Camera bracket, load receiving platform lifting device, and vehicle

Abstract

To fix a camera at an installation angle according to conditions.SOLUTION: A camera bracket for mounting a camera on a vehicle equipped with a load receiving platform lifting device comprises: a fixing portion to be fixed to a fixation target that is either the load receiving platform lifting device or the vehicle; and a camera placement portion connected to the fixing portion. The fixing portion includes a first contact surface and a second contact surface that are alternatively brought into surface contact with the surface of the fixation target for fixation. The camera bracket is configured such that the prescribed rear region of the vehicle is captured at different depression angles in the image captured by the camera mounted on the camera placement portion between a state where the first contact surface is in surface contact with the fixation target and a state where the second contact surface is in surface contact with the fixation target.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera bracket, a platform lifting device, and a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles such as trucks need to be fitted with a camera for rearward confirmation, which captures the rear of the vehicle. However, when a mounting such as a loading platform lifting device is mounted on the rear of the vehicle, the camera needs to be mounted in a way that the mounting device does not block a specific rear area that should be captured for rearward confirmation in the image captured by the camera. As an example, in Patent Document 1, a camera is mounted on the loading platform lifting device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-91342 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a vehicle equipped with a mounting such as a loading platform lifting device, the location where the camera can be installed is greatly restricted, and the camera cannot always be installed at the desired height. When installing a camera with a fixed angle of view, the optical axis angle of the camera must be within a predetermined range so that a specified rear area of ​​the vehicle is captured from the installation position. On the other hand, it is not desirable to apply a flexible angle adjustment mechanism to the on-board camera so that the capture range does not change unexpectedly.

[0005] In addition, the camera angle is determined by the height from the ground, but the height of the vehicle changes depending on the type of chassis and the size of the vehicle, and for example, even if the camera is installed on the cargo box in the same way, the camera angle may need to be changed depending on the type of chassis and the size of the vehicle. Even if the camera is installed on a mounting such as a loading platform lifting device, the height of the mounting naturally changes depending on the height of the vehicle, and the shape of the mounting itself varies, and the camera angle may need to be changed depending on the shape of the mounting. In addition, in the case of a vehicle equipped with a loading platform lifting device, the camera may be installed near the height of the chassis frame. In this case, the camera is closer to the rear area to be photographed than when the camera is installed on the top of the cargo box, and the camera angle may need to be changed if the camera installation position changes slightly.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a camera bracket, a loading platform lifting device, and a vehicle that can fix a camera at an installation angle according to conditions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a camera bracket for mounting a camera on a vehicle equipped with a loading platform lifting device, comprising a fixed part fixed to a fixed object, which is the loading platform lifting device or the vehicle, and a camera mounting part connected to the fixed part, wherein the fixed part has a first contact surface and a second contact surface that are fixed by alternatively making surface contact with the surface of the fixed object, and the camera bracket is configured so that a predetermined rear area of ​​the vehicle is captured at different depression angles in the image captured by the camera attached to the camera mounting part when the first contact surface is in surface contact with the fixed object and when the second contact surface is in surface contact with the fixed object. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the camera can be fixed at an attachment angle according to conditions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a platform lifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a loading platform lifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 2 is a rear view showing an example of an installation area of ​​a camera of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a left side view showing an example of an installation area of ​​a camera of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view of a camera bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a camera bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view of a camera bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a first example of how a camera is attached to a camera bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a second example of how the camera is attached to the camera bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of mounting a camera using a camera bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of mounting a camera using a first contact surface in a vertical position of the camera bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of mounting a camera using a second contact surface in a vertical position of the camera bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of mounting a camera using a first contact surface in a horizontal position of the camera bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 14] 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of mounting a camera using a second contact surface in a horizontal position of the camera bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] -vehicle- Fig. 1 is a side view showing a vehicle equipped with a loading platform lifting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a vertical loading platform lifting device 100 is mounted on the rear of a loading platform LP mounted on a chassis frame F (Fig. 3) of a vehicle V. In this specification, the left and right in Fig. 1 correspond to the front and rear of the vehicle V and the loading platform lifting device 100.

[0012] -Loading platform lifting device- 2 is a perspective view of a loading platform lifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which elements corresponding to those in the previously mentioned drawings are given the same reference numerals as in the previously mentioned drawings, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0013] The load-receiving-table lifting device 100 includes posts 1L, 1R, sliders 3L, 3R, a load-receiving table 4, a cross member 5, a hydraulic cylinder 6, and a power unit 9. Each element will be described below in order.

