Mounting members, and equipment and mounting members, etc.

Abstract

This invention provides a mounting member that can be fitted with equipment and is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of a vehicle, as well as a new mounting member and a technology related to equipment and mounting members. [Solution] A bracket 600A for attaching a predetermined device to a predetermined mounting surface of a vehicle, comprising: a suction part 610A that can be attached to the mounting surface; a mounting part (ball part 621A, socket part 630A and nut 640A) on which the predetermined device 100 is mounted such that when the suction part 610A is attached to the mounting surface, the predetermined device 100 is positioned on the side of the gravity direction relative to the suction part 610A; and means for facilitating the maintenance of the suction state of the suction part 610A to the mounting surface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting member, and a device, a mounting member, and the like. [Background Art]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mounting bracket that mounts a device such as a drive recorder and is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of a vehicle. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-105530 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] One object of the present invention is to provide a new mounting member that can mount a device and is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of a vehicle, and a new technique relating to the device and the mounting member, thereby, for example, improving the function of the mounting member having a suction portion.

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the applicant intends to obtain rights through divisional applications, amendments, etc., for configurations that aim to obtain the effects derived from the components disclosed in this specification and the drawings. For example, problems that can be described as "can be achieved" in this specification are disclosed here if they are reinterpreted as "the problem is...". Each problem is described independently, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to each configuration for solving each problem individually through divisional applications, amendments, etc. Even if a problem is implicitly understood from the description in the specification, the applicant intends to include a part of the configuration described in this specification in the claims through amendment or divisional application. Furthermore, configurations that solve problems by combining these independent problems are also disclosed, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to them. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A mounting member for attaching a predetermined device to a predetermined mounting surface of a vehicle is provided, comprising: an adsorption portion that is adsorbed onto the mounting surface; a mounting portion on which the predetermined device is mounted such that when the adsorption portion is adsorbed onto the mounting surface, the predetermined device is positioned on the side of the direction of gravity relative to the adsorption portion; and means for maintaining the adsorption state of the adsorption portion to the mounting surface.

[0007] This approach solves potential problems that may arise with mounting components using suction cups. For example, by suppressing the enlargement of the suction cup, the suction cup can cover a wide area of ​​the vehicle's designated mounting surface, meaning the suction cup can be made less conspicuous, which is desirable for maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle's interior. In the case of recording devices that film outside the vehicle, such as dashcams, it is also possible to prevent the suction cup from encroaching on the filming range. Furthermore, the possibility of the suction cup detaching from the mounting surface due to the weight of the device can be reduced. For example, compared to a case where there is no means to easily maintain the suction state of the suction cup on the mounting surface, even if the suction cup is made smaller, the possibility of the suction cup detaching from the mounting surface can be reduced. The suction state of the suction cup on the mounting surface refers to the state of suction of the suction cup to the mounting surface.

[0008] (2) A mounting member is provided which includes a connecting portion for connecting the mounting portion to the suction portion, wherein the mounting portion is configured to change the orientation of the device relative to the suction portion, and means for maintaining the suction state of the suction portion on the mounting surface is such that the connecting portion does not have a mechanism that changes the orientation of the device.

[0009] In this way, the mounting section where the predetermined device is attached is equipped with a mounting section that allows the orientation of the device to be changed, and the weight increase of the connecting section caused by the installation of a mechanism that allows the orientation or position of the device to be changed in the connecting section can be suppressed. In addition, since the enlargement of the suction section can be suppressed, the suction section can cover a wide area of ​​the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, for example, the suction section can be made less noticeable, which is desirable for maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the interior of the vehicle. Furthermore, in the case of a recording device that takes pictures of the outside of the vehicle, such as a dashcam, it is also possible to suppress the suction section from encroaching on the recording range.

[0010] (3) A mounting member is provided which includes a connecting portion for connecting the mounting portion to the suction portion, and means for maintaining the suction state of the suction portion on the mounting surface is such that the connecting portion does not have a mechanism that allows the device to be displaced in the vertical direction.

[0011] This design eliminates the need for a mechanism that allows the connecting part to be displaced vertically, thus suppressing the weight increase of the connecting part that would otherwise result from the inclusion of such a mechanism. Furthermore, it prevents the suction part from becoming excessively large, thus reducing the visibility of the vehicle's mounting surface. This is desirable for maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle's interior. Additionally, in the case of recording devices that film outside the vehicle, such as dashcams, it prevents the suction part from encroaching on the recording range.

[0012] (4) The connecting portion extends from the adsorption portion in one direction and is preferably connected to the mounting portion at a predetermined portion of the adsorption portion on the side of the direction component of the adsorption surface of the adsorption portion in the one direction from the center of the adsorption portion.

[0013] In this configuration, the connecting portion is connected to the mounting portion at a predetermined location on the side of the directional component along the suction surface in one direction extending from the suction portion. Therefore, it becomes less likely for the suction portion to cover the side of the directional component along the suction surface in one direction relative to the equipment. For example, while increasing the size of the suction portion improves load-bearing capacity, if the equipment is a recording device such as a dashcam that takes pictures of the outside of a vehicle, attaching the suction portion to a predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle may cause the suction portion to encroach on its shooting range. In this respect, the above-described mounting member makes it possible to suppress the encroachment of the suction portion on its shooting range, even if the equipment is a recording device such as a dashcam.

[0014] (5) The connecting portion should extend such that when the suction portion is attached to the mounting surface, the predetermined device attached to the mounting portion has a portion that does not overlap with the suction portion in the vertical direction and is directed outward from the vehicle.

[0015] In this way, when the suction part is attached to a predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle, the device is mounted to the mounting part in a position where the portion that does not overlap with the suction part in the vertical direction faces outward from the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to make it less likely for the suction part to cover the portion of the vehicle that is outward from the device. For example, while increasing the size of the suction part improves load-bearing capacity, if the device is a recording device that takes pictures of the outside of the vehicle, such as a dashcam, there is a risk that the suction part will encroach on its shooting range. In this respect, even if the device is a recording device such as a dashcam, it is possible to suppress the encroachment of the suction part on its shooting range.

[0016] (6) Means for making it easier to maintain the suction state of the suction part on the mounting surface include an operating part that is configured to accept operation by the user in a direction different from the direction of gravity and to cause the suction part to adhere to the mounting surface.

[0017] In this configuration, the operating part is configured to accept user operation in a direction different from the direction of gravity, enabling the suction part to adhere to the mounting surface. This allows the suction part to adhere to the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle in a manner that minimizes the load in the direction of gravity that would cause the suction part to detach from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle. For example, this improves the stability of the mounting state of the suction part to the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, and consequently, the maintainability of the mounting state.

[0018] (7) The operating part is configured to accept a rotational operation by the user as the operation, and it is preferable that the range in which the rotational operation is accepted is inside the vehicle from the center of the suction part.

[0019] In this way, when the suction part is attached to a predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle, the range of rotation of the part operated by the user is located inward from the center of the suction part, for example, closer to the user. This makes it easier for the user to rotate the operating part, improving the stability of the mounting state of the suction part to the predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle, and consequently improving the maintainability of the mounting state.

[0020] (8) When the operating part is rotated, it is configured to attract the suction part to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, and it is preferable that the operating part and the mounting part be integrally configured.

[0021] This design eliminates the need for an operating mechanism to rotate the operating part. The device attached to the mounting part can be rotated by hand to attach it to the designated mounting surface of the vehicle, making it easier for the user to operate the rotation and allowing the mounting component to be more compact compared to cases where an operable part is provided.

[0022] (9) The suction portion is provided with a first indicator that indicates a first position for sucking the suction portion onto a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, and a second indicator that indicates a second position for separating the suction portion from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle. Preferably, the mounting portion moves to a position where the first indicator is displayed when the suction portion is sucked onto the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, and moves to a position where the second indicator is displayed when the suction portion is separated from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0023] With this arrangement, when the mounting portion faces the first indicator, it can be recognized that the suction portion has been sucked onto the mounting position of the vehicle, and when the mounting portion faces the second indicator, it can be recognized that the suction portion has been separated from the mounting position of the vehicle, thereby improving user operability. In particular, if the operating portion is further rotated beyond the first indicator even after being rotated to the first indicator, or further rotated beyond the second indicator even after being rotated to the second indicator, an excessive load may be applied to various members. In this regard, the above configuration eliminates the need to rotate the operating portion more than necessary, and reduces the possibility of damaging the mounting member.

[0024] (10) Preferably, a protruding portion that protrudes radially outward from the suction surface of the suction portion is provided to protrude toward the inside of the vehicle when the suction portion is sucked onto the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0025] With this arrangement, when the suction portion is sucked onto the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, the protruding portion protrudes toward the inside of the vehicle relative to the center of the suction portion in the horizontal component, for example, toward the side closer to the user, so that the user can easily grasp the protruding portion and move the suction portion in a direction to separate it from the mounting surface, thereby improving the user's operability when peeling the suction portion off the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0026] (11) Preferably, at least a part of the connecting portion and the mounting portion is formed of a single member.

[0027] With this arrangement, since at least a part of the connecting portion and the mounting portion are formed of a single member, a member such as a metal fitting that serves as a member connecting the connecting portion and the mounting portion becomes unnecessary, so not only the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but also weight reduction can be achieved.

[0028] (12) When the suction portion is sucked onto a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, the connecting portion preferably extends toward the further outside of the vehicle from a portion located outside the center of the suction portion in the horizontal direction component.

[0029] With this arrangement, when the suction portion is sucked onto a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, the connecting portion that connects the mounting portion to the suction portion is a member extending toward the further outside of the vehicle from a portion located outside the center of the suction portion in the horizontal direction component, so that the visual field can be prevented from being blocked as much as possible. Even when the device is an imaging device such as a drive recorder that images the outside of a vehicle, it can be suppressed that the suction portion enters the imaging range of the device.

[0030] (13) An actuating portion is provided, which can be actuated by a user's operation between a first posture erected relative to the suction portion and a second posture tilted relative to the suction portion, wherein in the first posture, the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle is separated from the suction portion, and in the second posture, the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle is sucked to the suction portion, and the means for facilitating suction of the suction portion onto the mounting surface holds the actuating portion in the second posture It is preferable to have a locking mechanism for

[0031] With this arrangement, when an actuating portion that can be actuated by a user's operation between a first posture erected relative to the suction portion and a second posture tilted relative to the suction portion is provided, by providing the locking mechanism for holding the actuating portion in the second posture, it can be suppressed that the suction portion is detached from the mounting surface due to a load applied in the gravity direction that causes the suction portion to detach from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0032] (14) The operating part is preferably configured to accept user input to set either the first posture or the second posture at a position inside the vehicle from the center of the suction part.

[0033] In this way, when the suction part is attached to a predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle, the suction part can be operated between a first and second position on the inside of the vehicle, for example, on the side closer to the user, relative to the center of the suction part. This allows the suction part to be attached to or separated from the predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle, thereby improving operability.

[0034] (15) The means for making it easier to attach the suction part to the mounting surface is to have a structure that, after the suction part is attached to the mounting surface by operating the operating part, removes the air inside between the suction part and the mounting surface without operating the operating part.

[0035] In this way, after the user has attached the suction part to the mounting surface by operating the operating part, it becomes easier to attach the suction part to the mounting surface without having to operate the operating part again. For example, even if the temperature inside the vehicle rises after attachment, it is possible to suppress the detachment of the suction part from the designated mounting surface of the vehicle unintentionally due to, for example, thermal expansion of the air between the designated mounting surface of the vehicle and the suction part.

[0036] (16) The adsorption portion is made of a flexible member that can be adsorbed onto the mounting surface, and the internal pressure between the mounting surface and the adsorption portion is reduced, causing it to adhere to the mounting surface due to the pressure difference with the outside, and the structure preferably includes an internal reservoir outside the adsorption portion that can retain air and whose capacity changes according to the amount of retained air, a first check valve provided between the internal and the retained reservoir, and a second check valve that, when the air inside expands, causes the air inside to move into the retained reservoir and releases the air retained in the retained reservoir to the outside.

[0037] This design prevents the suction part from detaching from the vehicle's designated mounting surface unintentionally, even if the temperature inside the vehicle rises. When the internal air between the vehicle's designated mounting surface and the suction part expands, the internal air moves to the retention area. The air remaining in the retention area is then discharged to the outside via the second check valve. In particular, the temperature inside the vehicle tends to rise easily in the summer, causing the internal air to expand. Therefore, if the retention area is pushed in to release the air inside beforehand, when the internal air expands, the internal air moves to the retention area, and the air that can no longer be contained in the retention area is discharged to the outside via the second check valve.

[0038] (17) The structure may have a cooling section for cooling the air inside.

[0039] This further reduces the risk of the suction part detaching from the vehicle's designated mounting surface unintentionally. For example, if the temperature inside the vehicle rises rapidly during the summer, the internal air may expand beyond the discharge capacity of the first and second check valves. However, by providing a cooling unit to cool the internal air, it is possible to suppress the internal air from expanding beyond the discharge capacity of the first and second check valves.

[0040] (18) The structure may have a suction section for drawing in the air inside.

[0041] This prevents the suction part from detaching from the designated mounting surface on the vehicle unintentionally. For example, since the temperature inside a vehicle tends to change with the seasons, pre-draining the internal air when there is a possibility of the temperature inside the vehicle rising can suppress the degree of expansion of the internal air.

[0042] (19) The device has a shooting unit that takes pictures with the outside of the vehicle as the shooting direction, and it is preferable that when the suction unit is attached to the mounting surface, the suction unit is positioned on the inside of the vehicle with respect to the shooting direction, relative to the lens of the shooting unit.

[0043] In this configuration, when the device is equipped with a camera that takes pictures with the outside of the vehicle as the shooting direction, the suction part can be positioned inside the vehicle relative to the lens of the camera, thus preventing the suction part from encroaching on the shooting range of the camera.

[0044] (20) The mounting member comprises one of the above mounting members and a device that can be attached to the mounting portion of the mounting member, wherein the device has a notification function for notifying the suction state of the suction portion.

[0045] In this way, notifications are sent regarding the suction status of the suction part. When a notification is received, the user can check the suction status of the suction part and, if necessary, reattach or replace the mounting member, thereby preventing the suction part from detaching from the designated mounting surface on the vehicle.

[0046] (21) The notification function should be capable of notifying at least one of the following: that the suction force of the suction part may be weakening; prompting the user to check the suction state of the suction part; and reattaching the suction part to the vehicle.

[0047] In this way, users can be aware that the suction force of the suction part may be weakening in response to a notification, check the suction status of the suction part, and reattach the suction part to the vehicle, thereby preventing the suction part from detaching from the designated mounting surface on the vehicle.

