Mounting bracket for a vehicle-mounted device

Abstract

To suitably and appropriately simplify and reduce the size of a mounting for a vehicle-mounted device, a receiving part (4) of the vehicle-mounted device comprises a positioning wall section (8) for a front or rear part of the vehicle-mounted device and an elastically deformable section (10) with a strip shape extending in a front-to-rear direction from a base (10a) facing the positioning wall section (8). The elastically deformable section (10) is provided with an engagement section (9) for a snap-in section (2k) formed on a side section of the vehicle-mounted device.The holder enables the vehicle-mounted device to be moved into a final position in the receiving part (4) by deformation of the elastically deformable section (10) due to contact of the snap-in section (2k) with the engagement section (9) and elastic return of the elastically deformable section (10) brings the vehicle-mounted device into contact with the positioning wall section (8) in the final position and prevents the vehicle-mounted device from slipping out of the receiving part (4).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to an improvement of a bracket used to hold a vehicle-mounted device, for example for taking an image outside a vehicle through a window pane, to a vehicle body. Background of the invention

[0002] A bracket for mounting a camera for taking an image outside a vehicle through the windshield of the vehicle on the inside of the windshield is described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The bracket in Patent Document 1 has an engaging protrusion formed on the back of the camera. The bracket is provided with a locking portion against which the engaging protrusion abuts from behind, and a disc spring located behind the locking portion, which accommodates the engaging protrusion in an elastically deformed state between the locking portion and the disc spring. State of the art

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Published Patent Application No. 2017-171168 SummaryTechnical problem

[0005] This type of mount is typically mounted on the upper portion of a window and often occupies a certain amount of space. Furthermore, a rearview mirror and other accessories must be arranged around the mount. Therefore, to allow for freedom in the design of the vehicle interior, this type of mount must be as compact as possible.

[0006] The essential aim to be achieved by this invention is to make it possible to simplify and downsize this type of support for a vehicle-mounted device in a suitable and appropriate manner. Solution to the problem

[0007] To achieve this goal, a first variant of the present invention relates to a bracket for a vehicle-mounted device, the bracket being configured to hold a vehicle-mounted device for capturing an image or capturing the outside of the vehicle through a window glass on a vehicle body, the bracket comprising: a mounting portion for the vehicle body and a portion opposite to the mounting portion as a receiving part for at least a part of the vehicle-mounted device, the receiving part comprising a positioning wall portion for a front or a rear part of the vehicle-mounted device and an elastically deformable portion having a strip shape extending from a base facing the positioning wall portion along the front-to-rear direction,wherein the elastically deformable portion is provided with a protruding engagement portion for a latching portion formed on a side portion of the vehicle-mounted device, and wherein the bracket enables a mounting movement of the vehicle-mounted device into a final position in the receiving part by deformation of the elastically deformable portion due to the contact of the latching portion with the engagement portion, and wherein the vehicle-mounted device can be brought into contact with the positioning wall portion in the final position by elastic recovery of the elastically deformable portion, preventing the vehicle-mounted device from slipping out of the receiving part.

[0008] To achieve this goal, a second aspect of the present invention relates to a holder for a vehicle-mounted device, the holder being configured to hold a vehicle-mounted device for capturing an image or capturing the exterior of the vehicle through a window glass, the holder comprising: a mounting portion for the vehicle body and a portion opposite the mounting portion as a receiving part for at least a part of the vehicle-mounted device, the receiving part comprising: a positioning wall portion for a front or rear part of the vehicle-mounted device, an engaging portion for a locking portion formed on a side portion of the vehicle-mounted device, and a supporting portion enabling the supporting of a supported portion formed on the vehicle-mounted device at a position other than the engaging portion.wherein the engagement portion is formed in an elastically deformable portion in the receiving part, and wherein the bracket enables a mounting movement of the vehicle-mounted device from a first position of the vehicle-mounted device, in which the supported portion is supported by the support portion and in which a part of the bracket forming the engaging portion of the vehicle-mounted device is not completely received in the receiving part, to a second position in which the part of the bracket forming the engaging portion of the vehicle-mounted device is completely received in the receiving part, wherein the supported portion is used as a pivot point,wherein deformation of the elastically deformable portion due to contact of the latching portion with the engaging portion and elastic recovery of the elastically deformable portion brings the vehicle-mounted device into contact with the positioning wall portion in the second position and prevents the vehicle-mounted device from returning to the first position.

