Attachment structure of camera

Abstract

The invention relates to an attachment structure of a camera. The attachment structure of the camera includes an attachment member attached to the camera and a holding member holding the attachment member. The holding member includes a fixing frame fixed to an inner surface of the window, a cover protruding from the fixing frame toward an inner side, and a receiving tube extending from the cover toward the inner side and receiving the camera. The receiving tube includes a pair of elastically deformable engagement claws. The attachment member includes a base portion supporting the camera and a pair of side wall portions extending outward from the base portion and disposed on either side of the receiving tube. Each of the side wall portions is provided with an engagement hole with which each of the engagement claws engages from one side of the axis, and the engagement hole penetrates each of the side wall portions in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment structure for a camera mounted on a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, there have been active efforts to provide access to a sustainable transportation system that takes into account people in vulnerable situations among traffic participants. To this end, research and development to further improve traffic safety and convenience by developing preventive safety technologies has attracted attention.

[0003] JP6482940B2 discloses an attachment structure for a camera for photographing the surrounding conditions of a vehicle. The attachment structure of the camera described in JP6482940B2 includes a camera and a bracket (holding member) for attaching the camera to a windshield.

[0004] Even after a vehicle is manufactured, when a camera malfunctions, it may be necessary to attach and detach the camera from a window. However, when the camera is surrounded by a vehicle body frame or when the camera is installed deep inside the vehicle body, the working space for attaching and detaching the camera is limited, and an operator can only insert one arm into the working space. In this case, the work efficiency of attaching and detaching the camera to and from the window may be reduced. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to improve the work efficiency of attaching and detaching a camera to and from a window in an attachment structure for attaching a camera arranged inside a window of a vehicle to the window. This will ultimately contribute to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0006] To achieve this object, an aspect of the present invention provides an attachment structure 20 for a camera, which is used to attach a camera 21 disposed inside a window 8 of a vehicle 1 to the window. The attachment structure of the camera includes: an attachment member 22, which is attached to the camera; and a holding member 23, which is fixed to the inner surface of the window and holds the attachment member. Wherein, the holding member includes: a fixed frame 25, which is fixed to the inner surface of the window; a cover 26, which protrudes from the fixed frame toward the inner side and defines a viewing space S for the camera; and a receiving tube 27, which extends from the cover toward the inner side around an axis A2 and receives the camera. The receiving tube includes a pair of elastically deformable engaging claws 51. The attachment member includes: a base 61, which supports the camera; and a pair of side wall portions 62, which extend from the base toward the outer side and are positioned on either side of the receiving tube. Each side wall portion is provided with an engaging hole 66. Each engaging claw engages with the engaging hole from one side of the axis, and the engaging hole penetrates each side wall portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0007] According to this aspect, by pushing the attachment member attached to the camera against the holding member fixed to the inner surface of the window from the inner side, the operator can engage the engaging claws of the holding member with the engaging holes of the attachment member. This allows the camera to be attached to the window via the attachment member and the holding member. The operator can detach the attachment member from the holding member, and thus detach the camera from the window, by pulling the attachment member toward the inner side relative to the holding member while pressing the engaging claws of the holding member that engage with the engaging holes of the attachment member toward the axis. As described above, the operator can attach the camera to the window and detach it from the window by simple operations. Therefore, even if the working space for attaching and detaching the camera is limited and the operator can only insert one arm into the working space, the working efficiency of attaching the camera to the window and detaching it from the window can be improved.

[0008] In the above aspect, preferably, the engaging hole is formed to extend from the base to each side wall portion and penetrate the base in a direction parallel to the axis.

[0009] According to this aspect, even when the operator cannot visually confirm the engagement position of the engaging hole of the attachment member and each engaging claw of the holding member, the operator can confirm the engagement position of the engaging hole and each engaging claw by touching each engaging claw via the engaging hole with a finger. Therefore, the operator can easily press each engaging claw that engages with the engaging hole toward the axis and easily detach the attachment member from the holding member.