[0048] (22) The notification function should be configured to make the notification when it is at a predetermined time.

[0049] In this way, a notification is sent when a predetermined time arrives, allowing the user to check the suction status of the suction part in response to the notification, and, if necessary, reattach or replace the mounting components, thereby preventing the suction part from detaching from the designated mounting surface on the vehicle. In particular, since the temperature inside the vehicle tends to rise during the summer, setting the predetermined time to before summer or during summer can prevent the suction part from detaching due to the expansion of internal air between the designated part of the vehicle and the suction part.

[0050] (23) The device is equipped with a temperature detection unit that can detect the temperature inside the vehicle or a temperature close to the temperature inside the vehicle, and the notification function is configured to make a notification when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit exceeds a predetermined temperature.

[0051] In this way, a notification is issued when the interior temperature of the vehicle, or a temperature close to the interior temperature, exceeds a predetermined temperature. By responding to this notification, the user can, for example, check the suction status of the suction part, thereby preventing the suction part from detaching from the designated mounting surface on the vehicle. In particular, since the temperature inside the vehicle tends to rise during the summer, setting the predetermined temperature to, for example, 25 degrees Celsius can prevent the suction part from detaching due to the expansion of the internal air between the designated part of the vehicle and the suction part.

[0052] (24) The notification function is preferably configured to make the notification when the power to the device is turned on.

[0053] This design ensures that users are notified when the device is powered on, making it easier for them to notice the notification. This allows users to more reliably check the suction status of the suction part in response to the notification, and, if necessary, reattach or replace the mounting components, thereby preventing the suction part from detaching from the designated mounting surface on the vehicle.

[0054] (25) The device includes a vehicle detection unit that detects when the vehicle stops, and the notification function is configured to make the notification when the vehicle detection unit detects that the vehicle has stopped.

[0055] This configuration allows the system to notify the user when the vehicle stops, making it easier for the user to notice the notification. This ensures that the user will take action, such as checking the suction status of the suction part, in response to the notification, thereby preventing the suction part from detaching from the designated mounting surface on the vehicle. The user can, for example, check the suction status when they have ample time, such as when returning home.

[0056] (26) The device is equipped with a mounting member determination function that determines which mounting member the device is attached to, and the notification function is provided when the mounting member determination function determines that the device is attached to any of the above mounting members.

[0057] In this way, the device will notify when it determines that the mounting member to which the device is attached is attached to any of the above-mentioned mounting members. Therefore, if the device is attached to the mounting surface of the vehicle using a mounting member with an adhesive part, it can notify about the adhesive state of the adhesive part. For example, if the mounting member is fixed to the mounting surface of the vehicle using a material other than an adhesive part, such as double-sided tape, it can prevent unnecessary notifications from being issued and provide necessary notifications. [Effects of the Invention]

[0058] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide new mounting members, as well as technology related to equipment and mounting members, for example, to improve the function of mounting members having a suction part.

[0059] The effects of the present invention are not limited thereto, and the effects produced by the components of the structure disclosed in this specification and the drawings are also disclosed. The present invention intends to obtain rights to the components that produce such effects through divisional applications, amendments, etc. For example, the phrases "can do..." in this specification are descriptions that specify the effects produced, and there are components that produce effects even without such descriptions. Furthermore, there are effects that can be grasped by the component even without such descriptions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0060] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates an example of the system configuration according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the external configuration of a photographic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a bracket according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of a photographic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the first embodiment relating to another example is in the open state, and (A) is a front view, (B) is a rear view, and (C) is a left side view. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the first embodiment relating to another example is in the open state, and includes (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the first embodiment relating to another example is in a semi-closed state, and (A) is a front view, (B) is a rear view, and (C) is a left side view. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the first embodiment relating to another example is in a semi-closed state, and is (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the first embodiment relating to another example is in the closed state, and (A) is a front view, (B) is a rear view, and (C) is a left side view. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the first embodiment, relating to another example, is in the closed state, and includes (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. [Figure 11] (A) An example of a perspective view of the bracket of the first embodiment relating to another example in which an imaging device is attached, and (B) An example of an exploded perspective view in which the bracket, imaging device, and members for attaching the imaging device to the bracket of the second embodiment relating to another example are disassembled. [Figure 12] This is a left side view in an open state, as an example of the usage state of the bracket of the first embodiment relating to another example in which a photographic device is attached, and shows (A) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 80 degrees. [Figure 13] This is a left side view in a semi-closed state as an example of the usage state of the bracket of the first embodiment relating to another example in which a photographic device is attached, and shows (A) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 80 degrees. [Figure 14] This is a left side view in a closed state as an example of the usage state of the bracket of the first embodiment relating to another example in which a photographic device is attached, and shows (A) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 80 degrees. [Figure 15] As an example of the usage state of the bracket of the first embodiment relating to another example in which the imaging device is attached, this is a left side section view for illustrating the change in the posture of the imaging device that is performed after it is in the closed state, and shows (A) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 80 degrees. [Figure 16] This is a front view of the bracket of the first embodiment, which relates to another example in which a photographic device is attached, when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 20 degrees, and shows (A) the open state and (B) the closed state. [Figure 17] This is a front view of the bracket of the first embodiment, which relates to another example in which a photographic device is attached, when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 80 degrees, and shows (A) the open state and (B) the closed state. [Figure 18] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the second embodiment relating to another example is in the open state, and (A) is a front view, (B) is a rear view, and (C) is a left side view. [Figure 19]This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the second embodiment relating to another example is in the open state, and includes (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. [Figure 20] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the second embodiment relating to another example is in a semi-closed state, and (A) is a front view, (B) is a rear view, and (C) is a left side view. [Figure 21] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the second embodiment relating to another example is in a semi-closed state, and (A) is a right side view, (B) is a top view, and (C) is a bottom view. [Figure 22] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the second embodiment relating to another example is in the closed state, and (A) is a front view, (B) is a rear view, and (C) is a left side view. [Figure 23] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the second embodiment relating to another example is in the closed state, and is (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. [Figure 24] (A) An example of a perspective view of the bracket of the second embodiment relating to another example in which an imaging device is attached, and (B) An example of an exploded perspective view in which the bracket of the second embodiment relating to another example, the imaging device, and the members for attaching the imaging device to the bracket are disassembled. [Figure 25] This is a left side view in an open state, as an example of the usage state of the bracket of the second embodiment relating to another example in which a photographic device is attached, and shows (A) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 80 degrees. [Figure 26] This is a left side view in a closed state as an example of the usage state of the bracket of the second embodiment relating to another example in which a photographic device is attached, and shows (A) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 80 degrees. [Figure 27]This is a front view of a bracket in use in a second embodiment relating to another example in which a photographic device is attached, when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 20 degrees, and shows (A) the open state and (B) the closed state. [Figure 28] This is a front view of a bracket in use in a second embodiment relating to another example in which a photographic device is attached, when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 80 degrees, and shows (A) the open state and (B) the closed state. [Figure 29] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the third embodiment relating to another example is in the open state, and (A) is a front view, (B) is a rear view, and (C) is a left side view. [Figure 30] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the third embodiment relating to another example is in the open state, and includes (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. [Figure 31] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the third embodiment relating to another example is in a semi-closed state, and (A) is a front view, (B) is a rear view, and (C) is a left side view. [Figure 32] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the third embodiment relating to another example is in a semi-closed state, and includes (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. [Figure 33] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the third embodiment relating to another example is in the closed state, and (A) is a front view, (B) is a rear view, and (C) is a left side view. [Figure 34] This figure shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket of the third embodiment relating to another example is in the closed state, and is (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. [Figure 35] This is an example of a perspective view showing an example of a bracket of a third embodiment relating to another example that includes a locking mechanism. [Figure 36](A) An example of a perspective view showing an example of a bracket of the third embodiment relating to another example in which an imaging device is attached, and (B) An example of an exploded perspective view showing the bracket of the third embodiment relating to another example, the imaging device, and the members for attaching the imaging device to the bracket in a disassembled state. [Figure 37] This is a left side view in an open state, as an example of the usage state of the bracket of the third embodiment relating to another example in which a photographic device is attached, and shows (A) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 80 degrees. [Figure 38] This is a left side view in a closed state as an example of the usage state of the bracket of the third embodiment relating to another example in which a photographic device is attached, and shows (A) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 80 degrees. [Figure 39] This is a front view of a third embodiment relating to another example in which a photographic device is attached, showing an example of the usage state of the bracket when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 20 degrees, and (A) when it is in the open state, and (B) when it is in the closed state. [Figure 40] This is a front view of the third embodiment, which is another example of the bracket being used with a photographic device attached, when the inclination angle of the windshield is approximately 80 degrees, and shows (A) the open state and (B) the closed state. [Figure 41] This is a plan view showing an example of a bracket for illustrating a second embodiment of adsorption and retention. [Figure 42] This diagram illustrates an example of a means of making installation difficult, which makes it difficult to attach a device to the windshield, and shows (A) when a drive recorder is installed, and (B) when an in-vehicle device other than a drive recorder is installed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0061] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown below are examples of embodiments of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. In the drawings referenced in these embodiments, the same parts or parts having similar functions are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals (simply a number followed by A, B, etc.), and repeated explanations may be omitted. In addition, in the drawings referenced in the following description, the scale may be different from that of the actual parts in order to make each component, area, etc. recognizable.

[0062] [1. Overall System Configuration] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the system configuration of this embodiment. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle 400 viewed from the side. System 1 has a first imaging device, an imaging device 100, and a second imaging device, an imaging device 200, which are installed on the vehicle 400. The vehicle 400 is, for example, a four-wheeled automobile, but is not limited to a four-wheeled automobile; any vehicle capable of installing the imaging device 100 and the imaging device 200 is acceptable. The vehicle may be, for example, a large transport vehicle with four or more wheels such as an automobile, bus, or truck, or a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle or bicycle, or other vehicles. The vehicle may also be a vehicle of a transportation system such as a train, monorail, or maglev train.

[0063] The camera 100 is a front camera positioned on the front side of the vehicle 400. The camera 100 is, for example, mounted at a predetermined position on the front side of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 400 and captures images in front of the vehicle 400 through the windshield. The camera 100 is a drive recorder. Specifically, the camera 100 has the function of capturing images, the function of recording image data showing the captured images, and the function of recording image data acquired from the camera 200.

[0064] The imaging device 200 is a rear camera positioned on the rear side of the vehicle 400. The imaging device 200 is, for example, mounted at a predetermined position on the rear side of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 400 and captures images of the rear of the vehicle through the rear window. The imaging device 200 has the function of capturing images and the function of outputting image data showing the captured images to the imaging device 100.

[0065] The imaging device 100 and the imaging device 200 are connected via a cable 300. The cable 300 is a wired communication path connecting the imaging device 100 and the imaging device 200. The cable 300 includes, for example, a power line that supplies power for operation from the imaging device 100 to the imaging device 200, and a signal line for transmitting various signals between the imaging device 100 and the imaging device 200. The imaging device 200 operates by receiving power from the imaging device 100 via the cable 300. The imaging device 100 and the imaging device 200 may be connected by a wireless communication path such as Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, or other standards, instead of a wired communication path. Furthermore, the imaging device 100 may be used without being connected to the imaging device 200 by communication.

[0066] [2. External Configuration of the Imaging Device] Figure 2 shows an example of the external configuration of the imaging device 100. Figure 2(A) is a view of the imaging device 100 from the front, upper right. Figure 2(B) is a view of the imaging device 100 from the rear, upper right. The imaging device 100 has a housing 101. The housing 101 is a rectangular parallelepiped that is longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction and has a relatively small thickness. The housing 101 has an upper surface 1011 that faces upward when attached to the vehicle 400, a first side surface 1012, a second side surface 1013, a third side surface 1014 located opposite the second side surface 1013, and a fourth side surface 1015 located opposite the first side surface 1012.

[0067] The upper surface 1011 is provided with a joint rail 102 and a camera jack 191. The joint rail 102 is detachable from a bracket (for example, a bracket 600 described later) for attaching the imaging device 100 to a predetermined mounting position on the vehicle 400. The mounting position may be, for example, the windshield of the vehicle 400 (for example, near the upper edge of the windshield), or the rearview mirror or the ceiling inside the vehicle 400. When the imaging device 100 is attached to the vehicle 400, the first side surface 1012 faces the front of the vehicle 400. At this time, the second side surface 1013 faces the right when viewed from the rear of the vehicle 400. The third side surface 1014 faces the left when viewed from the rear of the vehicle 400. The fourth side surface 1015 faces the rear of the vehicle 400.

[0068] The camera jack 191 is a terminal to which one end of the cable 300 is connected. The camera jack 191 may, for example, be compatible with the USB Type-C standard and may also serve as a terminal for the imaging device 100 to communicate with the imaging device 200 using the Ethernet standard.

[0069] The first side surface 1012 is provided with an imaging lens 151, a sound emission hole 103, and a microphone hole 104. The imaging lens 151 is a light-gathering lens of the imaging unit (imaging unit 15, described later) of the imaging device 100. The sound emission hole 103 is located above the imaging lens 151 and is a hole that allows sound output by the audio output unit (audio output unit 14, described later) of the imaging device 100 to pass from the inside to the outside of the housing 101. The microphone hole 104 is located below the imaging lens 151 and allows external sound to pass through the housing 101. This is a hole that allows sound to pass from the outside to the inside of 1. The sound that passes through to the inside of the housing 101 is input to the microphone (microphone 121, described later) of the imaging device 100.

[0070] An event recording button 122 is provided on the second side 1013. The event recording button 122 is an operating means for instructing the start or end of recording of images captured by the shooting unit 15. When the user operates the event recording button 122 when event recording is not in progress, the shooting device 100 starts event recording. More details about event recording will be described later. The event recording button 122 is located on the second side 1013 facing the driver's seat so that it is easy for the driver of a right-hand drive vehicle 400 to operate.

[0071] The third side 1014 is provided with a terminal 192 and a storage medium insertion slot 181. Terminal 192 is a terminal for receiving power from an external device. Terminal 192 is, for example, a DC jack. One end of a power cord (for example, a cigarette lighter plug cord) is connected to terminal 192. The other end of the power cord is connected to a power supply terminal (for example, a cigarette lighter socket) provided on the vehicle 400 side.