[0009] According to the second variant, an aspect of the invention is that the elastically deformable portion has a strip shape extending from a base located near the positioning wall portion along the front-to-back direction, the engaging portion is protrudingly formed on the elastically deformable portion, and a slope shaped to face the positioning wall portion and constituting the engaging portion contacts the engaging portion in the second position.

[0010] Another aspect of the invention is that an upwardly directed support surface forming the engagement portion enters below the vehicle-mounted device in the second position.

[0011] A further aspect of the invention is that a guide surface is formed in the engagement portion below the support surface, wherein the guide surface reduces a projection of the engagement portion when the guide surface extends downwards.

[0012] A further aspect of the invention is that the holder comprises an additional elastically deformable portion which, in the second position, is pressed against an upper part of the vehicle-mounted device.

[0013] Moreover, according to the first or second variant, another aspect of the invention is that the elastically deformable portion is provided on each side of an imaginary center line along the front-rear direction dividing the receiving part into left and right halves, the elastically deformable portion being provided with the engaging portion projecting toward the center line, the engaging portion corresponding to the engaging portion formed on the left and right side parts of the vehicle-mounted device, respectively. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the mounting movement for holding the vehicle-mounted camera in the receiving part of the bracket is enabled by the deformation of the elastically deformable portion due to the contact of the latching portion with the engaging portion. The elastic recovery of the elastically deformable portion brings the vehicle-mounted device into contact with the positioning wall portion and prevents the vehicle-mounted device from slipping out of the receiving part. Therefore, the vehicle-mounted device can be held without requiring a separate structure that presses the vehicle-mounted device against the positioning wall portion in front of or behind the vehicle-mounted device.In addition, the bracket can be designed as simple and compact as possible because it does not require a separate structure on the left or right side of the vehicle-mounted device, apart from the elastically deformable part and the engaging portion, nor does it require a separate structure protruding below the vehicle-mounted device. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle-mounted camera supported by a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera taken from a different direction than in Fig. 1 is considered; Fig. 3 is a top perspective view of a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the bracket viewed from below; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of the bracket; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a main part of the bracket; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a main part illustrating a state in which the vehicle-mounted camera is held by the bracket; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a main part illustrating the state in which the vehicle-mounted camera is held by the bracket; Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing the along the center line L2 of Fig. 10 shows a sectioned bracket attached to a windshield; Fig. 10 is a bottom view of a main part of the bracket; Fig. 11 is a side view of a main part illustrating a state in which a part of the vehicle-mounted camera is accommodated in a receiving part of the bracket, the vehicle-mounted camera being placed in an inclined position and a supported portion being located in front of a support portion which is not yet supported; Fig. 12 is a bottom view of the main part in the Fig. 11 shown condition; Fig. 13 is a side view of a main part illustrating a state in which a part of the vehicle-mounted camera is accommodated in the accommodation part of the bracket, the vehicle-mounted camera is placed in an inclined position and the supported portion is supported by the support portion; Fig. 14 is a bottom view of the main part in the Fig. 13 shown condition; Fig. 15 is an enlarged view of the Fig. 14 main part shown; Fig. 16 is a side view of a main part illustrating a state in which the mounting movement of the vehicle-mounted camera has been performed up to a position where the vehicle-mounted camera is horizontally located in the receiving part of the bracket; Fig. 17 is a bottom view of the main part in the Fig. 16 shown condition; Fig. 18 is an enlarged view of the Fig. 17 main part shown; Fig. 19 is a side view showing a state in which the vehicle-mounted camera is separated from the Fig. 17 has been moved slightly forward into a final position. Fig. 20 is a bottom view of the main part in which Fig. 19 shown condition; and Fig. 21 is an enlarged view of the Fig. 20 main part shown. Description of the embodiment

[0015] In the following, a typical embodiment of the invention is described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 21. A bracket 3 according to the present embodiment is used to attach a vehicle-mounted device to a vehicle body, such as a vehicle-mounted camera 2 that captures and records an image outside the vehicle through a vehicle window. Typically, the bracket 3 described above is used to attach the vehicle-mounted camera 2, which captures an image outside the vehicle through the vehicle window, to the inside of a windshield 1 or a rear windshield (not shown).

