Photographing apparatus for vehicle

• US 10,351,073 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2017
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Usami, Masayuki, Toyofuku, Kunihiko, Shinkai, Ryuichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Topgyal, Gelek W
• Application Number:
  US15/438,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20170334364A1
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0063 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/023 including defroster or demisting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/026 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/56 specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/55 with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices

Abstract

The photographing apparatus for vehicle includes image pickup device which is disposed inside of a window part provided in a vehicle and receives photographing luminous flux passing through a light transmissive portion, a heater, composed of heated wire, generates heat when being supplied electrical power from electric power source, a heated portion, fixed to the heater, faces an inner surface of the light transmissive portion and gives radiant heat to the light transmissive portion when receiving heat from the heater. The heated portion is a plate having a polygonal shape. Both ends of the heater are positioned at two different corner portions of the heated portion.

Claims

1. A photographing apparatus for vehicle comprising:

image pickup means disposed inside of a window part that is made of translucent material and is provided in a vehicle, said image pickup means receiving photographing luminous flux passing through a light transmissive portion that is a portion of said window part;

a heater, composed of electrically heated wire, for forming a portion of an electrical circuit connected to an electric power source, said heater generating heat when being supplied electrical power from said electric power source;

a heated portion, fixed to said heater, facing an inner surface of said light transmissive portion, said heated portion giving radiant heat to said light transmissive portion when receiving heat from said heater;

a bracket that supports said image pickup means and is supported by said inner surface of said window part;

a middle part electrical lead provided in said heated portion, said middle part electrical lead connected at one end thereof to one end of said heater; and

two electrical cables connected to said electric power source, wherein

one of said two electrical cables is connected at one end thereof to the other end of said heater,

the other of said two electrical cables is connected at one end thereof to the other end of said middle part electrical lead,

said bracket includes a support capable of supporting said heated portion,

said heated portion is a plate having a polygonal shape,

both ends of said heater are positioned at two different corner portions of said heated portion,

said heated portion is composed of a first heated portion and a second heated portion,

said first heated portion and said second heated portion are symmetrical about the center line of said heated portion respectively and configured to be supported by said support, and

said heater is composed of a first heater that is fixed to said first heated portion, and a second heater that is fixed to said second heated portion and is symmetrical to said first heater about said center line.

2. A photographing apparatus for vehicle according to claim 1, wherein,

said heated portion has a regular polygonal shape.

3. A photographing apparatus for vehicle according to claim 1, wherein,

a facing surface of said heated portion against said window part is a convexly curved surface projecting toward said window part.

4. A photographing apparatus for vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

a first outer surface of the heated portion receives most of the heat from the heater.

5. A photographing apparatus for vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the corner portions of the heated portion include first and second corner portions,

the one end of the heater is formed as a first land positioned at the first corner, and

the other end of the heater is formed as a second land positioned at the second corner.