[0072] Terminal 192 may be connected to an OBDII adapter that can be connected to the OBDII connector (where "II" is the Roman numeral for "2") of the vehicle 400. The OBDII connector, also called a fault diagnosis connector, is connected to the vehicle's ECU (Engine Control Unit) and is a terminal that outputs various vehicle information at predetermined intervals (for example, every 0.5 seconds). By connecting terminal 192 to the OBDII connector using an OBDII adapter, the imaging device 100 can receive power for operation and acquire vehicle information.

[0073] Vehicle information refers to information about the status of vehicle 400. Vehicle information should include at least one of the following: vehicle speed, engine speed, engine load percentage, throttle position, ignition timing, percentage of remaining fuel, intake manifold pressure, intake air volume (MAF), injection opening time, engine coolant temperature, intake air temperature, ambient temperature, fuel tank volume, fuel flow rate, instantaneous fuel consumption, accelerator pedal position, turn signal information (operation of left and right turn signals (ON / OFF)), brake position, steering wheel rotation angle, gear position, and door open / closed status.

[0074] The storage medium insertion slot 181 is an insertion slot for inserting a storage medium 500, which serves as an external storage means, into the inside of the imaging device 100. The storage medium 500 is a storage medium on which images captured by the imaging device 100 or imaging device 200 are recorded, and is, for example, an SD card. The SD card includes any of the following forms, such as an SD memory card, a miniSD card, and a microSD card. The storage medium 500 may also store a program for a viewer (for example, a dedicated viewer) for playing back the stored images on an information display terminal such as a personal computer.

[0075] The fourth side 1015 is provided with an operating section 123, a display surface 131, and a light-emitting section 21. The operating section 123 has a first button 1231, a second button 1232, a third button 1233, and a fourth button 1234. The first button 1231, the second button 1232, the third button 1233, and the fourth button 1234 are arranged vertically along the right edge of the display surface 131. The functions that can be assigned to each of these buttons include, for example, the following:

[0076] The first button 1231 functions as a button to switch images when pressed and held, and as a button to instruct the formatting of the storage medium 500 when pressed briefly. The image displayed on the display surface 131 is, for example, one or both of the image currently being captured by the camera 100 and the image currently being captured by the camera 200. Formatting the storage medium 500 is understood as initializing the storage medium 500, and is understood as at least one of the following: erasing data such as images stored in the storage medium 500, writing setting information indicating the contents of the operation settings to the storage medium 500 in order to make the camera 100 able to use the storage medium 500 (for example, to make it possible to record and read images), and putting the storage medium 500 into a specific file state.

[0077] The second button 1232 is for displaying a selection screen for selecting the image to be played back by the camera 100. The third button 1233 is for displaying a menu related to the settings of the camera 100 and the camera 200. The fourth button 1234 is for instructing the start and stop of image recording. For example, if the fourth button 1234 is briefly pressed while recording is being done using the continuous recording function described later, the recording will be paused. If the fourth button 1234 is briefly pressed during this pause, image recording using the continuous recording function will resume. If the fourth button 1234 is long-pressed, the frame rate when recording images can be changed.

[0078] The display surface 131 is the area where the image displayed by the display unit (display unit 13, described later) of the imaging device 100 is displayed. The display surface 131 is, for example, a rectangular or square area. A touch sensor 124 for detecting user touch operations is provided superimposed on the display surface 131.

[0079] The light-emitting unit 21 is located above the first button 1231 and emits light in a predetermined color.

[0080] Furthermore, the camera 200 may also function as a drive recorder, and may have a configuration similar to that of the camera 100. In addition, one or more cameras that capture other directions may be used as cameras connected to the camera 100 by communication, instead of or in addition to the camera 200. Other directions include the right rear, left rear, and width of the vehicle (side) of the vehicle 400.

[0081] [3. Bracket Configuration] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the bracket 600. Figure 3(A) is a view of the bracket 600 from the front, diagonally upper right. Figure 3(B) is a view of the bracket 600 from the side. Figure 3(C) is a view of the bracket 600 from the front, diagonally lower right. The bracket 600 is an example of a mounting member for attaching the imaging device 100 to the vehicle 400.

[0082] The bracket 600 is a mounting member that uses a ball joint mechanism. In the bracket 600, the flat base portion 610 has a mounting surface 611 that is attached to the windshield of the vehicle 400. The base portion 610 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the support column of the ball stud 620. An adhesive member such as double-sided tape is attached to the mounting surface 611, and the bracket is attached to the windshield of the vehicle 400 via the adhesive member.

[0083] The ball stud 620 is the portion of the base portion 610 that rises from the side opposite to the mounting surface 611. The ball portion 621 of the ball stud 620 is mounted on the socket portion 630. The nut 640 is detachably attached around the socket portion 630. Screw threads are formed on the outer circumference of the socket portion 630. The nut 640, which fits into these screw threads, is mounted on the outer circumference of the socket portion 630. With the ball portion 621 of the ball stud 620 mounted inside the socket portion 630, before the nut 640 is tightened, the socket portion 630 can rotate along the circumferential surface of the ball portion 621 in the desired direction to change the orientation of the base portion 650. Once the nut 640 is tightened, the orientation and position of the base portion 650 are fixed.

[0084] The base portion 650 is formed in conjunction with the socket portion 630 and is the part that is directly in contact with and attached to the imaging device 100. The base portion 650 has a pair of guide rails 651 on its underside. The pair of guide rails 651 are configured to slide along the joint rail 102 of the imaging device 100. The tip of the base portion 650 is provided with a claw-shaped tip portion 652. The bracket 600 is attached to the imaging device 100 by hooking the tip portion 652 onto the front end of the joint rail 102 of the imaging device 100.

[0085] [4. Electrical Configuration of the Imaging Device 100] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the imaging device 100. The control unit 11 controls each part of the imaging device 100. The control unit 11 is a computer including, for example, a processor 111 and a memory 112. The processor 111 has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The memory 112 is a main memory having, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The processor 111 temporarily stores the program read from the ROM of the memory 112 in the RAM. The RAM of the memory 112 provides the processor 111 with a workspace. The processor 111 performs various controls by performing calculations while temporarily storing data generated during program execution in the RAM. The control unit 11 further includes a timekeeping unit 113 for measuring time. The timing unit 113 is, for example, a real-time clock. The timing unit 113 may be mounted on the motherboard of the processor 111, or it may be externally connected to the processor 111.

[0086] The input unit 12 receives information input from the user. The input unit 12 includes, for example, the microphone 121, event recording button 122, operation unit 123, and touch sensor 124. The microphone 121 converts sound incident through the microphone hole 104, etc., into an electrical signal. The microphone 121 is, for example, a condenser microphone. The touch sensor 124 detects the position touched by the user on the display surface 131. The touch sensor 124 is, for example, a capacitive type.

[0087] The display unit 13 displays an image on the display surface 131. The display unit 13 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0088] The audio output unit 14 outputs sound. This sound may include, for example, notification sounds, background music, or voice messages. The audio output unit 14 includes, for example, an audio processing circuit and a speaker.

[0089] The imaging unit 15 captures images and generates image data obtained from the images. The imaging unit 15 includes, for example, an imaging lens 151 and an image sensor that captures the light focused by the imaging lens 151. The image sensor is, for example, a CMOS (Complementary MOS) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The imaging unit 15 generates a color (multicolor) image consisting of, for example, red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color components.

[0090] The communication unit 16 communicates with external devices. The communication unit 16 has a communication circuit for wireless communication with external devices, for example, by Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), other wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication, or short-range wireless communication. The communication unit 16 may also have a communication circuit for performing communication compliant with standards for mobile communication systems such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G, 5G, etc.

[0091] The sensor unit 17 has various sensors. The sensor unit 17 has, for example, at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, and an illuminance sensor. The acceleration sensor is, for example, a three-axis acceleration sensor that detects acceleration in the forward / backward, left / right, and up / down directions of a vehicle. The gyro sensor is The camera sensor detects the tilt of the camera 100. The acceleration sensor and gyro sensor may be used, for example, to estimate the position of the vehicle 400 by autonomous navigation when signals from GNSS satellites cannot be received. The barometric pressure sensor measures atmospheric pressure. The barometric pressure sensor is used, for example, to detect differences in elevation and determine whether it is a highway or a regular road. The illuminance sensor is a sensor that detects the illuminance indicating the brightness inside the vehicle, which is the area around the camera 100. The illuminance sensor is used, for example, to adjust the brightness of the display on the display unit 13.

[0092] The reader / writer 18 functions as a media holder that holds the storage medium 500 inserted into the imaging device 100 through the storage medium insertion slot 181. The reader / writer 18 writes data to the storage medium 500 and reads data from the storage medium 500. The reader / writer 18 may hold only one storage medium 500, but it may also be configured to hold two or more storage mediums 500 simultaneously.

[0093] The terminal section 19 has terminals for electrically connecting to external devices. The terminal section 19 has the camera jack 191 and terminal 192 described above. As a device connected to the terminal section 19, an external battery may be used so that the camera 100 and camera 200 can operate even without power supply from the vehicle 400. The device connected to the terminal section 19 may be, for example, a device that has a function to support the user's safe driving. Such devices include, for example, a device that has a function to photograph the driver (e.g., face) and detect and notify the driver's state, such as distracted driving and drowsy driving, or a device that has a function to detect and notify obstacles around the vehicle 400 (for example, a device used for vehicle detection for a Forward Vehicle Collision Warning System (FCWS)). Other devices connected to the terminal section 19 may be in-vehicle equipment such as a radar detector, laser detector, car navigation system, or display device.

[0094] The position information acquisition unit 20 acquires position information indicating the position of the camera 100 (more specifically, its current position). The position of the camera 100 can be considered equivalent to the position of the vehicle 400 on which the camera 100 is located, the position of the camera 200 located on the vehicle 400, and the positions of the driver and other people riding in the vehicle 400. The position information acquisition unit 20 acquires position information (latitude information and longitude information) of the camera 100 based on signals from GPS (Global Positioning System), which is one of the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems). The position information acquisition unit 20 may also use Michibiki as a QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System).

[0095] The light-emitting unit 21 emits light in a predetermined color. The light-emitting unit 21 includes, for example, a light-emitting diode.

[0096] The power control unit 22 controls the supply of power to each part of the imaging device 100 and to the imaging device 200. The power control unit 22 includes, for example, a power switch and a power control circuit. The power control unit 22 supplies power supplied from the vehicle 400 side via the terminal section 19 to each part of the imaging device 100 and to the imaging device 200. The power control unit 22 may also have a secondary battery, a button battery, or an electric double-layer capacitor (also called a supercapacitor) as a means of power storage.

[0097] The imaging device 100 may further have an auxiliary storage device as an internal storage means, such as flash memory (e.g., eMMC, SSD). Various storage media, such as optical storage media, magnetic storage media, and semiconductor storage media, can be used as the auxiliary storage device.

[0098] [5. Image Recording Function of the Imaging Device 100] The imaging device 100 has one or more of the following image recording functions. The image recording function is a function that records images captured by the imaging device 100 as image data in a predetermined file format. The image data is often in video format, for example, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) format (e.g., MPEG2, MPEG4), but also AVI, MOV, WMV, etc.

[0099] <5-1. Continuous Recording Function> The continuous recording function (also called the continuous video recording function) is a function that continuously (i.e., continuously) records images captured by either or both of the camera 100 and the camera 200 while the camera 100 is in operation. When the control unit 11 is executing the continuous recording function, it stores video data captured from the start to the stop of the vehicle 400's engine. Engine start is detected, for example, by turning on the accessory power of the vehicle 400, and engine stop is detected by turning off the accessory power.

[0100] <5-2. Event Recording Function> The event recording function is a function that records images captured by either or both of the camera 100 and the camera 200 in response to the occurrence of a specific event. An event is an occurrence in which an image captured by the camera 100 or the camera 200 should be recorded, for example, when the user performs operations such as sudden steering or sudden braking while the vehicle 400 is in motion, or when the vehicle 400 collides with another object. The control unit 11 determines that an event has occurred, for example, based on the measured value by the acceleration sensor of the sensor unit 17. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines that an event has occurred when the measured value of the acceleration sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold or shows a predetermined temporal change. The conditions for determining the occurrence of an event are not limited to these. The control unit 11 may also determine that an event has occurred based on vehicle information, for example, when the state of the vehicle 400, such as vehicle speed or steering state, meets predetermined conditions. The control unit 11 may analyze the images captured by the imaging unit 15 or the imaging device 200 and determine that an event has occurred if it detects dangerous driving by the vehicle 400 or another vehicle (e.g., aggressive driving, approaching, or dangerously close approach). The control unit 11 also determines that an event has occurred if the event recording button 122 is operated.

[0101] When the control unit 11 determines that an event has occurred, it records images captured during a predetermined period before and after the event (hereinafter referred to as the "event recording period") onto the storage medium 500. The control unit 11 may, for example, temporarily store images captured by the imaging unit 15 and the imaging device 200 in the memory 112 (e.g., RAM), and when it determines that an event has occurred, it may read the images from the memory 112 for the event recording period and record them onto the storage medium 500. For example, the control unit 11 may create a single file containing images from 20 seconds before the event and 20 seconds after the event, for a total of 40 seconds. The event recording period is just an example and may vary depending on the type of event, and may also be changeable by the user. The control unit 11 may record images consisting of multiple files onto the storage medium 500 for each event. The control unit 11 may also record values ​​measured by the sensor unit 17 during the event recording period (e.g., acceleration in each of the three axes) and position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 20, in association with the images, onto the storage medium 500.

[0102] <5-3. Parking Monitoring Function> The parking monitoring function is a function that records images taken by either or both of the camera 100 and the camera 200 while the vehicle 400 is parked. The parking monitoring function is a function for monitoring the inside of the parked vehicle 400 or the outside of the area surrounding the vehicle 400. When the engine of the vehicle 400 is off, the control unit 11 receives power from an external battery and records images to the storage medium 500. The control unit 11 determines whether or not the vehicle 400 is parked based on one or more of the following: for example, the accessory power is turned off, the engine is turned off, power supply from the external battery has started, the vehicle speed is 0 km / h or below a predetermined speed, and the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 20 is predetermined location information (for example, location information of home, workplace, or parking lot).

[0103] The parking surveillance function may include a time-lapse mode and a motion detection mode. Specifically, when the time-lapse mode is selected by the user, the control unit 11 records images at a lower frame rate than other image recording functions such as the continuous recording function and the event recording function. For example, while the frame rate of other image recording functions is 20 to 30 frames / second, the frame rate of the time-lapse mode is 1 frame / second. The motion detection mode is a mode that records images in response to the detection of a moving object. Specifically, when the motion detection mode is selected by the user, the control unit 11 detects a moving object from changes in images captured by the shooting device 100 and the shooting device 200, and records the images captured during a predetermined period before and after the detection to the storage medium 500. The frame rate may be the same as that of the continuous recording function and the event recording function.

