On-vehicle camera unit

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle camera unit with a camera bracket having a high practical utility when integrally installing an on-vehicle camera and a rain sensor.SOLUTION: A camera bracket 4 of an on-vehicle camera unit includes: an on-vehicle camera fitting part where an on-vehicle camera is attached to; a rain sensor fitting part 42 where a rain sensor 6 is attached to; and reinforcement ribs 81, 82 which are erected on a portion in the vicinity of a strength degradation part that is a part of the camera bracket 4. Thereby, the camera bracket 4 with the on-vehicle camera fitting part and the rain sensor fitting part 42 having enough strength is given without largely increasing the weight so that the on-vehicle camera unit with the camera bracket 4 having high practical utility can be realized when integrally installing the on-vehicle camera and the rain sensor 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle camera unit mounted on a vehicle, and more particularly to an improvement for integrating and arranging a plurality of devices including an in-vehicle camera. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a vehicle is equipped with an on-board camera (e.g., a monocular camera) that acquires information about the vehicle's front to realize a so-called pre-crash safety function, an automatic driving function, and the like. In general, this type of on-board camera is attached to the periphery of the inner mirror on the inner surface (surface facing the interior of the vehicle) of the front windshield glass (hereinafter simply referred to as the windshield) of the vehicle. Specifically, a camera bracket is attached to the on-board camera, and an adhesive seat provided on the camera bracket is adhered to the inner surface of the windshield, thereby disposing the on-board camera at a predetermined position on the windshield.

[0003] In addition to the on-board camera, a rain sensor may also be attached to the inner surface of the windshield. This rain sensor includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and the light-emitting element emits light onto the windshield, and the light reflected by the windshield is received by the light-receiving element, and raindrops on the outer surface of the windshield are detected based on the amount of light received. In the prior art, a rain sensor bracket is attached to the rain sensor, and an adhesive seat provided on the rain sensor bracket is adhered to the inner surface of the windshield, thereby disposing the rain sensor at a predetermined position on the windshield. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-28907 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Meanwhile, the inventors of the present invention have considered integrating multiple devices attached to the inner surface of the windshield as a means of improving the design around the inner mirror on the windshield. They have noticed that if the on-board camera and the rain sensor are attached to a common bracket (camera bracket) and integrated, the design around the inner mirror on the windshield can be significantly improved, and that the on-board camera and the rain sensor can be supported by a single bracket, which contributes to reducing the number of parts by standardizing the parts.

[0006] When integrating the vehicle-mounted camera and the rain sensor in this manner, it is necessary to provide a rain sensor mounting portion on the camera bracket. In other words, the camera bracket needs a structure for mounting the rain sensor, which may reduce the strength of the camera bracket. One way to prevent the strength of the camera bracket from being reduced is to make the entire camera bracket thicker, but this is undesirable because it leads to a significant increase in the weight of the camera bracket. For this reason, in order to realize a structure integrating the vehicle-mounted camera and the rain sensor, it was necessary to improve the camera bracket so that it would have sufficient strength without a significant increase in the weight of the camera bracket.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and its object is to provide an in-vehicle camera unit equipped with a camera bracket that is highly practical for integrating an in-vehicle camera and a rain sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The solution of the present invention for achieving the above object is an in-vehicle camera unit having an in-vehicle camera, a rain sensor, and a camera bracket having an in-vehicle camera mounting part to which the in-vehicle camera is attached and a rain sensor mounting part to which the rain sensor is attached, the camera bracket being attached to a vehicle body member. The in-vehicle camera unit is characterized in that a part of the camera bracket is a part whose strength is reduced due to the presence of the rain sensor mounting part, and a reinforcing rib is provided on the camera bracket near the part whose strength is reduced.

[0009] When a camera bracket is provided with an in-vehicle camera mounting portion and a rain sensor mounting portion in order to integrally arrange the in-vehicle camera and the rain sensor, a part of the camera bracket may become a portion with reduced strength due to the presence of the rain sensor mounting portion. In this solution, a reinforcing rib is erected near the portion with reduced strength. This makes it possible to suppress the reduction in strength due to the presence of the portion with reduced strength. In other words, it is possible to obtain a camera bracket with an in-vehicle camera mounting portion and a rain sensor mounting portion and sufficient strength without incurring a significant increase in weight. As a result, it is possible to realize an in-vehicle camera unit with a camera bracket that is highly practical when arranging the in-vehicle camera and the rain sensor integrally.

[0010] Further, the plate thickness of the reinforcing rib is set to be larger than the plate thickness of the camera bracket other than the reinforcing rib.

[0011] This ensures high rigidity of the reinforcing rib, prevents damage to the reinforcing rib, and provides the camera bracket with sufficient strength.

