Mounting Structure of External Detection Sensor for Vehicle

Abstract

Provided is a mounting portion structure for an external detection sensor for a vehicle, which includes a sensor cover. The front portion of the sensor cover is engaged with a sensor bracket via a front-side engaging portion that restricts displacement in the vehicle's vertical direction in a state where displacement in the vehicle's longitudinal direction and vehicle width direction of the sensor cover is permitted and rotation about an axis along the vehicle width direction. The rear portion of the sensor cover is engaged with a console bracket (11) via a rear-side engaging portion that restricts displacement in the vehicle's vertical direction and vehicle's longitudinal direction in a state where displacement in the vehicle width direction of the sensor cover is permitted. The rear portion of the sensor cover is urged in the vehicle width direction by a rear-side spring portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting structure for an external detection sensor for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, vehicles equipped with external detection sensors such as cameras, infrared radars, ultrasonic sensors, and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) have been increasing. The mounting positions of the external detection sensors in the vehicle are various, and a structure in which an external detection sensor is mounted on the upper part of the inner side of the front windshield is known (for example, refer to the specification of U.S. Patent No. 8,770,644).

[0003] In the vehicle described in the specification of U.S. Patent No. 8,770,644, a sensor bracket is fixed by adhesion to the upper part of the inner side of the front windshield, and an external detection sensor (camera) is mounted on the sensor bracket. The inner side of the sensor bracket is covered with a resin sensor cover. An overhead console equipped with an interior lighting switch or the like is supported by a console bracket at the front part of the ceiling portion in the vehicle interior. The sensor cover is clamped to the sensor bracket at the front side by a front-side clamping portion, and is clamped to the leading edge portion of the console bracket at the rear side by a rear-side clamping portion.

[0004] The front-side clamping portion allows displacement of the front part of the sensor cover in the vehicle longitudinal direction and vehicle width direction, and rotational displacement about an axis along the vehicle width direction, and clamps the front part of the sensor cover to the sensor bracket in a state where displacement of the front part of the sensor cover in the vehicle vertical direction is restricted. Further, the rear-side clamping portion clamps the rear part of the sensor cover to the console bracket in a state where displacement in all directions of the rear part of the sensor cover is restricted. The mounting structure for the external detection sensor described in the specification of U.S. Patent No. 8,770,644 can absorb assembly errors between the front windshield and the console bracket, manufacturing errors of each component, etc., and mount the sensor cover by the functions of the front-side clamping portion and the rear-side clamping portion, and can match the trailing edge portion of the sensor cover with the leading edge portion of the overhead console. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The mounting structure for the external detection sensor described in the specification of U.S. Patent No. 8,770,644 clamps the rear part of the sensor cover to the console bracket in a state where displacement in all directions is restricted by the rear-side clamping portion. Therefore, for example, when the sensor cover is long in the vehicle longitudinal direction, etc., when the rear part of the sensor cover is mounted on the console bracket, there may be flexure in the vehicle width direction in the sensor cover.

[0006] The solution of the present invention provides a mounting structure for an external detection sensor for a vehicle, which can absorb the errors of each part to assemble the sensor cover to the sensor bracket and the console bracket, and can match the trailing edge portion of the sensor cover with the leading edge portion of the overhead console in a state where the lateral deflection of the sensor cover is eliminated.

[0007] A mounting structure for an external detection sensor for a vehicle according to an aspect of the present invention includes: an external detection sensor that detects information outside the vehicle through the front windshield of the vehicle; a sensor bracket that is mounted on the inner side of the front windshield of the vehicle and holds the external detection sensor; a console bracket that is mounted on the front part of the ceiling in the vehicle interior; an overhead console that is supported by the console bracket on the ceiling in the vehicle interior; and a sensor cover that covers the external detection sensor and the sensor bracket from the vehicle interior side and is engaged with the sensor bracket at the front part side and engaged with the console bracket in such a manner that the trailing edge portion matches the leading edge portion of the overhead console. Among them, the front part of the sensor cover is engaged with the sensor bracket via a front side engaging portion, and the front side engaging portion restricts the displacement of the front part of the sensor cover in the vertical direction of the vehicle in a state where displacement in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the vehicle and rotation about an axis along the lateral direction of the vehicle of the sensor cover are allowed. The rear part of the sensor cover is engaged with the console bracket via a rear side engaging portion, and the rear part of the sensor cover is urged in the lateral direction by a rear side spring portion. The rear side engaging portion restricts the displacement of the sensor cover in the vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle in a state where displacement in the lateral direction of the vehicle of the sensor cover is allowed.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the front part side of the sensor cover is engaged with the sensor bracket via the front side engaging portion, and the rear part side is engaged with the console bracket via the rear side engaging portion.