[0104] Furthermore, the imaging devices 100 and 200 may be imaging devices that capture celestial images such as a full sphere or a hemisphere. Also, the imaging device 100 may be an imaging device that does not have a display unit 13. In addition, the housing of the imaging device 100 does not have to be a rectangular parallelepiped, but may be an imaging device with a cylindrical shape, for example.

[0105] [6. Other Examples of Brackets] The configuration of bracket 600 is as described above, but instead of bracket 600, brackets 600A to 600C described later may be used. Brackets 600A to 600C are mounting members that use a ball joint mechanism, similar to bracket 600 described above.

[0106] The configuration of brackets 600A to 600C will be described later, but the main difference between brackets 600A to 600C and the aforementioned bracket 600 is as follows. In other words, bracket 600 had an adhesive material such as double-sided tape attached to the mounting surface 611, and was attached to the vehicle's windshield 660A to 660C etc. via that adhesive material. In contrast, brackets 600A to 600C are equipped with suction parts 610A to 610C (see, for example, Figures 6 to 34 and 36 to 40) having suction cups 614A to 614C (see, for example, Figures 11, 24, and 36) formed of a flexible, for example, elastic material. They can be attached to a predetermined mounting surface of a vehicle (for example, the windshield 660A to 660C) by adhering the suction surfaces 616A to 616C (see, for example, Figures 11, 24, and 36) of the suction cups 614A to 614C to the suction surface. With such brackets 600A to 600C, the user can easily attach and detach them from the mounting surface. For example, when using equipment such as the camera 100 in multiple vehicles, or when switching to another vehicle, the user can easily remove the brackets 600A to 600C to which the camera 100 is attached from the vehicle currently in use and attach them to another vehicle. The material of the suction cups 614A to 614C is, for example, rubber, but it is preferable to use a material that is commonly used for suction cups. The suction mechanism of the suction parts 610A to 610C can be the same as that of a general suction cup, and it is preferable to reduce the pressure inside between the designated mounting surface of the vehicle and the suction parts 610A to 610C, and suction is achieved by the pressure difference with the outside.

[0107] If the mounting surface of the imaging device 100 is the windshield 660A to 660C, it is preferable that the suction surfaces 616A to 616C be mounted within the upper 20% of the windshield 660A to 660C. This mountable range may vary depending on safety standards.

[0108] Furthermore, while dashcams are primarily envisioned as devices to be mounted on brackets 600A to 600C, other devices such as ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) systems are also possible. Additionally, for example, radar detection devices and optical systems... This does not mean to exclude equipment equipped with distance measuring sensors that are used by mounting them on brackets 600A to 600C.

[0109] Incidentally, the inventor discovered that while using a bracket equipped with a suction part instead of bracket 600 allows the user to easily remove the bracket, to which equipment such as an imaging device is attached, from a vehicle in use and attach it to another vehicle, there are various problems associated with this.

[0110] For example, because a component is required to attach or detach (for example, release the suction) the suction surface from a predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle (e.g., the windshield), there is a problem that it tends to become larger compared to conventional brackets 600. If the suction part is made smaller, it may be difficult to stably maintain the bracket attached to the mounting surface with the imaging device 100 mounted.

[0111] Furthermore, while increasing the surface area of ​​the suction cup can strengthen the suction force, if the device attached to the bracket is, for example, a recording device such as a dashcam, there is a problem in that the suction cup is likely to intrude into the shooting range, resulting in vignetting.

[0112] Furthermore, when the suction part is attached to the mounting surface, the equipment such as the camera is mounted on the mounting surface such that it is positioned on the side of the gravity direction relative to the suction part. When the suction surface is attached to a predetermined mounting surface on a vehicle, for example, the equipment such as the camera is suspended from above, so a force acts on the suction part in the direction of gravity (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "downward") due to the action of gravity. Because this force acts in a direction intersecting the suction surface, this force can cause the suction part to easily detach from the mounting surface. Therefore, there is a problem in that the suction force between the predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle and the suction surface needs to be strengthened.

[0113] Therefore, the brackets 600A to 600C have means to facilitate the maintenance of the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C on the mounting surface. The brackets 600A to 600C are equipped with a posture changing part that allows the posture of equipment such as the imaging device 100 to be changed. The means to facilitate the maintenance of the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C on the mounting surface also function as a means to suppress the enlargement of the suction parts 610A to 610C. By providing the brackets 600A to 600C with means that allow the posture of equipment such as the imaging device 100 to be changed, it is possible to photograph in the direction desired by the user. Means to facilitate the maintenance of the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C on the mounting surface include, for example, the fact that the connecting part 620A, described later, does not have the function of allowing the posture of equipment such as the imaging device 100 to be changed or displaced in the vertical direction, and that it has the function of increasing the suction force of the suction parts 610A to 610C on the mounting surface.

[0114] The state of adhesion of the suction parts 610A to 610C (which may also be read as suction cups 614A to 614C) to the mounting surface can be described as the state of adhesion of the suction parts 610A to 610C to the mounting surface. The state of adhesion can be described as, for example, the state relating to the position of the suction parts 610A to 610C to the mounting surface, and the state relating to the force (also called the adhesive force) acting on the suction parts 610A to 610C to adhere to the mounting surface. Maintaining the state relating to the position of the suction parts 610A to 610C to the mounting surface can be described as the position of the suction parts 610A to 610C to the mounting surface not changing, or, in the case of the above mounting member, the suction parts 610A to 610C not detaching from the mounting surface (for example, not peeling off and falling). Maintaining the state of the force acting on the suction parts 610A to 610C to adhere to the mounting surface can be described as not reducing the force required for the suction parts 610A to 610C to adhere to the mounting surface. As will be explained in more detail later, a greater force acting on the suction parts 610A to 610C to adhere to the mounting surface is advantageous for adhering the mounting member to the mounting surface. Therefore, maintaining the state of the force acting on the suction parts 610A to 610C to adhere to the mounting surface may also include increasing that force. Furthermore, making it easier to maintain the adsorption state may mean not only maintaining the adsorption state, but also attempting to maintain the adsorption state or suppressing changes in the adsorption state. For example, making it easier to maintain the position of the suction parts 610A to 610C relative to the mounting surface may mean attempting to maintain that position or suppressing changes in that position. Making it easier to maintain the state of the force acting on the suction parts 610A to 610C to adhere to the mounting surface may also mean attempting to suppress a decrease in that force or attempting to increase that force. Furthermore, means for maintaining the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C on the mounting surface make the suction of the suction parts 610A to 610C on the mounting surface more reliable compared to when such means are not present, and may also contribute to suppressing the enlargement of the suction parts 610A to 610C in order to increase the suction force.Means for maintaining the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C on the mounting surface may also function as means for suppressing the enlargement of the suction parts 610A to 610C.

[0115] The means for maintaining the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C on the mounting surface will be described below.

[0116] In brackets 600A to 600C described below, the open state corresponds to the state after an operation is performed to release the suction cup from the predetermined mounting surface (for example, when an operation is performed to separate the suction cup from the predetermined mounting surface), and the state before an operation is performed to attach the suction cup to the predetermined mounting surface. In the open state, air flows into the internal space between the predetermined mounting surface and the suction surface of the suction cup, and the suction cup does not adhere to the predetermined mounting surface. However, even in the open state, the suction cup may adhere to the predetermined mounting surface due to other physical factors.

[0117] The closed state corresponds to the state after the operation of attaching the suction cup to a predetermined mounting surface, and the operational state when the suction state between the predetermined mounting surface and the suction cup is maintained (for example, before the operation of removing the suction cup from the predetermined mounting surface). In the closed state, the internal space between the predetermined mounting surface and the suction surface of the suction cup becomes a vacuum or has a high degree of vacuum, so the suction cup is attached to the predetermined mounting surface. However, even in the closed state, if the vacuum state of the internal space between the predetermined mounting surface and the suction surface of the suction cup decreases due to other physical factors, the suction state between the predetermined mounting surface and the suction cup may be released.

[0118] A semi-closed state refers to an intermediate state between the open and closed states, such as during the transition from the open state to the closed state, or from the closed state to the open state. In a semi-closed state, the vacuum level of the internal space between the mounting surface and the suction surface of the suction cup is higher than in the open state, but lower than in the closed state.

[0119] [6-1. First Embodiment of Bracket] The configuration of the bracket 600A of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 11. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600A is in the open state, and consists of (A) a front view, (B) a rear view, and (C) a left side view. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600A is in the open state, and consists of (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600A is in the semi-closed state, and consists of (A) a front view, (B) a rear view, and (C) a left side view. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600A is in the semi-closed state, and consists of (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600A is in the closed state, and consists of (A) a front view, (B) a rear view, and (C) a left side view. Figure 10 shows an example of the external configuration of bracket 600A when it is in the closed state, and is (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. Figure 11 shows (A) an example of a perspective view of bracket 600A with the imaging device 100 attached, and (B) an example of an exploded perspective view in which bracket 600A, imaging device 100, and components for attaching imaging device 100 to bracket 600A are separated.

[0120] As shown in Figures 5 to 11, the bracket 600A mainly comprises a suction part 610A, an operating part 625A, and a connecting part 620A and a ball part 621A that act as a ball stud.

[0121] In Figures 5 to 10, the side on which the protrusion 618A (described later) shown in Figure 6(B) is formed is considered the rear side. The rear side may face, for example, the rear side of the vehicle 400. Therefore, in Figures 5 to 10, the side opposite the protrusion 618A to the center OA of the suction part 610A (described later) shown in Figure 6(B) (see Figures 6(B), 8(B), and 10(B)) is considered the front side. The front side may face, for example, the front side of the vehicle 400. Also, in Figures 5 to 10, the side with the suction surface 616A (described later) is considered the bottom side. Since the suction base 612A, the suction cup 614A, and the suction surface 616A are concentric, the center OA of the suction part 610A is also the center OA of the suction base 612A, the center OA of the suction cup 614A, and the center OA of the suction surface 616A.

[0122] The suction part 610A comprises a disc-shaped suction base 612A molded from, for example, resin, and a suction cup 614A (which may be read as "suction cup 614A" as described above) provided on the bottom side of the suction base 612A. As described above, the suction cup 614A is formed from a flexible, for example, elastic material, and the bracket 600A can be attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (for example, the mounting surface of the vehicle's windshield 660A) by adhering the suction surface 616A to the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0123] Furthermore, the suction portion 610A has a projection 618A that protrudes radially outward from the suction surface 616A. The projection 618A is a member that assists in the removal of the suction portion 610A and is operated by pulling it away from the windshield 660A. The projection 618A is sometimes referred to as a tongue.

[0124] The operating part 625A is configured to rotate relative to the suction base 612A, with the center OA of the suction base 612A (see Figures 6(B), 8(B), and 10(B)) as its center of rotation. The direction of rotation of the operating part 625A is approximately parallel to the suction surface 616A, and the rotation of the operating part 625A can suppress the application of force in a direction intersecting the suction surface 616A (i.e., in the direction in which the suction cup 614A would detach from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle). The rotation range of the operating part 625A will be described later.

[0125] The connecting portion 620A connects the operating portion 625A and the ball portion 621A. The base end (or one end) of the connecting portion 620A is connected to the operating portion 625A, and from there it extends in one direction radially outward from the suction base 612A, that is, radially outward from the suction base 612A in the direction component along the suction surface 616A. The ball portion 621A is provided at the tip of the connecting portion 620A that extends radially outward from the suction base 612A.

[0126] The connecting portion 620A is preferably configured such that when the suction portion 610A is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660A), the portion of the mounting portion that does not overlap with the suction portion 610A in the vertical direction extends outward from the vehicle. The mounting portion is the part of the bracket 600A to which the imaging device 100 is attached, and in this embodiment, it is composed of a ball portion 621A, a socket portion 630A, and a nut 640A.

[0127] The connecting portion 620A does not have the function of changing the orientation of equipment such as the imaging device 100 or displacing it in the vertical direction. The fact that the connecting portion 620A does not have such a function means that the vehicle's predetermined mounting It functions as a means to facilitate the maintenance of the suction state of the suction part 610A on a surface (for example, the windshield 660A). If the connecting part 620A had a function to change the orientation of equipment such as the imaging device 100 or to allow it to be displaced vertically, the bracket 600A would tend to become bulky, which could hinder the maintenance of the suction state of the suction part 610A on a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle. Therefore, in this embodiment, the bracket 600A is designed so that the connecting part 620A does not have a mechanism to change the orientation of the imaging device 100 or to allow it to be displaced vertically, as a means to facilitate the maintenance of the suction state of the suction part 610A on the mounting surface. In this way, it is possible to suppress the weight increase of the connecting part 620A that would result from mounting a mechanism on the connecting part 620A that allows the orientation or position of the imaging device 100 to be changed.

[0128] In a more desirable configuration, the connecting portion 620A does not have a joint, which is a mechanism for changing the posture of equipment such as the imaging device 100 or for displacing it in the vertical direction, and is a single member that connects the operating portion 625A and the ball portion 621A, thereby suppressing weight increase. In this embodiment, the operating portion 625A, the connecting portion 620A, and the ball portion 621A are integrally molded, for example, from resin, i.e., they are made of a single member. However, it is not essential that the operating portion 625A, the connecting portion 620A, and the ball portion 621A are integrally molded, but it is desirable that they be integrally configured.

[0129] The actuation unit 625A operates between an open state and a closed state. As shown in Figures 6(B), 8(B), and 10(B), the upper surface of the suction base 612A has a first indicator (marked "CLOSE") indicating that the actuation unit 625A is in the first closed position, and a second indicator (marked "OPEN") indicating that the actuation unit 625A is in the second open position. The first and second indicators may be lines for leveling. In this embodiment, the actuation unit 625A is rotated 90 degrees to transition from the open state to the closed state, and is a component that pulls up the suction unit 610A and attaches it to the mounting surface. An advantage of this configuration is that the actuation unit 625A may also have a ball portion on the rotation lever. With such a bracket 600A, it is possible to make it more compact compared to a bracket that changes the orientation of the equipment and allows for vertical displacement of the equipment. Even if a ball joint were added to the suction part that attaches by moving the lever up and down, there is a high risk that the load on the device will cause it to detach from the mounting surface. However, with the bracket 600A, the suction cup is pulled up by rotating it, so the weight of the device is less likely to affect the lever.

[0130] As described above, since the operating part 625A, the connecting part 620A, and the ball part 621A are integrally configured, when the operating part 625A rotates relative to the suction base 612A, the connecting part 620A and the operating part 625A also rotate relative to the suction base 612A.

