Installation device

Abstract

To reduce a load required to release the restriction of relative movement of an installation body with respect to an actuator by a restriction mechanism.SOLUTION: In a camera device 10, when an installation body 48 is pressed inward in the vehicle width direction, an actuator 22 is not operated, and instead a restriction mechanism 54 is operated to release the restriction of relative rotation of the installation body 48 with respect to the actuator 22 by the restriction mechanism 54. Therefore, the load required to release the restriction of the relative rotation of the installation body 48 with respect to the actuator 22 by the restriction mechanism 54 can be reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an installation device in which an installation body is moved to be stored or deployed.

Background Art

[0002] In the handle mechanism described in Patent Document 1 below, a camera is provided on the handle body, and when the drive mechanism is operated, the handle body is moved to be stored or deployed. Further, a push-push mechanism restricts relative movement of the handle body with respect to the drive mechanism.

[0003] Here, in this handle mechanism, when the push-push mechanism is operated, while the drive mechanism is operating, the restriction on the relative movement of the handle body with respect to the drive mechanism by the push-push mechanism is released.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain an installation device capable of reducing the load for releasing the restriction on the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device by the restriction mechanism.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The installation device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an installation body installed on a vehicle, an imaging device provided on the installation body for imaging the outside of the installation body, an operating device that, when operated, moves the installation body to be stored or deployed, and a restriction mechanism that restricts relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device and, when operated, releases the restriction on the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device without operating the operating device.

[0007] The installation device according to the second aspect of the present invention is the installation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein when the operating device is not operated, the operating device restricts the movement of the installation body, and the movement restriction of the installation body by the operating device is released by the load applied to the installation body.

[0008] The installation device according to the third aspect of the present invention is the installation device according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the load for releasing the restriction of the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device by the restricting mechanism is made smaller than the load for releasing the movement restriction of the installation body by the operating device.

[0009] The installation device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is the installation device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, and includes a biasing mechanism that biases the installation body in the deployment direction.

[0010] The installation device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the installation device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the installation body is rotated and moved about a support shaft, and the biasing mechanism is provided on the support shaft.

[0011] The installation device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the installation device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, wherein the installation body is operated in the storage direction with respect to the operating device, and the restricting mechanism is operated.

[0012] The installation device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is the installation device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, wherein when the restriction of the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device by the restricting mechanism is released, the installation body side and the operating device side of the restricting mechanism are separated.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] In the installation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, an installation body is installed on a vehicle, an imaging device is provided on the installation body, and the imaging device images the outside of the installation body. Further, when the operating device is operated, the installation body is moved to be stored or deployed. Furthermore, a regulating mechanism regulates the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device.

[0014] Here, when the regulating mechanism is operated, the operating device is not operated and the regulation of the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device by the regulating mechanism is released. Therefore, the load for releasing the regulation of the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device by the regulating mechanism can be reduced.

[0015] In the installation device according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the operating device is not operated, the operating device restricts the movement of the installation body.

[0016] Here, the restriction on the movement of the installation body by the operating device is released by the load applied to the installation body. Therefore, the movement of the installation body can be allowed.

[0017] In the installation device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the load for releasing the regulation of the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device by the regulating mechanism is made smaller than the load for releasing the restriction on the movement of the installation body by the operating device. Therefore, the load for releasing the regulation of the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device by the regulating mechanism can be appropriately reduced.

[0018] In the installation device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a biasing mechanism biases the installation body in the deployment direction. Therefore, the installation body can be deployed by the biasing mechanism.

[0019] In the installation device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the installation body is rotated and moved about a support shaft.

[0020] Here, a biasing mechanism is provided on the support shaft. Therefore, an increase in size can be suppressed by the biasing mechanism.

[0021] In the installation device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the installation body is operated in the storage direction with respect to the operating device, the regulation mechanism is operated. Therefore, the regulation mechanism can be easily operated.