[0010] In the above aspect, preferably, the base portion includes a protruding portion 71 that protrudes toward the inside from an edge portion of the engaging hole.

[0011] According to this aspect, even when the operator cannot visually confirm the engagement position between the engaging hole of the attaching member and each engaging claw of the holding member, the operator can easily confirm the engagement position between the engaging hole and each engaging claw by touching the protruding portion with a finger. Therefore, the operator can more easily press each engaging claw engaged with the engaging hole toward the axis and more easily disassemble the attaching member from the holding member.

[0012] In the above aspect, preferably, a surface of the protruding portion located on a side opposite to the axis is parallel to the axis.

[0013] According to this aspect, the operator can stably grasp the attaching member. Therefore, the operator can more easily press each engaging claw engaged with the engaging hole toward the axis and more easily disassemble the attaching member from the holding member.

[0014] In the above aspect, preferably, each engaging claw includes: a piece 51A that extends in a direction parallel to the axis; and a claw 51B that protrudes from an end of the piece toward a side opposite to the axis, and the claw engages with the engaging hole.

[0015] According to this aspect, each engaging claw has a simple structure.

[0016] In the above aspect, preferably, each engaging claw is defined by a slit 53 provided in the receiving tube.

[0017] According to this aspect, each engaging claw has a simple structure.

[0018] In the above aspect, preferably, a wire harness 57 is connected to the camera, and the fixed frame is provided with a wire harness holder 35 that holds the wire harness.

[0019] According to this aspect, interference between the wire harness and other members provided to the vehicle is suppressed.

[0020] In the above aspect, preferably, the wire harness holder includes a pair of protruding pieces that protrude from an inner surface of the fixed frame and are spaced apart from each other, and the wire harness is clamped by the pair of protruding pieces.

[0021] According to this aspect, since the wire harness is clamped by a pair of protruding pieces, movement of the wire harness is restricted, and interference between the wire harness and other members provided to the vehicle is further suppressed.

[0022] Therefore, according to the above aspects, in an attachment structure for attaching a camera disposed inside a window of a vehicle to the window, the work efficiency of attaching and detaching the camera to and from the window can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a side view showing a rear portion of a side structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment;

[0024] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an attachment structure of a camera viewed from the inside of a vehicle according to an embodiment;

[0025] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an attachment structure of a camera according to an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an attachment structure of a camera according to an embodiment;

[0027] Figure 5 is a top view showing an attachment structure of a camera according to an embodiment;

[0028] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an attachment structure of a camera viewed from the rear (inside) according to an embodiment;

[0029] Figure 7 is a side view showing a state where a camera is attached to an attachment member;

[0030] Figure 8 is a top view showing a state where a camera is attached to an attachment member;

[0031] Figure 9 is a rear view showing a state where a camera is attached to an attachment member;

[0032] Figures 10A to 10C is an explanatory view showing a process of holding an attachment member to which a camera is attached by a holding member; and

[0033] Figure 11A and Figure 11B is an explanatory view showing a process of detaching an attachment member to which a camera is attached from a holding member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle 1 provided with an attachment structure of a camera according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as a camera attachment structure 20) will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, an arrow FR appropriately attached indicates the front of the vehicle 1.

[0035] The vehicle 1 is, for example, a four-wheel motor vehicle. As Figure 1As shown, vehicle 1 includes side structures 2 that constitute the left and right sides of vehicle 1. Each side structure 2 of vehicle 1 includes a body frame 3 (see Figure 2 ). The body frame 3 is formed, for example, by joining an outer panel 4 disposed laterally outside vehicle 1 and an inner panel 5 disposed laterally inside the outer panel 4 (see Figure 2 ).