[0131] In the open state, as shown in Figure 6(B), the ball portion 621A and the "OPEN" marking (in Figure 6(B), the "OPEN" marking is hidden by the ball portion 621A) face each other. In the closed state, as shown in Figure 10(B), the ball portion 621A and the "CLOSE" marking (in Figure 10(B), the "CLOSE" marking is hidden by the ball portion 621A) face each other. In the semi-closed state, as shown in Figure 8(B), the ball portion 621A is positioned between the "CLOSE" marking and the "OPEN" marking.

[0132] As shown in Figure 11, for example, the imaging device 100 is attached to the bracket 600A by a nut 640A, a socket portion 630A, and a base portion 650A. The imaging device 100 described using Figure 2 and the imaging device 100 shown in Figures 11-17, 24-28, 35-39, and 41 have slightly different external configurations, but the imaging device 100 shown in Figures 11-17 can be considered to have the same configuration as the imaging device 100 described using Figure 2. The ball portion 621A is attached to the socket portion 630A, which has a screw groove formed on its outer circumference, similar to the bracket 600 described above, and the nut 640A is tightened by the user in this state. Before the nut 640A is tightened, the socket portion 630A can rotate in the desired direction along the circumferential surface of the ball portion 621A according to the user's operation, and the orientation of the base portion 650A can be changed. When nut 640A is tightened, the posture and position of base portion 650A are fixed.

[0133] The base portion 650A is formed in conjunction with the socket portion 630A and is the part for directly contacting and attaching to the imaging device 100. The base portion 650A has a pair of guide rails (not shown, but their configuration is shown by reference numeral 651 in Figure 3) on its underside. The pair of guide rails are configured to slide along the joint rail 102 of the imaging device 100. A claw-shaped tip portion 652A is provided at the tip of the base portion 650A. The tip portion 652A is hooked onto the joint rail 102 near the front end of the imaging device 100. In this way, the imaging device 100 is attached to the bracket 600A.

[0134] In this embodiment, the ball portion 621A, socket portion 630A, and nut 640A function as mounting portions for attaching the imaging device 100 to the bracket 600A, and also function as orientation changing portions for changing the orientation of the mounted equipment, such as the imaging device 100. The socket portion 630A and nut 640A can be interpreted as components constituting the bracket 600A, or as separate components from the bracket 600A. If the socket portion 630A and nut 640A are interpreted as separate components from the bracket 600A, then the ball portion 621A is the component constituting the bracket 600A that functions as both a mounting portion and an orientation changing portion.

[0135] Next, examples of how bracket 600A can be used, specifically when bracket 600A with equipment such as the imaging device 100 attached is mounted on the windshield 660A of a vehicle, will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 17. Figure 12 is a left side view in the open state as an example of how bracket 600A with the imaging device 100 attached can be used, showing (A) when the inclination angle of the windshield 660A is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the inclination angle of the windshield 660A is approximately 80 degrees. Figure 13 is a left side view in the semi-closed state as an example of how bracket 600A with the imaging device 100 attached can be used, showing (A) when the inclination angle of the windshield 660A is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the inclination angle of the windshield 660A is approximately 80 degrees. Figure 14 is a left side view in the closed state as an example of the usage state of the bracket 600A to which the imaging device 100 is attached, showing (A) when the tilt angle of the windshield 660A is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the tilt angle of the windshield 660A is approximately 80 degrees. Figure 15 is a left side partial cross-sectional view to explain the change in the posture of the imaging device 100 that is performed after the bracket 600A to which the imaging device 100 is attached is closed, as an example of the usage state of the bracket 600A to which the imaging device 100 is attached, showing (A) when the tilt angle of the windshield 660A is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the tilt angle of the windshield 660A is approximately 80 degrees. Figure 16 is a front view in the case of the tilt angle of the windshield 660A to which the imaging device 100 is attached is approximately 20 degrees, as an example of the usage state of the bracket 600A to which the imaging device 100 is attached, showing (A) when it is in the open state and (B) when it is in the closed state. Figure 17 is a front view of the bracket 600A to which the imaging device 100 is attached, with the tilt angle of the windshield 660A being approximately 80 degrees, and shows (A) the open state and (B) the closed state.

[0136] In Figures 12 to 17, the side opposite to the imaging lens 151A of the imaging device 100 (see Figures 14 and 15) (i.e., the rear side of the vehicle in the horizontal direction, which is the right side of the paper in Figures 12 to 15 and the front side of the paper in Figures 16 and 17) is considered the front. The side of the imaging lens 151A of the imaging device 100 (i.e., the front side of the vehicle in the horizontal direction) is the rear. Also, for convenience, the windshield 660A is omitted from the illustration in Figures 16 and 17.

[0137] In Figures 12 to 17, the cases of a windshield 660A tilt angle of approximately 20 degrees and approximately 80 degrees are given as examples because the tilt angle of the windshield 660A of the vast majority of vehicles falls within the range of approximately 20 degrees to approximately 80 degrees. For example, vehicles with a relatively small windshield 660A tilt angle close to approximately 20 degrees include sports cars, while vehicles with a relatively large windshield 660A tilt angle close to approximately 80 degrees include trucks and buses, and the tilt angle of the windshield 660A of a typical vehicle falls within the range of approximately 20 degrees to approximately 80 degrees. If the above problem can be solved in both the case of a windshield 660A tilt angle of approximately 20 degrees and approximately 80 degrees, then it is considered that the above problem can be similarly solved if the tilt angle of the windshield 660A falls within the range of approximately 20 degrees to approximately 80 degrees. In this specification, the tilt angle of the windshield 660A is the angle made with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0138] When attaching the bracket 600A, to which the imaging device 100 is mounted, to the windshield 660A of a vehicle, the user can change the position from the open state (see Figures 12, 16(A), and 17(A)) to the closed state (see Figures 14, 16(B), and 17(B)) by, for example, rotating the imaging device 100 clockwise.

[0139] Note that in the closed state shown in Figures 14, 16(B), and 17(B), for convenience, the imaging lens 151A is correctly facing the front of the vehicle (for example, the left side in Figure 14). However, in reality, after closing the system, it is necessary to adjust the orientation of the imaging device 100 so that the imaging lens 151A faces the desired direction (for example, the front of the vehicle). Therefore, after closing the system, the user changes the orientation of the imaging device 100 so that it correctly faces the desired direction.

[0140] In Figure 15, when the camera 100 is closed and its orientation is changed to face a desired direction, the socket portion 630A rotates along the circumferential surface of the ball portion 621A, as described above. Therefore, the orientation of the camera 100 can be freely changed to any angle. After the camera 100 is in the desired orientation, when the user tightens the nut 640A, the orientation and position of the base portion 650A are fixed, thereby fixing the orientation and position of the camera 100. In this way, the orientation of the camera 100 is adjusted.

[0141] On the other hand, when removing the bracket 600A to which the imaging device 100 is attached from the vehicle's windshield 660A, the user can change the imaging device 100 from a closed state (see Figures 14, 16(B), and 17(B)) to an open state (see Figures 12, 16(A), and 17(A)) by, for example, rotating the imaging device 100 counterclockwise.

[0142] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 12 to 17, when the suction cup 614A is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660A), the protrusion 618A formed on the suction cup 614A protrudes along the suction surface 616A toward the front side, i.e., toward the interior of the vehicle, beyond the center OA of the suction part 610A (see Figure 17). As viewed from a user inside the vehicle, the protrusion 618A protrudes upward from the front to the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, when opening from a closed state, the user can easily pull the protrusion 618A in a direction intersecting the suction surface 616A (e.g., downward), improving operability when the user removes the suction cup 614A from the windshield 660A, for example, and allowing the bracket 600A to be easily removed from the mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0143] (Effects) The bracket 600A of the first embodiment described above is The mounting member for attaching a predetermined device to a predetermined mounting surface of a vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660A) comprises: a suction part 610A that is adsorbed to the mounting surface; a mounting part (ball part 621A, socket part 630A, and nut 640A) on which the predetermined device is mounted such that when the suction part 610A is adsorbed to the mounting surface, the predetermined device is positioned on the side of the direction of gravity relative to the suction part 610A; and means for maintaining the suction state of the suction part 610A to the mounting surface. In this way, since it has means for maintaining the suction state of the suction part 610A to the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, it is possible to solve problems that may occur in a bracket 600A as a mounting member using the suction part 610A. For example, since the enlargement of the suction part 610A can be suppressed, the suction part 610A can cover a wide area of ​​the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, that is, the suction part 610A can be made less conspicuous, which is desirable for maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the interior of the vehicle. In the case of a recording device that takes pictures of the outside of a vehicle, such as a dashcam, it is possible to prevent the suction part 610A from entering the recording range. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the suction part 610A may detach from the mounting surface due to the weight of the device. For example, compared to a case where there is no means to easily maintain the suction state of the suction part 610A on the mounting surface, even if the suction part 610A is made smaller, the possibility of the suction part 610A detaching from the mounting surface can be reduced.

[0144] The mounting portion (ball portion 621A, socket portion 630A, and nut 640A) is connected to the suction portion 610A by a connecting portion 620A, and the mounting portion is configured to change the orientation of a predetermined device relative to the suction portion 610A. A means to facilitate the maintenance of the suction state of the suction portion 610A on a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., windshield 660A) is to provide a bracket 600A as a mounting member such that the connecting portion 620A does not have a mechanism that allows the orientation of the predetermined device to be changed or to be displaced vertically. In this way, a mounting portion that allows the orientation of the predetermined device to be changed is provided at the location where the predetermined device is mounted, and the weight increase of the connecting portion 620A caused by mounting a mechanism that allows the orientation or position of the predetermined device on the connecting portion 620A can be suppressed. In addition, since the enlargement of the suction portion 610A can be suppressed, the suction portion 610A can cover a wide area of ​​the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, for example, the suction portion 610A can be made less conspicuous, which is desirable for maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the interior of the vehicle. Furthermore, in the case of recording devices such as dashcams that record images outside the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the suction part from entering the recording range.

[0145] The connecting portion 620A is preferably configured such that when the suction portion 610A is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660A), the predetermined device attached to the mounting portion (ball portion 621A, socket portion 630A, and nut 640A) has a portion that does not overlap with the suction portion 610A in the vertical direction and is positioned outward from the vehicle. In this way, when the suction portion 610A is attached to the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, the device is mounted to the mounting portion at a position where the portion that does not overlap with the suction portion 610A in the vertical direction is positioned outward from the vehicle. Therefore, the portion of the device that is outward from the vehicle is less likely to be covered by the suction portion 610A. For example, increasing the size of the suction part 610A improves the load-bearing capacity, but if the device is a recording device that takes pictures of the outside of the vehicle, such as a dashcam, there is a risk that the suction part 610A may encroach on its shooting range. However, with the bracket 600A as a mounting member described above, it is possible to prevent the suction part from encroaching on its shooting range, even if the device is a recording device such as a dashcam.

[0146] To facilitate the maintenance of the suction state of the suction part 610A on a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660A), it is preferable to include an operating part 625A configured to accept user operation in a direction different from the direction of gravity and to cause the suction part 610A to adhere to the mounting surface. In this way, since the operating part 625A is configured to accept user operation in a direction different from the direction of gravity and to cause the suction part 610A to adhere to the mounting surface, the suction part 610A and the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle can be attached in a manner that does not easily apply a load in the direction of gravity that would cause the suction part 610A to detach from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle. For example, this can improve the stability of the mounting state of the suction part 610A on the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, and consequently, the maintainability of the mounting state.

[0147] The operating part 625A is configured to accept rotational operation by the user, and it is preferable that the range in which it accepts rotational operation is located inside the vehicle from the center of the suction part 610A. In this way, when the suction part 610A is attached to a predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle, the rotational range of the part operated by the user is located inside the vehicle from the center of the suction part 610A, for example, closer to the user. This makes it easier for the user to rotate the operating part 625A, improving the stability of the mounting state of the suction part to the predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle, and consequently improving the maintainability of the mounting state. Furthermore, if the operating part 625A is rotated in an unintended position, for example, force may be applied in an unintended direction, and in some cases, force may be applied in a direction that causes the suction part 610A to detach from the predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle. In this respect, the above configuration makes it easier for the user to rotate the operating part 625A, thereby improving the stability of the mounting state of the suction part 610A to the predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle, and consequently improving the maintainability of the mounting state.

[0148] The device is configured such that when the user rotates the operating part 625A, it attracts the suction part 610A to a predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660A), and the operating part 625A and the mounting part are integrated into a single unit. In this configuration, there is no need to provide an operating part for rotating the operating part 625A, and the suction part 610A is attracted to the predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle by holding the device attached to the mounting part in the hand and rotating it, so the device itself also functions as an operating part that accepts rotational operation by the user. Therefore, it is easy for the user to perform the rotational operation, and the bracket 600A as a mounting member can be made more compact compared to when an operable part is provided.

[0149] The suction part 610A is provided with a first indicator indicating a first position for adsorbing the suction part 610A to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660A), and a second indicator indicating a second position for separating the suction part 610A from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle. The mounting part (ball part 621A, socket part 630A, and nut 640A) is configured to move to the first position where the first indicator is shown when the suction part 610A is adsorbed to the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, and to the second position where the second indicator is shown when the suction part 610A is separated from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle. In this configuration, when the mounting part faces the first indicator, it is possible to understand that the mounting position of the vehicle and the suction part 610A have been adsorbed, and when the mounting part faces the second indicator, it is possible to understand that the mounting position of the vehicle and the suction part 610A have been separated, thereby improving user operability. In particular, if the operating part 625A is rotated beyond the first indicator after being rotated to that point, or if it is rotated beyond the second indicator after being rotated to that point, excessive load may be placed on various components. In this respect, the above configuration eliminates the need to rotate the operating part 625A beyond what is necessary, thereby reducing the possibility of damaging the bracket 600A, which serves as a mounting component.

[0150] It is preferable that the protruding portion 618A, which protrudes radially outward from the suction surface 616A of the suction portion 610A, is provided to protrude inward toward the vehicle when the suction portion 610A is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660A). In this way, when the suction portion 610A is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, the protruding portion 618A protrudes inward toward the vehicle, for example toward the side closer to the user, relative to the center of the suction portion 610A in the horizontal direction. Therefore, it is easier for the user to grasp the protruding portion 618A and move it in the direction of detaching the suction portion 610A from the mounting surface, improving the operability when the user detaches the suction portion 610A from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0151] It is preferable that the connecting portion 620A and the ball portion 621A be made of a single component. In this way, a component such as a metal fitting is not required to connect the connecting portion 620A and the ball portion 621A, which not only makes it easier to manufacture with a simple configuration but also allows for weight reduction.

