Angle adjustment mechanism for electronic equipment and method for adjusting the angle of electronic equipment.

Abstract

This invention provides an angle adjustment mechanism and method for electronic devices that allow the angle of the electronic device to be adjusted with one hand. [Solution] The angle adjustment mechanism for the electronic device according to the embodiment includes a device fixing part and a glass attachment part. The device fixing part is to which the electronic device is attached. The glass attachment part is attached to the window glass. Either the device fixing part or the glass attachment part is provided with a shaft portion having external teeth in the shape of an external gear on its outer circumferential surface. The other of the device fixing part or the glass attachment part is provided with an insertion hole into which the shaft portion is inserted and a meshing part that meshes with the external teeth on the shaft portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to an angle adjustment mechanism for an electronic device and an angle adjustment method for an electronic device.

Background Art

[0002] There is a drive recorder in which a glass attachment component attached to a vehicle window glass and an in-vehicle camera that photographs the surroundings of the vehicle are connected by a ball joint (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, the ball joint is also adopted for electronic devices other than in-vehicle cameras such as in-vehicle radars.

[0003] When adjusting the angle of an electronic device that employs a ball joint, one hand supports the electronic device, and the fixing screw that fixes the ball joint and the ball receiver is loosened with the other hand. After adjusting the angle of the electronic device, the fixing screw is tightened to fix the angle of the electronic device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [[ID=2..5]]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, for an electronic device that employs a ball joint, when adjusting the angle of the electronic device, it is necessary to perform the operation using both hands, so the angle adjustment operation is complicated.

[0006] One aspect of the embodiment has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an angle adjustment mechanism for an electronic device and an angle adjustment method for an electronic device that can adjust the angle of the electronic device with one hand.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An angle adjustment mechanism for an electronic device according to one embodiment includes a device fixing component and a glass-attaching component. The device fixing component is to which the electronic device is attached. The glass-attaching component is attached to a windowpane. Either the device fixing component or the glass-attaching component is provided with a shaft portion having external teeth in the shape of an external gear on its outer circumferential surface. The other of the device fixing component or the glass-attaching component is provided with an insertion hole into which the shaft portion is inserted and a meshing component that meshes with the external teeth on the shaft portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In one embodiment, either the equipment fixing part or the glass-attaching part is provided with a shaft portion having external teeth in the shape of an external gear on its outer circumferential surface, and the other is provided with an insertion hole into which the shaft portion is inserted, and a meshing part that meshes with the external teeth on the shaft portion.

[0009] Therefore, according to the angle adjustment mechanism for electronic equipment according to one embodiment, the angle of the electronic equipment can be adjusted with one hand by holding the electronic equipment with one hand, inserting the shaft into the insertion hole, and engaging the external teeth with the meshing part when the electronic equipment is at the desired angle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the mounting state of the electronic device according to the embodiment to a windowpane. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the equipment fixing component according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a glass-attached component according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the method for connecting the glass-attached component and the equipment fixing component according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view diagram illustrating the angle adjustment mechanism of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a side view diagram illustrating the angle adjustment mechanism of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the size of the attachment portion of the glass attachment component according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The following describes in detail embodiments of an angle adjustment mechanism for electronic equipment and an angle adjustment method for electronic equipment with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0012] In the following section, we will describe the case in which the electronic device according to the embodiment is mounted on the windshield of a vehicle via an angle adjustment mechanism. Furthermore, we will describe the case in which the electronic device according to the embodiment is a drive recorder.

[0013] Furthermore, the electronic device according to the embodiment is not limited to a drive recorder. The electronic device according to the embodiment may be a device other than a drive recorder, such as a radar device. Also, the location where the electronic device according to the embodiment is mounted is not limited to the windshield. The electronic device according to the embodiment may be mounted on the rear window of the vehicle. In addition, the electronic device according to the embodiment may be mounted on any window glass other than the vehicle's glass.

[0014] First, with reference to Figure 1, the mounting state of the electronic device 100 according to the embodiment to the window glass will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the mounting state of the electronic device 100 according to the embodiment to the window glass.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the electronic device 100 according to this embodiment is mounted on the windshield 101 of the vehicle via an angle adjustment mechanism 1. The electronic device 100 is mounted near the upper center of the windshield 101. For example, the electronic device 100 is mounted near the rearview mirror that shows the area behind the vehicle.