[0009] The front side of the sensor cover is restricted in displacement only in the vehicle's up-and-down direction by the front-side locking portion, and the front side of the sensor cover can displace in the vehicle's front-and-rear direction, the vehicle's width direction, and rotate about an axis along the vehicle's width direction. Therefore, when the front part of the sensor cover is locked to the sensor bracket via the front-side locking portion and the rear part of the sensor cover is locked to the console bracket via the rear-side locking portion in this state, fine adjustment can be made to the position of the front side of the sensor cover in the vehicle's front-and-rear direction and the vehicle's width direction, and fine adjustment can also be made to the tilting state in the vehicle's front-and-rear direction. Thus, even if there are assembly errors of the front windshield and the console bracket and manufacturing errors of components, the error can be absorbed and the sensor cover can be assembled to the sensor bracket and the console bracket. Moreover, the rear part of the sensor cover restricts displacement in the vehicle's up-and-down direction and the vehicle's front-and-rear direction in a state where displacement in the vehicle's width direction is permitted by the rear-side locking portion. At this time, the rear part of the sensor cover is urged in the vehicle's width direction by the rear-side spring portion, so that fine adjustment can be made to the position in the vehicle's width direction against the elastic force of the rear-side spring portion. Also, the looseness of the rear part of the sensor cover in the vehicle's width direction can be suppressed by the elastic force of the rear-side spring portion.

[0010] Alternatively, the front part of the sensor cover may be urged in the vehicle's width direction by a front-side spring portion.

[0011] In this case, the front part of the sensor cover is urged in the vehicle's width direction by the front-side spring portion, so that fine adjustment can be made to the position in the vehicle's width direction against the elastic force of the front-side spring portion. Also, the looseness of the front part of the sensor cover in the vehicle's width direction can be suppressed by the elastic force of the front-side spring portion.

[0012] Alternatively, a rearview mirror base for supporting an in-vehicle rearview mirror may be mounted on the inner side surface of the front windshield, the sensor cover covers the base portion of the rearview mirror base, and has a through-hole through which the rearview mirror support portion of the rearview mirror base is inserted.

[0013] In this case, since the base portion of the rearview mirror base is covered by the sensor cover, the appearance of the base side of the in-vehicle rearview mirror can be made good. Moreover, the rear part of the sensor cover can be adjusted in position in the vehicle's width direction by the rear-side locking portion and the rear-side spring portion, so that the positional relationship between the rearview mirror support portion of the rearview mirror base and the through-hole of the sensor cover can be appropriately adjusted in the vehicle's width direction.

[0014] In the mounting portion structure of the external detection sensor for a vehicle according to the solution of the present invention, when the sensor cover is mounted on the sensor bracket and the console bracket, the position of the front side of the sensor cover in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle width direction and the tilt angle in the up and down directions can be finely adjusted with the rear locking portion as a reference through the front locking portion. Therefore, the assembly error and manufacturing error of the components can be absorbed, and the sensor cover can be easily mounted on the sensor bracket and the console bracket. Moreover, in the mounting portion structure of the external detection sensor for a vehicle according to the solution of the present invention, the rear portion of the sensor cover is urged in the vehicle width direction by the rear spring portion. Therefore, by finely adjusting the position in the vehicle width direction by overcoming the elastic force of the rear spring portion, the trailing edge portion of the sensor cover can be made to match the leading edge portion of the overhead console in a state where the deflection of the sensor cover in the vehicle width direction is eliminated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the camera mounting portion (sensor mounting portion) of the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 is along Figure 1 sectional view taken along line II-II.