[0022] In the installation device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the regulation of the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device by the regulation mechanism is released, the installation body side and the operating device side of the regulation mechanism are separated. Therefore, the relative movement amount between the installation body and the operating device can be increased.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] FIG. 1(A) shows a perspective view of a camera device 10 as an installation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the front side of the vehicle and the inner side in the vehicle width direction (left side of the vehicle), and FIG. 1(B) shows a perspective view of the camera device 10 seen from the front side of the vehicle. Further, FIG. 7(A) shows a cross-sectional view of the camera device 10 seen from the front side of the vehicle. In the drawings, the front of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow FR, the outer side in the vehicle width direction (right side of the vehicle) is indicated by an arrow OUT, and the upper side is indicated by an arrow UP.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 7(A), the camera device 10 according to the present embodiment is installed on a plate-shaped fender panel 14 (front fender panel) as an installation target of the vehicle 12 (automobile). A substantially rectangular installation hole 14A is formed through the vertical intermediate portion of the rear end portion of the fender panel 14 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The installation hole 14A extends in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the lower end of the front portion of the vehicle is inclined upward in a direction toward the front side of the vehicle.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1(A) and (B) and FIG. 7(A), a bracket 16 as a support member is fixed to the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the fender panel 14. The bracket 16 is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the upper portion of the installation hole 14A. The bracket 16 has a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional plate shape. The front side wall of the vehicle of the bracket 16 extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and the inner side wall in the vehicle width direction of the bracket 16 extends rearward in the vehicle. A long regulation hole 16A as a regulation portion is formed through the intermediate portion in the vehicle width direction of the front side wall of the vehicle of the bracket 16. The regulation hole 16A extends in an arc shape centered on the following shaft 20.

[0027] A retractor 18 (see FIGS. 2(A) and (B)) is provided inside the bracket 16.

[0028] The retractor 18 is provided with a substantially cylindrical shaft 20 as a support shaft. The shaft 20 is fixed to the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle front side wall of the bracket 16, extends rearward of the vehicle, and is non-rotatable.

[0029] The retractor 18 is provided with an operating body 22 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as an operating device. A substantially rectangular parallelepiped box-shaped case 24 is provided on the outer periphery of the operating body 22. The case 24 is configured by assembling an upper case upper 24A and a lower case lower 24B. The shaft 20 penetrates through the case 24. The case 24 is supported by the shaft 20 and is rotatable (movable) downward (outer side in the vehicle width direction, deployment direction) and upward (inner side in the vehicle width direction, storage direction) about the shaft 20.

[0030] A substantially cylindrical regulating shaft 24C as a regulated portion is integrally provided on the vehicle front side surface of the case 24. The regulating shaft 24C protrudes forward of the vehicle. The regulating shaft 24C is inserted into the regulating hole 16A of the bracket 16, and when the case 24 is rotated, the regulating shaft 24C is rotated along the regulating hole 16A. The regulating shaft 24C is in contact with the lower end of the regulating hole 16A, whereby the downward rotation of the case 24 is regulated. Further, when the regulating shaft 24C is in contact with the upper end of the regulating hole 16A, the upward rotation of the case 24 is regulated. A contact post 24D (see FIG. 4(A)) having a U-shaped cross-section columnar shape as a contacted portion is integrally provided on the lower side surface of the case 24, and the contact post 24D protrudes downward.

[0031] Inside the case 24, a motor 28 as a driving device is fixed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the shaft 20. The output shaft of the motor 28 extends toward the front side of the vehicle, and a worm 30 as a first gear constituting a transmission mechanism is coaxially fixed thereto. The motor 28 is electrically connected to a control device 32 (ECU) of the vehicle 12. By the control of the control device 32, when the actuator 22 is actuated, the motor 28 is driven and the worm 30 is rotated. When the rotation of the output shaft of the driven motor 28 is restricted and an overcurrent flows through the motor 28, the drive of the motor 28 is stopped and the operation of the actuator 22 is stopped by the control of the control device 32.

[0032] Below the worm 30, a helical gear 34 (worm wheel) as a second gear constituting a transmission mechanism is meshed therewith. The helical gear 34 is rotatably supported in the case 24, and its axial direction is substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction. The worm 30 restricts the rotation of the helical gear 34, and when the worm 30 is rotated, the helical gear 34 is rotated. On the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the helical gear 34, a worm shaft 36 (worm) as a third gear constituting a transmission mechanism is coaxially provided. The worm shaft 36 is rotatably supported in the case 24 and rotates integrally with the helical gear 34.