[0016] The angle adjustment mechanism 1 includes a device fixing component 2 and a glass sticking component 3. The glass sticking component 3 is stuck to the front glass 101 of the vehicle. An electronic device 100 is attached to the device fixing component 2. The device fixing component 2 is connected to the glass sticking component 3 so that the angle can be adjusted.

[0017] Next, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the configurations of the device fixing component 2 and the glass sticking component 3 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view showing the device fixing component 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view showing the glass sticking component 3 according to the embodiment.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the device fixing component 2 includes a flat mounting portion 21 to which the electronic device 100 is attached, and a protruding portion 22 that protrudes from the surface of the mounting portion 21 opposite to the mounting surface of the electronic device 100. A double-sided tape is stuck to the mounting surface of the electronic device 100 on the mounting portion 21. The electronic device 100 is attached to the mounting portion 21 by the adhesive force of the double-sided tape. Note that the electronic device 100 may be attached to the mounting portion 21 by, for example, screws or locking claws.

[0019] The protruding portion 22 protrudes in a direction intersecting the surface direction of the mounting portion 21. For example, the protruding portion 22 protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the surface direction of the mounting portion 21. Further, a shaft portion 23 is provided on the protruding portion 22. The shaft portion 23 extends in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the protruding portion 22.

[0020] For example, the shaft portion 23 extends in a direction parallel to the surface direction of the mounting portion 21. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the center of the shaft portion 23 is hollow, but a configuration without a hollow may also be used. The shaft portion 23 has an external tooth portion 24 in the shape of an external gear on its outer peripheral surface.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the glass attachment component 3 comprises a flat attachment portion 31 that is attached to the windshield 101, and a protruding portion 32 that protrudes from the side of the attachment portion 31 opposite to the side that is attached to the windshield 101. Double-sided tape 38 is attached to the side of the attachment portion 31 that is attached to the windshield 101. The attachment portion 31 is attached to the windshield 101 by the adhesive force of the double-sided tape 38.

[0022] The protruding portion 32 protrudes in a direction intersecting the surface direction of the adhesive portion 31. For example, the protruding portion 32 protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the surface direction of the adhesive portion 31. The protruding portion 32 also has an insertion hole 33 into which the shaft portion 23 of the equipment fixing part 2 is inserted. The protruding portion 32 is also provided with a meshing part 34. The meshing part 34 has an internal gear-shaped internal tooth portion 35 that meshes with the external tooth portion 24 of the shaft portion 23. Note that the meshing part 34 may have a configuration in which it has a concave and concave portion that meshes with the external tooth portion 24 instead of the internal gear-shaped internal tooth portion 35.

[0023] Furthermore, the interlocking component 34 is provided between the adhesive portion 31 and the insertion hole 33 inside the protruding portion 32. This interlocking component 34 is configured to be slidable in a direction approaching the insertion hole 33 and in a direction away from the insertion hole 33.

[0024] Furthermore, the meshing component 34 is biased by the spring component 36 in a direction toward the insertion hole 33. The glass-attached component 3 also includes a locking component 37. The locking component 37 fixes the position of the meshing component 34 when the internal teeth 35 of the glass-attached component 3 and the external teeth 24 of the equipment fixing component 2 are engaged.

[0025] For example, the locking component 37 includes a wedge portion 37A with a rectangular cross-section that can be inserted into and withdrawn from the protrusion 32. When the wedge portion 37A of the locking component 37 is inserted into the protrusion 32, one side of the wedge portion 37A abuts against the side of the meshing component 34 opposite to the internal teeth portion 35, and the other side abuts against the inner surface of the protrusion 32.

[0026] As a result, the locking component 37 prevents the meshing component 34 from sliding away from the insertion hole 33, thereby fixing the position of the meshing component 34 in a state where the internal teeth 35 and the external teeth 24 are engaged. Details of the operation of these spring component 36, meshing component 34, and locking component 37 will be described later with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

[0027] Next, with reference to Figure 4, the method of connecting the glass attachment component 3 and the equipment fixing component 2 will be described. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the method of connecting the glass attachment component 3 and the equipment fixing component 2 according to the embodiment. When connecting the glass attachment component 3 and the equipment fixing component 2, as shown in Figure 4, the shaft portion 23 of the equipment fixing component 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 33 of the glass attachment component 3.

[0028] At this time, the angle adjustment mechanism 1 adjusts (determines) the angle of the equipment fixing part 2 with respect to the glass attachment part 3 based on the position where the external teeth 24 of the equipment fixing part 2 and the external teeth 24 of the glass attachment part 3 engage.