[0016] The figures show an example in which the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is held by this bracket 3 on the inside of an upper part of the windscreen 1. In the drawings, “x” is Fig. 4 and Fig. 9 indicates the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the vehicle, “xa” indicates Fig. 4 and Fig. 9 indicates the front direction of the vehicle and “xb” indicates Fig. 4 and Fig. 9 indicates the rear direction of the vehicle. The transverse direction (left-right direction) of the vehicle is Fig. 4 by “y” in Fig. 4, and the vertical direction (top-bottom direction) is indicated by “z” in Fig. 3 and Fig. 9 is given.

[0017] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the windshield 1 has a slope that slopes downward toward the front xa of the vehicle. The bracket 3 is attached to a surface 1a on the inside of the windshield 1.

[0018] In the present embodiment, the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is inserted into the bracket 3 by moving the vehicle-mounted camera 2 toward a second position described below with respect to a receiving part 4 of the bracket 3 which is fixed to the surface of the inner side of the windshield 1.

[0019] In the example shown, the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is inserted into the holder 3 by moving the vehicle-mounted camera 2 from the first position ( Fig. 13) of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, wherein supported portions 2j of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 described below are supported by support portions 5 of the bracket 3 described below, and wherein the portion of the bracket 3 forming the engaging portions 2k of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 described below is not completely received in the receiving part 4, into the second position ( Fig. 16, Fig. 19) where the part of the bracket 3 forming the engaging portions 2k of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is completely received in the receiving part 4, using the supported portions 2j as a pivot point.

[0020] In the illustrated example, the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is in an inclined position with its front portion 2d facing downward and its rear portion 2e facing upward, and the supported portion 2j is received from the front in the supported portions 5 of the bracket 3. In this received state, the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is supported in the inclined position by the supported portions 5. In the illustrated example, this inclined state is the first position described above.

[0021] In the illustrated example, the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is secured in the mount 3 by raising the front portion 2d of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 or its vicinity from the first position, using the supported portion 2j as a pivot point, and moving the vehicle-mounted camera 2 until it is brought into a substantially horizontal position. In the illustrated example, this horizontal state is the second position.

[0022] In the second position, the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is held by the bracket 3 in all three directions, ie the longitudinal direction x, the transverse direction y and the vertical direction z, with respect to the bracket 3 without rattling.

[0023] In the example shown, the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is mounted on the windscreen 1 via the bracket 3 with a lens 2a for imaging the front side xa of the vehicle. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, reference numeral 2b denotes the upper part of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, reference numeral 2c denotes the lower part of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, reference numeral 2d denotes the front part of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, reference numeral 2e denotes the rear part of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, reference numeral 2f denotes the sides of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, reference numeral 2h denotes the plate-shaped part of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, and reference numeral 2i denotes the block-shaped part of the vehicle-mounted camera 2.

[0024] In the illustrated example, the vehicle-mounted camera 2 has a step 2g between the front portion 2d and the rear portion 2e on the surface where the upper portion 2b is located, the step 2g facing the front side xa and the lens 2a having this step 2g. The vehicle-mounted camera 2 has the plate-shaped portion 2h with a smaller dimension in the vertical direction z between the front portion 2d and the step 2g. The vehicle-mounted camera 2 has the block-shaped portion 2i with a dimension larger than that of the plate-shaped portion 2h in the vertical direction z between the step 2g and the rear portion 2e. That is, the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 2h is lower than the upper surface of the block-shaped portion 2i, but the lower surfaces of both portions are flush.

[0025] In the block-shaped portion 2i, the left and right sides 2f of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 are each provided with a supported portion 2j supported by the support portion 5 of the bracket 3. In the illustrated example, each support portion 5 protrudes from the side 2f of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 along the transverse direction y and has a plate shape extending along the longitudinal direction x and having a thickness in the vertical direction z. The left and right supported portions 2j have substantially the same dimensions and shape and are formed symmetrically about an imaginary center line L1 (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), which divides the vehicle-mounted camera 2 into a left and a right half.

[0026] The plate-shaped portion 2h is formed with the engaging portions 2k on its left and right sides, respectively. Thus, the vehicle-mounted camera 2 has the engaging portions 2k on its left and right sides 2f, respectively.

[0027] The left and right engaging portions 2k each have a protruding shape with an outer surface 2m that is flush with the side surface of the plate-shaped portion 2h that is part of the side 2f of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, and they protrude downward from the plate-shaped portion 2h.

[0028] The left and right engaging portions 2k have substantially the same dimensions and shape and are formed symmetrically to the imaginary center line L1 dividing the vehicle-mounted camera 2 into left and right halves.

