Further, the filter 3 may be a disk-like one positioned in front of the light emission center of the bulb 2.

  Also in this case, the filter 3 shields visible light contained in the light directly emitted from the bulb 2 and the light reflected by the reflector 6, and the emission center of the filter 3 in the longitudinal direction of the filter 3 with respect to the bulb 2. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the infrared projector as a whole in the longitudinal direction of the issue center.

  In addition, as an infrared projector, it is possible to use an LED capable of generating monochromatic light and generate near infrared light without using a filter. However, since the LED generates monochromatic light, the same Since the LED cannot serve as both an infrared projector and a high beam, and the amount of heat generated as a single LED is large, it is necessary to extend the heat radiation fin to the rear of the vehicle.

  For this reason, as shown in Example 1 or Example 2 described above, when the configuration using the valve is selected, the number of components can be reduced, that is, the number of components can be reduced, and the infrared projector can be occupied. Space can be reduced.

  The present invention relates to an infrared projector and an infrared projector capable of preventing an increase in the outer dimensions of the components constituting the infrared projector and the infrared projector. Thus, the present invention relates to passenger cars, trucks, buses, and the like. It is useful when applied to various vehicles.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the infrared projector which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the installation aspect of the infrared projector concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the installation aspect of the infrared projector concerning this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the infrared projector which concerns on this invention. It is a time chart which shows the control content of the infrared projector which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the effect of the infrared projector which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the infrared projector which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the infrared projector which concerns on this invention. It is a time chart which shows the control content of the infrared projector which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the effect of the infrared projector which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Infrared projector 2 Bulb (light emitting means)
3 Filter (Transmission means)
4 Arm (support means)
5 Actuator 6 Reflector (Reflection means)
7 Filter structure cover (concealment means)
8 Temperature sensor (temperature detection means)
9 Body ECU
9a Voltage adjusting means 9b Storage means 9c Control means 10 Selection switch 11 Light intensity sensor (light intensity detection means)
21 Infrared projector

Claims (10)

A light emitting means for generating light including visible light and infrared light, a transmission means for shielding the visible light and transmitting the infrared light, and a voltage adjusting means for adjusting a voltage applied to the light emitting means. An infrared projector according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting means increases the voltage as time elapses from an initial value determined based on an expected decrease in temperature or luminous intensity due to aging of the light emitting means .   2. The infrared ray according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature of the light emitting unit, and wherein the voltage adjustment unit increases the voltage as time passes so that the temperature becomes constant. Floodlight.   2. The infrared ray according to claim 1, further comprising a light intensity detecting unit that detects a light intensity of the light emitting unit, and wherein the voltage adjusting unit increases the voltage with time so that the light intensity becomes constant. Floodlight.   The voltage adjusting means includes storage means for storing the relationship between the time lapse and the voltage when the voltage is actually increased with time, and after the light emitting means is replaced, the voltage 4. The infrared projector according to claim 2, wherein the adjusting unit increases the voltage with the passage of time based on the stored relationship. 5.   The infrared projector according to claim 4, wherein the temperature detection unit or the light intensity detection unit is removable.   The infrared projector according to claim 1, further comprising a reflection unit configured to reflect the light.   The infrared projector according to claim 6, wherein the transmission unit is disposed at a position where visible light contained in light generated by the light-emitting unit can be blocked so as not to reach the reflection unit.   The infrared projector according to claim 7, further comprising a support unit that supports the transmission unit in a swingable manner and can selectively arrange the transmission unit with respect to the shieldable position.   The infrared projector according to claim 8, further comprising: a concealing unit that hides the transmission unit and the support unit from view when viewed from the light emission center direction of the light emission unit.   The infrared projector according to claim 9, wherein the transmission unit has a cylindrical shape centered on a light emission center of the light emitting unit.

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