[0014] ·post The posts 1L, 1R are located at both the left and right ends of the rear end of the loading platform LP of the vehicle V and extend vertically. The left and right posts 1L, 1R are hollow, for example, made of square pipes. The front space inside the posts 1L, 1R is called the front chamber 1a, and the rear space is called the rear chamber 1b. The front chamber 1a and the rear chamber 1b are separated by a partition wall except for the upper part. The rear wall of the rear chamber 1b is provided with a slit 1d (FIG. 2) extending vertically. In addition, the posts 1L, 1R are provided with hooks 1f. The hooks 1f are non-movable fixed structures. The loading platform lifting device 100 is equipped with a bumper 1X that connects the lower parts of the left and right posts 1L, 1R. The bumper 1X has a square prism shape extending horizontally and is made of, for example, a square pipe with sufficient strength.

[0015] Slider The sliders 3L, 3R extend vertically and are inserted into the rear chambers 1b of the posts L1, LR via sub-posts (not shown), respectively, and move vertically inside the rear chambers 1b. The rear parts of the sliders 3L, 3R protrude rearward of the posts 1L, 1R through the slits 1d of the posts 1L, 1R. A bracket 3b is provided on the lower part of the rear parts of the sliders 3L, 3R protruding rearward of the posts 1L, 1R. The sub-posts may be omitted.

[0016] · Loading platform The cargo receiving platform 4 is rotatably connected to the brackets 3b of the sliders 3L and 3R via pins 4a, and is raised and lowered together with the sliders 3L and 3R while being guided by sub-posts (not shown) and posts 1L and 1R. The cargo receiving platform lifting device 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 is a high-lift type, and the lifting range of the cargo receiving platform 4 exists not only below the floor surface position but also above the floor surface position. The floor surface position means the height position of the cargo receiving platform 4 where the cargo receiving surface (upper surface) matches the height of the floor surface of the cargo loading platform LP and the upper surface of the cross member 5. The cargo receiving platform 4 can be raised and lowered above and below the floor surface position of the cargo loading platform LP. When not in use, the cargo receiving platform 4 is raised vertically to form the rear wall (tailgate) of the cargo loading platform LP. When in a horizontally laid-down position, the cargo receiving platform 4 is raised and lowered with luggage, workers, etc. on it during cargo handling work. Lock handles 4b (only the left one is shown in FIG. 2) are provided on both the left and right sides of the cargo receiving platform 4. The cargo receiving platform 4 is moved to a storage position at a predetermined height (in this example, the floor surface position of the cargo platform LP) and raised, and the lock handles 4b are pulled out to the left and right and hooked onto the hooks 1f, whereby the cargo receiving platform 4 is fixed (stored) in an upright position relative to the posts 1L, 1R.

[0017] Cross member The cross member 5 extends to the left and right and connects the vertical middle parts of the posts 1L, 1R. The cross member 5 is hollow, and its internal space is connected to at least the front chambers 1a of the posts 1L, 1R. When the load-receiving platform lifting device 100 is mounted on the vehicle V, the cross member 5 is located above the chassis frame F (FIG. 3) of the vehicle V, and the upper surface of the cross member 5 is flush with the floor surface of the load-carrying platform LP.

[0018] Hydraulic cylinder The hydraulic cylinder 6 is a drive device that drives the load-receiving platform 4 to move up and down, and is housed in the cross member 5 in an orientation that extends to the left and right. The hydraulic cylinder 6 can also be installed with its rod facing left, but in this embodiment, it is installed with its rod facing right and its tube fixed to the inner wall of the cross member 5 via a support member. The tip of the rod of the hydraulic cylinder 6 reciprocates left and right inside the cross member 5 as the hydraulic cylinder 6 expands and contracts, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 4. The expansion and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder 6 operates a wire (not shown) that is looped around multiple pulleys (fixed pulleys, movable pulleys) and routed inside the posts 1L, 2R and the cross member 5. As a result, the sliders 3L, 3R fixed to the wire move up and down, and the load-receiving platform 4 moves up and down.