[0029] In the illustrated example, the lower surface of the plate-shaped portion 2h has a rib 2o extending between the left and right engaging portions 2k. A surface 2p of this rib 2o, facing the rear portion 2e of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, and the outer surface 2m of the engaging portion 2k intersect at a right angle. A corner 2n where these two surfaces 2p and 2m intersect contacts a slope 9a of an engaging portion 9 described below when the vehicle-mounted device is in the second position.

[0030] The bracket 3 has a fastening portion 6 on the vehicle body, and the portion opposite to the portion with the fastening portion 6 is the receiving part 4 for the vehicle-mounted camera 2.

[0031] In the illustrated example, the bracket 3 has a base plate portion 7 with essentially four sides: a front side 7a, a rear side 7b, a left side 7c, and a right side 7d. The bracket 3 is attached to the end face 1a of the windshield 1 on the inside by adhesion or otherwise to the upper side of the base plate portion 7. In other words, the upper surface of this base plate portion 7 serves as the attachment portion 6. Since the windshield 1 has a forwardly sloping inclination, in the attached state described above, the base plate portion 7 is also inclined and follows the slope, and the rear side 7b is positioned higher than the front side 7a. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, reference numeral 7e indicates an open portion formed in the base plate portion 7, which is arranged corresponding to the lens 2a of the vehicle-mounted camera 2.

[0032] The receiving part 4 of the bracket 3 has positioning wall portions 8 for the front portion 2d or the rear portion 2e of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 as a vehicle-mounted device, engaging portions 9 for the engaging portions 2k formed on the sides 2f of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, and the supporting portions 5 enabling the supporting of the supported portions 2j formed on the vehicle-mounted camera 2 at positions other than the engaging portions 9.

[0033] The engagement sections 9 are each formed in elastically deformable sections 10, which form the receiving part 4.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the open portion 7e is formed in the center of the base plate portion 7.

[0035] On all left and right sides with the open portion 7e between them, the positioning wall portion 8 is formed on the front side, the support portion 5 is formed on the back side, and the elastically deformable portion 10 is formed with the engaging portion 9 positioned midway between the positioning wall portion and the support portion.

[0036] The left side positioning wall portion 8, the support portion 5, and the elastically deformable portion 10 form a left side receiving part outline 11 projecting downward from a lower surface 7f of the base plate portion 7, and the right side positioning wall portion 8, the support portion 5, and the elastically deformable portion 10 form a right side receiving part outline 11 projecting downward from a lower surface 7f of the base plate portion 7, with both receiving part outlines 11 forming the receiving part 4 therebetween.

[0037] The vehicle-mounted camera 2 is held by the bracket 3 in the space enclosed by these left and right receiving part outlines 11 and the base plate portion 7. Specifically, the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is held in the bracket 3 with its upper portion 2b touching the lower surface 7f of the base plate portion 7, its left side 2f touching the left receiving part outline 11, its right side 2f touching the right receiving part outline 11, and its front portion 2d touching the left receiving part outline 11, and with the positioning wall portion 8 arranged on the front side of the right receiving part outline 11 (see Fig. 19 to Fig. 21).

[0038] In the illustrated example, the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is held in the bracket 3 with its rear portion 2e projecting from the receiving part 4. A decorative cover, not shown, can be removably attached below the bracket 3, thus holding the vehicle-mounted camera 2.

[0039] The elastically deformable section 10 and the engagement section 9 are on both sides of an imaginary center line L2 (see Fig. 10) along the longitudinal direction x, which divides the receiving part 4 into a left and right half, wherein the engagement section 9 protrudes from the center line L2.

[0040] In this case, one of the left and right receiving part outlines 11 has a shape that is linearly symmetrical to the other with respect to the center line L2.

[0041] In the illustrated example, the positioning wall portion 8 faces rearward and includes a plate body 8a projecting downward from the lower surface 7f of the base plate portion 7. Between the positioning wall portion 8, which represents the left receiving part outline 11, and the positioning wall portion 8, which represents the right receiving part outline 11, the receiving part 4 is open toward the front.

[0042] In the example shown, the support portion 5 comprises the upper portion of a claw 5b projecting forward from the tip of a leg 5a projecting downward from the lower surface 7f of the base plate portion 7 (see Fig. 9). A space is formed between the support portion 5 and the lower surface 7f of the base plate portion 7 to accommodate the portion between the supported portion 2j in the block-shaped portion 2i of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 and the upper portion 2b of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 without rattling.