[0012] The vehicle-mounted camera and the rain sensor are each attached to the underside of the camera bracket, an adhesive seat provided on the upper surface of the camera bracket is attached to the vehicle body side member, and the reinforcing rib is erected downward from the underside of the camera bracket.

[0013] With this, the upper surface of the camera bracket can be provided with a function for attaching the camera bracket to a vehicle body member, and the lower surface of the camera bracket can be provided with a function for ensuring the strength of the camera bracket, and the presence of the reinforcing rib does not hinder the attachment function to the vehicle body member.

[0014] The reinforcing rib has an L-shaped shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the camera bracket, the L-shaped shape conforming to an outer edge shape of a portion of the rain sensor.

[0015] This makes it possible to ensure sufficient strength for the camera bracket while miniaturizing the reinforcing rib.

[0016] The strength-reduced portion is at least one of the following components (I) to (IV).

[0017] (I) When the vehicle-mounted camera mounting portion and the rain sensor mounting portion each have a mounting seat surface for mounting to the vehicle body side member, a portion adjacent to the boundary between the mounting seat surface of the vehicle-mounted camera mounting portion and the mounting seat surface of the rain sensor mounting portion.

[0018] (II) A portion of the rain sensor mounting portion that has been thinned to meet the requirement that, when the vehicle-mounted camera and the rain sensor are mounted on the underside of the camera bracket, the distance of the rain sensor from the vehicle body component be shorter than the distance of the vehicle-mounted camera from the vehicle body component.

[0019] (III) A portion provided in the rain sensor mounting portion, which is a thin portion of the camera bracket to ensure space for connecting a connector to the rain sensor.

[0020] (IV) An opening in the rain sensor mounting portion for mounting the rain sensor.

[0021] Even when such a portion with reduced strength exists, the strength of the camera bracket can be increased by providing a reinforcing rib in the vicinity of the portion with reduced strength. Effect of the Invention

[0022] In the present invention, the camera bracket is provided with an in-vehicle camera mounting portion for mounting the in-vehicle camera and a rain sensor mounting portion for mounting the rain sensor, and a reinforcing rib is provided near a portion of the camera bracket that is part of the strength-reduced portion. This makes it possible to obtain a camera bracket that is provided with the in-vehicle camera mounting portion and the rain sensor mounting portion and has sufficient strength without incurring a significant increase in weight. As a result, it is possible to realize an in-vehicle camera unit that includes a camera bracket that is highly practical when arranging the in-vehicle camera and the rain sensor together. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view showing the inner mirror and the vehicle-mounted camera unit, and shows the state in which they are attached to the windshield, as seen from below. Fig. 1(b) shows the state in which the vehicle-mounted camera and rain sensor are attached to the camera bracket, as seen from the same direction as Fig. 1(a). Fig. 1(c) shows the camera cover, as seen from the same direction as Fig. 1(a). Fig. 1(d) shows the installation work of the rain sensor to the camera bracket, as seen from the same direction as Fig. 1(a). [Diagram 2] FIG. 2(a) is a plan view showing the camera bracket and the hood, and FIG. 2(b) is an enlarged plan view showing a rain sensor attachment portion of the camera bracket. [Diagram 3] 3(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2, FIG. 3(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 2. [Figure 4]4(a) is a plan view of the rain sensor when it is attached, FIG. 4(b) is a bottom view of the rain sensor when it is attached, FIG. 4(c) is a plan view of the rain sensor before it is attached, FIG. 4(d) is a bottom view of the rain sensor before it is attached, FIG. 4(e) is a cross-sectional view along line EE in FIG. 4(a), and FIG. 4(f) is a cross-sectional view along line FF in FIG. 4(a). [Diagram 5] Figure 5(a) is an oblique view showing the area around the right corner of the rear of the rain sensor when the rain sensor is attached to the rain sensor mounting portion of the camera bracket, and Figure 5(b) is an enlarged view of the main part of the rain sensor mounting portion, which is the area surrounded by a dashed line in Figure 5(a). [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is an oblique view showing the area around the left corner of the rear of the rain sensor when the rain sensor is attached to the rain sensor mounting portion of the camera bracket, and Figure 6(b) is an enlarged view of the main part of the rain sensor mounting portion, which is the area surrounded by a dashed line in Figure 6(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an in-vehicle camera is attached to the right side of a camera bracket in the vehicle width direction, and a rain sensor is attached to the left side of the camera bracket in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] -Overview of vehicle-mounted camera unit- First, the schematic configuration of the vehicle-mounted camera unit will be described. FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view showing the vehicle-mounted camera unit 1 and the inner mirror 2, and is a view from below of the state in which the vehicle-mounted camera unit 1 and the inner mirror 2 are attached to the windshield (vehicle body side member) FG. FIG. 1(b) shows a resin-made camera bracket 4, the vehicle-mounted camera 5, and the rain sensor 6 housed inside the camera cover 3 constituting the vehicle-mounted camera unit 1, and is a view of the state in which the vehicle-mounted camera 5 and the rain sensor 6 are attached to the camera bracket 4, as seen from the same direction as FIG. 1(a). The arrow FR in these figures indicates the extension direction of the windshield FG, which extends diagonally downward toward the front of the vehicle. The arrow UP indicates a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the windshield FG and extends diagonally upward toward the front of the vehicle. The arrow RH indicates the right side in the vehicle width direction. In the following description, for convenience, the direction indicated by the above-mentioned arrow FR will be called the front, and the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow FR will be called the rear. Moreover, the direction indicated by the arrow UP described above will be referred to as "upward," and the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow UP will be referred to as "downward."