[0019] Power unit The power unit 9 is a power device that drives the hydraulic cylinder 6, and includes, for example, an electric motor, a hydraulic pump, an oil tank, a switching valve, a control device, etc. In the example of Fig. 2, it is housed in a unit box 9a provided in front of the left post 1L. Note that the power unit 9 is omitted from the drawings other than Fig. 2.

[0020] -camera- A camera C (FIG. 1) for checking the rear of the vehicle is attached to the vehicle V. An image of the rear of the vehicle captured by the camera C is displayed on a monitor (not shown) in the driver's cab of the vehicle V. The predetermined rear area A shown in FIG. 1 is an area on the ground G that has a fixed positional relationship with the vehicle V when the ground G on which the vehicle V stands is considered to be a flat surface, and is a confirmation area behind the vehicle that should be captured by the camera C. The camera C is positioned so that the rear area A is included in the captured image.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a rear view of a vehicle V showing an example of an installation area of ​​a camera C, and Fig. 4 is a left side view thereof. In these figures, elements corresponding to those in the previously mentioned drawings are given the same reference numerals as in the previously mentioned drawings, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0022] The camera C is installed so that the entirety of it fits within the maximum dimension of the vehicle V. In other words, the camera C is arranged so that all or a part of it does not protrude rearward from the rear end of the vehicle V or protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from both the left and right ends of the vehicle V. From the viewpoint of protecting the camera C, it is not desirable to install the camera C on a movable part, and it is desirable to install the camera C, for example, avoiding the cargo receiving platform 4. Furthermore, while the vehicle V is traveling, that is, when the cargo receiving platform 4 is stored, the position of the camera C needs to be set so that the shooting range of the camera C is not blocked by structures such as the cargo receiving platform 4, the tail lamps TL of the vehicle V, the license plate (not shown), and the like.

[0023] Specifically, in the case of a vehicle V on which the loading platform lifting device 100 is mounted as in this embodiment, an example of the installation position of the camera C as viewed from the rear of the vehicle V is the area X shown in FIG. 3. Area X is an area in which the camera C is assumed to be installed on the lower part of the loading platform LP, the cross member 5 (FIG. 2) of the loading platform lifting device 100, the bumper 1X, or either the left or right chassis frame F of the vehicle V. Therefore, the upper end of area X is near the cross member 5, the lower end is near the bumper 1X, and the left and right ends are near the left and right chassis frames F. When the camera C is installed in area X, it is preferable, as an example, to align the front and rear positions of the camera C with the camera lens surface (surface of the objective lens) on the extension line Y of the light emitting surface (rear end surface) of the tail lamp TL as shown in FIG. 4.

[0024] However, as long as the camera C can clearly capture the entire rear area A, the installation position of the camera C is not necessarily limited to the area X in Fig. 3. For example, the camera C can be installed on the bumper 1X in a position outside the area X on the left or right, or on the top of the left or right post 1L, 1R.

[0025] -Camera bracket- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the camera bracket, Fig. 6 is a plan view, Fig. 7 is a side view, and Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are views showing an example of mounting a camera C to the camera bracket. In these figures, elements corresponding to those in the previously mentioned drawings are given the same reference numerals as in the previously mentioned drawings, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0026] The camera bracket 10 shown in Figs. 5 to 9 is a member for mounting a camera C to a vehicle V equipped with a loading platform lifting device 100. The camera bracket 10 is a fixed structure having a non-movable structure without a movable part. The camera bracket 10 includes a fixed part 11 that is fixed to a fixed object, and a camera arrangement part 12 that is connected to the fixed part 11. In the present embodiment, the fixed object is the loading platform lifting device 100 or the vehicle V. The camera bracket 10 can be used in a position in which the fixed part 11 and the camera arrangement part 12 are vertically aligned (Fig. 8) and a position in which the fixed part 11 and the camera arrangement part 12 are horizontally aligned (Fig. 9). In this specification, the position of the camera bracket 10 in which the fixed part 11 and the camera arrangement part 12 are vertically aligned (Fig. 8) is referred to as the "vertical position", and the position of the camera bracket 10 in which the fixed part 11 and the camera arrangement part 12 are horizontally aligned (Fig. 9) is referred to as the "horizontal position". The camera C is attached to the camera bracket 10 via a metal fitting M so as to capture an image of the rear area A from a window (through hole) 12a provided in the camera mounting section 12. The metal fitting M is fixed to the camera C and the camera bracket 10 with a bolt (not shown). The camera bracket 10 is provided with a plurality of bolt through holes H corresponding to metal fittings M of various shapes.