[0043] In the example shown, the elastically deformable portion 10 is strip-shaped and extends along the longitudinal direction x from a base 10a located near the positioning wall portion 8.

[0044] The elastically deformable portion 10 integrates the base 10a into the positioning wall portion 8 formed on the front side xa of the receiving part outline 11 in front of the support portion 5, and is located as a whole below the support portion 5. Between the elastically deformable portion 10 and the lower surface 7f of the base plate portion 7, which is positioned directly above the elastically deformable portion 10, a space is formed to accommodate the plate-shaped portion 2h of the vehicle-mounted camera 2. In the second position, the lens 2a of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 enters the open portion 7e above the plate-shaped portion 2h.

[0045] The elastically deformable portion 10 has a rectangular plate shape in side view, which extends in the longitudinal direction x in side view. The elastically deformable portion 10 has an inner surface 10b facing the center line L2 and an outer surface 10c opposite the inner surface 10b, and it has a thickness in the transverse direction y. The elastically deformable portion 10 is spaced in the transverse direction y from an edge 8b of the plate body 8a, which faces the center line L2 and forms the positioning wall portion 8. The base 10a is integrated into this plate body 8a, and the positioning wall portion 8 is positioned closer to the center line L2 than the inner surface 10b of the elastically deformable portion 10 (see Fig. 5).

[0046] The protruding engagement portion 9 is provided between a central position of the elastically deformable portion 10 in the longitudinal direction and a free end 10d, i.e., near the free end 10d. The engagement portion 9 protrudes from the inner surface 10b of the elastically deformable portion 10 in the direction of the center line L2.

[0047] The engagement portion 9 has the slope 9a facing the positioning wall portion 8, as well as an upwardly directed support surface 9b and a guide surface 9c below the support surface 9b, wherein the guide surface 9c reduces the projection of the downwardly extending engagement portion 9 (see Fig. 5 and Fig. 9).

[0048] The slope 9a inclines closer to the center line L2 as it extends rearward. A distance is provided between the engaging portion 9 and the free end 10d of the elastically deformable portion 10, and a rear side 9d facing the free end 10d in the engaging portion 9 is a plane oriented orthogonal to the center line L2. Between the slope 9a and the rear side 9d, an upper side 9e of the engaging portion 9 is formed, which runs substantially parallel to the center line L2. The upper side 9e is the area bounded by the slope 9a, the rear side 9d, the guide surface 9c, and the support surface 9b. The distance between the engaging portion 9 and the center line L2 is minimal at the upper side 9e, and the distance gradually increases forward in the longitudinal direction x and also gradually increases downward in the vertical direction z.The support surface 9b is flush with an upper surface 10e in the thickness direction between the inner surface 10b and the outer surface 10c of the elastically deformable portion 10 (see . Fig. 6). In the second position, a part of the support surface enters below the plate-shaped portion 2h of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 by elastic recovery of the elastically deformable portion 10, as described below (see Fig. 21).

[0049] In the example shown, firstly, a distance D1 ( Fig. 10) between the inner surface 10b of the portion in which the engaging portion 9 is not formed in the elastically deformable portion 10, which is located on the left side across the center line L2 when viewed from below the bracket 3, and the inner surface 10b of the portion in which the engaging portion 9 is not formed in the elastically deformable portion 10, which is located on the right side across the center line L2 when viewed from below the bracket 3, slightly larger than a dimension d1 ( Fig. 1) of the plate-shaped portion 2h of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 in the transverse direction y.

[0050] Secondly, a distance D2 ( Fig. 10) between the upper surface 9e of the engaging portion 9, which is located on the left side transverse to the center line L2 when viewed from below the bracket 3, and the upper surface 9e of the engaging portion 9, which is located on the right side transverse to the center line L2 when viewed from below the bracket 3, slightly smaller than the dimension d1 ( Fig. 1) of the plate-shaped portion 2h of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 in the transverse direction y.

[0051] Thirdly, a distance D3 ( Fig. 10) between the slope 9a of the engaging portion 9 located on the left side across the center line L2 when viewed from below the bracket 3 and the slope 9a of the engaging portion 9 located on the right side across the center line L2 when viewed from below the bracket 3, slightly smaller than the dimension d1 ( Fig. 1) of the plate-shaped portion 2h of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 in the transverse direction y.

[0052] Fourthly, a distance D4 ( Fig. 6) in the longitudinal direction x between the engagement portion 9 and the support portion 5 is substantially equal to a distance d2 ( Fig. 1) in the longitudinal direction x between the engaging section 2k and the supported section 2j.

