Camera supporting structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a camera support structure capable of suppressing damage to a lens at the time of a slight collision. A camera support structure for supporting a camera (30) disposed adjacent to vehicle exterior members (10, 20) includes: a cylinder (50) fixed to a vehicle body; a piston (40) which is inserted into the cylinder in a relatively displaceable state and holds the camera; an annular bag body (60) which is provided between a peripheral edge portion of a lens (32) disposed protruding from an end portion of the cylinder and the end portion of the cylinder, is formed of a flexible material, and accommodates a gas having a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure therein; and linking members (70, 80) provided so as to link the exterior member and the piston and to move the piston in the direction in which the lens is pulled into the cylinder in accordance with the displacement of the exterior member, in which the annular bag covers at least a part of the surface of the lens in accordance with the movement of the piston.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a camera supporting structure for supporting a camera arranged on a vehicle such as a car. Background Art

[0002] As a technology related to the support structure of a camera installed in a vehicle such as an automobile, Patent Document 1 describes a mounting structure for a vehicle camera that is easy to adjust the mounting angle and has excellent aesthetics. It is described that since a pin provided on the front end side of a mounting bracket is pivotally supported on a decorative part fixed to the vehicle body, and the base end side of the mounting bracket is fixed to the decorative part at at least two different angles by bolts, not only can the mounting angle of the camera be easily adjusted, but even if the mounting height of the camera varies depending on the vehicle model, it is possible to obtain an optimal image by simply adjusting the common camera mounting angle.

[0003] It is also recorded that since a pin is provided on the front end side of the mounting bracket, the protrusion of the camera supported on the mounting bracket from the vehicle body can be reduced, and the movement of the front end of the camera can be suppressed to a minimum when adjusting the angle, thereby improving the aesthetics, and the mounting bracket can be used to protect the camera.

[0004] Patent document 2 describes an installation structure for a vehicle forward condition detection device, which includes a rear bracket mounted on a front bulkhead located behind the front grille, and a front bracket extending forward from the rear bracket and supporting the forward condition detection device, so that the emblem formed on the front grille does not need to be enlarged so that the front condition detection device can function normally as in the initial state for a long time even in the event of a slight front collision; and a front bracket extending forward from the rear bracket and supporting the front condition detection device, wherein the front bracket is combined with the front grille and is combined with the rear bracket so as to be displaced rearward when subjected to a load exceeding a specified value.

[0005] Patent document 3 states that in order to prevent the camera from being damaged when colliding with an obstacle, when the obstacle contacts the camera housing, the housing overcomes the force of the first force-applying member and swings toward the rear of the vehicle body with the support axis as the center. It also states that when the obstacle collides with the bumper fascia, causing the bumper fascia to deform and contact the end (rear end) of the frame via the bumper fascia, the frame is guided by the guide member to overcome the force of the second force-applying member and move linearly toward the rear of the vehicle body.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-80081

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-131152

[0010] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-171958 Summary of the invention

[0011] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0012] It is best if the front camera can reduce damage in the event of a minor collision.

[0013] For example, in order to ensure the field of view required for photographing the road ahead, the lens closest to the object has to be a convex lens that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle. In the case of such a convex lens, even if a collision has no effect on the movement of the camera, it is inevitable that the lens part may be damaged and need to be replaced.

[0014] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera support structure capable of suppressing damage to the lens during a minor collision.

[0015] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0016] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a lens support structure of one embodiment of the present invention is a camera support structure that supports a camera arranged adjacent to a vehicle exterior component, and is characterized in that it includes: a cylinder fixed to the vehicle body; a piston inserted into the cylinder in a state capable of relative displacement along the axial direction of the cylinder and holding the camera; an annular bag body, which is arranged between the peripheral portion of the lens of the camera arranged protruding from the end of the cylinder and the end of the cylinder, and is formed of a flexible material and contains a gas with a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure inside; and a linkage component, which is arranged to connect the exterior component and the piston, and as the exterior component is displaced, the piston moves in a direction in which the lens is pulled into the cylinder, wherein the annular bag body covers at least a portion of the surface of the lens as the piston moves.

[0017] Thus, when a light collision occurs, the camera is retracted together with the piston relative to the cylinder, and the surface of the lens is covered with the annular bag, thereby preventing the lens from being damaged.