[0152] The connecting portion 620A should be such that, when the suction portion 610A is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660A), it extends outward from a point outside the vehicle in the horizontal direction, beyond the center of the suction portion 610A. By making the connecting portion 620A, which connects the mounting portion (ball portion 621A, socket portion 630A, and nut 640A) to the suction portion 610A, a member that extends outward from a point outside the vehicle in the horizontal direction, beyond the center of the suction portion 610A, when the suction portion 610A is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, the field of view can be obstructed as little as possible. Even if the device is a recording device that takes pictures of the outside of the vehicle, such as a dashcam, it is possible to prevent the suction portion from entering its shooting range.

[0153] [6-2. Second Embodiment of the Bracket] The configuration of the bracket 600B of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 24. Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600B is in the open state, and consists of (A) a front view, (B) a rear view, and (C) a left side view. Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600B is in the open state, and consists of (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. Figure 20 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600B is in the semi-closed state, and consists of (A) a front view, (B) a rear view, and (C) a left side view. Figure 21 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600B is in the semi-closed state, and consists of (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. Figure 22 shows an example of the external configuration of bracket 600B when it is in the closed state, and consists of (A) a front view, (B) a rear view, and (C) a left side view. Figure 23 shows an example of the external configuration of bracket 600B when it is in the closed state, and consists of (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. Figure 24 shows an example of a perspective view of bracket 600B with the imaging device 100 attached, and an example of an exploded perspective view showing bracket 600B, imaging device 100, and components for attaching the imaging device 100 to bracket 600B.

[0154] As shown in Figures 18 to 24, the bracket 600B mainly comprises a suction part 610B, an operating part 625B, and a connecting part 620B and a ball part 621B as a ball stud.

[0155] In Figures 18 to 23, the side on which the protrusion 618B (described later) shown in Figure 19(B) is formed is considered the back surface. Therefore, in Figures 18 to 23, the side opposite the protrusion 618B to the center OB of the suction part 610B (described later) shown in Figure 19(B) (see Figures 19(B), 21(B), and 23(B)) is considered the front surface. Also, in Figures 18 to 23, the side with the suction surface 616B (described later) is considered the bottom surface. Since the suction base 612B, the suction cup 614B, and the suction surface 616B are concentric, the center OB of the suction part 610B is also the center OB of the suction base 612B, the center OB of the suction cup 614B, and the center OB of the suction surface 616B.

[0156] Adsorption part 6 Similar to the suction part 610A, 10B comprises a disc-shaped suction base 612B molded from, for example, resin, and a suction cup 614B (which may be read as "suction cup 614B" as described above) provided on the bottom side of the suction base 612B. As described above, the suction cup 614B is formed from a flexible, for example, elastic material, and the bracket 600B can be attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (for example, the mounting surface of the vehicle's windshield 660B) by adhering the suction surface 616B to the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0157] Furthermore, a projection 618B is formed on the upper surface of the suction portion 610B, projecting radially outward from the suction surface 616B. The projection 618B is a component used for the same purposes as the projection 618A. In this embodiment, the bracket 600B has an operating portion 626B located on the rear side of the vehicle, and is configured to be symmetrical with the projection 618B at the center.

[0158] The operating unit 625B, like the operating unit 625A, is configured to rotate relative to the suction base 612B with its center OB (see Figures 19(B), 21(B), and 23(B)) as its center of rotation. The direction of rotation of the operating unit 625B is approximately parallel to the suction surface 616B. The rotation range of the operating unit 625B will be described later.

[0159] Unlike the operating part 625A, the operating part 625B has an operating part 626B formed on it for rotating the operating part 625B.

[0160] Unlike the connecting portion 620A, the connecting portion 620B connects the suction base 612B and the ball portion 621B. The connecting portion 620B is a short rod-shaped member, the base end of which is connected to the radially outer portion of the disc-shaped suction base 612B, and from there it extends further radially outward of the suction base 612B, that is, in a direction radially outward from the suction base 612B in the direction component along the suction surface 616B. The ball portion 621B is provided at the tip of the connecting portion 620B that extends radially outward of the suction base 612B.

[0161] The connecting portion 620B is preferably configured such that when the suction portion 610B is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660B), the portion of the connecting portion 620B that does not overlap with the suction portion 610B in the vertical direction extends outward from the vehicle. The mounting portion is the part of the bracket 600B to which the imaging device 100 is attached, and in this embodiment, it is composed of a ball portion 621B, a socket portion 630B, and a nut 640B.

[0162] The connecting portion 620B does not have the function of changing the orientation of equipment such as the imaging device 100 or displacing it in the vertical direction. The fact that the connecting portion 620B does not have such a function is a means of making it easier to maintain the suction state of the suction portion 610B on a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660B). If the connecting portion 620B had the function of changing the orientation of equipment such as the imaging device 100 or displacing it in the vertical direction, the bracket 600B would become bulky, which may hinder the maintenance of the suction state of the suction portion 610B on the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connecting portion 620B is a single member that connects the suction base 612B and the ball portion 621B without a joint, thereby suppressing weight increase.

[0163] In this embodiment, the suction base 612B, the connecting portion 620B, and the ball portion 621B are integrally molded, for example, from resin, i.e., they are composed of a single component. However, it is not essential that the suction base 612B, the connecting portion 620B, and the ball portion 621B are integrally molded, but it is preferable that they are integrally constructed.

[0164] The operating unit 625B operates between an open state and a closed state. As shown in Figures 19(B), 21(B), and 23(B), the upper surface of the suction base 612B is marked with the words, for example, "CLOSE" and "OPEN". These markings, "CLOSE" and "OPEN", function as indicators to determine whether the unit is in a closed or open state.

[0165] As described above, the operating part 625B has an operating part 626B formed on it for rotating the operating part 625B. Therefore, when the operating part 616B is rotated relative to the suction base 612B, the operating part 625B rotates, allowing it to be changed from an open state to a closed state or from a closed state to an open state.

[0166] In the open state, as shown in Figure 19(B), the operating unit 626B and the "OPEN" marking (in Figure 19(B), the "OPEN" marking is hidden by the operating unit 626B) face each other. In the closed state, as shown in Figure 23(B), the operating unit 626B and the "CLOSE" marking (in Figure 23(B), the "CLOSE" marking is hidden by the operating unit 626B) face each other. In the semi-closed state, as shown in Figure 21(B), the operating unit 626B is positioned between the "CLOSE" marking and the "OPEN" marking.

[0167] As shown in Figure 24, equipment such as the imaging device 100 is attached to the bracket 600B by a nut 640B, a socket portion 630B, and a base portion 650B, similar to the bracket 600A in the first embodiment. The ball portion 621B is attached to the socket portion 630B, which has a screw groove formed on its outer circumference, similar to the brackets 600 and 600A described above, and the nut 640B is tightened by the user in this state. Before the nut 640B is tightened, the socket portion 630B can be rotated in the desired direction along the circumferential surface of the ball portion 621B according to the user's operation, thereby changing the orientation of the base portion 650B. Once the nut 640B is tightened, the orientation and position of the base portion 650B are fixed.

[0168] The base portion 650B is formed in conjunction with the socket portion 630B and is the part for directly contacting and attaching to the imaging device 100. The base portion 650B has a pair of guide rails (not shown, but their configuration can be seen by reference numeral 651 in Figure 3) on its underside. The pair of guide rails are configured to slide along the joint rail 102 of the imaging device 100. The tip of the base portion 650B is provided with a claw-shaped tip portion 652B. The imaging device 100 is attached to the bracket 600B by hooking the tip portion 652B near the front end of the joint rail 102 of the imaging device 100.

[0169] In this embodiment, the ball portion 621B, socket portion 630B, and nut 640B function as mounting portions for attaching equipment such as the imaging device 100 to the bracket 600B, similar to the bracket 600A in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, they also function as orientation changing portions for changing the orientation of the attached equipment, such as the imaging device 100. The socket portion 630B and nut 640B can be interpreted as components constituting the bracket 600B, or as separate components from the bracket 600B. If the socket portion 630B and nut 640B are interpreted as separate components from the bracket 600B, then the ball portion 621B is the component constituting the bracket 600B that functions as both a mounting portion and an orientation changing portion.

[0170] Next, examples of how bracket 600B can be used, specifically when bracket 600B with equipment such as the imaging device 100 attached is mounted on the windshield 660B of a vehicle, will be described with reference to Figures 25 to 28. Figure 25 is a left side view in the open state as an example of how bracket 600B can be used with the imaging device 100 attached, showing (A) when the inclination angle of the windshield 660B is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the inclination angle of the windshield 660B is approximately 80 degrees. Figure 26 is a left side view in the closed state as an example of how bracket 600B can be used with the imaging device 100 attached, showing (A) when the inclination angle of the windshield 660B is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the inclination angle of the windshield 660B is approximately 80 degrees. Figure 27 is a front view of the bracket 600B to which the imaging device 100 is attached, with the tilt angle of the windshield 660B being approximately 20 degrees, and shows (A) the open state and (B) the closed state. Figure 28 is a front view of the bracket 600B to which the imaging device 100 is attached, with the tilt angle of the windshield 660B being approximately 80 degrees, and shows (A) the open state and (B) the closed state.

[0171] In Figures 25 to 28, the side opposite to the imaging lens 151B of the imaging device 100 (i.e., the rear side of the vehicle in the horizontal direction, which is the right side of the page in Figures 25 and 26, and the front side of the page in Figures 27 and 28) is considered the front. The side of the imaging lens 151B of the imaging device 100 (i.e., the front side of the vehicle in the horizontal direction) is the rear. Also, for convenience, the windshield 660B is omitted from the illustration in Figures 27 and 28.

[0172] In Figures 25 to 28, examples are given for cases where the inclination angle of the windshield 660B is approximately 20 degrees and approximately 80 degrees, because, similar to the bracket 600A in the first embodiment, the inclination angle of the windshield 660B in the vast majority of vehicles falls within the range of approximately 20 to 80 degrees.

[0173] When attaching the bracket 600B, to which the imaging device 100 is mounted, to the windshield 660B of a vehicle, the user can change the position from the open state (see Figures 25, 27(A), and 28(A)) to the closed state (see Figures 26, 27(B), and 28(B)) by, for example, rotating the operating unit 626B clockwise.

[0174] Note that in the closed state shown in Figures 26, 27(B), and 28(B), for convenience, the imaging lens 151B is facing the front of the vehicle (for example, the left side in Figure 26). However, in reality, after closing the system, it is necessary to adjust the orientation of the imaging device 100 so that the imaging lens 151B faces the desired direction (for example, the front of the vehicle). Therefore, after closing the system, the user changes the orientation of the imaging device 100 to face the desired direction.

[0175] Although not shown in this second embodiment, similar to the bracket 600A in the first embodiment, when the orientation of the imaging device 100 is changed to face a desired direction after being in the closed position, the socket portion 630B rotates along the circumferential surface of the ball portion 621B (see Figure 24 for both), as described above. Therefore, the orientation of the imaging device 100 can be freely changed to any angle. After the imaging device 100 is in the desired orientation, when the user tightens the nut 640B, the orientation and position of the base portion 650B (see Figure 24) are fixed, thereby fixing the orientation and position of the imaging device 100. In this way, the orientation of the imaging device 100 is adjusted.

[0176] On the other hand, when removing the bracket 600B to which the imaging device 100 is attached from the vehicle's windshield 660B, the user can change it from the closed state (see Figures 26, 27(B), and 28(B)) to the open state (see Figures 25, 27(A), and 28(A)) by, for example, rotating the operating unit 626B counterclockwise.

[0177] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 25 to 28, when the suction cup 614B is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660B), the protrusion 618B formed on the suction cup 614B protrudes forward, i.e., towards the inside of the vehicle, along the suction surface 616B, beyond the center OB of the suction portion 610B (see Figure 28). As viewed from a user inside the vehicle, the protrusion 618B protrudes upward from the front to the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, when changing from a closed state to an open state, the user can easily pull the protrusion 618B in a direction intersecting the suction surface 616B (e.g., downward), improving operability when the user removes the suction cup 614B from the windshield 660B, for example, and allowing the bracket 600B to be easily removed from the mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0178] (Effects) The second effect described above The bracket 600B in the example is a mounting member for attaching a predetermined device to a predetermined mounting surface of a vehicle (e.g., a windshield 660B), and comprises a suction portion 610B that is adsorbed to the mounting surface, a mounting portion (ball portion 621B, socket portion 630B, and nut 640B) on which the predetermined device is mounted such that when the suction portion 610B is adsorbed to the mounting surface, the predetermined device is positioned on the side of the gravity direction relative to the suction portion 610B, and means for maintaining the suction state of the suction portion 610B to the mounting surface. In this way, since it has means for maintaining the suction state of the suction portion 610B to the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, it is possible to solve problems that may arise in the bracket 600B as a mounting member using the suction portion 610B. For example, since the enlargement of the suction portion 610B can be suppressed, the suction portion 610B can cover a wide area of ​​the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, that is, the suction portion 610B can be made less conspicuous, which is desirable for maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the interior of the vehicle. In the case of a recording device that takes pictures of the outside of a vehicle, such as a dashcam, it is possible to prevent the suction part 610B from entering the recording range. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the suction part 610B may detach from the mounting surface due to the weight of the device. For example, compared to a case where there is no means to easily maintain the suction state of the suction part 610B on the mounting surface, even if the suction part 610B is made smaller, the possibility of the suction part 610B detaching from the mounting surface can be reduced.

[0179] The mounting portion (ball portion 621B, socket portion 630B, and nut 640B) is connected to the suction portion 610B by a connecting portion 620B, and the mounting portion is configured to change the orientation of a predetermined device relative to the suction portion 610B. A means to facilitate the maintenance of the suction state of the suction portion 610B on a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., windshield 660B) is to provide a bracket 600B as a mounting member such that the connecting portion 620B does not have a mechanism that allows the orientation of the predetermined device to be changed or to be displaced vertically. In this way, a mounting portion that allows the orientation of the predetermined device to be changed or to be displaced vertically is provided at the location where the predetermined device is mounted, and the weight increase of the connecting portion 620B caused by mounting a mechanism that allows the orientation or position of the predetermined device to be changed in the connecting portion 620B can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the enlargement of the suction part 610B can be suppressed, the suction part 610B can cover a wide area of ​​the vehicle's designated mounting surface, for example, making the suction part 610B less noticeable, which is desirable for maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle's interior. In addition, in the case of a designated device that takes pictures of the outside of the vehicle, such as a dashcam or other recording device, it is possible to suppress the suction part from encroaching on its recording range.