[0036] In a portion of the outer panel 4 corresponding to the rear of each side structure 2, an opening 6 penetrating in the lateral direction is provided. The opening 6 of the outer panel 4 is formed in a substantially triangular shape. A corner window glass 8 (an example of a vehicle window) is provided in the opening 6 of the outer panel 4. In the present embodiment, the corner window glass 8 includes a base material layer 11 and a light shielding layer 12 superimposed on the base material layer 11 from the inside. The base material layer 11 is made of glass and has transparency. The light shielding layer 12 is made of black ceramic printed on the inner surface (inner side surface) of the base material layer 11 and does not have transparency. The light shielding layer 12 is provided with a first opening 14 having a substantially rectangular shape and a second opening 16 having a substantially trapezoidal shape.

[0037] As Figure 2 shown, the inner panel 5 is provided with an opening 17 penetrating in the lateral direction. The opening 17 of the inner panel 5 has a size that allows the operator's arm to pass through the opening 17. The operator can approach the inner surface (inner side surface) of the corner window glass 8 by passing the arm from the inside through the opening 17 of the inner panel 5.

[0038] As Figure 3 shown, the camera attachment structure 20 is a structure for attaching a camera 21 disposed inside the corner window glass 8 to the corner window glass 8. The camera attachment structure 20 includes a camera 21 that captures the surroundings of vehicle 1, an attachment member 22 attached to the camera 21, and a holding member 23 fixed to the inner surface (inner side surface) of the corner window glass 8 and holding the attachment member 22. In the present embodiment, the camera 21 is disposed to capture the front and lateral outside of vehicle 1. That is, the optical axis A1 of the camera 21 faces the front and lateral outside of vehicle 1.

[0039] As Figures 3 to 6 shown, the holding member 23 includes a fixing frame 25 fixed to the inner surface of the corner window glass 8, a cover 26 protruding inward from the fixing frame 25 and defining a field of view space S of the camera 21, and an acceptance tube 27 extending inward from the cover 26 around an axis A2 and accepting the camera 21.

[0040] The fixed frame 25 is formed in a rectangular frame shape that is disposed along the inner surface of the corner window glass 8 and defines a rectangular opening 25A. The fixed frame 25 includes a lower plate 29 that extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1, a front plate 30 that extends upward from the front end of the lower plate 29, a rear plate 31 that extends upward from the rear end of the lower plate 29, and an upper plate 32 that extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1 and connects the upper ends of the front plate 30 and the rear plate 31. The outer surface (outer side surface) of the lower plate 29, the outer surface (outer side surface) of the front plate 30, the outer surface (outer side surface) of the rear plate 31, and the outer surface (outer side surface) of the upper plate 32 are adhered to the inner surface (inner side surface) of the corner window glass 8 by, for example, an adhesive or the like.

[0041] As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, the fixed frame 25 is provided with a plurality of through holes 34 that penetrate in the lateral direction, a pair of wire harness holders 35 that hold the wire harness 57 of the camera 21 to be described later, and a claw 39 that hooks the wire harness 57 of the camera 21. In the present embodiment, the three through holes 34 are spaced apart from each other and are arranged from the upper plate 32 of the fixed frame 25 toward the front plate 30 of the fixed frame 25. More specifically, the through holes 34 include a first through hole 34A provided above the opening 25A of the fixed frame 25, a second through hole 34B provided in front of and above the opening 25A of the fixed frame 25, and a third through hole 34C provided in front of the opening 25A of the fixed frame 25.

[0042] Each wire harness holder 35 includes a pair of protruding pieces 37 that protrude from the inner surface (inner side surface) of the fixed frame 25 and are spaced apart from each other. Each protruding piece 37 is formed in a plate shape. In the present embodiment, each protruding piece 37 protrudes laterally inward from the edge portion of the first through hole 34A of the fixed frame 25 and the edge portion of the third through hole 34C of the fixed frame 25. The end (laterally inward end) of each protruding piece 37 protrudes outward toward the central axis of the corresponding through hole 34A or 34C.

