bracket

Abstract

To provide a bracket that improves the ease of installation of the detection device. [Solution] The bracket 10 comprises an opening 14, a pair of first holding parts formed on both sides of the opening 14 and capable of holding the first protruding part, and a locking part that locks with the main body. The first holding part has a first seating surface on which the first protruding part can be seated, and a retaining part that forms an insertion opening with the first seating surface for inserting a part of the first protruding part when attaching the detection device 12 to the bracket 10, and is capable of holding the first protruding part by sandwiching it between the first seating surface. The locking part restricts the movement of the detection device 12 away from the first seating surface when the installation of the detection device 12 is complete, and the first seating surface has an edge that constitutes part of the insertion opening. The edge guides the insertion of the first protruding part when attaching the detection device 12 and functions as a pivot point that rotates the first protruding part in the direction of seating it on the first seating surface after guiding its insertion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bracket for attaching a detection device to a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a detection device including a detection unit for detecting the surrounding environment of a vehicle and a bracket for attaching the detection unit to a vehicle body. This bracket has a bottom wall portion facing the back surface portion of the detection unit, a side wall portion erected from the bottom wall portion, and a protruding portion protruding from the side wall portion. When the detection unit is rotated and attached, the end portion of the detection unit abuts against the bottom wall portion and the protruding portion of the side wall portion, and then is guided from the guide portion of the protruding portion to the positioning portion of the protruding portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the detection unit is attached, the detection unit is inserted obliquely with respect to the bottom wall portion and the side wall portion, and the detection unit is rotated after the end portion of the detection unit abuts against the bottom wall portion and the protruding portion. It is desirable to improve the guiding property when the detection unit is inserted obliquely.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a bracket that can improve the attachment workability of a detection device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a bracket according to one aspect of the present invention is a bracket for attaching a detection device to a vehicle, the bracket having a main body and first protruding portions formed on both sides of the main body and extending in the width direction, the bracket comprising an opening for exposing the detection surface of the detection device, a pair of first holding portions formed on both sides of the opening and capable of holding the first protruding portions, and a locking portion for locking with the main body. The first holding portion has a first seating surface on which the first protruding portion can be seated, an insertion opening formed in the first seating surface for inserting a part of the first protruding portion when attaching the detection device to the bracket, and a retaining portion that can hold the first protruding portion by sandwiching the first seating surface and the first protruding portion. The locking portion restricts the movement of the detection device away from the first seating surface when the installation of the detection device is complete, and the first seating surface has an edge portion that constitutes a part of the insertion opening. The edge serves as a pivot point that guides the insertion of the first protruding portion when mounting the detection device, and after guiding the insertion of the first protruding portion, rotates it in a direction that seats the first protruding portion on the first seating surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a bracket can be provided that can improve the ease of installation of a detection device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the mounting structure in which the detection device is attached to the bracket of the embodiment, and is a view from the front. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the mounting structure of the bracket and detection device, seen from the back. [Figure 3] This is a rear view of the detection device. [Figure 4] This is a rear view of the bracket in the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of the bracket shown in Figure 4, specifically segment AA. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the insertion step in the process of attaching the detection device to the bracket. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates the rotation process involved in attaching the detection device to the bracket. [Figure 8]This is a partial perspective view of the bracket of a modified example. [Figure 9] This is a partial cross-sectional view of the mounting structure after the detection device has been attached to the bracket. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the mounting structure 1 in which the detection device 12 is attached to the bracket 10 of the embodiment, and is a view from the front. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the mounting structure 1 of the bracket 10 and the detection device 12, viewed from the back.

[0010] The mounting structure 1 is fixed to the back surface of a vehicle's exterior panel, such as a front grille, front bumper, or rear bumper, with the detection surface 30a of the detection device 12 exposed. The mounting structure 1 consists of the detection device 12 and a bracket 10 for fixing the detection device 12 to the vehicle.

[0011] The detection device 12 is an object detection device installed on the vehicle to detect objects present in the vicinity of the vehicle, and is, for example, a millimeter-wave radar. The mounting structure 1 may be installed at both corners of the front of the vehicle or at both corners of the rear of the vehicle, respectively.

[0012] The bracket 10 includes an opening 14, a wing portion 16, a side wall portion 18, a front wall portion 20, a limiting portion 22, a rear wall portion 24, an elastic locking portion 26, a first retaining portion 40, and a second retaining portion 42.

[0013] The mounting structure 1 shown in Figure 1 is the side that is attached to the back surface of the vehicle's exterior panel. The surfaces of the multiple wing portions 16 shown in Figure 1 are fixed so that they adhere to the back surface of the exterior panel. The bracket 10 has an opening 14, and the detection device 12 is positioned in the opening 14. The detection device 12 has its detection surface 30a exposed through the opening 14.