[0033] In the case 24, a restricting mechanism 38 (see FIG. 13) is provided.

[0034] The restricting mechanism 38 is provided with a restricting gear 40 (worm wheel) as a restricted member. The restricting gear 40 has the shaft 20 penetrating coaxially therethrough and is rotatably supported by the shaft 20, while its movement toward the front side of the vehicle is restricted. A worm shaft 36 is engaged with the restricting gear 40, and the worm shaft 36 is integrally rotatable with the restricting gear 40 about the shaft 20. Inside the restricting gear 40, a cylindrical insertion hole 40A is formed coaxially on the outer side in the radial direction of the shaft 20, and the insertion hole 40A is open to the rear side of the vehicle. A plurality (three in this embodiment) of restricting convex portions 40B are integrally formed on the front side surface (bottom surface) of the vehicle of the insertion hole 40A, and the plurality of restricting convex portions 40B are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the insertion hole 40A. The cross section of the restricting convex portion 40B along the circumferential direction of the insertion hole 40A is trapezoidal, and the dimension of the restricting convex portion 40B in the circumferential direction of the insertion hole 40A becomes smaller as it goes toward the rear side of the vehicle.

[0035] The restricting mechanism 38 is provided with a substantially cylindrical clutch plate 42 as a restricting member. The clutch plate 42 is arranged on the rear side of the vehicle of the restricting gear 40. The shaft 20 is inserted and fitted coaxially inside the clutch plate 42, and the clutch plate 42 is supported by the shaft 20 so as not to rotate and to be movable in the axial direction (the longitudinal direction of the vehicle). A cylindrical insertion cylinder 42A is formed coaxially on the front side portion of the vehicle of the clutch plate 42, and the insertion cylinder 42A is fitted into the insertion hole 40A of the restricting gear 40. A plurality (three in this embodiment) of restricting concave portions 42B are formed through the peripheral wall of the insertion cylinder 42A, and the plurality of restricting concave portions 42B are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the insertion cylinder 42A. The cross section of the restricting concave portion 42B along the circumferential direction of the insertion cylinder 42A is trapezoidal, and the dimension of the restricting concave portion 42B in the circumferential direction of the insertion cylinder 42A becomes larger as it goes toward the front side of the vehicle. The restricting concave portion 42B is open to the front side of the vehicle, and the restricting convex portion 40B of the insertion hole 40A is fitted into the restricting concave portion 42B.

[0036] On the vehicle rear side of the clutch plate 42, a limiting spring 44 (compression coil spring) as a limiting biasing member is provided, and the shaft 20 is coaxially inserted into the limiting spring 44. On the vehicle rear side of the limiting spring 44, a substantially rectangular plate-shaped cam plate 46 as a locking member is provided. The cam plate 46 has the shaft 20 penetrating therethrough coaxially and is supported on the shaft 20 so as not to be movable in the axial direction (vehicle front-rear direction). The limiting spring 44 is compressed in the axial direction (vehicle front-rear direction) between the clutch plate 42 and the cam plate 46. The limiting spring 44 biases the clutch plate 42 toward the vehicle front side, thereby restricting the release of the engagement of the limiting projection 40B of the limiting gear 40 (insertion hole 40A) with the limiting recess 42B of the clutch plate 42 (insertion cylinder 42A), and restricting the rotation of the limiting gear 40. For this reason, the integral rotation of the worm shaft 36 with the limiting gear 40 is restricted, and the rotation (movement) of the operating body 22 (including the case 24, the motor 28, the worm 30, the helical gear 34, and the worm shaft 36) about the shaft 20 is restricted.

[0037] When the operating body 22 is operated and the worm shaft 36 is rotated as described above, the rotational force of the worm shaft 36 acts on the limiting gear 40, and the worm shaft 36 rotates (revolves) around the limiting gear 40, whereby the operating body 22 rotates about the shaft 20. When a rotational load equal to or greater than a predetermined load (a load greater than the rotational load of the operating body 22 due to the operation of the operating body 22) acts on the operating body 22, the clutch plate 42 moves toward the vehicle rear side against the biasing force of the limiting spring 44, and the engagement of the limiting projection 40B with the limiting recess 42B is released. By allowing the rotation of the limiting gear 40, the worm shaft 36 is integrally rotated with the limiting gear 40, and the rotation of the operating body 22 about the shaft 20 is allowed.