[0043] The claw 39 includes a protruding portion 39A that protrudes laterally inward from the edge portion of the second through hole 34B of the fixed frame 25 (see Figure 6 ) and a bent portion 39B that bends from the end (the end located on the inner side) of the protruding portion 39A toward the central axis of the second through hole 34B. The protruding portion 39A and the bent portion 39B are formed in a plate shape. The protruding portion 39A is provided on the edge portion of the second through hole 34B on the side of the opening 25A of the fixed frame 25.

[0044] The cover 26 is integrally formed with the fixed frame 25. The cover 26 includes: a front wall portion 41 that is laterally inwardly inclined from the front plate 30 of the fixed frame 25 toward the rear of the vehicle 1; a rear wall portion 42 that is laterally inwardly inclined from the rear plate 31 of the fixed frame 25 toward the front of the vehicle 1 and is connected to the rear end (the end located inside) of the front wall portion 41; an upper wall portion 43 that extends laterally inwardly from the upper plate 32 of the fixed frame 25 and connects the upper end of the front wall portion 41 to the upper end of the rear wall portion 42; and a bottom wall portion 44 that extends laterally inwardly from the lower plate 29 of the fixed frame 25 and connects the lower end of the front wall portion 41 to the lower end of the rear wall portion 42. An accommodation hole 46 that penetrates in a direction parallel to the optical axis A1 of the camera 21 is formed in the rear wall portion 42. The lens 55 of the camera 21, which will be described later, is disposed in the accommodation hole 46.

[0045] As Figures 3 to 5 shown, the viewing space S of the camera 21 is defined by the front wall portion 41, the rear wall portion 42, the upper wall portion 43, and the bottom wall portion 44. The viewing space S of the camera 21 is a space where light from the outside of the vehicle 1 is incident on the lens 55 of the camera 21, which will be described later. The viewing space S of the camera 21 is provided at a position corresponding to the first opening portion 14 (see Figure 1 ) of the light shielding layer 12 of the corner window glass 8. That is, light from the outside of the vehicle 1 passes through the first opening portion 14 of the light shielding layer 12 of the corner window glass 8 and enters the viewing space S of the camera 21.

[0046] As Figures 3 to 6 shown, the receiving tube 27 is integrally formed with the fixed frame 25 and the cover 26. In the present embodiment, the receiving tube 27 is formed in a rectangular tube shape. The axis A2 of the receiving tube 27 is aligned with the optical axis A1 of the camera 21. That is, the receiving tube 27 protrudes inward from the cover 26 along the optical axis A1 of the camera 21.

[0047] The receiving tube 27 includes an upper wall 47 connected to the upper wall portion 43 of the cover 26, a lower wall 48 connected to the bottom wall portion 44 of the cover 26, and a pair of side walls 49 connecting the two side portions of the upper wall 47 and the two side portions of the lower wall 48.

[0048] The receiving tube 27 includes a pair of engaging claws 51 that can be elastically deformed in a direction intersecting the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27. Each engaging claw 51 includes a piece 51A extending along a direction parallel to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27 and a claw 51B protruding from the end (the end located inside) of the piece 51A toward a side opposite to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27. As Figure 5 shown, each engaging claw 51 is defined by a pair of slits 53 provided in the receiving tube 27.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the pair of slits 53 extend in a direction parallel to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27 and are spaced apart from each other. In the present embodiment, the piece 51A of one engaging claw 51 is defined by a pair of slits 53 provided in the upper wall 47 of the receiving tube 27. Each slit 53 provided in the upper wall 47 is formed from the central portion of the upper wall 47 to the end (the end located on the inner side) of the upper wall 47. In addition, the piece 51A of the other engaging claw 51 is defined by a pair of slits 53 provided in the lower wall 48 of the receiving tube 27. Each slit 53 provided in the lower wall 48 is formed from the central portion of the lower wall 48 to the end (the end located on the inner side) of the lower wall 48. The end (the end located on the inner side) of each engaging claw 51 is disposed on the outer side with respect to the end (the end located on the inner side) of the receiving tube 27.