[0026] 1(a), the vehicle-mounted camera unit 1 is attached to the windshield FG so as to surround the shaft portion 21 of the inner mirror 2, and is configured so that the camera bracket 4, the vehicle-mounted camera 5, and the rain sensor 6 are housed inside the camera cover 3. In other words, the vehicle-mounted camera 5 and the rain sensor 6 are attached to the single camera bracket 4, and the upper surface of the camera bracket 4 (the surface facing the windshield FG) is adhered to the windshield FG with an adhesive.

[0027] Hereinafter, each member constituting the vehicle-mounted camera unit 1 will be described.

[0028] (Camera cover) FIG. 1(c) is a view of the camera cover 3 seen from the same direction as FIG. 1(a). As shown in FIG. 1(c), the camera cover 3 is a member for enhancing the design of the entire vehicle-mounted camera unit 1 by covering and concealing the camera bracket 4, the vehicle-mounted camera 5, and the rain sensor 6 from below. The camera cover 3 includes a substantially flat rectangular base plate portion 31 and an outer peripheral wall portion 32 rising upward (toward the windshield FG) from each outer edge of the base plate portion 31, and a space for accommodating the camera bracket 4, the vehicle-mounted camera 5, and the rain sensor 6 is formed inside the outer peripheral wall portion 32. The base plate portion 31 is provided with an opening 33 through which the shaft portion 21 of the inner mirror 2 is inserted. A plurality of openings 32b, 32b, ... are arranged in a matrix in the front outer peripheral wall portion 32a located on the front side of the outer peripheral wall portion 32. These openings 32b, 32b, ... serve as windows for introducing air to prevent the vehicle-mounted camera 5 from generating heat.

[0029] (Camera bracket) Fig. 1(d) is a view from the same direction as Fig. 1(a) for explaining the installation work of the rain sensor 6 to the camera bracket 4. Fig. 2(a) is a plan view (viewed from above) showing the camera bracket 4 and the hood 7, and Fig. 2(b) is an enlarged plan view showing the rain sensor installation part 42 of the camera bracket 4. Since the vehicle-mounted camera 5 and the rain sensor 6 are both attached to the lower surface 4B side of the camera bracket 4, adhesive is applied to the upper surface 4A, which is the surface on the near side of the paper in Fig. 2(a), which is the plan view, and the camera bracket 4 is attached to the inner surface of the windshield FG. Areas FA1 and FA2 surrounded by dashed lines in Fig. 2(a) are adhesion bearing surfaces to which adhesive is applied and which are attached to the inner surface of the windshield FG.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1(b), 1(d), and 2(a), a hood 7 is attached to the front edge of the camera bracket 4. The hood 7 is made of a plate material that is approximately fan-shaped in a plan view. That is, the hood 7 has a right inclined edge 71, a left inclined edge 72, and a front edge 73 that spans between the front ends of the right inclined edge 71 and the left inclined edge 72. As shown in Figure 1(b), the hood 7 covers the front upper portion of the vehicle-mounted camera 5, thereby preventing disturbing light such as sunlight from being directly incident on the vehicle-mounted camera 5.

[0031] The camera bracket 4 includes an in-vehicle camera mounting portion 41 to which the in-vehicle camera 5 is attached, and a rain sensor mounting portion 42 to which the rain sensor 6 is attached. The in-vehicle camera mounting portion 41 is disposed from the center portion of the camera bracket 4 in the vehicle width direction to the portion toward the right in the vehicle width direction, and the rain sensor mounting portion 42 is disposed in a portion of the camera bracket 4 toward the left in the vehicle width direction. The in-vehicle camera 5 is attached to the underside of the in-vehicle camera mounting portion 41, and the rain sensor 6 is attached to the underside of the rain sensor mounting portion 42.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2(a), when viewed in a plan view, the camera bracket 4 has a first plate portion 43 located on the right side in the vehicle width direction, a second plate portion 44 located on the left side in the vehicle width direction, and a third plate portion 45 spanning between the first plate portion 43 and the second plate portion 44.