[0017] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the camera mounting portion of the embodiment as viewed from above after being detached from the vehicle.

[0018] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the camera cover (sensor cover) of the embodiment as viewed from above.

[0019] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the console bracket of the embodiment as viewed from above.

[0020] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the overhead console of the embodiment as viewed from above.

[0021] Figure 7 is a view of the camera mounting portion of the embodiment as viewed from above.

[0022] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the camera bracket (sensor bracket) of the embodiment as viewed from below.

[0023] Figure 9 is a bottom view of the embodiment with a part of the components of the camera mounting portion disassembled.

[0024] Figure 10 is along Figure 7 sectional view taken along line X-X.

[0025] Figure 11 is along Figure 7 sectional view taken along line XI-XI.

[0026] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of Figure 7 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. It should be noted that in the drawings, an arrow FR indicating the front of the vehicle, an arrow UP indicating the upper side of the vehicle, and an arrow LH indicating the left side of the vehicle are shown.

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a camera mounting portion (sensor mounting portion) inside the vehicle compartment.

[0029] Figure 1 In , reference numeral 1 denotes a ceiling portion inside the vehicle compartment. Reference numeral 2 denotes a windshield disposed in front of the front row seats inside the vehicle compartment. The windshield 2 is inclined obliquely downward from the front end portion of the vehicle roof portion 5 (see Figure 2 ). An overhead console 3 equipped with an interior lighting switch and the like is installed at the front center of the ceiling portion 1 inside the vehicle compartment. Further, a headliner 4 is provided on the surface of the ceiling portion 1 facing the inside of the vehicle compartment (the portion other than the overhead console 3). It should be noted that the ceiling portion 1 includes a headliner 4 and a support member (not shown) that supports the headliner 4.

[0030] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of Figure 1 . Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the camera mounting portion (sensor mounting portion) and the headliner 4 removed from the vehicle and viewed from above.

[0031] As shown in these figures, a camera bracket 6 (sensor bracket) is adhesively mounted to the upper center of the inner side surface of the windshield 2 inside the vehicle compartment. As Figure 2 shown, a camera 7, which is a form of an external detection sensor for a vehicle, is mounted (held) on the camera bracket 6. Figure 2 In , reference numeral 7a denotes a camera main body portion, and reference numeral 7b denotes a lens portion of the camera 7. The lens portion 7b points toward the front side of the vehicle through the windshield 2. It should be noted that as Figure 2 shown, a lens hood 8 that covers the lower front side of the lens portion 7b is mounted on the camera bracket 6, but in Figure 3 , a part of the lens hood 8 is removed.

[0032] In addition, as Figure 2As shown, a rearview mirror base 10 that supports the in-vehicle rearview mirror 9 is adhesively attached to the upper center of the inner side of the front windshield 2. The rearview mirror base 10 includes: a base portion 10a adhesively fixed to the front windshield 2; and a rearview mirror support portion 10b extending rearward from the protruding end on the lower side of the base portion 10a. The base portion 10a of the rearview mirror base 10 is attached to the front windshield 2 at a position forward of the mounting portion of the camera 7 of the camera bracket 6. An opening 13 through which the base portion 10a of the rearview mirror base 10 passes vertically is provided at the leading edge portion of the camera bracket 6.

[0033] A rectangular frame-shaped console bracket 11 is mounted at the center of the front end portion of the ceiling portion 1. The main body portion of the overhead console 3 is disposed within the frame portion of the console bracket 11. The overhead console 3 and the console bracket 11 are together mounted on a support member (not shown) of the ceiling portion 1.

[0034] The inner side of the camera bracket 6 and the camera 7 mounted on the camera bracket 6 is covered by a resin camera cover 12 (sensor cover). As will be described in detail later, the camera cover 12 is mounted (locked) to the camera bracket 6 and the console bracket 11.

[0035] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the camera cover 12 as viewed from the upper side.