[0050] As Figure 4 shown, the claw 51B of each engaging claw 51 includes an abutting surface 51C facing outward. In addition, the outer surface (the surface on the side opposite to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27) of the claw 51B of each engaging claw 51 faces the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27 and is inclined toward the end (inner side).

[0051] As Figure 4 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the camera 21 includes, for example, a lens 55 forming an optical system, an image sensor (not shown) such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), a housing 56 that houses the lens 55 and the image sensor, a terminal (not shown) connected to the image sensor, a wire harness 57 having one end connected to the terminal, and a connector 58 that houses one end of the wire harness 57.

[0052] The housing 56 is formed in a substantially rectangular tubular shape that extends in a direction parallel to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27 (i.e., the optical axis A1 of the camera 21). The lens 55 is disposed in the front portion (outer portion) of the housing 56. The lens 55 of the camera 21 is received in a receiving hole 46 provided in the rear wall portion 42 of the cover 26. The connector 58 is provided in the rear portion (inner portion) of the housing 56. A plurality of fastening holes (not shown) that penetrate in a direction parallel to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27 are provided in the rear end surface (the end surface located on the inner side) of the housing 56. Each fastening hole is provided with an internal thread (not shown).

[0053] As Figures 7 to 9 shown, the attachment member 22 is made of a resin material. The attachment member 22 includes a base portion 61 that supports the camera 21 and a pair of side wall portions 62 that extend outward from the base portion 61.

[0054] The base portion 61 is formed in a plate shape. The main surface of the base portion 61 faces the direction parallel to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27 (i.e., the optical axis A1 of the camera 21). AsFigure 9 As shown, the base 61 is provided with a first through-hole 63 penetrating in a direction parallel to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27 and a plurality of second through-holes 64. The first through-hole 63 is provided in the central portion of the base 61. The connector 58 of the camera 21 penetrates the first through-hole 63. The central axis of each second through-hole 64 is aligned with the central axis of a corresponding fastening hole in the housing 56 of the camera 21. The camera 21 is fastened to the attachment member 22 by, for example, bolts 65 that penetrate each second through-hole 64 of the base 61 and are screwed into the internal threads of the corresponding fastening holes in the housing 56.

[0055] As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, each side wall portion 62 is formed in a plate shape. The main surface of each side wall portion 62 faces a direction perpendicular to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27. In the present embodiment, a pair of side wall portions 62 are connected to the upper end and the lower end of the base 61.

[0056] As Figure 7 shown, a gap G is formed between each side wall portion 62 and the corresponding upper surface or lower surface of the housing 56 of the camera 21. More specifically, the side wall portion 62 connected to the upper end of the base 61 is arranged higher than the upper surface of the housing 56 of the camera 21. The upper wall 47 of the receiving tube 27 is arranged in the gap G between the side wall portion 62 connected to the upper end of the base 61 and the upper surface of the housing 56 of the camera 21. In addition, the side wall portion 62 connected to the lower end of the base 61 is arranged lower than the lower surface of the housing 56 of the camera 21. The lower wall 48 of the receiving tube 27 is arranged in the gap G between the side wall portion 62 connected to the lower end of the base 61 and the lower surface of the housing 56 of the camera 21.

[0057] As Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, the attachment member 22 is provided with a pair of engagement holes 66. Each engagement claw 51 of the receiving tube 27 engages with each engagement hole 66 from the side of the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27. Each engagement hole 66 is provided in the base 61 and each side wall portion 62. That is, each engagement hole 66 is formed to extend from the base 61 to each side wall portion 62. The portion of the engagement hole 66 provided in the base 61 penetrates the base 61 in a direction parallel to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27. In addition, the portion of the engagement hole 66 provided in each side wall portion 62 penetrates each side wall portion 62 in a direction perpendicular to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27. As Figure 8 shown, each side wall portion 62 includes a first end edge 67 that defines one end (outer end) of each engagement hole 66 and a pair of first side edges 68 that extend inward from the first end edge 67. As Figure 9As shown, the base 61 includes a second end edge 69 and a pair of second side edges 70. The second end edge 69 defines the other end of each engagement hole 66 (the end on the optical axis A1 side of the camera 21). The second side edges 70 extend from the second end edge 69 to the side opposite to the optical axis A1 of the camera 21 and are connected to the corresponding first side edges 68. The distance in the vertical direction from the second end edge 69 of the base 61 to the inner surface of the side wall portion 62 (the surface on the axis A2 side of the receiving tube 27) is substantially equal to the component in the vertical direction of the displacement amount of the engagement claw 51 required for the abutment between the first end edge 67 of the release side wall portion 62 and the abutment surface 51C of the engagement claw 51.