[0053] Fifthly, a distance D5 ( Fig. 6) between the positioning wall portion 8 and the slope 9a of the engagement portion 9 is substantially equal to a distance d3 ( Fig. 1) between the engaging portion 2k and the portion of the front portion 2d of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 corresponding to the positioning wall portion 8.

[0054] In this way, the bracket 3 in the present embodiment first enables the movement of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 from the first position to the second position by deforming the elastically deformable portion 10 due to the contact of the locking portion 2k with the engaging portion 9.

[0055] In the illustrated example, first, in the bracket 3 fixed to the vehicle body (in the illustrated example, to the windshield 1), the supported portion 2j of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is placed from the front of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 from inside the passenger compartment onto the support portion 5, and the vehicle-mounted camera 2 can be mounted from below in an oblique posture with its front portion 2d facing downwards, so that the plate-shaped portion 2h of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 does not enter the elastically deformable portion 10. ( Fig. 13, first position).

[0056] In the illustrated example, the vehicle-mounted camera 2 may first be inserted into the receiving part 4 in an oblique posture with its front portion 2d downwards into a position in which the respective supported portions 2j are positioned in front of the left and right support portions 5, while the left and right elastically deformable portions 10 of the bracket 3 are deformed together ( Fig. 11).

[0057] Specifically, by bringing the engaging portion 9 into sliding contact with the side surface of the plate-shaped portion 2h, which is part of the side 2f of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, and the outer surface 2m of the engaging portion 2k, which is flush with the side surface of the plate-shaped portion 2h, the left and right elastically deformable portions 10 are elastically deformed away from the center line L2. This elastic deformation is smoothed by the guide surfaces 9c.

[0058] In other words, the left side engaging portion 2k of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is in sliding contact with the engaging portion 9 of the left pickup part outline 11, and the right side engaging portion 2k of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is in sliding contact with the engaging portion 9 of the right pickup part outline 11.

[0059] Then, by moving the vehicle-mounted camera 2 backward from the state in which the vehicle-mounted camera 2 has been inserted into the receiving part 4 in this way, the supported portions 2j are supported by the support portions 5, and the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is brought into the first position (see Fig. 11 to 13).

[0060] The distance between the left and right support portions 5 is slightly larger than the dimension of the block-shaped portion 2i of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 in the transverse direction y, but smaller than the distance between the left and right supported portions 2j. This allows the rear portion 2e and adjacent portions of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 to be inserted from the front side between the left and right support portions 5, and in the first position, the supported portions 2j are supported by abutting against the legs 5a of the support portions 5.

[0061] In the example shown, the outer sides of the left and right support section 5 each have a contact 5c (see Fig. 9 and Fig. 20) with the protruding end of the supported section 2j.

[0062] Furthermore, the bracket 3 according to the present embodiment is configured to bring the vehicle-mounted camera 2 into contact with the positioning wall portions 8 in the second position and prevent the vehicle-mounted camera 2 from returning to the first position by the elastic recovery of the elastically deformable portions 10.

[0063] In the illustrated example, when the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is moved from the first position to the second position, each engagement portion 9 is moved along a virtual circle whose center is located on the supported portion 2j (see Fig. 13 to Fig. 16).

[0064] When the vehicle-mounted camera 2 reaches the second position, the engaging portions 9 can enter under the plate-shaped portion 2h of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, and the left and right elastically deformable portions 10 elastically return slightly toward the center line L2. In addition, the corner 2n of each engaging portion 2k is positioned behind the engaging portion 9 in the first position, but in the illustrated example, it is positioned in contact with the upper surface 9e of the engaging portion 9 immediately after reaching the second position (see Fig. 16 to Fig. 18).

[0065] In the example shown, if the corner 2n of the engaging portion 2k is in contact with the top surface 9e of the engaging portion 9 (see Fig. 16) and the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is pushed slightly further forward, the corner 2n of the engaging portion 2k moves forward from the top surface 9e of the engaging portion 9 and touches the slope 9a of the engaging portion 9 (see Fig. 19). In the second position, each supported section 2j is aligned with its upper and lower surfaces substantially horizontally, and its lower surface is in contact with the support section 5. At the same time, the supported section 2j is adjusted so that it cannot be detached from the support section 5 by insertion (see Fig. 19).