[0180] The connecting portion 620B extends radially outward from the suction base 612B in the direction component along the suction surface 616B as one direction from the suction portion 610B, and is preferably connected to a predetermined portion of the suction portion 610B on the side of the suction portion 610B in the direction component along the suction surface 616B in one direction from the center of the suction portion 610B, and to the mounting portion (ball portion 621B, socket portion 630B, and nut 640B). In this way, the connecting portion 620B is connected to a predetermined portion on the side of the suction portion 610B in the direction component along the suction surface 616B in one direction, and to the mounting portion. Therefore, the suction portion is less likely to cover the side of the suction component along the suction surface in one direction. For example, increasing the size of the suction part 610B improves the load-bearing capacity. However, if the device is a recording device that takes pictures of the outside of the vehicle, such as a dashcam, attaching the suction part 610B to a predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle may cause the suction part 610B to encroach on the recording range. In this regard, the bracket 600B as a mounting member described above can prevent the suction part 610B from encroaching on the recording range, even if the device is a recording device such as a dashcam.

[0181] The connecting portion 620B is preferably configured such that when the suction portion 610B is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660B), the predetermined device attached to the mounting portion (ball portion 621B, socket portion 630B, and nut 640B) has a portion that does not overlap with the suction portion 610B in the vertical direction and is positioned outward from the vehicle. In this way, when the suction portion 610B is attached to the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, the device is mounted to the mounting portion at a position where the portion that does not overlap with the suction portion 610B in the vertical direction is positioned outward from the vehicle. Therefore, the suction portion 610A is less likely to cover the portion of the vehicle that is outward from the device. For example, increasing the size of the suction part 610B improves the load-bearing capacity, but if the device is a recording device that takes pictures of the outside of the vehicle, such as a dashcam, there is a risk that the suction part 610B may encroach on its shooting range. However, with the bracket 600B as a mounting member as described above, it is possible to prevent the suction part from encroaching on its shooting range, even if the device is a recording device such as a dashcam.

[0182] To facilitate the maintenance of the suction state of the suction part 610B on a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660B), it is preferable to include an operating part 625B that is configured to accept user operation in a direction different from the direction of gravity and to cause the suction part 610B to adhere to the mounting surface. More specifically, the operating part 626B is an operating part that accepts rotational operation by the user and is in the form of a rotary lever. The operating part 625B is configured to accept operation in a direction different from the direction of gravity by the user holding the operating part 626B in their hand and rotating it, thereby causing the suction part 610B to adhere to the mounting surface. In this way, the operating part 625B can adhere the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle and the suction part 610B in a manner that is less susceptible to load in the direction of gravity that causes the suction part 610B to detach from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, compared to the case where an operating part in the form of an up-and-down lever that accepts up-and-down operation accepts operation in a direction in which the force component in the direction of gravity is greater. When the up and down lever is operated in the up and down direction, the force is easily applied in the direction of gravity, making it easy for the suction surface to detach. Therefore, the inventor considered that a type with an operating part 625B equipped with an operating part 626B in the form of a rotary lever would be safer. Because the movement of the operating part 626B when releasing the suction part 610B is not in the direction of gravity itself, the suction part 610B is less likely to detach, and the fall of the bracket 600B can be suppressed. In addition, the stability of the mounting state of the suction part 610B on a predetermined mounting surface of a vehicle, for example, can be improved, and consequently, the maintainability of the mounting state can be improved.

[0183] The operating part 625B is configured to accept rotational operation by the user, and it is preferable that the range in which it accepts rotational operation is located inside the vehicle from the center of the suction part 610B. In this way, when the suction part 610B is attached to a predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle, the rotational range of the part operated by the user is located inside the vehicle from the center of the suction part 610B, for example, closer to the user. This makes it easier for the user to rotate the operating part 625B, improving the stability of the mounting state of the suction part to the predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle, and consequently improving the maintainability of the mounting state. Furthermore, if the operating part 625B is rotated in an unintended position, for example, force may be applied in an unintended direction, and in some cases, force may be applied in a direction that causes the suction part 610B to detach from the predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle. In this respect, the above configuration makes it easier for the user to rotate the operating part 625B, thereby improving the stability of the mounting state of the suction part 610B to the predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle, and consequently improving the maintainability of the mounting state.

[0184] The suction part 610B is provided with a first indicator indicating a first position for adsorbing the suction part 610B to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660B) and a second indicator indicating a second position for separating the suction part 610B from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle. The mounting part (ball part 621B, socket part 630B, and nut 640B) is configured to move to the first position where the first indicator is shown when the suction part 610B is adsorbed to the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, and to the second position where the second indicator is shown when the suction part 610B is separated from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle. In this configuration, when the mounting part faces the first indicator, it is possible to understand that the mounting position of the vehicle and the suction part 610B have been adsorbed, and when the mounting part faces the second indicator, it is possible to understand that the mounting position of the vehicle and the suction part 610B have been separated, thereby improving user operability. In particular, if the operating part 625B is rotated beyond the first indicator after being rotated to that point, or if it is rotated beyond the second indicator after being rotated to that point, excessive load may be placed on various components. In this respect, the above configuration eliminates the need to rotate the operating part 625B beyond what is necessary, thereby reducing the possibility of damaging the bracket 600B as a mounting member.

[0185] It is preferable that the protruding portion 618B, which protrudes radially outward from the suction surface 616B of the suction portion 610B, is provided to protrude inward toward the vehicle when the suction portion 610B is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660B). In this way, when the suction portion 610B is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, the protruding portion 618B protrudes inward toward the vehicle, for example toward the side closer to the user, relative to the center of the suction portion 610B in the horizontal direction. Therefore, it is easier for the user to grasp the protruding portion 618B and move it in the direction of detaching the suction portion 610B from the mounting surface, improving the operability when the user detaches the suction portion 610B from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0186] It is preferable that the connecting portion 620B and the ball portion 621B be made of a single component. In this way, a component such as a metal fitting is not required to connect the connecting portion 620B and the ball portion 621B, which not only makes it easier to manufacture with a simple configuration but also allows for weight reduction.

[0187] The connecting portion 620B should be such that, when the suction portion 610B is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660B), it extends outward from a point outside the vehicle in the horizontal direction, beyond the center of the suction portion 610B. By making the connecting portion 620B, which connects the mounting portion (ball portion 621B, socket portion 630B, and nut 640B) to the suction portion 610B, a member that extends outward from a point outside the vehicle in the horizontal direction, beyond the center of the suction portion 610B, when the suction portion 610B is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, the field of view can be obstructed as little as possible. Even if the device is a recording device that takes pictures of the outside of the vehicle, such as a dashcam, it is possible to prevent the suction portion from entering its shooting range.

[0188] [6-3. Third Embodiment of the Bracket] The configuration of the bracket 600C of the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 29 to 36. Figure 29 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600C is in the open state, and consists of (A) a front view, (B) a rear view, and (C) a left side view. Figure 30 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600C is in the open state, and consists of (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. Figure 31 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600C is in the semi-closed state, and consists of (A) a front view, (B) a rear view, and (C) a left side view. Figure 32 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600C is in the semi-closed state, and consists of (A) a right side view, (B) a top view, and (C) a bottom view. Figure 33 shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600C is in the closed state, and consists of (A) a front view, (B) a rear view, and (C) a left side view. Figure 34 shows an example of the external configuration when the bracket 600C is in the closed state. (A) Right side view, (B) Top view, (C) Bottom view. Figure 35 is an example of a perspective view showing an example of a bracket 600C equipped with a locking mechanism 628C. Figure 36 is an example of a perspective view showing (A) a bracket 600C with the imaging device 100 attached, and (B) an example of an exploded perspective view showing the bracket 600C, the imaging device 100, and the components for attaching the imaging device 100 to the bracket 600C disassembled.

[0189] As shown in Figures 29 to 36, the bracket 600C mainly comprises a suction part 610C, an operating part 625C, and a connecting part 620C and a ball part 621C as a ball stud.

[0190] In Figures 29 to 36, the side on which the protrusion 618C (described later) shown in Figure 30(B) is formed is considered the back surface. Therefore, in Figures 29 to 36, the side opposite the center OC of the suction part 610C (described later) shown in Figure 30(B) (see Figures 30(B), 32(B), and 34(B)) is considered the front surface. Also, in Figures 29 to 36, the side with the suction surface 616C (described later) is considered the bottom surface. Since the suction base 612C, the suction cup 614C, and the suction surface 616C are concentric, the center OC of the suction part 610C is also the center OC of the suction base 612C, the center OC of the suction cup 614C, and the center OC of the suction surface 616C.

[0191] The suction section 610C, like the suction sections 610A and 610B, comprises a disc-shaped suction base 612C molded from, for example, resin, and a suction cup 614C (which may be read as "suction cup 614C" as described above) provided on the bottom side of the suction base 612C. As described above, the suction cup 614C is formed from a flexible, for example, elastic material, and the bracket 600C can be attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (for example, the mounting surface of the vehicle's windshield 660C) by adhering the suction surface 616C to the mounting surface.

[0192] Furthermore, the adsorption portion 610C has a projection 618C that protrudes radially outward from the adsorption surface 616C. The projection 618C is a component used for the same purposes as the projection 618A.

[0193] Unlike the operating parts 625A and 625B, the operating part 625C is configured to move between a first upright position relative to the suction base 612C and a second tilted position relative to the suction base 612C, with the central part of the suction base 612C as its base end, and also serves as the operating part. Specifically, the operating part 625C operates using a pivot shaft 627C (see Figures 29(C), 30(A), 31(C), 32(A), 33(C), 34(A), 37, and 38) provided at the base end of the operating part 625C, with its axial direction being approximately perpendicular to the front and rear directions. The direction in which the operating part 625C tilts relative to the suction base 612C with the pivot shaft 627C as its axis of rotation is towards the front side (i.e., towards the inside of the vehicle). Therefore, when a user inside the vehicle operates the operating unit 625C, they can operate it on the front side, which is closer to the user than the center OC of the suction base 612C (see Figures 30(B), 32(B), and 34(B)), thus ensuring good operability.

[0194] The connecting portion 620C, like the connecting portion 620B, connects the suction base 612C and the ball portion 621C. The connecting portion 620C is a short rod-shaped member, the base end of which is connected to the radially outer portion of the disc-shaped suction base 612C, and from there it extends further radially outward of the suction base 612C, that is, in a direction radially outward from the suction base 612C in the direction component along the suction surface 616C. The ball portion 621C is provided at the tip of the connecting portion 620C that extends radially outward of the suction base 612C.

[0195] The connecting portion 620C is preferably configured such that when the suction portion 610C is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660C), the portion of the connecting portion 620C that does not overlap with the suction portion 610C in the vertical direction extends outward from the vehicle. The mounting portion is the part of the bracket 600C to which the imaging device 100 is attached, and in this embodiment, it is composed of a ball portion 621C, a socket portion 630C, and a nut 640C.

[0196] The connecting portion 620C does not have the function of changing the orientation of equipment such as the imaging device 100 or displacing it in the vertical direction. The fact that the connecting portion 620C does not have such a function is a means of making it easier to maintain the suction state of the suction portion 610C on a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660C). If the connecting portion 620C had the function of changing the orientation of equipment such as the imaging device 100 or displacing it in the vertical direction, the bracket 600C would become bulky, which may hinder the maintenance of the suction state of the suction portion 610C on the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connecting portion 620C is a single member that connects the suction base 612C and the ball portion 621C without a joint, thereby suppressing weight increase.

[0197] In this embodiment, the suction base 612C, the connecting portion 620C, and the ball portion 621C are integrally molded, for example, from resin, i.e., they are composed of a single component. However, it is not essential that the suction base 612C, the connecting portion 620C, and the ball portion 621C are integrally molded, but it is preferable that they are integrally constructed.

[0198] The operating unit 625C operates between an open state and a closed state, with the first position described above being the open state and the second position described above being the closed state. Furthermore, the intermediate position between the first and second positions is the semi-closed state.

[0199] When changing from the closed state to the open state, the operating part 625C is operated downwards to change from the second position to the first position. Since this direction intersects with respect to the suction surface 616C, operating the operating part 625C downwards applies a force that peels the suction surface 616C away from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660C). Therefore, when changing from the closed state to the open state, it is easier to peel off the suction cup 614C that is adhering to the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0200] As shown in Figure 35, in order to prevent the operating part 625C from operating downward in the closed state, it is preferable to provide a locking mechanism 628C to maintain the position of the operating part 625C in the second position. The bracket 600C shown in Figure 35 has a slightly different external configuration from the bracket 600C shown in Figures 29 to 34 and Figures 36 to 40, but it can be considered to have the same configuration as the bracket 600C shown in Figures 29 to 34 and Figures 36 to 40. Also, in Figure 35, black and white are used to show the leader lines of the reference numerals because showing all of them in black would make them difficult to see. Since the operating part 625C accepts operation in the vertical direction, it is more likely to accept operation in which force is applied in a direction with a larger component in the direction of gravity compared to the operating part 625B of the second embodiment. Even when accepting such vertical operation, the addition of a separate locking mechanism can suppress the falling of the bracket 600C and the imaging device 100, thereby ensuring safety. If such an operating part were to be adopted in the first embodiment, the weight of the imaging device 100 would be added to the operating part 625A, making the need for a locking mechanism even greater. It is also more desirable to have a locking mechanism 628C in the bracket 600C equipped with the operating part 625C. As a locking mechanism, it is preferable to adopt the well-known locking mechanism 628C shown in Figure 35. In the locking mechanism 628C, for example, a small piece-shaped member (the member shown to the right of the suction base 612C in Figure 35) is inserted into the space formed between the operating part 625C and the suction base 612C to realize its function as a locking mechanism. The mechanism of such a locking mechanism itself has also been adopted in the suction cup base alone of model number OP-CU50, which the applicant has been selling since before the filing of this application (Reference URL: https: / / web.archive.org / web / 20200813080118 / https: / / direct.yupiteru.co.jp / category / SPAREPARTS / 70684.html). The locking mechanism is not limited to this system; any mechanism that prevents the vertical movement of the operating part 625C or locks the operating part 625C to maintain its position can also be used. The locking mechanism may also function as a stopper or a holding mechanism.In this way, even if the user unintentionally comes into contact with the operating part 625C, or if a force is applied to the operating part 625C toward the first position, the suction cup 614C can be maintained in contact with a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660C).