[0027] The fixing portion 11 has a first contact surface S1 and a second contact surface S2 that are fixed by selectively making surface contact with the surface of a fixing target. The first contact surface S1 and the second contact surface S2 are adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction, and the second contact surface S2 is inclined at an angle α (FIG. 7) with respect to the first contact surface S1. As shown in FIG. 7, the angle α is an acute angle formed by an extension line extending from the first contact surface S1 (end surface a in the figure, which will be described later) to the second contact surface S2 (end surface c in the figure, which will be described later). The angle α is assumed to be 45 degrees or less, for example, an angle of about 20 degrees. For example, when installing the camera C in the area X in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the first contact surface S1 is brought into contact with the fixing target and the camera bracket 10 is welded to the fixing target when the camera C is installed at a high position within the area X. When installing camera C at a low position within area X, it is assumed that the second contact surface S2 is brought into contact with a fixed object and the camera bracket 10 is welded to the fixed object. The rear area A (FIG. 1) of vehicle V is captured in the image captured by camera C attached to camera mounting section 12 at a different depression angle θ (FIG. 11) when the first contact surface S1 is in surface contact with the fixed object and when the second contact surface S2 is in surface contact with the fixed object. This depression angle difference corresponds to angle α.

[0028] Specifically, the fixing part 11 has two first plates P1 and a second plate P2 connecting the two first plates P1. The two first plates P1 are formed in a broken line shape with one side bent at an angle α. The broken line side of the first plate P1 is a side formed by the end faces a and c facing upward (upward in FIG. 5) in the left first plate P1, and a side formed by the end faces b and d facing upward (same in FIG. 5) in the right first plate P1. When the camera bracket 10 is in the vertical position, a plane (including the end faces a and b) defined by the end faces a and b of the two first plates P1 constitutes the first contact surface S1, and a plane (including the end faces c and d) defined by the end faces c and d of the two first plates P1 constitutes the second contact surface S2. In this way, the broken line side of the two first plates P1 constitutes a pair of the first contact surface S1 and the second contact surface S2 of the camera bracket 10 in the vertical position.

[0029] As described later, the two first plates P1 are inclined relative to each other, and the angle α in the side view shown in Fig. 7 does not strictly coincide with the actual value. The first contact surface S1 and the second contact surface S2 can be defined by two end surfaces, end surfaces a and b, or end surfaces c and d, but may also be defined by three end surfaces that form a U-shape including the upward end surface k of the second plate P2. In this case, the contact portion of end surface k with the fixed object serves as both the first contact surface S1 and the second contact surface S2.

[0030] In this embodiment, the fixing portion 11 of the camera bracket 10 also has a first contact surface T1 and a second contact surface T2 for use in a horizontal position. The first contact surface T1 and the second contact surface T2 are adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction, and the second contact surface T2 is inclined at an angle α (FIG. 6) with respect to the first contact surface T1. As shown in FIG. 6, the angle α is an angle between an extension line extending from the first contact surface T1 (an end surface g in FIG. 6, which will be described later) to the second contact surface T2 (a main surface e in FIG. 6), and the second contact surface T2 (main surface e). The angle α is the same as the angle α between the first contact surface S1 and the second contact surface S2. For example, when installing the camera C in the area X in FIG. 3, when installing the camera C at a high position within the area X, it is assumed that the first contact surface T1 is brought into contact with a fixing object and the camera bracket 10 is welded to the fixing object. When installing camera C at a low position within area X, it is assumed that camera bracket 10 will be welded to a fixed object with second contact surface T2 in contact with the fixed object. The rear area A (FIG. 1) of vehicle V is captured in the image captured by camera C attached to camera mounting section 12 at different depression angles θ when first contact surface T1 is in surface contact with the fixed object and when second contact surface T2 is in surface contact with the fixed object.