[0018] In the present invention, a configuration may be provided with a gas exhaust portion for exhausting the gas in the annular bag body into the cylinder along with the movement of the piston.

[0019] Thus, by discharging the gas in the annular bag body as the piston moves, the piston can be retracted relative to the cylinder to pull the camera into the cylinder for protection.

[0020] In addition, the internal pressure of the annular bag body can be reduced, so that the annular bag body can be softened and follow the surface of the lens.

[0021] In the present invention, a configuration may be provided with a biasing portion for biasing the piston in a direction in which the lens is sent out from the cylinder.

[0022] Thus, in the absence of a collision, the camera can be sent forward together with the piston to obtain an appropriate field of view angle and shooting range.

[0023] In the present invention, the annular bag body may be formed of a rubber-based material having elasticity.

[0024] Thereby, the above-mentioned effect can be obtained reliably.

[0025] In the present invention, a stroke limiting portion may be provided to limit the stroke of the piston relative to the cylinder so that the piston does not fall out of the cylinder.

[0026] This can prevent the piston and the camera from falling off the cylinder when a collision occurs, thereby suppressing damage to the camera.

[0027] Effects of the Invention

[0028] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera support structure that can suppress damage to the lens during a mild collision. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of a front structure of a vehicle having an embodiment to which a camera support structure of the present invention is applied.

[0030] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of Part II.

[0031] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing a state at an early stage of a collision in the camera support structure according to the embodiment.

[0032] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state after a collision in the camera support structure according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following describes an embodiment of a camera support structure to which the present invention is applied.

[0034] The camera support structure of the embodiment is installed at the front part of the vehicle body of a vehicle such as a passenger car, for example, and supports a camera that captures an image in front of the vehicle using a wide-angle lens.

[0035] Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle front structure having a camera support structure according to an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of Part II.

[0037] The vehicle 1 includes a bumper face 10 , a grille 20 , a camera 30 , a piston 40 , a cylinder 50 , an annular bag 60 , an upper link member 70 , a lower link member 80 , a spring 90 , and the like.

[0038] The bumper face 10 is a resin exterior member provided on the lower side of the front portion of the vehicle body.

[0039] The bumper surface 10 is disposed below the camera 30 .

[0040] The front end portion of the bumper face portion 10 is disposed so as to protrude toward the front side of the vehicle relative to the lens 32 of the camera 30 and the grille 20 .

[0041] The grille 20 is a resin exterior member provided at the front portion of the vehicle body.

[0042] The grille 20 is formed in a lattice shape in order to guide air to a radiator core (not shown) and the like arranged on the rear side thereof.

[0043] The grille 20 is disposed above the camera 30 .

[0044] The front end portion of the grille 20 is arranged so as to protrude toward the front side of the vehicle relative to the lens 32 of the camera 30 .

[0045] The camera 30 is an imaging device that captures an image of the front of the vehicle 1 .

[0046] The camera 30 includes a housing 31 and a lens 32 .

[0047] The housing 31 is a housing that accommodates a solid-state imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS and a driving device thereof.

[0048] The outer shape of the housing 31 is formed in, for example, a cylindrical shape, and the central axis thereof is arranged along the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0049] The lens 32 is an optical element that forms an image in front of the host vehicle on a solid-state imaging element.

[0050] The optical element closest to the object side (vehicle front side) in the lens 32 is a convex lens that protrudes from the front end portion of the housing 31 toward the vehicle front side.

[0051] The piston 40 is a portion formed to protrude in a flange shape from the outer peripheral surface of the housing 31 of the camera 30 to the outer diameter side.

[0052] The piston 40 is provided at an intermediate portion of the housing 31 in the front-rear direction.

[0053] The piston 40 is fixed to the housing 31. In addition, the piston 40 may be configured to be integrally formed with the housing 31 of the camera 30.

[0054] The piston 40 is inserted into the inner diameter side of the cylinder 50 together with the housing 31 of the camera 30 .

[0055] The outer peripheral edge portion of the piston 40 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 50 .

[0056] The cross-sectional shape observed when the outer peripheral edge portion of the piston 40 is cut along a plane including the optical axis of the camera 30 is formed into an arc shape with the outer diameter side being convex.