[0058] As Figure 4 shown, the first end edge 67 of each side wall portion 62 abuts against the abutment surface 51C of the claw 51B of the corresponding engagement claw 51. Further, the end portion (the inner end portion) of the receiving tube 27 abuts against the outer surface (the outer surface) of the base 61. The end (the inner end portion) of each engagement claw 51 of the receiving tube 27 is disposed outside the outer surface (the outer surface) of the base 61.

[0059] As Figures 7 to 9 shown, the base 61 is provided with a pair of protrusions 71. Each protrusion 71 protrudes inward from the edge portion of each engagement hole 66. The outer surface of each protrusion 71 (the surface opposite to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27) is disposed in the same plane as the second end edge 69 of the base 61 (see Figure 8 ). Further, the outer surface of each protrusion 71 is parallel to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27.

[0060] On both side portions of the base 61, first vertical walls 73 protruding inward from the inner surface (the inner side surface) of the base 61 are provided. Further, second vertical walls 74 are provided around the edge portion of each side wall portion 62. The second vertical walls 74 are connected to the first vertical walls 73 and protrude toward the side opposite to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27.

[0061] The operation for attaching the camera 21 to the corner window glass 8 in the camera attachment structure 20 configured as described above will be described. Hereinafter, the description will be given based on the assumption that the holding member 23 has been fixed to the inner surface of the corner window glass 8 and the camera 21 has been attached to the attachment member 22.

[0062] First, the operator grasps the attachment member 22. More specifically, the operator grasps a pair of protrusions 71 provided on the base 61 of the attachment member 22 from the side opposite to the optical axis A1 of the camera 21. Subsequently, while holding the pair of protrusions 71, the operator passes the arm holding the pair of protrusions 71 from the inside through the opening 17 of the inner plate 5. As Figure 10AAs shown, the operator then inserts the camera 21 attached to the attachment member 22 into the receiving tube 27 of the holding member 23. At this time, the upper wall 47 and the lower wall 48 of the receiving tube 27 are inserted into the gap G provided between each side wall portion 62 of the attachment member 22 and the housing 56 of the camera 21. When the camera 21 is inserted into a predetermined position in the receiving tube 27, the claw 51B of each engaging claw 51 provided in the receiving tube 27 abuts against the inner surface (the surface on the axis A2 side of the receiving tube 27) of the corresponding side wall portion 62. As Figure 10B shown, when the camera 21 is further inserted into the receiving tube 27, the claw 51B of each engaging claw 51 is pressed by the inner surface of the corresponding side wall portion 62, and the piece 51A of each engaging claw 51 elastically deforms toward the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27. As Figure 10C shown, when the operator pushes the attachment member 22 from the inside toward the receiving tube 27 to further insert the camera 21 into the receiving tube 27, the first end edge 67 of each side wall portion 62 moves further outward than the abutting surface 51C of the claw 51B of the corresponding engaging claw 51. At this time, the elastic deformation of the piece 51A of each engaging claw 51 is released, and the piece 51A of each engaging claw 51 returns to its original position. In addition, the abutting surface 51C of the claw 51B of the corresponding engaging claw 51 abuts against the first end edge 67 of each side wall portion 62. In this way, each engaging claw 51 engages with the corresponding engaging hole 66 from the axis A2 side of the receiving tube 27.