[0031] Specifically, the two first plates P1 are arranged in a V-shape as shown in FIG. 6 and connected by the second plate P2. The two first plates P1 are spaced apart from each other from the front to the rear (to the right in FIG. 6) in the vertical position. The second plate P2 is configured in an L-shape with a portion extending vertically and a portion bending backward and extending forward and backward, and the left end face g of the portion extending forward and backward is connected to the left-facing main surface e of the left first plate P1. These end face g and main surface e form a broken line that is bent at an angle α in a plan view of the camera bracket 10 in the vertical position (FIG. 6). When the camera bracket 10 is in the horizontal position (the camera mounting portion 12 is located to the right of the fixing portion 11) as shown in FIG. 9, the rear side f of the main surface e of the left first plate P1 and the end face g of the second plate P2 form the first contact surface T1. Moreover, the main surface e (FIG. 5) of the left first plate P1 constitutes the second contact surface T2. In this manner, the two sides (the rear side f and the end surface g) of the first plate P1 and the second plate P2 and one of the main surfaces e of the two first plates P1 constitute a pair of the first contact surface T1 and the second contact surface T2 of the camera bracket 10 in the horizontal orientation.

[0032] As described above, the camera bracket 10 is provided with, as first and second contact surfaces, a pair of first contact surfaces S1 and second contact surfaces S2 used in a vertical position in which the fixed portion 11 and the camera mounting portion 12 are aligned vertically, and a pair of first contact surfaces T1 and second contact surfaces T2 used in a horizontal position in which the fixed portion 11 and the camera mounting portion 12 are aligned horizontally.

[0033] The camera bracket 10 is configured symmetrically in the vertical position, and has a first contact surface U1 and a second contact surface U2 that are symmetrical with the first contact surface T1 and the second contact surface T2 on the left side. When the camera bracket 10 is in the horizontal position (the camera mounting portion 12 is located to the left of the fixing portion 11), the rear edge i of the main surface e of the right-side first plate P1 and the right end surface j of the second plate P2 constitute the first contact surface U1. Also, the right-facing main surface h of the right-side first plate P1 constitutes the second contact surface U2. In this way, the two sides (rear edge i and end surface j) of the first plate P1 and the second plate P2, and one of the main surfaces h of the two first plates P1 constitute a pair of the first contact surface U1 and the second contact surface U2 of the camera bracket 10 in the horizontal position. Therefore, the camera bracket 10 is provided with a total of three pairs of first and second contact surfaces.

[0034] -Camera installation example- Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of mounting a camera C using the camera bracket 10. Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of mounting a camera C using the first contact surface of the camera bracket 10 in the vertical position, and Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an example of mounting a camera C using the second contact surface of the camera bracket 10 in the vertical position. Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of mounting a camera C using the first contact surface of the camera bracket 10 in the horizontal position, and Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an example of mounting a camera C using the second contact surface of the camera bracket 10 in the horizontal position. In these figures, elements corresponding to those in the previously mentioned drawings are given the same reference numerals as those in the previously mentioned drawings, and explanations thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0035] When installing the camera C in the area X in FIG. 3, for example, the camera bracket 10 can be welded to the underside of the cross member 5 as shown in FIG. 10. In this case, the camera bracket 10 is used in a vertical position as shown in FIG. 8, the first contact surface S1 or the second contact surface S2 is brought into surface contact with the underside of the cross member 5, and the first contact surface S1 or the second contact surface S2 is welded to the underside of the cross member 5. Whether the first contact surface S1 or the second contact surface S2 is used is selected according to the height of the cross member 5 from the viewpoint of including the entire rear area A (FIG. 1) within the shooting range of the camera C, since the height of the underside of the cross member 5 from the ground G differs depending on the class of the vehicle V, etc. In the example of FIG. 11 in which the camera bracket 10 is attached to the underside of the cross member 5 using the first contact surface S1, the depression angle θ with respect to the rear area A is larger than that in the example of FIG. 12 in which the camera bracket 10 is attached to the underside of the cross member 5 using the second contact surface S2. Therefore, the first contact surface S1 is selected when the camera bracket 10 is mounted at a relatively high position to include the rear region A in the angle of view, and the second contact surface S2 is selected when the camera bracket 10 is mounted at a relatively low position to include the rear region A in the angle of view.