[0033] The first plate portion 43 is formed in a substantially pentagonal shape, and the outer edge located at the front forms a front inclined edge 43a that inclines rearward as it approaches the third plate portion 45 (as it approaches the center in the vehicle width direction). The inclination angle of this front inclined edge 43a approximately matches the inclination angle of a right side inclined edge 71 of the hood 7, and this right side inclined edge 71 is supported by the front inclined edge 43a of the first plate portion 43.

[0034] Similarly, the second plate portion 44 is also substantially pentagonal, and its outer edge located at the front forms a front inclined edge 44a that inclines rearward as it approaches the third plate portion 45 (as it approaches the center in the vehicle width direction). The inclination angle of this front inclined edge 44a substantially matches the inclination angle of the left inclined edge 72 of the hood 7, and this left inclined edge 72 is supported by the front inclined edge 44a of the second plate portion 44.

[0035] The third plate portion 45 has a dimension in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body that is shorter than the length dimensions in the fore-and-aft direction of the first plate portion 43 and the second plate portion 44, and connects the central portions of the first plate portion 43 and the second plate portion 44 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body.

[0036] 1(b) and 1(d), the vehicle-mounted camera attachment portion 41 is formed across the right-hand region of the first plate portion 43, the third plate portion 45, and the second plate portion 44. The upper surface of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 is placed on the lower surface of the vehicle-mounted camera attachment portion 41 so that the camera lens faces forward, and the vehicle-mounted camera 5 is attached to the lower surface 4B of the camera bracket 4. An example of this attachment method is fitting. Note that, other than fitting, screwing, adhesion, etc. may also be used.

[0037] 1(b) and 1(d), the rain sensor mounting portion 42 is formed in a left-hand region of the second plate portion 44. This rain sensor mounting portion 42 is provided with a sensing opening 46 into which a sensing portion 61 of the rain sensor 6 (a portion that detects ambient illuminance: see FIGS. 4(a) and (f)) is fitted. The rain sensor 6 is disposed on the underside of the camera bracket 4 so that the sensing portion 61 faces this sensing opening 46, and the rain sensor 6 is attached to the rain sensor mounting portion 42.

[0038] The mounting structure of the rain sensor 6 will be described below. Fig. 4 shows the rain sensor mounting portion 42, with Fig. 4(a) being a plan view of the rain sensor 6 mounted, Fig. 4(b) being a bottom view of the rain sensor 6 mounted, Fig. 4(c) being a plan view of the rain sensor 6 before mounting, Fig. 4(d) being a bottom view of the rain sensor 6 before mounting, Fig. 4(e) being a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in Fig. 4(a), and Fig. 4(f) being a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in Fig. 4(a). As shown in Fig. 2(b), the rain sensor mounting portion 42 is formed with four claw engagement openings 47, 47, ..., a protrusion insertion opening 48, and a slide spring insertion opening 49 in addition to the sensing opening 46 described above (a sensing opening into which the sensing portion 61 of the rain sensor 6 is fitted).

[0039] The pawl engagement openings 47, 47, ... are provided at a total of four locations, two locations in front of the sensing opening 46 and two locations behind the sensing opening 46. These pawl engagement openings 47, 47, ... are openings with which the respective engagement pawls (not shown) provided on the rain sensor 6 are engaged from the underside of the rain sensor attachment portion 42.

[0040] The projection insertion opening 48 is an opening for inserting a projection 62 (see FIG. 4(a)) projecting from the upper portion of the rain sensor 6.

[0041] The slide spring insertion opening 49 is provided to the right of the sensing opening 46 in the rain sensor attachment portion 42, and is formed as a long hole extending in the front-rear direction. The slide spring insertion opening 49 is an opening through which a part of a slide spring 63 (see FIGS. 1(d), 4(b) and (f)) for supporting the rain sensor 6 from below and attaching the rain sensor 6 to the camera bracket 4 is inserted and engaged.

