US 12,214,731 B2
On-board camera device
Keirai Jo, Tokyo (JP); Toshiyuki Inbe, Tokyo (JP); Shinya Tomita, Tokyo (JP); and Hideo Ito, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to SUBARU CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by SUBARU CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Jun. 9, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/343,458.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-102259 (JP), filed on Jun. 12, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0387579 A1, Dec. 16, 2021
Int. Cl. B60R 11/04 (2006.01); B60S 1/02 (2006.01); G03B 11/04 (2021.01); G03B 17/55 (2021.01); H05B 3/12 (2006.01); H05B 3/84 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 11/04 (2013.01) [B60S 1/026 (2013.01); G03B 11/045 (2013.01); G03B 17/55 (2013.01); H05B 3/12 (2013.01); H05B 3/84 (2013.01); B60R 2300/8053 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An on-board camera device comprising:
a camera unit configured to capture an image of an ambient environment through a window glass of a vehicle and a space, the window glass being located in a first direction with respect to an imaging lens of the camera unit, the space being located between the imaging lens of the camera unit and the window glass;
a hood configured to block an unnecessary light beam from outside of an imaging view of the imaging lens of the camera unit and suppress background reflection on the window glass, the hood comprising a plate-like portion separated from the window glass, the plate-like portion comprising a first surface facing the space and a second surface opposite to the first surface;
a thermally conductive part comprising a highly thermally conductive material, the thermally conductive part including a third surface that is in direct surface contact with the second surface of the plate-like portion and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, the thermally conductive part comprising a protruding portion that protrudes in the first direction from a leading edge of the plate-like portion with respect to the first direction, the protruding portion being in thermal contact with the window glass;
a heater device that is fixed in direct contact with the fourth surface of the thermally conductive part and includes a defogging function of removing dew condensation and fog adhering to a surface of the window glass at a front part of the camera unit; and
a temperature measurement sensor that is provided at a substantially center part of the heater device and comprises a portion that is disposed in direct contact with the fourth surface of the thermally conductive part,
wherein the temperature measurement sensor is configured to:
detect a temperature state of the heater device during operation of the heater device; and
detect a temperature state of the window glass transmitted through the thermally conductive part during non-operation of the heater device,
wherein the heater device is controlled according to the temperature state of the heater device and the temperature state of the window glass detected from the temperature measurement sensor, and
wherein the heater device is disposed on the fourth surface to cover an area of the fourth surface surrounding a portion of the fourth surface that is in direct contact with the temperature measurement sensor,
wherein the thermally conductive part has a plate-shape and comprises an aluminum material,
wherein the protruding portion is in direct contact with the window glass.