[0029] Next, an angle adjustment method according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figures 5 and 6 are side views illustrating the angle adjustment mechanism 1 of the electronic device 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 5 shows the state in which the locking component 37 has released the locking component 34. Figure 6 shows the state in which the locking component 37 has fixed the locking component 34 to the locking component 37.

[0030] The locking component 37 is configured to be removable in the direction indicated by the white arrows in Figures 5 and 6. For example, the locking component 37 is configured to be removable in the direction indicated by the white arrow, which is perpendicular to the direction in which the engaging component 34 can slide, as indicated by the black double-headed arrows in Figures 5 and 6.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, when the locking component 37 is withdrawn from the position that fixes the position of the engaging component 34, the engaging component 34 is released from its fixed position and becomes slidable in the direction indicated by the black double-headed arrow. Specifically, the engaging component 34 becomes slidable in the direction toward the insertion hole 33 and in the direction toward the insertion hole 33. In other words, the engaging component 34 becomes slidable in the direction toward the shaft portion 23 of the equipment fixing component 2 and in the direction toward the shaft portion 23.

[0032] At this time, the meshing part 34 is biased toward the insertion hole 33 by the elastic force of the spring part 36. In other words, the meshing part 34 is biased to press against the shaft portion 23 of the equipment fixing part 2 by the elastic force of the spring part 36. The spring part 36 includes various types of springs, such as a leaf spring, but any elastic component such as a rubber member or coil may also be used.

[0033] In this state, if the glass attachment part 3 is fixed to the windshield 101, when the user rotates the equipment fixing part 2 around the shaft part 23 as the axis of rotation, the internal teeth 35 of the meshing part 34 are pushed back against the biasing force of the spring part 36 by the external teeth 24 of the rotating shaft part 23. Subsequently, the meshing part 34 returns to the position it was in before being pushed back to the position where the internal teeth 35 and the external teeth 24 next mesh. This determines the angle of the equipment fixing part 2 relative to the glass attachment part 3.

[0034] Thus, when the locking component 37 is withdrawn from the position that fixes the position of the engaging component 34, the angle adjustment mechanism 1 becomes capable of sliding in the direction toward and toward the shaft portion 23 of the equipment fixing component 2 while being biased by the spring component 36.

[0035] Therefore, when the glass attachment part 3 and the equipment fixing part 2 are connected, and the glass attachment part 3 is attached to the windshield 101 and mounted to the equipment fixing part 2, the user can adjust the angle of the electronic device 100 with one hand.

[0036] Specifically, the user can adjust the angle of the electronic device 100 to a desired angle by holding the electronic device 100 in one hand and moving the electronic device 100 so that the device fixing part 2 rotates around the shaft portion 23 as the axis of rotation.

[0037] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 6, when the wedge portion 37A of the locking component 37 is inserted in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the meshing component 34, one side of the wedge portion 37A comes into contact with the side of the meshing component 34 opposite to the internal teeth portion 35, and the other side comes into contact with the protruding portion 32.

[0038] As a result, the wedge portion 37A prevents the meshing component 34 from sliding away from the insertion hole 33, and fixes its position in the direction in which it could slide, with the internal teeth portion 35 meshing with the external teeth portion 24 of the equipment fixing component 2.

[0039] Thus, with the angle adjustment mechanism 1, the user can easily fix the angle of the electronic device 100 by simply adjusting the angle of the electronic device 100 to the desired angle and then inserting the locking component 37 until the position of the engaging component 34 is fixed.

[0040] Furthermore, with the angle adjustment mechanism 1, when a user wants to readjust the angle of the electronic device 100, the locking part 37 is released from the position where the position of the engaging part 34 is fixed, thus making the electronic device 100 adjustable.

[0041] Note that the meshing component 34 does not necessarily have to be movable. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the meshing component 34 may be fixed in a position where its internal teeth 35 mesh with the external teeth 24 of the equipment fixing component 2. If the meshing component 34 is fixed, the spring component 36 and the locking component 37 become unnecessary.

[0042] In this case, when connecting the equipment fixing part 2 to which the electronic device 100 is attached and the glass attachment part 3 attached to the windshield 101, the user first holds the electronic device 100 in one hand and inserts the shaft portion 23 of the equipment fixing part 2 into the insertion hole 33 of the glass attachment part 3.