[0057] The cylinder 50 is a cylindrical member that accommodates a portion of the camera 30 and the piston 40 on the inner diameter side.

[0058] The central axis of the cylinder 50 is arranged along the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0059] The camera 30 and the piston 40 are displaceable relative to the cylinder 50 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0060] The cylinder 50 is fixed to the vehicle body via a bracket (not shown).

[0061] The annular bag body 60 is a member that seals a space between the front portion of the housing 31 of the camera 30 and the front portion of the cylinder 50 .

[0062] The annular bag body 60 is formed of a flexible material such as a rubber material into an annular tube shape surrounding the periphery of the lens 32 .

[0063] A gas having a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure (typically, compressed air) is introduced into the annular bag body 60 from a high-pressure gas supply source (not shown) and filled therein.

[0064] The high-pressure gas supply source may be configured to include, for example, a pump that performs a pumping operation in accordance with the suspension stroke of the vehicle 1 .

[0065] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, in the state before the vehicle collision, the annular bag body 60 is arranged to extend from the outer peripheral edge portion of the lens 32 to the outer diameter side so as not to hinder the viewing angle of the lens 32.

[0066] A vent portion 61 is provided at a portion of the annular bag body 60 that faces the front surface of the piston 40 .

[0067] The exhaust portion 61 is disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the housing 31 of the camera 30 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 50 .

[0068] When the vehicle does not collide, the exhaust portion 61 is in contact with the front surface of the piston 40. In this state, the exhaust portion 61 is in a state of sealing the high-pressure gas inside the annular bag body 60.

[0069] When the piston 40 retreats relative to the cylinder 50 during a vehicle collision, the exhaust portion 61 releases a portion of the high-pressure gas G in the annular bag 60 toward the inner diameter side of the cylinder 50 .

[0070] The upper link member 70 is a member that connects the rear end portion of the housing 31 of the camera 30 and the lower portion of the grille 20 .

[0071] The upper linkage member 70 senses external input to the grille 20 and transmits it to the housing 31 .

[0072] When the grille 20 moves backward relative to the vehicle body due to a minor collision of the vehicle, the upper linkage member 70 moves backward relative to the cylinder 50 in linkage with the housing 31 of the camera 30 .

[0073] The lower link member 80 is a member that connects the rear end portion of the housing 31 of the camera 30 and the upper portion of the bumper face 10 .

[0074] The lower linkage member 80 senses external input to the bumper face 10 and transmits the external input to the housing 31 .

[0075] When the bumper face 10 moves backward relative to the vehicle body due to a minor collision of the vehicle, the lower linkage member 80 moves backward relative to the cylinder 50 in linkage with the housing 31 of the camera 30 .

[0076] The spring 90 is a biasing member such as a compression coil spring provided between the panel P constituting a part of the vehicle body and rear end portions of the upper and lower interlocking members 70 and 80 .

[0077] The spring 90 urges the camera 30 in the forward direction relative to the vehicle body.

[0078] The spring 90 functions as a stroke limiting portion that limits the range of stroke that the piston 40 can achieve with respect to the cylinder 50 .

[0079] Next, the behavior of the camera support structure according to the embodiment when the vehicle 1 is involved in a minor collision will be described.

[0080] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing a state at an early stage of a collision in the camera support structure according to the embodiment.

[0081] exist Figure 3In the example shown, the bumper face 10 retreats due to external input, and the lower link member 80 is pushed inwardly to the rear. As a result, the camera 30 retreats relative to the cylinder 50 while tilting in a direction that causes the optical axis front side to droop.

[0082] As the piston 40 retreats relative to the cylinder 50 , a portion of the high-pressure gas G in the annular bag body 60 flows from the rear end of the annular bag body 60 into the gap between the cylinder 50 and the housing 31 of the camera 30 .

[0083] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state after a collision in the camera support structure according to the embodiment.

[0084] exist Figure 4 In the state shown, the spring 90 is fully compressed until the coils are in close contact with each other, and the piston 40 is retracted relative to the cylinder 50 to a state where the allowable stroke is maximum.

[0085] The high-pressure gas G in the annular bag body 60 is discharged from the exhaust portion 61 into the cylinder 50 , and the internal pressure of the annular bag body 60 is reduced.