[0038] An installation body 48 is supported on a shaft 20, and the installation body 48 is rotatable (movable) in the vehicle width direction outside (deployment direction) and the vehicle width direction inside (retraction direction) around the shaft 20. On the outer periphery of the installation body 48, a cover 50 in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape (see (A) and (B) of FIG. 3) is provided, and the inside of the cover 50 is open to the vehicle width direction inside. The installation body 48 is deployed, and the cover 50 protrudes outside the vehicle width direction of the fender panel 14 through the installation hole 14A of the fender panel 14. The upper end portion and the lower end portion of the cover 50 are each formed in a plate shape and protrude upward and downward, and the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the cover 50 are arranged inside the vehicle width direction of the fender panel 14. The lower end portion of the cover 50 interferes with the inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the fender panel 14, whereby the rotation of the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction is restricted.

[0039] On the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the cover 50, a substantially columnar contact protrusion 50A (see FIG. 4(A)) as a contact portion is fixed, and the contact protrusion 50A protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction. The contact protrusion 50A is arranged outside the vehicle width direction of the contact column 24D of the actuator 22 (case 24), and when the installation body 48 is relatively rotated inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the actuator 22, the contact protrusion 50A can contact the contact column 24D.

[0040] The shaft 20 is coaxially inserted into a deployment spring 52 (torsion coil spring, see FIG. 2(B)) as a biasing mechanism behind the vehicle of the case 24 of the actuator 22. One end portion of the deployment spring 52 is locked to the case 24, and the other end portion of the deployment spring 52 is locked to the cover 50 of the installation body 48. The deployment spring 52 biases the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the actuator 22.

[0041] A restricting mechanism 54 (see (A) and (B) of FIG. 6) is provided between the case 24 of the actuator 22 and the cover 50 of the installation body 48.

[0042] On the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the cover 50, a substantially U-shaped bar-shaped pin 56 (see Fig. 2(A)) as an object to be guided inside is supported. The pin 56 is rotatable in the vertical direction around the middle part and protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction. At one end (the rear end of the vehicle) of the pin 56, a guide shaft 56A is integrally provided, and the guide shaft 56A extends to the rear side of the vehicle. On the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the cover 50, restricting protrusions 50B (see Fig. 11(B)) are fixed above and below one end side part of the pin 56. The restricting protrusions 50B protrude to the rear side of the vehicle and can restrict the rotation of one end side part of the pin 56. For this reason, the pin 56 is rotatable between the restricting protrusions 50B on the upper side and the lower side, and the vertical rotation range of the pin 56 with respect to the cover 50 is defined.

[0043] On the lower surface of the case 24, a substantially rectangular plate-shaped rail plate 58 (see Fig. 4(A) and Fig. 7(B)) is integrally provided. The rail plate 58 protrudes downward and is arranged perpendicular to the vehicle front-rear direction. On the front side surface of the vehicle of the rail plate 58, a concave rail 60 as a guiding part is formed, and the rail 60 is open to the front side of the vehicle.

[0044] On the upper part of the rail 60, a first inner path 60A is provided. The first inner path 60A extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the base end side (outer side in the vehicle width direction) to the tip side (inner side in the vehicle width direction), and then extends upward as it goes inward in the vehicle width direction. Also, the base end surface of the first inner path 60A is concave outward in the vehicle width direction. The tip of the first inner path 60A is connected to the base end of the first outer path 60B, and the first outer path 60B extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the base end side (inner side in the vehicle width direction) to the tip side (outer side in the vehicle width direction).

[0045] The tip of the first outer path 60B is connected to the base end portion of the second inner path 60C. The second inner path 60C extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the base end side (outer side in the vehicle width direction) to the tip side (inner side in the vehicle width direction), and then extends upward as it goes inward in the vehicle width direction. The base end side portion of the second inner path 60C expands in the vertical direction as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction, and the base end surface of the second inner path 60C is open to the outside in the vehicle width direction. The tip of the second inner path 60C is connected to the middle of the second outer path 60D. The second outer path 60D extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the base end side (inner side in the vehicle width direction) to the tip side (outer side in the vehicle width direction), and then extends upward as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction. The tip of the second outer path 60D is connected to the base end of the first inner path 60A, and the rail 60 is annular.