[0063] Next, the operator causes the wire harness holder 35 provided on the fixed frame 25 of the holding member 23 to hold the wire harness 57 of the camera 21. The operator also hooks the wire harness 57 of the camera 21 to the hook claw 39 provided on the fixed frame 25 of the holding member 23. Thus, the camera 21 is attached to the corner window glass 8 via the attachment member 22 and the holding member 23.

[0064] In another embodiment, the operator may cause the wire harness holder 35 to hold the wire harness 57 of the camera 21 and then insert the camera 21 into the receiving tube 27 of the holding member 23.

[0065] Next, the operation of detaching the camera 21 from the corner window glass 8 in the camera attachment structure 20 will be described.

[0066] First, the operator detaches the wire harness 57 of the camera 21 from the wire harness holder 35 of the holding member 23. Subsequently, the operator passes the arm through the opening 17 of the inner plate 5 from the inside. As Figure 11AAs shown, the operator then grasps a pair of protrusions 71 of the attachment member 22. In addition, the operator presses the claw 51B of each engagement claw 51 toward the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27 with a finger 75, so that the piece 51A of each engagement claw 51 elastically deforms toward the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27. This releases the abutment between the abutting surface 51C of the claw 51B of each engagement claw 51 and the first end edge 67 of the corresponding side wall portion 62, and each engagement claw 51 disengages from the corresponding engagement hole 66. Next, the operator pulls the camera 21 out toward the inside from the receiving tube 27 while keeping the claw 51B of each engagement claw 51 pressed toward the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27. When the camera 21 is pulled out from the receiving tube 27 to a predetermined position, the first end edge 67 of each side wall portion 62 moves more toward the inside than the abutting surface 51C of the claw 51B of the corresponding engagement claw 51. Therefore, the claw 51B of each engagement claw 51 is pressed by the inner surface (the surface on the axis A2 side of the receiving tube 27) of the corresponding side wall portion 62. As Figure 11B shown, when the camera 21 is further pulled out from the receiving tube 27 and the end (the end portion located on the outside) of each side wall portion 62 moves more toward the inside than the claw 51B of the corresponding engagement claw 51, the elastic deformation of the piece 51A of each engagement claw 51 is released and the piece 51A of each engagement claw 51 returns to its original position. Through the above operations, the camera 21 is detached from the corner window glass 8.

[0067] In the camera attachment structure 20 configured as described above, each engagement claw 51 provided in the receiving tube 27 engages with the corresponding engagement hole 66 from the axis A2 side of the receiving tube 27. Therefore, by pushing the attachment member 22 attached to the camera 21 against the holding member 23 fixed to the inner surface of the corner window glass 8 from the inside, the engagement claw 51 of the holding member 23 can engage with the engagement hole 66 of the attachment member 22. Thus, the camera 21 is attached to the corner window glass 8 via the attachment member 22 and the holding member 23. In addition, the operator can detach the attachment member 22 from the holding member 23 by pressing the engagement claw 51 of the holding member 23 that engages with the engagement hole 66 of the attachment member 22 toward the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27 while pulling the attachment member 22 inward relative to the holding member 23. This detaches the camera 21 from the corner window glass 8. As described above, the operator can attach the camera 21 to the corner window glass 8 and detach the camera 21 from the corner window glass 8 by simple operations. Therefore, even if the working space for attaching and detaching the camera 21 is limited and the operator can only insert one arm into the working space, the working efficiency of attaching the camera 21 to the corner window glass 8 and detaching the camera 21 from the corner window glass 8 can be improved.