[0042] A support structure of the rain sensor 6 using the slide spring 63 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1(d) and FIG. 4(b)(f), the slide spring 63 has a lower surface portion 63a for supporting the rain sensor 6 from below, and a pair of left and right side portions 63b, 63c extending upward from both outer ends of the lower surface portion 63a in the vehicle width direction. Hereinafter, the side portion located on the right side in the vehicle width direction among the side portions 63b, 63c will be referred to as the right side portion 63b, and the side portion located on the left side in the vehicle width direction will be referred to as the left side portion 63c. In addition, the upper end portions of the side portions 63b, 63c are bent slightly inward (inward in the vehicle width direction of the slide spring 63) to form hook portions 63d, 63e. The hook portions 63d, 63e are engaged with the rain sensor mounting portion 42 of the camera bracket 4. Hereinafter, of these hook portions 63d, 63e, the hook portion located on the right side in the vehicle width direction will be referred to as right hook portion 63d, and the hook portion located on the left side in the vehicle width direction will be referred to as left hook portion 63e.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 2(b), the slide spring insertion opening 49 has a locking portion 49a located on the front side and a slide opening 49b continuous with the rear side of the locking portion 49a. Thus, when the right hook portion 63d of the slide spring 63 is locked to the rain sensor mounting portion 42 as in the region surrounded by the dashed line in Fig. 4(f), the tip portion (the front tip portion) of the right hook portion 63d is inserted from the slide opening 49b to the slide spring insertion opening 49 from the lower surface side to the upper surface side of the rain sensor mounting portion 42, and the slide spring 63 is slid so that the right hook portion 63d moves toward the locking portion 49a, whereby the right hook portion 63d is locked to the rain sensor mounting portion 42 as shown in Figs. 4(a)(f). In order to facilitate the insertion of the tip of the right hook portion 63d of the slide spring 63, the width dimension (dimension in the vehicle width direction) of the rear end portion of the slide opening 49b is set to be larger than the width dimensions of the other portions (the front portion of the slide opening 49b and the locking portion 49a). Specifically, it is formed as an opening that gradually widens toward the center of the rain sensor attachment portion 42 toward the rear.

[0044] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4(f), a locking protrusion 42a is provided on the left edge of the rain sensor mounting portion 42 in the vehicle width direction, protruding to the left in the vehicle width direction at a position slightly lower than the position of the upper surface of the rain sensor mounting portion 42. The length dimension (length dimension in the front-rear direction) of this locking protrusion 42a approximately matches the length dimension of the slide spring insertion opening 49. As a result, when locking the left hook portion 63e of the slide spring 63 to the rain sensor mounting portion 42, the tip portion (front tip portion) of the left hook portion 63e is locked to the locking protrusion 42a from the lower surface side to the upper surface side of the rain sensor mounting portion 42, and the slide spring 63 is slid so that the left hook portion 63e moves forward, whereby the left hook portion 63e is locked to the rain sensor mounting portion 42 (locked to the locking protrusion 42a) as shown in Figs. 4(a) and 4(f). The left hook portion 63e is engaged with the rain sensor attachment portion 42 at the same time as the right hook portion 63d is engaged with the rain sensor attachment portion 42 as described above.

[0045] -Challenges in integrating an in-vehicle camera and a rain sensor- As described above, when the vehicle-mounted camera 5 and the rain sensor 6 are integrated by providing the camera bracket 4 with the vehicle-mounted camera attachment portion 41 and the rain sensor attachment portion 42, it is possible to improve the design of the area around the inner mirror 2 on the windshield FG. In addition, since the vehicle-mounted camera 5 and the rain sensor 6 can be supported by a single camera bracket 4, it is possible to contribute to reducing the number of parts by standardizing the parts.

[0046] However, since a new structure for mounting the rain sensor 6 is required on the camera bracket 4, there is a risk of reducing the strength of the camera bracket 4. The portion of the camera bracket 4 that is likely to reduce its strength corresponds to the "strength-reduced portion" of the present invention. Below, the problem (reduced strength of the camera bracket 4) caused by integrating the in-vehicle camera 5 and the rain sensor 6 will be described.

[0047] (I) Issues due to stress differences The adhesive seating surface (surface to be attached to the windshield FG) of the upper surface of the vehicle-mounted camera mounting portion 41 in the camera bracket 4 and the adhesive seating surface of the upper surface of the rain sensor mounting portion 42 have different areas required for each part. Therefore, when the adhesive seating surface of the vehicle-mounted camera mounting portion 41 and the adhesive seating surface of the rain sensor mounting portion 42 are close to each other, a stress difference occurs due to the difference in areas, and therefore it is necessary to ensure the strength of the camera bracket 4 around the part where the stress difference occurs (strength-reduced part). Specifically, the areas FA1 and FA2 surrounded by the dashed lines in FIG. 2(a) are adhesive seating surfaces. When the adhesive seating surfaces FA1 and FA2 are set in each of these areas, the part close to the boundary part between the adhesive seating surface FA1 and the adhesive seating surface FA2 in the rain sensor mounting portion 42 (within the area surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. 2(a)), which is shaded with a dashed line in FIG. 2(b), is the part where it is necessary to ensure the strength due to the above-mentioned stress difference.