[0036] The camera cover 12 has: a cover main body portion 12a covering the main parts of the camera 7 and the camera bracket 6; and a base cover portion 12b covering the periphery of the base portion of the rearview mirror base 10. The cover main body portion 12a has a lower wall 14 that is substantially trapezoidal in plan view and a pair of side walls 15 extending upward from the left and right side end portions of the lower wall 14. In a state where the camera cover 12 is mounted on the vehicle body via the camera bracket 6 and the console bracket 11, the lower surface of the lower wall 14 is in a substantially horizontal state. The lower wall 14 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape in which the width in the vehicle width direction gradually increases from the front end portion toward the rear end portion. A cutout portion 16 that is recessed rearward in a concave shape is provided at the front edge of the lower wall 14. The base portion 10a of the rearview mirror base 10 extending downward from the front windshield 2 is inserted through the cutout portion 16.

[0037] Substantially rectangular-shaped locking claws 17 extending forward are respectively provided at the edge portions on both sides of the cutout portion 16 in the front edge of the lower wall 14 of the camera cover 12. Each locking claw 17 and a clamping block 18 on the side of the camera bracket 6 described later constitute a front-side locking portion 19 in the present embodiment. A pair of protruding portions 20 protruding upward are provided at the rear edge portion of the lower wall 14. The pair of protruding portions 20 are provided at two positions separated in the vehicle width direction (two positions symmetric with respect to the center portion in the vehicle width direction) at the rear edge portion of the lower wall 14. Each protruding portion 20 and a locking hole 21 on the side of the console bracket 11 described later constitute a rear-side locking portion 22 in the present embodiment.

[0038] The camera cover 12 engages the front side with the camera bracket 6 through the front side engaging portion 19, and engages the rear side with the console bracket 11 through the rear side engaging portion 22.

[0039] As Figure 2 , Figure 4 shown, the base cover portion 12b is formed into a substantially bowl shape that opens upward. Substantially the rear half of the upper end of the base cover portion 12b is joined to the lower surface of the lower wall 14 of the cover main body portion 12a. The opening at the upper end of the base cover portion 12b and the cutout portion 16 of the cover main body portion 12a form an insertion through-hole for inserting the base portion 10a of the rearview mirror base 10. Further, a through-hole 25 for inserting the rearview mirror support portion 10b of the rearview mirror base 10 is formed in the rear wall portion near the bottom of the base cover portion 12b.

[0040] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the console bracket 11 as viewed from above.

[0041] The console bracket 11 is integrally formed into a rectangular frame shape, and appropriate portions of the four sides are fixed to the support member of the ceiling portion 1 by screw fastening or the like. A pair of rear connecting walls 23 extending rearward from the upper end portion of the front edge 11a are provided at the front edge 11a of the console bracket 11 extending in the vehicle width direction. The pair of rear connecting walls 23 are provided at two positions separated in the vehicle width direction (two positions symmetric with respect to the central portion in the vehicle width direction) of the front edge 11a. A locking hole 23a penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in each rear connecting wall 23.

[0042] In addition, a pair of front connecting walls 24 extending forward from the upper end portion of the front edge 11a are provided at the front edge 11a of the console bracket 11. The pair of front connecting walls 24 are provided at two positions separated in the vehicle width direction (two positions symmetric with respect to the central portion in the vehicle width direction) of the front edge 11a. Each front connecting wall 24 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and reinforcing walls 24a standing upward are provided at the front edge and the left and right side edges thereof. Further, a substantially rectangular locking hole 21 for inserting the protrusion portion 20 of the camera cover 12 described above is formed in each front connecting wall 24.

[0043] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the overhead console 3 as viewed from above.

[0044] The overhead console 3 is provided above the operation part facing the interior of the vehicle with: a lamp storage part 3a for storing a reading lamp; an electrical component storage part 3b for storing electrical installation components; and a glasses holder part 3c for storing sunglasses and the like. The lamp storage part 3a extends in the vehicle width direction. A pair of locking protrusions 26 separated in the vehicle width direction are protrudingly provided on the upper surface of the lamp storage part 3a. The lamp storage part 3a, the electrical component storage part 3b, and the glasses holder part 3c are stored inside the frame part of the console bracket 11. At this time, the pair of locking protrusions 26 protrudingly provided on the upper surface of the lamp storage part 3a are engaged with the respective locking holes 23a formed in the pair of rear connecting walls 23 of the console bracket 11. Thus, the overhead console 3 is positioned relative to the console bracket 11. The overhead console 3 is fixed to the console bracket 11 by screw fastening or the like in this state.