[0036] In the example of FIG. 11, the camera bracket 10 is installed in a state where it extends downward from the underside of the cross member 5, but the camera bracket 10 can also be grounded in a vertical position in a state where it stands up from the surface of the object to be fixed. FIG. 10 also shows an example in which the first contact surface S1 or the second contact surface S2 is welded to the upper surface of the bumper 1X. When the camera bracket 10 is used in an upright state, the metal fitting M with the camera C attached is attached to the camera bracket 10 upside down in comparison with the example of FIG. 11. Also, when the camera bracket 10 is used in an upright state facing upward, the selection of the first contact surface S1 and the second contact surface S2 is reversed. That is, when the camera bracket 10 is attached at a relatively high position to include the rear area A in the angle of view, the second contact surface S2 is selected, and when the camera bracket 10 is attached at a relatively low position to include the rear area A in the angle of view, the first contact surface S1 is selected.

[0037] FIG. 10 also shows an example in which the camera bracket 10 is used in a horizontal position and the camera C is installed on the chassis frame F on the right side of the vehicle V. In the example shown, for example, the first contact surface T1 or the second contact surface T2 is welded to the upward inner wall surface of the U-shaped chassis frame F to install the camera C. FIG. 13 shows an example in which the camera bracket 10 is attached to the chassis frame F using the first contact surface T1, and FIG. 14 shows an example in which the camera bracket 10 is attached to the chassis frame F using the second contact surface T2. As in the vertical position, in the horizontal position, when the first contact surface T1 is used, the depression angle θ with respect to the rear area A is larger than when the second contact surface T2 is used. Therefore, when the camera bracket 10 is attached at a relatively high position to include the rear area A in the angle of view, the first contact surface T1 is selected, and when the camera bracket 10 is attached at a relatively low position to include the rear area A in the angle of view, the second contact surface T2 is selected.

[0038] 10 illustrates an example in which the camera C is installed on the chassis frame F on the right side of the vehicle V, but it is of course possible to similarly install the camera C on the left side of the chassis frame F. In this case, the camera C is installed by welding the first contact surface U1 or the second contact surface U2 to a fixing object on the chassis frame F.

[0039] -effect- (1) Even if the camera C is similarly installed on the chassis frame F, the height of the chassis frame F from the ground G differs depending on the size of the vehicle V, and if the camera C is installed without changing the depression angle θ, there is a possibility that the entire rear area A will not fit within the shooting range of the camera C. There are cases where the camera C and the metal fittings M must be specific to each chassis manufacturer, and in such cases, adjustments must be made to the position of the camera C. However, in the case of a vehicle V equipped with a loading platform lifting device 100, the locations where the camera C can be installed are limited.

[0040] In contrast, the camera bracket 10 according to this embodiment has the first contact surface S1 and the second contact surface S2 that are fixed by selectively making surface contact with the fixed object, that is, the loading platform lifting device 100 or the vehicle V, as described above. The camera bracket 10 is configured so that a predetermined rear area A of the vehicle V is included in the image captured by the camera C mounted on the camera placement unit 12 at different depression angles θ when the first contact surface S1 is in surface contact with the fixed object and when the second contact surface S2 is in surface contact with the fixed object. Therefore, by selectively using the first contact surface S1 or the second contact surface S2, the camera C can be fixed at an attachment angle according to the conditions. This allows the rear area A to be flexibly included in the shooting range of the camera C under the constraints of the layout of the camera C in the vehicle V on which the loading platform lifting device 100 is mounted.

[0041] Furthermore, when mounting the loading platform lifting device 100, the camera C may be installed at a relatively low position near the chassis frame F, as in the area X shown in Fig. 3, and the depression angle θ of the camera C may need to be changed due to slight changes in the camera C. In such a case, there is also the advantage that the depression angle θ of the camera C can be changed by selectively using the first contact surface S1 and the second contact surface S2.

[0042] (2) The first contact surface S1 and the second contact surface S2 are adjacent to each other in the front and rear. Therefore, even if the camera bracket 10 is turned upside down or rotated in length to adjust the depression angle θ, the first contact surface S1 or the second contact surface S2 can be selectively brought into surface contact with the fixed object by tilting the camera bracket 10 by the angle α in the depression angle θ direction. This provides excellent operability when fixing the camera bracket 10 to the fixed object.

[0043] (3) Since the camera bracket 10 has a non-movable structure, it is possible to prevent the angle of the camera C from unexpectedly changing due to interference with an obstacle or vibrations while the vehicle V is traveling.

[0044] (4) By welding the first contact surface S1 and the second contact surface S2 to a fixed object, it is possible to prevent the angle of the camera C from changing unexpectedly due to interference with an obstacle or vibration while the vehicle V is traveling.