[0014] The detection device 12 can be attached to the bracket 10, which is fixed to the exterior panel, from the back side of the bracket 10 as shown in Figure 2. Each component of the mounting structure 1 will be explained with reference to the new drawings.

[0015] Figure 3 is a rear view of the detection device 12. The detection device 12 includes a main body portion 30, a first protruding portion 32, a second protruding portion 34, and a connecting portion 36. The main body portion 30 is formed in a cube shape. The first protruding portion 32 is formed on both sides of the main body portion 30 and protrudes in the width direction W. The first protruding portion 32 has a first side surface 32a located outside the width direction W of the first protruding portion 32.

[0016] The second protruding portion 34 is formed on both sides of the main body portion 30 and protrudes in the width direction W. The second protruding portion 34 is located rearward B of the first protruding portion 32. The first protruding portion 32 and the second protruding portion 34 are arranged side by side in the front-back direction FB. The front F and the rear B are orthogonal to the width direction W. The second protruding portion 34 has a second side surface 34a located outside the width direction W of the second protruding portion 34. The lengths by which the pair of first protruding portions 32 and the pair of second protruding portions 34 protrude from the main body portion 30 in the width direction W are the same.

[0017] The connecting portion 36 is formed at the rear portion of the main body portion 30 and is formed to protrude rearward B. The connecting portion 36 is connected to a communicable cable or the like.

[0018] Figure 4 is a rear view of the bracket 10 of the embodiment. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the bracket 10 shown in Figure 4. The opening 14 has a notch portion 14a formed so as to notch one side of a rectangle. The opening 14 is defined by a pair of side wall portions 18, a front wall portion 20, and a restricting portion 22. The pair of side wall portions 18 face each other.

[0019] The restricting portion 22 extends rearward B from the front wall portion 20. A pair of elastic locking portions 26 are formed on the rear wall portion 24. The notch portion 14a is formed between the pair of elastic locking portions 26. The elastic locking portions 26 are bendable in the front-back direction FB and can be locked to the rear end portion of the main body portion 30. Note that the elastic locking portions 26 may not have elasticity and simply function as locking portions, and for example, may have a claw shape without elasticity.

[0020] The first retaining portion 40 is formed on each of the pair of side wall portions 18 located on both sides of the opening 14 and holds the first protruding portion 32. The second retaining portion 42 is formed on each of the pair of side wall portions 18 located on both sides of the opening 14 and holds the second protruding portion 34.

[0021] The first retaining portion 40 and the second retaining portion 42 are formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion 18. The first retaining portion 40 has a first seating surface 44, a retaining portion 46, an insertion opening 48, an inclined portion 50, and a first rib 52.

[0022] The first seating surface 44 is formed in a planar shape, protruding from the inner surface of the side wall portion 18, and is located rearward B from the limiting portion 22. The first seating surface 44 has a front edge portion 44a B. An insertion space is formed in the front direction O from the edge portion 44a. The inclined portion 50 rises up from the rear edge B of the first seating surface 44 and serves as a guide for guiding the first protruding portion 32 to the first holding portion 40. The inclined portion 50 is inclined toward the insertion opening 48. The front-to-back direction OR is perpendicular to the front-to-back direction FB.

[0023] The retaining portion 46 protrudes from the inner surface of the side wall portion 18 and is located at a distance R in the rear direction from the first seating surface 44. The edge portion 44a and the retaining portion 46 form an insertion opening 48 into which a part of the first protruding portion 32 can be inserted when attaching the detection device 12 to the bracket 10. The first rib 52 is formed protruding from the inner surface of the side wall portion 18 and is located on the front side of the retaining portion 46.

[0024] The second retaining portion 42 has a second seating surface 54, a regulating portion 56, a second rib 58, and a stopper 60. The second seating surface 54 is formed in a planar shape, protruding from the inner surface of the side wall portion 18, and is located rearward B than the first seating surface 44.

[0025] The restricting portion 56 is erected from the front edge of the second seating surface 54 in the direction R toward the back of the second seating surface 54. The stopper 60 is erected from the rear of the second seating surface 54 in the direction R toward the back of the second seating surface 54. The restricting portion 56 and the stopper 60 restrict the movement of the second protruding portion 34 in the front-rear direction FB of the second protruding portion 34 that is housed in the second holding portion 42. The second rib 58 is formed between the restricting portion 56 and the stopper 60, protruding from the inner surface of the side wall portion 18.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the first protruding portion 32 is housed and held in the first holding portion 40. The second protruding portion 34 is housed and held in the second holding portion 42. By holding the first protruding portion 32 and the second protruding portion 34, the first holding portion 40 and the second holding portion 42 can be positioned so as not to overlap the detection surface 30a. The elastic locking portion 26 locks to the rear of the main body portion 30 and restricts the detection device 12 from coming out of its held state. The limiting portion 22 does not need to be in constant contact with the main body portion 30, but restricts the detection device 12 from coming out of its held state. By providing the limiting portion 22 and the elastic locking portion 26 on the back side, they can be positioned so as not to overlap the detection surface 30a on the front side.