[0066] The slope 9a of the engagement portion 9 has a greater distance from the center line L2 than the top surface 9e of the engagement portion 9, but a smaller distance from the center line L2 than the inner surface 10b of the portion of the elastically deformable portion 10 in which the engagement portion 9 is not formed. Therefore, in the second position, the elastically deformable portion 10 is also in the Fig. 19, where the corner 2n of the locking portion 2k is in contact with the slope 9a of the engaging portion 9, as described above. However, the amount of elastic deformation is slightly smaller than that in the state shown in Fig. 16 shown condition.

[0067] In the second position, the upwardly directed support surface 9b forming the engagement portion 9 can enter below the plate-shaped portion 2h of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 due to the elastic recovery of the elastically deformable portion 10 (see Fig. 21). This prevents the vehicle-mounted camera 2 from returning to the first position. In the second position, the engaging portion 2k formed on the side 2f of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 contacts the slope 9a between the positioning wall portion 8 and the engaging portion 9, which faces the positioning wall portion 8 and constitutes the engaging portion 9. The front portion 2d of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is then brought into contact with the positioning wall portion 8 by the elastic force of the elastically deformable portion 10. This completes the engaging of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 into the bracket 3 ( Fig. 19, final position).

[0068] In the example shown, the front section 2d of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, which consists of the plate-shaped section 2h, is moved from the Fig. 16, and support surfaces 8c are formed below the respective contact points that enter below the plate-shaped portion 2h by sliding. These support surfaces 8c also prevent the vehicle-mounted camera 2 from returning to the first position (see Fig. 6).

[0069] The bracket 3 according to the present embodiment enables the mounting movement to hold the vehicle-mounted camera 2 in the receiving part 4 through the deformation of the elastically deformable portion 10 due to the contact of the latching portions 2k with the engaging portions 9, and the elastic recovery of the elastically deformable portions 10 brings the vehicle-mounted camera 2 into contact with the positioning wall portions 8 and prevents the vehicle-mounted camera 2 from slipping out of the receiving part 4. Therefore, the vehicle-mounted camera 2 can be held without requiring a separate structure that presses the vehicle-mounted camera 2 against the positioning wall portions 8 in front of or behind the vehicle-mounted camera 2.Furthermore, the bracket 3 can be designed as simple and compact as possible because it does not require a separate structure on the left or right side of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, nor a separate structure projecting below the vehicle-mounted camera 2, other than the elastically deformable portions 10 and the engaging portions 9.

[0070] The state in which the bracket 3 holds the vehicle-mounted camera 2 can be easily released by using the free ends 10d of the elastically deformable portions 10 positioned behind the respective engaging portions 9 to deform the elastically deformable portions 10 in the directions that release the locking portions 2k and the engaging portions 9, away from the center line L2 in the illustrated example, which also enables easy removal of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 from the bracket 3. Specifically, after tilting the vehicle-mounted camera 2 to the first position by the release in the illustrated example, the vehicle-mounted camera 2 can slide forward, allowing the supported portions 2j to slide forward from above the support portions 5, thereby removing the vehicle-mounted camera 2 from the receiving part 4.

[0071] In the present embodiment, additional elastically deformable portions 12 are provided at the position where they are pressed against the upper portion 2b of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 in the second position on the base plate portion 7 in the receiving part 4 (see Fig. 8 and Fig. 19). The elastically deformable sections 10 are provided between the left and right receiving part outlines 11 on the respective sides of the center line L2 (see Fig. 10).

[0072] In the example shown, such additional elastically deformable sections 12 each comprise an elastic piece having a base 12a at the rear side xb, a free end 12b at the front side xa and a convex section 12c projecting downwards near the free end 12b (see Fig.9). When the vehicle-mounted camera 2 is moved from the first position to the second position, the upper surface of the block-shaped portion 2i of the vehicle-mounted camera 2 strikes the convex portions 12c, causing the additional elastically deformable portions 12 to bend upward, and the resulting force presses the supported portions 2j against the support portions 5. The lower surface of the plate-shaped portion 2h, which forms part of the lower portion 2c of the vehicle-mounted camera 2, is pressed against the engaging portions 9 and the support surfaces 8c to prevent the vehicle-mounted camera 2 from rattling along the vertical direction z.