[0048] (II) Issues caused by resin materials The vehicle-mounted camera 5 and the rain sensor 6 have different requirements for placement on the inner surface of the windshield FG. Specifically, there is a requirement that the distance of the rain sensor 6 from the inner surface of the windshield FG be shorter than the distance of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 from the inner surface of the windshield FG. In the conventional technology, the rain sensor was attached to the windshield by a rain sensor bracket (a separate member from the camera bracket). Therefore, by making the rain sensor bracket out of metal, the rain sensor bracket can be made thinner (the rain sensor bracket can be made thinner while maintaining its strength), and the distance of the rain sensor from the inner surface of the windshield can be shortened. However, when the rain sensor mounting portion 42 is provided on the resin camera bracket 4 as in this embodiment, there is a concern that the strength of the camera bracket 4 will be reduced if the rain sensor mounting portion 42 is simply made thinner.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows cross sections of each part of the camera bracket 4 for satisfying the above-mentioned requirements for the distance of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 to the inner surface of the windshield FG and the distance of the rain sensor 6 to the inner surface of the windshield FG. FIG. 3(a) is a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 2, FIG. 3(b) is a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 2, FIG. 3(c) is a cross section taken along line CC in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3(d) is a cross section taken along line DD in FIG. 2. T1 in these figures is the spacing dimension between the inner surface of the windshield FG and the vehicle-mounted camera mounting portion 41, which is specified to satisfy the requirement for the distance of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 to the inner surface of the windshield FG. Meanwhile, T2 in these figures is the spacing dimension between the inner surface of the windshield FG and the rain sensor mounting portion 42, which is specified to satisfy the requirement for the distance of the rain sensor 6 to the inner surface of the windshield FG. In this way, it is necessary to make T2 shorter relative to T1 and to thin the rain sensor mounting portion 42 so as to shorten the distance between the sensing portion 61 of the rain sensor 6 attached to the back side of the rain sensor mounting portion 42 and the inner surface of the windshield FG; however, there is a concern that simply thinning the rain sensor mounting portion 42 may reduce the strength of the camera bracket 4.

[0050] (III) Issues related to connector connection work As shown in FIG. 4(e), a connector for connecting a signal line is connected to the rain sensor 6 (shown by a virtual line in FIG. 4(e)). The connector is connected by an operator, but as described above, the rain sensor 6 is attached to the lower surface of the rain sensor attachment portion 42 of the camera bracket 4, so a working space is required for the operator to grasp the connector and connect it to the rain sensor 6. The space surrounded by the dashed line WS in FIG. 4(e) is the working space to be secured for connecting the connector, and the portion CO surrounded by the dashed line is the portion where the connector connected to the rain sensor 6 is disposed. In order to secure the working space WS, it is conceivable to make a part of the lower surface of the rain sensor attachment portion 42 into an inclined surface 42b that inclines upward toward the front, but in this case, there is a concern that the plate thickness dimension of the rain sensor attachment portion 42 at the portion where the inclined surface 42b is formed (strength-reduced portion) becomes small, resulting in a decrease in strength.

[0051] (IV) Issues caused by the presence of an opening in the rain sensor mounting area As described above, the rain sensor attachment portion 42 not only has the sensing opening 46 formed therein, but also has the claw engagement openings 47, 47 at two locations rearward of the sensing opening 46, and the slide spring insertion opening 49 formed to the right of the sensing opening 46. The presence of these openings (strength reducing portions) 46, 47, 49 also leads to a decrease in the strength of the camera bracket 4.

[0052] -Structure of reinforcing ribs- In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, reinforcing ribs 81, 82 are erected on the lower surface of the camera bracket 4. The reinforcing ribs 81, 82 are set to have an L-shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the camera bracket 4, which is aligned with the outer edge shape of a part of the rain sensor 6. The plate thickness dimensions of the reinforcing ribs 81, 82 are set to be larger than the plate thickness dimensions of the camera bracket 4 other than the reinforcing ribs 81, 82. The plate thickness dimensions of the reinforcing ribs 81, 82 are designed by experiments or simulations as dimensions that can ensure the strength required for the camera bracket 4 (strength sufficient to support the vehicle-mounted camera 5 and the rain sensor 6 and strength that does not cause damage such as cracks due to vibrations, etc.). Hereinafter, the reinforcing rib located on the right side in the vehicle width direction will be referred to as the right reinforcing rib 81, and the reinforcing rib located on the left side in the vehicle width direction will be referred to as the left reinforcing rib 82. Hereinafter, the reinforcing ribs 81, 82 will be described.

