IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,531,252
Granted Patent B2
US 11,531,252 · App. 17/590,955 · Granted Dec 20, 2022

Vehicle and imaging device

Inventors: Masaki Suto (Tokyo, JP); Tomoya Hagihara (Tokyo, JP); Tatsuya Yamasaki (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
G03B15/03B60Q3/14B60Q3/70
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,531,252
App. No.
17/590,955
Granted
Dec 20, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle comprises: an imaging unit configured to image an occupant from front of the occupant in a vehicle longitudinal direction in a vehicle interior; and a light emitting unit including a first light emitting portion and a second light emitting portion configured to irradiate an imaging range of the imaging unit. An optical axis of irradiation light from the first light emitting portion and an optical axis of irradiation light from the second light emitting portion intersect with each other between the light emitting unit and the occupant in plan view.

Claims (38)

1. A vehicle comprising:

an imaging unit configured to image an occupant from front of the occupant in a vehicle longitudinal direction in a vehicle interior;

a light emitting unit including a first light emitting portion and a second light emitting portion configured to irradiate an imaging range of the imaging unit; and

an instrument panel provided at a front portion of the vehicle interior, wherein

an optical axis of irradiation light from the first light emitting portion and an optical axis of irradiation light from the second light emitting portion intersect with each other between the light emitting unit and the occupant in plan view,

the light emitting unit is provided inside the instrument panel,

a rear end of the light emitting unit is located on a front side with respect to a rear end of the imaging unit in the vehicle longitudinal direction,

the instrument panel includes a cover portion covering the imaging unit below a display unit of the vehicle,

the cover portion includes a first face extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and a second face extending at least downward from a rear end of the first face at an angle different from an angle of the first face, and

the imaging unit images the occupant through the second face.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein

the optical axis of irradiation light from the first light emitting portion is directed to a driver seat of the vehicle, and

the optical axis of irradiation light from the second light emitting portion is directed to a passenger seat of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein

the first light emitting portion is provided at a position farther from the driver seat than a center of the vehicle in a vehicle width direction.

4. The vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein

the light emitting unit is provided at a position farther from the driver seat than the imaging unit in a vehicle width direction.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein

the imaging unit is provided such that a virtual straight line extending in a front-and-rear direction passes through a center in the vehicle width direction in plan view of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle according to claim 4 , further comprising:

an instrument panel provided at a front portion of the vehicle interior; and

an operation unit which is provided to protrude rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction from the instrument panel, and on which a predetermined operation is performed, wherein

the operation unit and the imaging unit are provided side by side in the vehicle width direction such that the operation unit is located closer to the driver seat than the imaging unit.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein

a surface of the first face is rougher than a surface of the second face.

8. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein

the first light emitting portion emits irradiation light each from a plurality of light emitters provided side by side in a direction orthogonal to a direction of the optical axis of the irradiation light from the first light emitting portion, and

the second light emitting portion emits irradiation light each from a plurality of light emitters provided side by side in a direction orthogonal to a direction of the optical axis of the irradiation light from the second light emitting portion.

9. An imaging device comprising:

an imaging unit configured to image an occupant from a front in a vehicle longitudinal direction in a vehicle interior; and

a light emitting unit including a first light emitting portion and a second light emitting portion configured to irradiate an imaging range of the imaging unit from the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein

an optical axis of irradiation light from the first light emitting portion and an optical axis of irradiation light from the second light emitting portion intersect with each other between the light emitting unit and the occupant in vehicle plan view, wherein

the vehicle includes an instrument panel provided at a front portion of the vehicle interior,

the light emitting unit is provided inside the instrument panel,

a rear end of the light emitting unit is located on a front side with respect to a rear end of the imaging unit in the vehicle longitudinal direction,

the instrument panel includes a cover portion covering the imaging unit below a display unit of the vehicle,

the cover portion includes a first face extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and a second face extending at least downward from a rear end of the first face at an angle different from an angle of the first face, and

the imaging unit images the occupant through the second face.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 25, 2022
From: SUTO, MASAKI; HAGIHARA, TOMOYA; YAMASAKI, TATSUYA
To: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 060901/0169 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2021-019215 · Feb 9, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220252962A1 · Aug 11, 2022