[0073] Although not shown in the drawings, the above-described structure of the receiving part 4 of the bracket 3 also applies to a reversed front-to-back orientation. In other words, the bracket 3 according to the present invention may be configured such that the positioning wall portions 8 are respectively formed on the back side xb of the left side receiving part outline 11 and the right side receiving part outline 11 constituting the receiving part 4, and each elastically deformable portion 10 having the base 10a may be formed on the back side xb and the free end 10d on the back side. The front side xa and the support portions 5 are respectively formed on the front side xa of the receiving part outline 11.

[0074] The imparting of elastic deformation properties to those portions and parts which are to be provided with elastic deformation properties in the above-described embodiment can be easily ensured by producing such portions or the whole including such portions and such parts as plastic injection-molded products.

[0075] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes all embodiments that achieve the object of the present invention. List of reference symbols 2k snap-in section 4 Recording part 8 Positioning wall section 9 Intervention section 10 elastically deformable section 10a Basis

[0076] The entire contents of the specification, claims, drawings and abstract of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-122565 filed on August 1, 2022 are hereby incorporated by reference and incorporated into the description of the present invention as disclosure. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2017-171168

[0004] JP 2022-122565

[0076]

Claims

[1] A mount for a vehicle-mounted device, the mount being configured to hold a vehicle-mounted device to a vehicle body for taking an image or capturing the exterior of the vehicle through a window pane, the mount comprising: a fastening portion for the vehicle body and a portion opposite the fastening portion as a receiving part for at least a part of the vehicle-mounted device, wherein the receiving part comprises a positioning wall portion for a front or a rear part of the vehicle-mounted device and an elastically deformable portion having a strip shape extending from a base facing the positioning wall portion along the front-to-rear direction, wherein the elastically deformable portion is provided with a protruding-shaped engaging portion for a latching portion formed on a side portion of the vehicle-mounted device, and wherein the bracket enables a mounting movement of the vehicle-mounted device into a final position in the receiving part by deformation of the elastically deformable portion due to the contact of the latching portion with the engagement portion, and wherein the vehicle-mounted device can be brought into contact with the positioning wall portion in the final position by elastic recovery of the elastically deformable portion and prevents the vehicle-mounted device from slipping out of the receiving part. [2] A mount for a vehicle-mounted device, the mount being configured to hold a vehicle-mounted device for taking an image or capturing the exterior of the vehicle through a window pane, the mount comprising: a mounting portion for the vehicle body and a portion opposite the mounting portion as a receiving part for at least a part of the vehicle-mounted device, the receiving part comprising: a positioning wall section for a front or rear part of the vehicle-mounted device, an engaging portion for a latching portion formed on a side portion of the vehicle-mounted device, and a support portion enabling the support of a supported portion formed on the vehicle-mounted device at a position other than the engagement portion, wherein the engagement portion is formed in an elastically deformable portion in the receiving part, and wherein the bracket enables mounting movement of the vehicle-mounted device from a first position of the vehicle-mounted device, in which the supported portion is supported by the support portion and in which a part of the bracket forming the engaging portion of the vehicle-mounted device is not fully received in the receiving part, to a second position in which the part of the bracket forming the engaging portion of the vehicle-mounted device is fully received in the receiving part, using the supported portion as a fulcrum, wherein deformation of the elastically deformable portion due to contact of the engaging portion with the engaging portion and elastic recovery of the elastically deformable portion brings the vehicle-mounted device into contact with the positioning wall portion in the second position and prevents the vehicle-mounted device from returning to the first position. [3] A holder for a vehicle-mounted device according to claim 2, wherein the elastically deformable portion has a strip shape extending from a base located near the positioning wall portion along the front-to-back direction, wherein the engagement portion is formed protruding from the elastically deformable portion, and a slope shaped to face the positioning wall portion and forming the engagement portion, contacts the locking portion in the second position. [4] A vehicle-mounted device holder according to claim 3, wherein an upwardly directed support surface forming the engaging portion enters below the vehicle-mounted device in the second position. [5] A vehicle-mounted device holder according to claim 4, wherein a guide surface is formed in the engaging portion below the supporting surface, the guide surface reducing a protrusion of the engaging portion as the guide surface extends downward. [6] A vehicle-mounted device holder according to claim 2, comprising an additional elastically deformable portion pressed against an upper part of the vehicle-mounted device in the second position. [7] A vehicle-mounted device holder according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the elastically deformable portion is provided on each side of an imaginary center line along the front-rear direction dividing the receiving part into left and right halves, the elastically deformable portion being provided with the engaging portion projecting toward the center line, the engaging portion corresponding to the engaging portion formed on the left and right side parts of the vehicle-mounted device, respectively.

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