[0046] A guide surface 58A is formed on the outer surface of the rail plate 58 in the vehicle width direction, and the guide surface 58A extends upward from the base end opening of the second inner path 60C.

[0047] The guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 in the cover 50 is inserted into the rail 60, and the movement of the guide shaft 56A outward in the vehicle width direction is restricted by the base end surface of the first inner path 60A of the rail 60, thereby restricting the rotation of the actuator 22 of the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction due to the biasing force of the deployment spring 52.

[0048] When the installation body 48 (cover 50) is pressed inward in the vehicle width direction with a pressing load equal to or greater than a specified load (a load smaller than the above-mentioned predetermined load), against the biasing force of the deployment spring 52, the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 moves from the base end to the tip of the first inner path 60A of the rail 60 (see Fig. 10(B)), and the installation body 48 rotates inward in the vehicle width direction. Further, when the pressing operation of the installation body 48 inward in the vehicle width direction is released, due to the biasing force of the deployment spring 52, the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 moves outward in the vehicle width direction of the rail plate 58 (rail 60) from the tip of the first inner path 60A of the rail 60 through the base end portions of the first outer path 60B and the second inner path 60C (see Fig. 11(B)), and the installation body 48 rotates outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0049] Thereafter, when the installation body 48 is pressed inward in the vehicle width direction with a pressing load equal to or greater than a specified load, the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 moves from the guide surface 58A of the rail plate 58 to the base end portion of the second outer path 60D via the second inner path 60C of the rail 60 against the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 (see Fig. 12(B)), and the installation body 48 is rotated inward in the vehicle width direction. Further, when the pressing operation of the installation body 48 inward in the vehicle width direction is released, the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 moves from the base end portion of the second outer path 60D of the rail 60 to the base end of the first inner path 60A by the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 (see Fig. 9(B)), and the installation body 48 is rotated outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0050] Inside the cover 50 of the installation body 48, a lower camera 62 (see Fig. 2(A)) as an imaging device is fixed at an intermediate portion in the vehicle front-rear direction. The lens 62A of the lower camera 62 is directed downward and is exposed below the cover 50 through the first through hole in the lower wall of the cover 50. Inside the cover 50, a rear camera 64 as an imaging device is fixed at a rear side portion of the vehicle. The lens (not shown) of the rear camera 64 is directed to the rear side of the vehicle and is exposed at the rear side of the vehicle of the cover 50 through the second through hole in the rear wall of the cover 50.

[0051] The lower camera 62 and the rear camera 64 are electrically connected to the control device 32. The lower camera 62 and the rear camera 64 image the lower side of the cover 50 and the rear side of the vehicle, respectively, through the lens 62A of the lower camera 62 and the lens of the rear camera 64 under the control of the control device 32. A monitor 66 as a display device is electrically connected to the control device 32. Images captured by the lower camera 62 and the rear camera 64 are displayed on the monitor 66 under the control of the control device 32. The monitor 66 is installed in the vehicle interior, and by the occupant checking the images displayed on the monitor 66, the visual recognition of the lower side of the occupant and the rear side of the vehicle is assisted.

[0052] Inside the cover 50, in front of the vehicle of the lower camera 62, a lamp 68 as a lighting device is fixed. The lens 68A of the lamp 68 is directed downward and is exposed to the lower side of the cover 50 through the third through hole in the lower wall of the cover 50. The lamp 68 is electrically connected to the control device 32, and the lamp 68 illuminates the lower side of the cover 50 through the lens 68A under the control of the control device 32 (it may project an image such as a mark).

[0053] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0054] In the camera device 10 configured as described above, in the limiting mechanism 38 within the actuator 22 of the retractor 18, the insertion of the limiting protrusion 40B of the limiting gear 40 (insertion hole 40A) into the limiting recess 42B of the clutch plate 42 (insertion cylinder 42A) is restricted by the biasing force of the limiting spring 44, thereby restricting the rotation of the limiting gear 40. For this reason, within the actuator 22, the integral rotation of the worm shaft 36 with the limiting gear 40 is restricted, and the rotation of the actuator 22 (including the case 24, the motor 28, the worm 30, the helical gear 34, and the worm shaft 36) is restricted.