[0027] Figure 6 illustrates the insertion step in the process of attaching the detection device 12 to the bracket 10. The bracket 10 may be attached before or after it has been attached to the vehicle's exterior panel. In Figure 6, the first protruding portion 32 and the second protruding portion 34 of the detection device 12 are shown, and during the attachment process, the first protruding portion 32 and the second protruding portion 34 move to the first protruding portion 32' and the second protruding portion 34'. The detection device 12 moves forward F by insertion. Therefore, forward F is sometimes referred to as the insertion direction.

[0028] The first protruding portion 32 is positioned by contacting the inclined portion 50, and then inserted toward the insertion opening 48 by contacting the edge portion 44a. The edge portion 44a forms part of the insertion opening 48 and guides the insertion of the first protruding portion 32 when the detection device 12 is installed. In this way, the inclined portion 50 and the edge portion 44a act as insertion guides for the first protruding portion 32, allowing a portion of the first protruding portion 32 to be easily inserted inside the retaining portion 46. The insertion of the detection device 12 stops when the main body portion 30 hits the front wall portion 20.

[0029] In this insertion process, the first side surface 32a of the first protruding portion 32 contacts the first rib 52. In other words, the first rib 52 comes into contact with the first side surface 32a when the first protruding portion 32 is inserted. The contact between the pair of first protruding portions 32 and the pair of first ribs 52 allows the widthwise position of the detection device 12 to be determined.

[0030] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the rotation process in the process of attaching the detection device 12 to the bracket 10. Figure 7 shows the rotation process after the insertion process shown in Figure 6. In Figure 7, the first protruding portion 32 and the second protruding portion 34 move in the order of the first protruding portion 32' and the second protruding portion 34', and then the first protruding portion 32'' and the second protruding portion 34'' during the attachment process.

[0031] The first protruding portion 32 rotates in the order of the first protruding portion 32' and then the first protruding portion 32'' with the edge portion 44a as the pivot point. The edge portion 44a acts as a pivot point that guides the insertion of the first protruding portion 32 and then rotates it in the direction that seats the first protruding portion 32 on the first seating surface 44. Because the edge portion 44a functions not only as an insertion guide but also as a pivot point, the detection device 12 can be smoothly attached while the first protruding portion 32 remains in contact with the edge portion 44a. When the edge portion 44a acts as a pivot point while guiding the first protruding portion 32, it may have a shape that allows it to take on multiple pivot points depending on the insertion angle. For example, the edge portion 44a may be a curved surface with a radius or a tapered surface.

[0032] The first protruding portion 32 and the second protruding portion 34 rotate and seat on the first seating surface 44 and the second seating surface 54, respectively, completing the installation process. The first protruding portion 32 is held in place by being sandwiched between the first seating surface 44 and the retaining portion 46. This restricts the movement of the first protruding portion 32 in the front-back or back-to-back direction.

[0033] The elastic locking portion 26 is located behind the detection device 12 in the insertion direction. During the rotation process, the rear of the main body 30 strikes the elastic locking portion 26, causing it to flex and retract. When the first protruding portion 32 and the second protruding portion 34 are seated, the elastic locking portion 26 returns to its original position and locks into the main body 30. The elastic locking portion 26 restricts the movement of the detection device 12 away from the first seating surface 44 when the installation of the detection device 12 is complete.

[0034] The restricting portion 56 has a curved surface 56a that curves along the rotational trajectory of the second protruding portion 34. The second protruding portion 34 is guided by the curved surface 56a. The second protruding portion 34 is pushed by the elastic locking portion 26 and strikes the restricting portion 56. The restricting portion 56 restricts the forward movement F of the second protruding portion 34. The first protruding portion 32 is restricted from moving in the front-back direction OR by the first holding portion 40, and the second protruding portion 34 is restricted from moving forward F by the second holding portion 42. The restricting portion 56 can effectively restrict the forward movement F by restricting the position of the second protruding portion 34, which rotates more than the first protruding portion 32 and moves more in the front-rear direction FB.

[0035] During this rotation process, the second side surface 34a of the second protrusion 34 contacts the first rib 52. In other words, the second rib 58 contacts the second side surface 34a when the detection device 12 is rotated and mounted. The contact between the pair of second protrusions 34 and the pair of second ribs 58 allows for the position of the detection device 12 in the width direction at the rear. The contact between the first rib 52 and the second rib 58 with the first protrusion 32 and the second protrusion 34 allows for the suppression of widthwise play at the front and rear of the detection device 12.

