Turn signal lamp, periphery monitoring device, body construction and imaging device for vehicle

• US 7,301,466 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2004
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Asai, Goro
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US10/810,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20040201673A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,338 Days
• Field of Search: 340/632, 340/471, 340/475, 340/478, 340/479, 340/458, 340/461, 250/330, 250/341.8, 250/214, 250/208.1, 250/339.05, 315/77, 315/82, 315/39, 348/148, 362/510, 356/218, 356/121
• US Class Current: 340/632
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/25 to the sides of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/103 using camera systems provided with artificial illumination device, e.g. IR light source
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision

Abstract

A side turn signal light that flashes during operation is disposed on a vehicle body side surface of a vehicle. Further, a camera that images a vehicle side zone that includes the side turn signal light in a section thereof, and a near-infrared LED for night-time illumination are respectively housed in a door mirror. A coating that allows visible light component to pass through while reducing near-infrared component is applied to a lamp bulb of the side turn signal light. Alternatively, a film that allows visible light component to pass through while reducing near-infared component is applied to a lens of the side turn signal light.

Claims

1. A turn signal light for a vehicle, comprising:

a bulb that emits a flashing light as a result of operation of a turn switch or hazard switch of the vehicle; and

a component that reduces infrared light of the flashing light and that transmits the visible light of the flashing light,

wherein the infrared light reduction member is at least one of an infrared light reduction coating that is applied to the lamp bulb, an infrared light reducing film that is attached to a lens that covers the lamp bulb, and an infrared light reducing filter plate that is disposed between the lamp bulb and the lens.

2. A vehicle periphery monitoring device comprising:

an imaging unit which is sensitive to infrared light and which is disposed such that a vehicle side zone including a turn signal light provided on a vehicle body side surface can be imaged;

a display unit that displays a shot image that is imaged by the imaging unit; and

a display control portion that inhibits display on the display unit of the shot image from the imaging unit when the turn signal light is lit.

3. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein the imaging unit opens and closes a shutter provided in the imaging unit in synchronization with flashing of the turn signal light.

4. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein the imaging unit changes an aperture size of an aperture provided in the imaging unit in synchronization with flashing of the turn signal light.

5. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 4, further comprising:

an illumination portion that illuminates an imaged zone that is imaged by the imaging unit with near-infrared light; and

an illumination control portion that controls illumination of the illumination portion, wherein the illumination control portion interrupts illumination of the illumination portion when the turn signal light is lit.

6. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 5, wherein the illumination control portion causes the illumination portion to be constantly lit when a head light switch is in an on state, and if the turn signal light is lit when the illumination portion is executing illumination, the illumination control portion controls the aperture size of the aperture by closing-down the aperture such that the aperture size accords with a periphery illumination intensity generated by the illumination portion and the turn signal light being lit.

7. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 5, wherein the illumination control portion causes, even if the head light switch is in the on state, the illumination portion to be extinguished during a period in which the turn signal light is lit, and controls the aperture size of the aperture such that the aperture size accords with a periphery illumination intensity generated by just the turn signal light being lit.

8. A vehicle body construction comprising:

an imaging unit which is sensitive to infrared light and which images a vehicle side zone including a turn signal light provided on a vehicle body side surface;

a display unit that displays a shot image that is imaged by the imaging unit; and

a shielding portion that shields a direct optical path that connects the turn signal light and the imaging unit.

9. The vehicle body construction according to claim 8, wherein the shielding portion is provided in at least one of the turn signal light and the imaging unit.

10. A vehicle imaging device comprising:

an imaging unit which is sensitive to infrared light and which images a vehicle side zone including a turn signal light provided on a vehicle body side surface; and

a polarized filter disposed at a position to block infrared light received by the imaging unit from an imaged area of the turn signal light, wherein;

the imaging unit is provided on a movable part of the vehicle; and

the polarized filter is provided such that, even if the imaging unit is moved in accordance with movement of the movable part of the vehicle, the position of the polarized filter can be moved so as to constantly correspond with an imaged position of the turn signal light.

11. A vehicle periphery monitoring device comprising:

imaging means which is sensitive to infrared light and which is disposed such that a vehicle side zone including a turn signal light provided on a vehicle body side surface can be imaged;

display means that displays a shot image that is imaged by the imaging means; and

display control means that inhibits display on the display unit of the shot image from the imaging means when the turn signal light is lit.

12. A vehicle body construction comprising:

imaging means which is sensitive to infrared light and which images a vehicle side zone including a turn signal light provided on a vehicle body side surface;

display means that displays a shot image that is imaged by the imaging means; and

shielding means that shields a direct optical path that connects the turn signal light and the imaging means.