[0055] In the regulating mechanism 54, the movement of the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 in the installation body 48 (cover 50) outward in the vehicle width direction is restricted by the base end surface of the first inner path 60A of the rail 60 in the actuator 22 (rail plate 58 of the case 24) (see Fig. 7(B)), and the rotation of the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the actuator 22 due to the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 is restricted.

[0056] When the actuator 22 is actuated under the control of the control device 32, the motor 28 is driven, and the worm 30, the helical gear 34, and the worm shaft 36 are rotated, so that the worm shaft 36 rotates around the limiting gear 40, and the actuator 22 rotates.

[0057] Also, when the installation body 48 is deployed (see Fig. 7(A)), the actuating body 22 is actuated, and when the actuating body 22 is rotated upward, the installation body 48 is rotated inward in the vehicle width direction and stored (see (A) and (B) of Fig. 3, (A) and (B) of Fig. 4, and (A) and (B) of Fig. 9). When the installation body 48 is rotated to the storage position, the regulating shaft 24C of the actuating body 22 (case 24) abuts against the upper end of the regulating hole 16A of the bracket 16, thereby regulating the upward rotation of the actuating body 22 and stopping the rotation of the installation body 48 inward in the vehicle width direction. Further, due to the regulation of the upward rotation of the actuating body 22, the rotation of the output shaft of the motor 28 is regulated, and an overcurrent flows through the motor 28. Thus, under the control of the control device 32, the drive of the motor 28 is stopped and the operation of the actuating body 22 is stopped. Also, when the installation body 48 is stored, the installation body 48 is stored inside the fender panel 14 in the vehicle width direction (inside the vehicle 12), and the lower camera 62 (including the lens 62A), the rear camera 64 (including the lens), and the lamp 68 (including the lens 68A) of the installation body 48 are stored inside the fender panel 14 in the vehicle width direction, thereby suppressing dirt, damage, and failure of the lower camera 62, the rear camera 64, and the lamp 68.

[0058] Thereafter, the actuating body 22 is actuated, and when the actuating body 22 is rotated downward, the installation body 48 is rotated outward in the vehicle width direction and deployed (returned) (see (A) and (B) of Fig. 1, (A) and (B) of Fig. 2, and (A) and (B) of Fig. 7). When the installation body 48 is rotated to the deployment position, the regulating shaft 24C of the actuating body 22 abuts against the lower end of the regulating hole 16A of the bracket 16, thereby regulating the downward rotation of the actuating body 22 and stopping the rotation of the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction. Further, due to the regulation of the downward rotation of the actuating body 22, the rotation of the output shaft of the motor 28 is regulated, and an overcurrent flows through the motor 28. Thus, under the control of the control device 32, the drive of the motor 28 is stopped and the operation of the actuating body 22 is stopped.

[0059] Incidentally, when the installation body 48 is stored and is manually deployed, when the installation body 48 is pressed with a load equal to or greater than the specified load inward in the vehicle width direction (see Fig. 10(A)). For this reason, the regulation mechanism 54 is operated, and against the biasing force of the deployment spring 52, the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 is moved from the base end to the tip of the first inner path 60A of the rail 60 (see Fig. 10(B)), so that the installation body 48 is rotated inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the operating body 22 from the storage position.

[0060] Furthermore, when the pressing operation of the installation body 48 inward in the vehicle width direction is released, by the biasing force of the deployment spring 52, the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 is moved from the tip of the first inner path 60A of the rail 60 to the outside in the vehicle width direction of the rail plate 58 (rail 60) via the base end portions of the first outer path 60B and the second inner path 60C (see Fig. 11(B)), so that the installation body 48 is rotated outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the operating body 22 and is deployed (see Figs. 5(A) and (B), Fig. 11(A)). When the installation body 48 is rotated to the deployment position, the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the cover 50 of the installation body 48 interfere with the upper surface of the case 24 of the operating body 22 and the inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the fender panel 14, respectively, and the rotation of the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction is stopped.