[0036] Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of a modified bracket 100. The front wall portion 120 of the bracket 100 has a first protrusion 62 and a second protrusion 64 formed thereon. The front wall portion 120 is located at the front end of the opening 14.

[0037] The first protrusion 62 and the second protrusion 64 are formed to protrude from the front wall portion 120. The first protrusion 62 is formed so that its protrusion height from the front wall portion 120 increases toward the outer edge 120a of the front wall portion 120. The second protrusion 64 is formed so that its protrusion height from the front wall portion 120 increases toward the inner edge 120b of the front wall portion 120.

[0038] In other words, the first protrusion 62 and the second protrusion 64 are formed such that, in the front-to-back direction OR of the opening 14, their protrusion height from the front wall portion 120 increases toward the front edge 120a and back edge 120b of the front wall portion 120, respectively. The first protrusion 62 and the second protrusion 64 are located apart in the width direction.

[0039] Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mounting structure 1 after the detection device 12 has been attached to the bracket 100. The main body 30 is mounted by moving in the rotational direction 66 shown in Figure 9.

[0040] The first protrusion 62 and the second protrusion 64 function as rotation guides that guide the rotation when the detection device 12 is rotated and mounted. The front part 30b of the main body 30 abuts the first protrusion 62 to stop the insertion process, and abuts and guides from the first protrusion 62 to the second protrusion 64 during the rotation process.

[0041] The second protruding portion 34 contacts the restricting portion 56, so that the front portion 30b is set to be separated from the first protrusion 62 and the second protrusion 64. Also, the first protruding portion 32 contacts the retaining portion 46, so that the back surface of the main body portion 30 is set to be separated from the limiting portion 22. Although the first protrusion 62 and the second protrusion 64 are shown to be separated in the width direction, the invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the first protrusion 62 and the second protrusion 64 may be formed integrally.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications such as design changes can be made to each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and embodiments with such modifications may also be included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 1 Mounting structure, 10 Bracket, 12 Detection device, 14 Opening, 14a Notch, 16 Wing section, 18 Side wall section, 20 Front wall section, 22 Restricting section, 24 Rear wall section, 26 Elastic locking section, 30 Main body section, 30a Detection surface, 30b Front section, 32 First protrusion, 32a First side, 34 Second protrusion, 34a Second side, 36 Connection section, 40 First holding section, 42 Second holding section, 44 First seating surface, 44a Edge section, 46 Anti-slip section, 48 Insertion opening, 50 Inclined section, 52 First rib, 54 Second seating surface, 56 Regulating section, 56a Curved surface, 58 Second rib, 60 Stopper, 62 First protrusion, 64 Second protrusion, 100 Bracket, 120 Front wall, 120a Front edge, 120b Back edge.

Claims

1. A bracket for attaching a detection device to a vehicle, the device having a main body and first protruding portions formed on both sides of the main body and extending in the width direction, An opening that exposes the detection surface of the detection device, A pair of first retaining portions are formed on both sides of the opening and are capable of holding the first protruding portion, It comprises a locking portion that engages with the main body, The first retaining part is, The first protruding portion is a first seat surface on which a person can sit, The detection device has an insertion opening formed in the first seating surface for inserting a part of the first protruding portion when attaching the detection device to the bracket, and a retaining portion that can hold the first protruding portion between the first seating surface and the first protruding portion. The locking portion restricts the movement of the detection device away from the first seat surface when the installation of the detection device is complete. The first seating surface has an edge portion that forms part of the insertion opening, The bracket is characterized in that the edge portion guides the insertion of the first protruding portion when the detection device is attached, and after guiding the insertion of the first protruding portion, it rotates in a direction that seats the first protruding portion on the first seating surface.

2. The main body portion is further provided with a pair of second holding portions formed on both sides of the opening, each capable of holding a second protrusion portion located further rearward in the insertion direction than the first protrusion portion, The second retaining part is, The second protruding portion is a second seat surface on which a person can sit, The bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a restricting portion that is erected from the second seating surface and restricts the movement of the second protruding portion toward the insertion direction.

3. The bracket according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first retaining portion has a first rib on a first side surface located on the outside in the width direction of the first protruding portion, which can abut against the first protruding portion when it is inserted.

4. The bracket according to claim 2, characterized in that the second holding portion has a second rib on the second side surface located on the outside in the width direction of the second protruding portion, which can abut against the detection device when it is rotated and mounted.

5. The wall portion located on the insertion direction side of the opening, The device further comprises a rotation guide portion formed protruding from the wall portion, which guides the rotation when the detection device is mounted in a rotating manner, The bracket according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotating guide portion has a first protrusion and a second protrusion formed such that the protrusion height from the wall portion increases toward the front side and the rear side, respectively, in the front-to-back direction that penetrates the opening.

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