[0045] Figure 7 It is a view of the camera mounting part as seen from above after being detached from the vehicle. Figure 8 It is a view of the front part of the camera bracket 6 as seen from below. Moreover, Figure 9 It is a view of the camera mounting part as seen from below after detaching the base cover part 12b of the camera bracket 6. Figures 10 to 12 It is Figure 7 A sectional view of each part of the camera mounting part. Figure 10 It is along Figure 7 A sectional view taken along the X-X line. Figure 11 It is along Figure 7 A sectional view taken along the XI-XI line. Figure 12 It is along Figure 7 A sectional view taken along the XII-XII line.

[0046] The camera bracket 6 has a wide bracket main body part 6a for holding the camera 7 and a narrow front bulging part 6b extending forward from the bracket main body part 6a. The aforementioned opening 13 through which the base part 10a of the rearview mirror base 10 passes is formed in the front bulging part 6b.

[0047] On the lower surface of the front bulging part 6b, on the left and right side edges near the front end of the opening 13, substantially U-shaped clamping blocks 18 are integrally provided. Holding grooves 27 extending in the vehicle width direction and opening toward the rear side of the vehicle are formed in each clamping block 18. Moreover, as Figure 10 shown, tapered surfaces 27a are provided vertically in the end part on the rear side of the vehicle of the holding groove 27 in such a manner that the vertical width gradually increases toward the rear side of the vehicle. The left and right corresponding locking claws 17 provided on the cover main body part 12a of the camera cover 12 can be slidably inserted into the holding grooves 27 of the left and right clamping blocks 18 (refer to Figure 10 , Figure 11). A sliding member 28 with low sliding resistance is adhered to the front end of each locking claw 17. By inserting the left and right locking claws 17 of the camera hood 12 into the corresponding retaining grooves 27 on the camera bracket 6 side, the front portion of the camera hood 12 is restricted from displacement in the vehicle up-down direction while displacement in the vehicle front-back direction and vehicle width direction is allowed. In addition, at the end of the retaining groove 27 on the vehicle rear side, a tapered surface 27a is provided in such a manner that the up-down width gradually increases toward the vehicle rear side, so that at this time, the front end of the camera hood 12 is allowed to rotate slightly around an axis along the vehicle width direction.

[0048] In addition, a support wall 29 protruding downward is provided on the lower surface of the front bulged portion 6b in the vehicle width direction inner region of each of the left and right clamping blocks 18. A plate-like piece 30 extending obliquely toward the vehicle width direction outer side toward the vehicle front side is provided on the support wall 29. When the locking claw 17 of the camera cover 12 is engaged with the holding groove 27 on the camera bracket 6 side, the front end of the plate-like piece 30 elastically abuts against the vicinity of the base of the locking claw 17 from the vehicle width direction inner side.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the plate-like piece 30 constitutes a front spring portion that urges the front portion of the camera cover 12 in the vehicle width direction.

[0050] Here, if Figure 10 , Figure 12 As shown, a pair of protrusions 20 protruding from the rear edge of the camera hood 12 includes: a base protrusion 20a protruding from the lower wall 14 of the camera hood 12; and a clamping portion 20b mounted on the base protrusion 20a. The clamping portion 20b has a concave engaging portion 31 that restricts displacement in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle up-and-down direction by fitting with the edge of the corresponding locking hole 21 of the console bracket 11. By fitting the concave engaging portion 31 of the protrusion 20 with the corresponding locking hole 21, the rear portion of the camera hood 12 is restricted from displacement in the vehicle front-and-rear direction and the vehicle up-and-down direction. Moreover, the width (the width in the vehicle width direction) of the portion of the base protrusion 20a inserted into the locking hole 21 is set to be much narrower than the width (the width in the vehicle width direction) of the locking hole 21. Therefore, the rear portion of the camera hood 12 is allowed to be displaced in the vehicle width direction.