[0053] Figure 5(a) is an oblique view showing the area around the right corner of the rear of the rain sensor when the rain sensor 6 is attached to the rain sensor mounting portion 42 of the camera bracket 4, and Figure 5(b) is an enlarged view of the main part of the rain sensor mounting portion 42, which is the area surrounded by a dotted line in Figure 5(a).

[0054] As shown in these figures, a right side reinforcing rib 81 that protrudes downward along the right corner of the rear part of the rain sensor is integrally formed on the underside of the rain sensor attachment portion 42. This right side reinforcing rib 81 has a first extending portion 81a that extends in the front-rear direction along the right edge of the rain sensor 6, and a second extending portion 81b that extends from the rear end of the first extending portion 81a toward the left side (the center side in the width direction of the rain sensor 6).

[0055] The first extending portion 81a protrudes downward from the left edge of the slide spring insertion opening 49 in the vehicle width direction (the edge of the rain sensor mounting portion 42 on the vehicle width center side). The length of the first extending portion 81a in the front-rear direction is approximately equal to the length of the slide spring insertion opening 49 in the front-rear direction. The first extending portion 81a has an inner surface (side surface facing the installation position of the rain sensor 6) provided with a protrusion 81c protruding toward the left side (the center side of the rain sensor 6 in the width direction). The protrusion 81c is continuous with the lower surface of the rain sensor mounting portion 42. The first extending portion 81a has an outer surface (side surface facing the opposite side to the installation position of the rain sensor 6) provided with a thick portion 81d having a plate thickness dimension (plate thickness dimension in the horizontal direction) set to be large in part. This thick portion 81d also serves as a guide to guide the right hook portion 63d of the slide spring 63 described above from the underside to the upper side of the rain sensor mounting portion 42 (from the upper side to the lower side in Figure 5 (b)).

[0056] The second extending portion 81b extends leftward from the rear end of the first extending portion 81a, reaching a position facing the connector connecting portion 64 of the rain sensor 6. A rectangular through hole 81e penetrating in the front-rear direction is provided at a base end of the second extending portion 81b (near the portion connected to the first extending portion 81a). This through hole 81e is designed by experiment or simulation as a configuration that can ensure the strength required for the camera bracket 4 while minimizing the increase in weight of the camera bracket 4 due to the provision of the right-side reinforcing rib 81.

[0057] The left reinforcing rib 82 has a symmetrical shape to the right reinforcing rib 81. Fig. 6(a) is a perspective view showing the periphery of the left corner of the rear part of the rain sensor with the rain sensor 6 attached to the rain sensor attachment portion 42 of the camera bracket 4, and Fig. 6(b) is an enlarged view of the main part of the rain sensor attachment portion 42, which is the part surrounded by the dashed line in Fig. 6(a).

[0058] As shown in these figures, a left side reinforcing rib 82 that protrudes downward along the left corner of the rear part of the rain sensor is integrally formed on the underside of the rain sensor attachment portion 42. This left side reinforcing rib 82 includes a first extending portion 82a that extends in the front-rear direction along the left edge of the rain sensor 6, and a second extending portion 82b that extends from the rear end of the first extending portion 82a toward the right side (the center side in the width direction of the rain sensor 6).

[0059] The first extending portion 82a protrudes downward from the lower surface of the locking protrusion 42a. The length of the first extending portion 82a in the front-rear direction is approximately equal to the length of the locking protrusion 42a in the front-rear direction. A protrusion 82c protruding toward the right side (the center side in the width direction of the rain sensor 6) is provided on the inner surface of the first extending portion 82a (the side facing the installation position of the rain sensor 6). The protrusion 82c is continuous with the lower surface of the rain sensor attachment portion 42. A thick portion 82d having a plate thickness dimension (plate thickness dimension in the horizontal direction) set to be large is provided on the outer surface of the first extending portion 82a (the side facing the opposite side to the installation position of the rain sensor 6). This thick portion 82d also serves as a guide for guiding the left hook portion 63e of the slide spring 63 described above from the underside to the top side of the rain sensor mounting portion 42 (from the top to the bottom in Figure 6(b)) so as to engage with the locking protrusion 42a.

[0060] The second extending portion 82b extends from the rear end of the first extending portion 82a toward the right side, reaching a position facing the connector connection portion 64 of the rain sensor 6. A rectangular through hole 82e penetrating in the front-rear direction is also provided at the base end of this second extending portion 82b (near the portion connected to the first extending portion 82a). This through hole 82e is also designed by experiment or simulation as a configuration that can ensure the strength required for the camera bracket 4 while minimizing the increase in weight of the camera bracket 4 due to the provision of the left side reinforcing rib 82.