[0045] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the camera bracket 10 is welded to the fixed object, but a structure in which the camera bracket 10 is fixed to the fixed object with bolts, rivets, or the like can also be applied.

[0046] (5) The first contact surface S1 and the second contact surface S2 are for using the camera bracket 10 in a vertical position, whereas the camera bracket 10 is provided with the first contact surface T1 and the second contact surface T2, and the first contact surface U1 and the second contact surface U2 for using the camera bracket 10 in a horizontal position. The first contact surface T1 and the second contact surface T2, and the first contact surface U1 and the second contact surface U2 function in the same way as the first contact surface S1 and the second contact surface S2 when the camera bracket 10 is used in a horizontal position. Therefore, the camera bracket 10 functions in the same way even if the vertical and horizontal orientations are reversed, and it can be used by flexibly changing the orientation according to the installation position of the camera bracket 10 relative to the vehicle V and the loading platform lifting device 100.

[0047] -Variations- In the above embodiment, for example, the camera bracket 10 is provided with two contact surfaces, the first contact surface S1 and the second contact surface S2, which change the depression angle θ in two stages (by angle α), but the depression angle θ may be changed in three or more stages. In other words, the camera bracket 10 may be provided with a third contact surface, a fourth contact surface, etc.

[0048] In addition, although an example of applying the camera bracket 10 to the load receiving platform lifting device 100 or the vehicle V mounted thereon in which the load receiving platform 4 takes an upright position when stored has been described, the camera bracket 10 can also be applied to other types of load receiving platform lifting devices or vehicles mounted thereon. Load receiving platform lifting devices include, for example, a type in which the load receiving platform is retracted and stored under the chassis frame. In addition, the load receiving platform lifting device 100 is not limited to the type in which the load receiving platform 4 rises and falls along the posts 1L, 1R extending vertically as in the above embodiment, but there are also load receiving platform lifting devices of a type in which the load receiving platform is raised and lowered by the pivoting movement of an arm. The camera bracket 10 can be applied to these different types of load receiving platform lifting devices and vehicles mounted thereon, and the same effect can be obtained.

[0049] Furthermore, the camera bracket 10 can also be applied to vehicles equipped with such devices other than the loading platform lifting device, such as dump trucks, container loading / unloading vehicles, and mixer trucks, and the like, and similar effects can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10...camera bracket, 11...fixing portion, 12...camera arrangement portion, 100...load-receiving platform lifting device, A...rear area, C...camera, P1...first plate, P2...second plate, S1...first contact surface, S2...second contact surface, T1...first contact surface, T2...second contact surface, U1...first contact surface, U2...second contact surface, V...vehicle, θ...depression angle

Claims

1. A camera bracket for mounting a camera on a vehicle equipped with a loading platform lifting device, A fixing part that is fixed to a fixing object, which is the loading platform lifting device or the vehicle; a camera arrangement part connected to the fixed part; Equipped with The fixing portion has a first contact surface and a second contact surface that are fixed to a surface of the fixing target by selectively making surface contact with the surface of the fixing target, A predetermined rear area of ​​the vehicle is configured to be captured at different depression angles in an image captured by the camera attached to the camera arrangement section when the first contact surface is in surface contact with the fixed object and when the second contact surface is in surface contact with the fixed object. A camera bracket characterized by:

2. The camera bracket of claim 1, A camera bracket, wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface are adjacent to each other.

3. The camera bracket of claim 1, A camera bracket characterized by having a non-movable structure.

4. The camera bracket of claim 1, The camera bracket is characterized in that the first contact surface and the second contact surface are welded to the fixed object.

5. The camera bracket of claim 1, A camera bracket characterized in that the first contact surface and the second contact surface are provided with a vertical position in which the fixed portion and the camera placement portion are aligned vertically, and a horizontal position in which the fixed portion and the camera placement portion are aligned horizontally.

6. The camera bracket of claim 5, the fixing portion includes two first plates each having a side formed in a broken line shape, and a second plate that connects the two first plates in a V-shape, a first contact surface and a second contact surface of the first plate in the vertical position; Two sides of the first plate and the second plate and one main surface of the two first plates constitute the first contact surface and the second contact surface in the horizontal position. A camera bracket characterized by:

7. A loading platform lifting device comprising the camera bracket of claim 1.

8. The camera bracket of claim 1; The loading platform lifting device; A vehicle equipped with.

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