[0051] In addition, if Figure 12 As shown, a plate-like piece 40 is integrally provided at the upper end of the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of each of the left and right base protrusions 20a, which extends inward in the vehicle width direction and then bends and extends obliquely downward. The lower end of the plate-like piece 40 is inserted into the corresponding locking hole 21. The plate-like piece 40 elastically abuts against the inner edge of the locking hole 21 in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the plate-like piece 40 constitutes a rear spring portion that applies force to the rear portion of the camera cover 12 in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] exist Figure 12The plate-like piece 40 provided on the left protrusion 20 in [] is disposed on the right side of the base protrusion 20a, and the plate-like piece 40 provided on the right protrusion 20 is disposed on the left side of the base protrusion 20a. Therefore, the two plate-like pieces 40 are disposed on opposite sides in the vehicle width direction with the protrusion 20 therebetween. It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, each plate-like piece 40 is integrally provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the corresponding base protrusion 20a, but each plate-like piece 40 may be integrally provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the corresponding base protrusion 20a.

[0053] When actually mounting the camera mounting portion on the vehicle body, first, the camera bracket 6 holding the camera 7 and the rearview mirror base 10 are fixed to the inner side surface of the windshield 2 in the vehicle compartment by bonding, and the console bracket 11 and the overhead console 3 are mounted on the ceiling portion 1 in the vehicle compartment. Then, the camera cover 12 is mounted on the camera bracket 6 and the console bracket 11 so as to cover the camera 7 and the camera bracket 6 from the inner side of the vehicle compartment. At this time, first, the front portion of the camera cover 12 is locked to the camera bracket 6 by the front locking portion 19, and then the rear portion of the camera cover 12 is locked to the console bracket 11 by the rear locking portion 22.

[0054] The front locking portion 19 only restricts the displacement of the front portion of the camera cover 12 in the vehicle up-and-down direction, and allows the displacement of the front portion of the camera cover 12 in the vehicle front-and-rear direction and the vehicle width direction, as well as the tilting displacement in the front-and-rear directions. Therefore, when the rear portion of the camera cover 12 is locked to the console bracket 11 by the rear locking portion 22, the assembly operation can be performed while finely adjusting the position and the tilt angle of the front portion side of the camera cover 12.

[0055] Both the front portion side and the rear portion side of the camera cover 12 can be displaced in the vehicle width direction, but the front portion side is urged in the vehicle width direction by the plate-like piece 30, and the rear portion side is similarly urged in the vehicle width direction by the plate-like piece 40. Therefore, in a situation where the camera cover 12 is deflected in the vehicle width direction during assembly, by finely adjusting the positions of the front portion and the rear portion of the camera cover 12 in the vehicle width direction by overcoming the elastic forces of the plate-like pieces 30 and 40, the deflection of the camera cover 12 can be eliminated.

[0056] As described above, in the structure of the camera mounting portion of the present embodiment, when the camera cover 12 is mounted on the camera bracket 6 and the console bracket 11, the positions of the front portion side of the camera cover 12 in the vehicle front-and-rear direction and the vehicle width direction, as well as the tilt angle in the up-and-down direction, can be finely adjusted with the rear locking portion 22 as a reference by the front locking portion 19. Therefore, the assembly error and the manufacturing error of the components can be absorbed, and the camera cover 12 can be easily mounted on the camera bracket 6 and the console bracket 11.

[0057] In addition, in the structure of the camera mounting portion of the present embodiment, the rear portion of the camera cover 12 is urged in the vehicle width direction by the rear side spring portion, i.e., the plate-like piece 40. Therefore, by finely adjusting the position in the vehicle width direction against the elastic force of the plate-like piece 40, the trailing edge portion of the camera cover 12 can be made to match the leading edge portion of the overhead console 3 in a state where the flexure of the camera cover 12 in the vehicle width direction is eliminated. Moreover, in the present embodiment, since the rear portion of the camera cover 12 is urged in the vehicle width direction by the plate-like piece 40, the looseness of the rear portion of the camera cover 12 in the vehicle width direction can be suppressed by the elastic force of the plate-like piece 40.