[0086] The high-pressure gas G introduced into the cylinder 50 resists the reaction force of the spring 90 and causes the piston 40 to retreat relative to the cylinder 50 .

[0087] A portion of the annular bag body 60 , which has been softened due to the reduction in internal pressure, is wound around the front surface side of the lens 32 , covers the surface of the lens 32 , and protects the lens 32 .

[0088] This prevents damage to the lens 32 and increases the possibility of reusing the camera 30 when the vehicle is repaired.

[0089] At this time, the front end portion of the annular bag body 60 is arranged so as to protrude toward the front side of the vehicle with respect to the front end portion of the lens 32 .

[0090] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0091] (1) When a light collision occurs, the camera 30 is retracted together with the piston 40 relative to the cylinder 50 , and the surface of the lens 32 is covered with the annular bag 60 , thereby preventing the lens 32 from being damaged.

[0092] (2) By having an exhaust portion 61 that discharges high-pressure gas in the annular bag 60 into the interior of the cylinder 50 as the piston 40 moves relative to the cylinder 50, the piston 40 can be retracted relative to the cylinder 50 so that the camera 30 can be pulled into the cylinder 50 for protection.

[0093] In addition, the internal pressure of the annular bag body 60 can be reduced, and the annular bag body 60 can be softened to follow the surface of the lens 32 .

[0094] (3) By providing the spring 90 urging the piston 40 in the direction of sending the lens 32 out of the cylinder 50, the camera 30 can be sent forward together with the piston 40 in the absence of a collision, thereby obtaining an appropriate viewing angle and imaging range.

[0095] (4) Since the annular bag body 60 is formed of a rubber-based material having elasticity, the above-mentioned effects can be reliably obtained.

[0096] (5) The spring 90 has a stroke limiting portion that limits the stroke of the piston 40 relative to the cylinder 50, thereby preventing the piston 40 from falling off the cylinder 50. This prevents the piston 40 and the camera 30 from falling off the cylinder during a collision, thereby suppressing damage to the camera 30.

[0097] (Variation Example)

[0098] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made, and these modifications and changes are also within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0099] (1) The shapes, structures, materials, manufacturing methods, arrangements, numbers, etc. of the components constituting the vehicle and the camera support structure are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment and may be modified as appropriate.

[0100] (2) The method of supplying high-pressure gas into the interior of the annular bag body is not limited to the method of the embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate.

[0101] For example, a configuration may be adopted in which compressed air is stored in a foaming agent for absorbing energy disposed inside the bumper face, and the foaming agent is ruptured when a collision occurs, so that the stored compressed air is supplied to the cylinder.

[0102] Explanation of symbols

[0103] 1...Vehicle 10...Bumper face

[0104] 20...Grille 30...Camera

[0105] 31 ... housing 32 ... lens

[0106] 40...Piston 50...Cylinder

[0107] 60 ... annular bag body 61 ... exhaust part

[0108] 70...upper linkage component 80...lower linkage component

[0109] 90...spring P...panel.

Claims

1. A camera support structure, which supports a camera disposed adjacent to a vehicle exterior component, comprising: The cylinder is fixed to the vehicle body; a piston inserted into the cylinder in a state capable of relative displacement along the axial direction of the cylinder and holding the camera; an annular bag body, which is disposed between the peripheral edge of the lens of the camera protruding from the end of the cylinder and the end of the cylinder, and is formed of a flexible material, and contains gas at a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure; as well as A linkage component is configured to connect the outer casing and the piston, and as the outer casing is displaced, the piston is moved in a direction in which the lens is pulled into the cylinder. Wherein, the annular bag body covers at least a portion of the surface of the lens as the piston moves.

2. The camera support structure according to claim 1, wherein: A gas exhaust portion is provided, and the gas exhaust portion exhausts the gas inside the annular bag body into the inside of the cylinder along with the movement of the piston.

3. The camera support structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A force applying portion is provided, and the force applying portion applies force to the piston in a direction to send the lens out of the cylinder.

4. The camera support structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The annular bag body is formed of an elastic rubber material.

5. The camera support structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A stroke limiting portion is provided, which limits the stroke of the piston relative to the cylinder so that the piston does not fall off from the cylinder.

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