[0061] After that, when the installation body 48 is pressed with a load equal to or greater than the specified load inward in the vehicle width direction, against the biasing force of the deployment spring 52, the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 is guided by the guide surface 58A of the rail plate 58 as necessary and is moved to the base end portion of the second outer path 60D via the second inner path 60C of the rail 60 (see Fig. 12(B)), so that the installation body 48 is rotated inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the operating body 22 (see Fig. 12(A)).

[0062] Furthermore, when the pressing operation of the installation body 48 inward in the vehicle width direction is released, by the biasing force of the deployment spring 52, the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 is moved from the base end portion of the second outer path 60D of the rail 60 to the base end of the first inner path 60A (see Fig. 9(B)), so that the installation body 48 is rotated outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the operating body 22 and is arranged at the storage position (see Fig. 9(A)).

[0063] When the installation body 48 is deployed by the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 (see Fig. 11(A)), even if the control device 32 controls the actuating body 22 to actuate and tries to rotate the actuating body 22 downward, the downward rotation of the actuating body 22 is restricted by the biasing force of the deployment spring 52. For this reason, the rotation of the output shaft of the motor 28 is restricted, an overcurrent flows through the motor 28, and the control device 32 controls to stop the drive of the motor 28 and stop the operation of the actuating body 22.

[0064] Also, when the installation body 48 is deployed by the operation of the actuating body 22 (see Figs. 7(A) and (B)), if the installation body 48 is pressed by an external force inward in the vehicle width direction with a load equal to or greater than the total load of a predetermined load and a specified load, the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 is moved from the base end to the tip of the first inner path 60A of the rail 60 against the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 (see Fig. 8(B)). The installation body 48 is rotated inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the actuating body 22 from the deployment position, and the contact projection 50A of the installation body 48 (cover 50) comes into contact with the contact post 24D of the actuating body 22 (case 24), and a rotational load of a predetermined load or more acts on the actuating body 22 upward (see Fig. 8(A)). For this reason, in the limiting mechanism 38, while the clutch plate 42 is moved rearward in the vehicle against the biasing force of the limiting spring 44, the engagement of the limiting projection 40B with the limiting recess 42B is released, and the rotation of the limiting gear 40 is permitted. Thus, the worm shaft 36 is rotated integrally with the limiting gear 40, and the upward rotation of the actuating body 22 and the inward rotation of the installation body 48 in the vehicle width direction are permitted.

[0065] After that, when the pressing of the installation body 48 inward in the vehicle width direction is released, the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 is moved outward in the vehicle width direction of the rail plate 58 (rail 60) through the tip of the first inner path 60A of the rail 60 and the base ends of the first outer path 60B and the second inner path 60C by the biasing force of the deployment spring 52. Thus, the installation body 48 is rotated outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the actuating body 22 and deployed. When the installation body 48 is rotated to the deployment position, the lower end portion of the cover 50 of the installation body 48 interferes with the inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the fender panel 14, and the outward rotation of the installation body 48 in the vehicle width direction is stopped.

[0066] Here, when the installation body 48 is stored, the installation body 48 is pressed inward in the vehicle width direction, and the regulation mechanism 54 is operated, so that the operating body 22 does not operate, and the regulation by the regulation mechanism 54 of the relative rotation of the installation body 48 with respect to the operating body 22 outward in the vehicle width direction is released (see (A) and (B) of FIG. 10). Therefore, the load (the load for operating the regulation mechanism 54) for releasing the regulation by the regulation mechanism 54 of the relative rotation of the installation body 48 with respect to the operating body 22 outward in the vehicle width direction can be reduced.

[0067] Also, when the operating body 22 is not operated, the rotation restriction of the installation body 48 by the restriction mechanism 38 of the operating body 22 is released by the load on the installation body 48 (see FIG. 8(A)). Therefore, the movement of the installation body 48 can be allowed.

[0068] Furthermore, the load (specified load) for releasing the regulation by the regulation mechanism 54 of the relative rotation of the installation body 48 with respect to the operating body 22 outward in the vehicle width direction is made smaller than the load (predetermined load) for releasing the rotation restriction of the installation body 48 by the restriction mechanism 38. Therefore, the load for releasing the regulation by the regulation mechanism 54 of the relative rotation of the installation body 48 with respect to the operating body 22 outward in the vehicle width direction can be appropriately reduced.