[0061] -Effects of the embodiment- As described above, in this embodiment, the camera bracket 4 is provided with the vehicle-mounted camera mounting portion 41 to which the vehicle-mounted camera 5 is attached and the rain sensor mounting portion 42 to which the rain sensor 6 is attached, and the reinforcing ribs 81, 82 are provided in the vicinity of a portion of the camera bracket 4 that is part of the strength-reduced portion. This makes it possible to obtain a camera bracket 4 that is provided with the vehicle-mounted camera mounting portion 41 and the rain sensor mounting portion 42 and has sufficient strength without incurring a significant increase in weight. As a result, it is possible to realize an in-vehicle camera unit 1 that includes a camera bracket 4 that is highly practical for arranging the vehicle-mounted camera 5 and the rain sensor 6 integrally.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper surface 4A of the camera bracket 4 can be provided with a function for attaching the camera bracket 4 to the windshield FG, and the lower surface 4B of the camera bracket 4 can be provided with a function for ensuring the strength of the camera bracket 4 (a function achieved by providing reinforcing ribs 81, 82), and the presence of the reinforcing ribs 81, 82 does not hinder the attachment function to the windshield FG.

[0063] -Other embodiments- The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and all modifications and applications within the scope of the claims and equivalents thereto are possible.

[0064] For example, in the above embodiment, the vehicle-mounted camera 5 is disposed on the right side in the vehicle width direction, and the rain sensor 6 is disposed on the left side in the vehicle width direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 and the rain sensor 6. For example, the rain sensor 6 may be disposed on the right side in the vehicle width direction, and the vehicle-mounted camera 5 may be disposed on the left side in the vehicle width direction. [Industrial Applicability]

[0065] The present invention is applicable to an on-vehicle camera unit in which an on-vehicle camera and a rain sensor are integrally attached to a camera bracket. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1... Vehicle-mounted camera unit 4... Camera bracket 4B... Bottom surface 41: vehicle-mounted camera mounting portion; 42: rain sensor mounting portion; 46: sensing opening 47: Opening for engaging the claw; 48: Opening for inserting the protrusion; 49: Opening for inserting the slide spring 5...In-vehicle camera 6...Rain sensor 81...Right side reinforcing rib 82...Left side reinforcing rib FG…Windshield (body side component)

Claims

1. An in-vehicle camera unit comprising: an in-vehicle camera; a rain sensor; and a camera bracket including an in-vehicle camera mounting portion to which the in-vehicle camera is attached and a rain sensor mounting portion to which the rain sensor is attached, the camera bracket being attached to a vehicle body member, A portion of the camera bracket is a portion having reduced strength due to the presence of the rain sensor mounting portion, The vehicle-mounted camera unit is characterized in that a reinforcing rib is provided in the vicinity of the reduced strength portion on the camera bracket.

2. 2. The vehicle-mounted camera unit according to claim 1, The vehicle-mounted camera unit according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the reinforcing rib is set to be larger than the thickness of the camera bracket other than the reinforcing rib.

3. 3. The vehicle-mounted camera unit according to claim 1, the vehicle-mounted camera and the rain sensor are attached to a lower surface of the camera bracket, and an adhesive seat provided on an upper surface of the camera bracket is attached to the vehicle body member; The vehicle-mounted camera unit according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing rib is erected downward from the lower surface of the camera bracket.

4. 3. The vehicle-mounted camera unit according to claim 1, An in-vehicle camera unit characterized in that the reinforcing rib has an L-shaped shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the camera bracket, the L-shaped shape following the outer edge shape of a portion of the rain sensor.

5. 3. The vehicle-mounted camera unit according to claim 1, The vehicle-mounted camera unit is characterized in that the strength reduction portion is at least one of the following components (I) to (IV). (I) When the vehicle-mounted camera mounting portion and the rain sensor mounting portion each have a mounting seat surface for mounting to the vehicle body side member, a portion adjacent to the boundary between the mounting seat surface of the vehicle-mounted camera mounting portion and the mounting seat surface of the rain sensor mounting portion. (II) A portion of the rain sensor mounting portion that has been thinned to meet the requirement that, when the vehicle-mounted camera and the rain sensor are attached to the underside of the camera bracket, the distance of the rain sensor from the vehicle body side member be shorter than the distance of the vehicle-mounted camera from the vehicle body side member. (III) A portion provided in the rain sensor mounting portion, which is a thin portion of the camera bracket to ensure space for connecting a connector to the rain sensor. (IV) An opening portion in the rain sensor mounting portion for mounting the rain sensor.

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