[0058] In addition, in the structure of the camera mounting portion of the present embodiment, the front portion of the camera cover 12 is urged in the vehicle width direction by the front side spring portion, i.e., the plate-like piece 30. Therefore, by overcoming the elastic force of the front side spring portion, i.e., the plate-like piece 30, the position in the vehicle width direction can also be finely adjusted for the front portion of the camera cover 12. Moreover, the looseness of the front portion of the camera cover 12 in the vehicle width direction can be suppressed by the elastic force of the plate-like piece 30.

[0059] Further, in the case of the present embodiment, a pair of left and right plate-like pieces 30 are provided as the front side spring portion, and the elastic forces of the pair of plate-like pieces 30 are set to act in opposite directions in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when assembling the camera cover 12, even when the front portion of the camera cover 12 is displaced to either side in the vehicle width direction, the reaction force (supporting force) based on the plate-like piece 30 can be stably obtained. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the looseness of the front portion of the camera cover 12 in the vehicle width direction can be further suppressed.

[0060] In addition, in the structure of the camera mounting portion of the present embodiment, the rearview mirror base 10 is mounted on the inner side surface of the windshield 2 in the vehicle interior, and the camera cover 12 covers the base portion 10a of the rearview mirror base 10. And a through hole 25 for inserting the rearview mirror support portion 10b is provided in a portion covering the base portion 10a of the rearview mirror base 10. According to this configuration, by covering the base portion 10a of the rearview mirror base 10 with the camera cover 12, the appearance of the base side of the interior rearview mirror 9 can be made good. Moreover, in the present embodiment, since the camera cover 12 can be adjusted in position in the vehicle width direction, the positional relationship between the rearview mirror support portion 10b and the through hole 25 of the camera cover 12 can be appropriately adjusted in the vehicle width direction.

[0061] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the camera 7 is used as an example of the vehicle external detection sensor, but the vehicle external detection sensor is not limited to the camera 7, and may be an infrared radar, an ultrasonic sensor, a LIDAR, or the like.

Claims

1. An installation structure of an external detection sensor for a vehicle, comprising: An external detection sensor that detects information outside the vehicle through the front windshield of the vehicle; A sensor bracket that is installed on the inner side of the front windshield of the vehicle and holds the external detection sensor; A console bracket that is installed at the front part of the ceiling in the vehicle interior; An overhead console that is supported by the console bracket on the ceiling in the vehicle interior; And A sensor cover that covers the external detection sensor and the sensor bracket from the inner side of the vehicle interior, and is engaged with the sensor bracket at the front side and engaged with the console bracket in such a manner that the trailing edge portion thereof matches the leading edge portion of the overhead console, The front portion of the sensor cover is engaged with the sensor bracket via a front engagement portion, and the front engagement portion restricts the displacement of the front portion of the sensor cover in the vehicle up-and-down direction in a state where displacement of the sensor cover in the vehicle front-and-rear direction and vehicle width direction and rotation about an axis along the vehicle width direction are allowed, The rear portion of the sensor cover is engaged with the console bracket via a rear engagement portion, and the rear portion of the sensor cover is respectively urged in opposite directions in the vehicle width direction by a plurality of rear spring portions. The rear engagement portion restricts the displacement of the sensor cover in the vehicle up-and-down direction and vehicle front-and-rear direction in a state where displacement of the sensor cover in the vehicle width direction is allowed.

2. The installation structure of an external detection sensor for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The front portion of the sensor cover is urged in the vehicle width direction by a front spring portion.

3. The installation structure of an external detection sensor for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein A rearview mirror base that supports the rearview mirror in the vehicle interior is installed on the inner side of the front windshield, The sensor cover covers the base portion of the rearview mirror base and has a through hole through which the rearview mirror support portion of the rearview mirror base is inserted.

Images