[0043] As a result, the shaft portion 23 stops at a position where the side surface of the external teeth portion 24 and the side surface of the internal teeth portion 35 of the meshing part 34 come into contact. From this state, the user rotates the electronic device 100 around the shaft portion 23 as the axis of rotation to the desired angle.

[0044] Subsequently, the user can fine-tune the angle of the electronic device 100 and complete the angle adjustment of the electronic device 100 by fitting the outer teeth 24 into the inner teeth 35 when the position closest to the desired angle is reached and the outer teeth 24 and inner teeth 35 engage.

[0045] Thus, with the angle adjustment mechanism 1, even when the meshing part 34 is fixed, the user can adjust the angle of the electronic device 100 with one hand. Furthermore, when the meshing part 34 is fixed, the spring part 36 and the locking part 37 become unnecessary, resulting in fewer parts and cost reduction.

[0046] Next, the size of the adhesive portion 31 in the glass adhesive component 3 will be described with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the size of the adhesive portion 31 of the glass adhesive component 3 according to the embodiment.

[0047] The adhesive portion 31 of the glass attachment part 3, which is attached to the windshield 101, has a lateral length W when attached to the windshield 101 that is less than or equal to the lateral length W1 of the electronic device 100. Therefore, the adhesive portion 31 is less likely to protrude from the lateral edge of the electronic device 100 as seen from the perspective of the vehicle occupants, thus preventing it from obstructing the occupants' view.

[0048] Furthermore, the vertical length H of the adhesive portion 31 is shorter than the horizontal length W of the adhesive portion 31. As a result, the portion of the adhesive portion 31 that protrudes from the upper end of the electronic device 100 as seen from the perspective of the vehicle occupant is narrow, thus preventing it from obstructing the occupant's view.

[0049] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, a case was described in which the equipment fixing part 2 is provided with a shaft part 23 having an external tooth part 24, and the glass attaching part 3 is provided with a meshing part 34 having an internal tooth part 35, a spring part 36, and a locking part 37, but this is just one example.

[0050] The shaft portion 23 having the external teeth portion 24 on the device fixing component 2 may be provided on the protruding portion 32 of the glass-attaching component 3. In this case, the meshing component 34 having the internal teeth portion 35, the spring component 36, and the locking component 37 are provided on the device fixing component 2. Even with this configuration, the user can adjust the angle of the electronic device 100 with one hand.

[0051] Further effects and modifications can be readily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments expressed and described above. Accordingly, various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 1 Angle adjustment mechanism 2. Equipment fixing parts 3. Glass attachment parts 21 Mounting part 22 Protrusion 23 Shaft section 24 External teeth 31. Attachment area 32 Protrusion 33 Insertion hole 34. Engaging parts 35 Internal teeth 36 Spring parts 37 Locking parts 38 Double-sided tape 100 Electronic equipment 101 Windshield

Claims

1. It includes equipment fixing parts to which electronic devices are attached, and glass attachment parts to which window glass is attached, Either the equipment fixing component or the glass attachment component is provided with a shaft portion having an external gear-shaped external tooth portion on its outer circumferential surface. The other of the equipment fixing part and the glass attachment part is provided with an insertion hole into which the shaft portion is inserted, and a meshing part that engages with the external teeth portion on the shaft portion. Angle adjustment mechanism for electronic devices.

2. The meshing component is configured to slide in a direction toward the insertion hole and a direction toward the insertion hole, and is biased toward the insertion hole by an elastic component. An angle adjustment mechanism for an electronic device according to claim 1.

3. A locking component that fixes the position of the meshing component when the meshing component and the external teeth are engaged. An angle adjustment mechanism for an electronic device according to claim 2, including the feature described above.

4. The engaging component is released when the locking component is pulled out from the position that fixes the position of the engaging component. An angle adjustment mechanism for an electronic device according to claim 3.

5. The adhesive portion of the glass-attaching component that is attached to the window glass has a horizontal length when attached to the window glass that is less than or equal to the horizontal length of the electronic device, and a vertical length that is shorter than the horizontal length of the adhesive portion. An angle adjustment mechanism for an electronic device according to claim 1.

6. A shaft portion provided on either the equipment fixing component to which the electronic device is attached or the glass attachment component to which the window glass is attached is inserted into an insertion hole provided on the other of the equipment fixing component and the glass attachment component. An angle adjustment method for an electronic device, wherein the angle of the electronic device is adjusted by the position at which an external gear-shaped external tooth portion provided on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and a meshing component provided on the other side that meshes with the external tooth portion on the shaft portion mesh.

Images