[0068] Each engaging hole 66 is formed to extend from the corresponding side wall portion 62 to the base portion 61, and a portion of each engaging hole 66 provided in the base portion 61 penetrates the base portion 61 in a direction parallel to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27. Further, the base portion 61 is provided with a protruding portion 71 protruding inward from the edge portion of each engaging hole 66. Therefore, even when the operator cannot visually confirm the engaging position of the engaging hole 66 of the attaching member 22 and the engaging claw 51 of the holding member 23 due to the inner plate 5 of the vehicle body frame 3, the operator can easily confirm the engaging position of the engaging hole 66 and the engaging claw 51 by touching the protruding portion 71 with a finger 75. Therefore, the operator can more easily press the engaging claw 51 engaged with the engaging hole 66 toward the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27, and can more easily disassemble the attaching member 22 from the holding member 23.

[0069] The outer surface of each protruding portion 71 (the surface opposite to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27) is parallel to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27. This allows the operator to stably grasp the attaching member 22. Therefore, the operator can more easily press the engaging claw 51 engaged with the engaging hole 66 toward the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27, and can more easily disassemble the attaching member 22 from the holding member 23.

[0070] Each engaging claw 51 includes a piece 51A extending in a direction parallel to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27 and a claw 51B protruding from the end (the end portion located inside) of the piece 51A toward the side opposite to the axis A2 of the receiving tube 27. Further, each engaging claw 51 is defined by a slit 53 provided in the receiving tube 27, and thus each engaging claw 51 has a simple structure.

[0071] The fixed frame 25 is provided with a pair of wire harness holders 35 for holding the wire harness 57 of the camera 21. Each wire harness holder 35 includes a pair of protruding pieces 37 protruding from the inner surface of the fixed frame 25 and spaced apart from each other. Since the wire harness 57 of the camera 21 is clamped by the pair of protruding pieces 37, the movement of the wire harness 57 is restricted, and interference between the wire harness 57 and other members provided on the vehicle 1 is further suppressed.

[0072] The specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention should not be limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the side wall portions 62 of the attaching member 22 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the base portion 61, but they can be provided at the left and right ends of the base portion 61. In the above embodiment, the corner window glass 8 is an example of a vehicle window. In another embodiment, a component other than the corner window glass 8 (for example, a windshield or a rear window) can be an example of a vehicle window.

Claims

1. A camera attachment structure, the camera attachment structure being used to attach a camera arranged on the inner side of a vehicle window to the vehicle window, the camera attachment structure comprising: an attachment member attached to the camera; as well as a holding member fixed to an inner surface of the vehicle window and holding the attachment member, Wherein, the retaining member comprises: a fixed frame fixed to the inner surface of the vehicle window; a cover that protrudes from the fixing frame toward the inner side and defines a visual field space of the camera; and a receiving tube extending from the cover toward the inner side around an axis and receiving the camera, and The receiving tube includes a pair of elastically deformable engaging claws. The attachment member comprises: a base supporting the camera; and a pair of side wall portions extending outwardly from the base portion and positioned on either side of the receiving tube, and Each of the side wall portions is provided with an engagement hole with which each of the engagement claws engages from one side of the axis, and the engagement hole penetrates each of the side wall portions in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

2. The camera attachment structure according to claim 1, wherein: The engaging hole is formed to extend from the base portion to each of the side wall portions and penetrate the base portion in a direction parallel to the axis.

3. The camera attachment structure according to claim 2, wherein: The base portion includes a protrusion that protrudes from an edge portion of the engagement hole toward the inner side.

4. The camera attachment structure according to claim 3, wherein: A surface of the protrusion on the side opposite to the axis is parallel to the axis.

5. The camera attachment structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: Each of the engaging claws comprises: a sheet extending in a direction parallel to the axis; and a claw protruding from a distal end of the sheet toward a side opposite to the axis, and The claw is engaged with the engagement hole.

6. The camera attachment structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: Each of the engagement claws is defined by a slit provided in the receiving tube.

7. The camera attachment structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The wiring harness is connected to the camera, and The fixing frame is provided with a harness holder that holds the harness.

8. The camera attachment structure according to claim 7, wherein: The harness holder includes a pair of protruding pieces protruding from a surface of the fixing frame located on the inner side and spaced apart from each other, and The wire harness is clamped by the pair of protruding pieces.

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