[0069] Also, the deployment spring 52 biases the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction (deployment direction) with respect to the operating body 22. Therefore, when the regulation by the regulation mechanism 54 of the relative rotation of the installation body 48 with respect to the operating body 22 outward in the vehicle width direction is released, the installation body 48 can be deployed outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the operating body 22 by the deployment spring 52.

[0070] Furthermore, the deployment spring 52 is coaxially provided on the shaft 20 which is the rotation center of the installation body 48. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the camera device 10 due to the deployment spring 52.

[0071] Also, as described above, when the installation body 48 is stored, the installation body 48 is pressed inward in the vehicle width direction (storage direction), so that the regulation mechanism 54 is operated, and the regulation by the regulation mechanism 54 of the relative rotation of the installation body 48 with respect to the operating body 22 outward in the vehicle width direction is released (see (A) and (B) of FIG. 10). Therefore, the regulation mechanism 54 can be easily operated.

[0072] Furthermore, when the regulation by the regulation mechanism 54 of the relative rotation of the installation body 48 with respect to the operating body 22 outward in the vehicle width direction is released, the guide shaft 56A (on the installation body 48 side) of the pin 56 of the regulation mechanism 54 is separated outward in the vehicle width direction from the rail 60 (on the operating body 22 side) of the rail plate 58 of the regulation mechanism 54 (see (A) and (B) of FIG. 11). Therefore, even if the pin 56 and the rail plate 58 are not enlarged, the relative rotation amount of the installation body 48 with respect to the operating body 22 outward in the vehicle width direction can be increased.

[0073] Moreover, the pin 56 of the installation body 48 is rotatably arranged between the regulation protrusions 50B on the upper and lower sides of the operating body 22, and the vertical rotation range of the pin 56 with respect to the operating body 22 is defined (see FIG. 11(B)). Therefore, even when the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 is separated outward in the vehicle width direction from the rail 60 of the rail plate 58, when the installation body 48 is rotated inward in the vehicle width direction, the guide shaft 56A can appropriately enter (connect) the rail 60.

[0074] In addition, in this embodiment, when the operating body 22 is operated, the operating body 22 is made non-rotatable against the biasing force of the deployment spring 52. However, when the operating body 22 is operated, the operating body 22 may be made rotatable against the biasing force of the deployment spring 52.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the installation body 48 is rotated. However, the installation body 48 may be slid (moved).

[0076] Also, in this embodiment, a light irradiation device such as a turn lamp may be provided on the installation body 48, and a detection device such as a radar may be provided on the installation body 48.

[0077] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the camera device 10 is installed on the fender panel 14 of the vehicle 12. However, the camera device 10 may be installed on a part other than the fender panel 14 of the vehicle 12.

Description of Signs

[0078] 10... Camera device (installation device), 12... Vehicle, 20... Shaft (support shaft), 22... Actuator (actuating device), 48... Installation body, 52... Deployment spring (biasing mechanism), 54... Regulation mechanism, 62... Lower camera (imaging device), 64... Rear camera (imaging device)

Claims

1. An installation body installed in a vehicle, An imaging device provided on the installation body for imaging the outside of the installation body, An operating device that moves the installation body to be stored or deployed when operated, A regulating mechanism that regulates the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device and releases the regulation of the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device without operating the operating device when operated, An installation device comprising the above.

2. The installation device according to claim 1, wherein the operating device restricts the movement of the installation body when the operating device is not operated, and the movement restriction of the installation body by the operating device is released by the load on the installation body.

3. The installation device according to claim 2, wherein the load for releasing the restriction of the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device by the regulating mechanism is made smaller than the load for releasing the movement restriction of the installation body by the operating device.

4. The installation device according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing mechanism for biasing the installation body in the deployment direction.

5. The installation device according to claim 4, wherein the installation body is rotated and moved about a support shaft, and the biasing mechanism is provided on the support shaft.

6. The installation device according to claim 1, wherein the installation body is operated in the storage direction with respect to the operating device to operate the regulating mechanism.

7. The installation device according to claim 1, wherein when the restriction of the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device by the regulating mechanism is released, the installation body side and the operating device side of the regulating mechanism are separated.

Images