[0201] As shown in Figure 36, equipment such as the imaging device 100 is attached to the bracket 600C by a nut 640C, a socket portion 630C, and a base portion 650C, similar to the brackets 600A and 600B of the first and second embodiments. The ball portion 621C is attached to the socket portion 630C, which has a screw groove formed on its outer circumference, similar to the brackets 600, 600A, and 600B described above, and the nut 640C is tightened by the user in this state. Before the nut 640C is tightened, the socket portion 630C can be rotated in the desired direction along the circumferential surface of the ball portion 621C according to the user's operation, thereby changing the orientation of the base portion 650C. Once the nut 640C is tightened, the orientation and position of the base portion 650C are fixed.

[0202] The base portion 650C is formed in conjunction with the socket portion 630C and is the part for directly contacting and attaching to the imaging device 100. The base portion 650C has a pair of guide rails (not shown, but their configuration is shown by reference numeral 651 in Figure 3) on its underside. The pair of guide rails are configured to slide along the joint rail 102 of the imaging device 100. The tip of the base portion 650C is provided with a claw-shaped tip portion 652C. The imaging device 100 is attached to the bracket 600C by hooking the tip portion 652C onto the front end of the joint rail 102 of the imaging device 100.

[0203] In this embodiment, the ball portion 621C, socket portion 630C, and nut 640C function as mounting portions for attaching equipment such as the imaging device 100 to the bracket 600C, similar to the brackets 600A and 600B in the first and second embodiments. In this embodiment, they also function as orientation changing portions for changing the orientation of the attached equipment, such as the imaging device 100. The socket portion 630C and nut 640C can be interpreted as components constituting the bracket 600C, or as separate components from the bracket 600C. If the socket portion 630C and nut 640C are interpreted as separate components from the bracket 600C, then the ball portion 621C is the component constituting the bracket 600C that functions as both a mounting portion and an orientation changing portion.

[0204] Next, examples of how the bracket 600C is used, specifically, how it is used when a bracket 600C with equipment such as the imaging device 100 attached is mounted on the windshield 660C of a vehicle, will be described with reference to Figures 37 to 40. Figure 37 is a left side view in the open state as an example of how the bracket 600C with the imaging device 100 attached is used, showing (A) when the inclination angle of the windshield 660C is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the inclination angle of the windshield 660C is approximately 80 degrees. Figure 38 is a left side view in the closed state as an example of how the bracket 600C with the imaging device 100 attached is used, showing (A) when the inclination angle of the windshield 660C is approximately 20 degrees, and (B) when the inclination angle of the windshield 660C is approximately 80 degrees. Figure 39 shows the bracket 600C with the imaging device 100 attached. Figure 40 is a front view of the bracket 600C with the tilt angle of the windshield 660C being approximately 20 degrees, as an example of how the bracket 600C is used, and shows (A) the open state and (B) the closed state. Figure 40 is a front view of the bracket 600C with the imaging device 100 attached, with the tilt angle of the windshield 660C being approximately 80 degrees, and shows (A) the open state and (B) the closed state.

[0205] In Figures 37 to 40, the side opposite to the imaging lens 151C of the imaging device 100 (i.e., the rear side of the vehicle in the horizontal direction, which is the right side of the paper in Figures 37 and 38, and the front side of the paper in Figures 39 and 40) is considered the front. The side of the imaging lens 151C of the imaging device 100 (i.e., the front side of the vehicle in the horizontal direction) is the rear. Also, for convenience, the windshield 660C is not shown in Figures 39 and 40.

[0206] In Figures 37 to 40, examples were given for cases where the inclination angle of the windshield 660C is approximately 20 degrees and approximately 80 degrees, because, similar to the brackets 600A and 600B in the first and second embodiments, the inclination angle of the windshield 660C of the vast majority of vehicles falls within the range of approximately 20 to 80 degrees.

[0207] When attaching the bracket 600C, to which the imaging device 100 is mounted, to the windshield 660C of a vehicle, the user can change the position from an open state (see Figures 37, 39(A), and 40(A)) to a closed state (see Figures 38, 39(B), and 40(B)) by operating the actuation unit 625C, for example, from a first position to a second position.

[0208] In the closed state shown in Figures 38, 39(B), and 40(B), the imaging lens 151C is shown facing the front of the vehicle (for example, the left side in Figure 38) for convenience. However, in reality, after closing the system, it is necessary to adjust the orientation of the imaging device 100 so that the imaging lens 151C faces the desired direction (for example, the front of the vehicle). Therefore, the user changes the orientation of the imaging device 100 after closing the system so that it faces the desired direction.

[0209] Although not shown in this third embodiment, similar to the bracket 600A in the first embodiment, when the orientation of the imaging device 100 is changed to face a desired direction after being in the closed position, the socket portion 630C rotates along the circumferential surface of the ball portion 621C (see Figure 36 for both), as described above. Therefore, the orientation of the imaging device 100 can be freely changed to any angle. After the imaging device 100 is in the desired orientation, when the user tightens the nut 640C, the orientation and position of the base portion 650C (see Figure 36) are fixed, thereby fixing the orientation and position of the imaging device 100. In this way, the orientation of the imaging device 100 is adjusted.

[0210] On the other hand, when removing the bracket 600C to which the imaging device 100 is attached from the vehicle's windshield 660C, the user can change it from a closed state (see Figures 38, 39(B), and 40(B)) to an open state (see Figures 37, 39(A), and 40(A)) by, for example, operating the actuation unit 625C from a second position to a first position.

[0211] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 37 to 40, when the suction cup 614C is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660C), the protrusion 618C formed on the suction cup 614C protrudes forward, i.e., towards the inside of the vehicle, along the suction surface 616C, beyond the center OC of the suction part 610C (see Figure 40). As viewed from a user inside the vehicle, the protrusion 618C protrudes upward from the front to the rear of the vehicle, making it easier for the user to pull the protrusion 618C in a direction intersecting the suction surface 616C (e.g., downward) when changing from a closed state to an open state, improving operability when, for example, the user peels the suction cup 614C off the windshield 660C. In addition, by operating the actuation part 625C downward from the second position to the first position, a force is applied in the direction that peels the suction surface 616C off the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, and together with this, the bracket 600C can be easily removed from the mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0212] (Effects) The bracket 600C of the third embodiment described above is a mounting member for attaching a predetermined device to a predetermined mounting surface of a vehicle (e.g., a windshield 660C), and comprises a suction part 610C that is adsorbed to the mounting surface, a mounting part (ball part 621C, socket part 630C, and nut 640C) on which the predetermined device is mounted such that when the suction part 610C is adsorbed to the mounting surface, the predetermined device is positioned on the side of the gravity direction relative to the suction part 610C, and means for maintaining the suction state of the suction part 610C to the mounting surface. In this way, since it has means for maintaining the suction state of the suction part 610C to the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, it is possible to solve problems that may arise in the bracket 600C as a mounting member using the suction part 610C. For example, since the enlargement of the suction part 610C can be suppressed, the suction part 610C can cover a wide area of ​​the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, that is, the suction part 610C can be made less conspicuous, which is desirable for maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the interior of the vehicle. In the case of a recording device that takes pictures of the outside of a vehicle, such as a dashcam, it is possible to prevent the suction part 610C from entering the recording range. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the suction part 610C detaching from the mounting surface due to the weight of the device. For example, compared to a case where there is no means to easily maintain the suction state of the suction part 610C on the mounting surface, even if the suction part 610C is made smaller, the possibility of the suction part 610C detaching from the mounting surface can be reduced.

[0213] The mounting portion (ball portion 621C, socket portion 630C, and nut 640C) is connected to the suction portion 610C by a connecting portion 620C, and the mounting portion is configured to allow the orientation of a predetermined device relative to the suction portion 610C to be changed and to be displaceable in the vertical direction. A means to facilitate the maintenance of the suction state of the suction portion 610C on a predetermined mounting surface of a vehicle (e.g., windshield 660C) is to provide a bracket 600C as a mounting member such that the connecting portion 620C does not have a mechanism to allow the orientation of the predetermined device to be changed or to be displaceable in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, a means to facilitate the maintenance of the suction state of the suction portion 610C is to provide a locking mechanism in addition to the configuration of the connecting portion 620C. In this way, a mounting portion that allows the orientation of the predetermined device to be changed and to be displaceable in the vertical direction is provided at the location where the predetermined device is mounted, and the weight increase of the connecting portion 620C caused by mounting a mechanism that allows the orientation or position of the predetermined device on the connecting portion 620C can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the enlargement of the suction part 610C can be suppressed, the suction part 610C can cover a wide area of ​​a predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle, for example, making the suction part 610C less noticeable, which is desirable for maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle's interior. In addition, in the case of a recording device that takes pictures of the outside of the vehicle, such as a dashcam, it is possible to suppress the suction part from encroaching on the recording range.

[0214] The connecting portion 620C extends radially outward from the suction base 612C in the direction component along the suction surface 616C as one direction from the suction portion 610C, and is preferably connected to a predetermined portion of the suction portion 610C on the side of the suction portion 610C in the direction component along the suction surface 616C in one direction from the center of the suction portion 610C, and to the mounting portion (ball portion 621C, socket portion 630C, and nut 640C). In this way, the connecting portion 620C is connected to a predetermined portion on the side of the suction portion 610C in the direction component along the suction surface 616C in one direction, and to the mounting portion. Therefore, the suction portion is less likely to cover the side of the suction component along the suction surface in one direction. For example, increasing the size of the suction part 610C improves load-bearing capacity. However, if the device is a recording device that films the outside of a vehicle, such as a dashcam, attaching the suction part 610C to a predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle may cause the suction part 610C to encroach on the filming range. In this regard, the bracket 600C as a mounting member described above can prevent the suction part 610C from encroaching on the filming range, even if the device is a recording device such as a dashcam.

[0215] The connecting portion 620C is preferably configured such that when the suction portion 610C is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660C), the predetermined device attached to the mounting portion (ball portion 621C, socket portion 630C, and nut 640C) has a portion that does not overlap with the suction portion 610C in the vertical direction and is positioned outward from the vehicle. In this way, when the suction portion 610C is attached to the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, the device is mounted to the mounting portion at a position where the portion that does not overlap with the suction portion 610C in the vertical direction is positioned outward from the vehicle. Therefore, the portion of the device that is outward from the vehicle is less likely to be covered by the suction portion 610C. For example, increasing the size of the suction part 610C improves load-bearing capacity, but if the device is a recording device that takes pictures of the outside of the vehicle, such as a dashcam, there is a risk that the suction part 610C may encroach on its shooting range. However, with the bracket 600C as a mounting member as described above, it is possible to prevent the suction part from encroaching on its shooting range, even if the device is a recording device such as a dashcam.

[0216] It is preferable that the protruding portion 618C, which protrudes radially outward from the suction surface 616C of the suction portion 610C, is provided to protrude inward towards the vehicle when the suction portion 610C is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660C). In this way, when the suction portion 610C is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, the protruding portion 618C protrudes inward towards the vehicle, for example towards the user, in the horizontal direction from the center of the suction portion 610C. Therefore, it is easier for the user to grasp the protruding portion 618C and move it in the direction of detaching the suction portion 610C from the mounting surface, improving the operability when the user detaches the suction portion 610C from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0217] It is preferable that the connecting portion 620C and the ball portion 621C be made of a single component. In this way, a component such as a metal fitting is not required to connect the connecting portion 620C and the ball portion 621C, which not only makes it easier to manufacture with a simple configuration but also allows for weight reduction.

[0218] The connecting portion 620C should be such that, when the suction portion 610C is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660C), it extends outward from a point outside the vehicle in the horizontal direction, beyond the center of the suction portion 610C. By making the connecting portion 620C, which connects the mounting portion (ball portion 621C, socket portion 630C, and nut 640C) to the suction portion 610C, a member that extends outward from a point outside the vehicle in the horizontal direction, beyond the center of the suction portion 610C, when the suction portion 610C is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, the field of view can be obstructed as little as possible. Even if the device is a recording device that takes pictures of the outside of the vehicle, such as a dashcam, it is possible to prevent the suction portion from entering its shooting range.

[0219] The device includes an operating part 625C that can be operated by the user between a first position in which the suction part 610C is upright and a second position in which it is tilted relative to the suction part 610C, wherein in the first position the suction part 610C is separated from a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660C), and in the second position the suction part 610C is attached to the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle, and a means to facilitate the attachment of the suction part 610C to the mounting surface is preferably a locking mechanism for holding the operating part 625C in the second position. When part 625C is provided, a locking mechanism is provided to hold the operating part 625C in a second position. This prevents the suction part 610C from detaching from the mounting surface due to a load in the direction of gravity, even when the operating part 625 has an operating part in the form of an up / down lever and accepts operations where the force is applied in a direction where the component in the direction of gravity is greater. Thus, the locking mechanism is one example of a means to make it easier to maintain the suction state of the suction part 610C on the mounting surface. For example, it can improve the stability of the mounting state of the suction part 610C on the mounting surface of the vehicle, and consequently, the maintainability of the mounting state.

[0220] The operating unit 625C is preferably configured to accept user input to either the first or second position at a position inside the vehicle relative to the center of the suction unit 610C. In this way, when the suction unit 610C is attached to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle (e.g., the windshield 660C), the suction unit 610C can be attached to or separated from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle by operating the operating unit between the first and second positions at a position inside the vehicle relative to the center of the suction unit 610C, for example, on the side closer to the user, thereby improving operability.

[0221] [7. Examples of functions to enhance the suction force of the suction parts 610A to 610C on the mounting surface] For example, in brackets equipped with suction cups, it is necessary to maintain the suction state after attaching the bracket to a predetermined mounting surface on the vehicle. In particular, during the summer, for example, the suction force of the suction part on the mounting surface may decrease due to the expansion of air trapped between the suction cup and the windshield, the softening of the suction cup material itself due to heat, or the liquefaction of the gel material of the suction cup due to heat, which may cause the bracket to fall off.

[0222] Therefore, the brackets 600A to 600C described above should have a function to further enhance the suction force of the suction parts 610A to 610C on the mounting surface, in order to facilitate the maintenance of the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C on the mounting surface, when there is a possibility that the suction force of the suction parts 610A to 610C on the mounting surface has decreased.

[0223] Furthermore, any bracket equipped with an adhesive function that attaches to the mounting surface by suction is not limited to the brackets 600A to 600C described above. Below, the first to fourth embodiments of a function to enhance the adhesive force will be described.

[0224] [7-1. First Embodiment of a Function to Enhance Adhesion] The function to enhance adhesion in the first embodiment is provided with a recording device 100, such as a drive recorder, that has a function to determine the date and time and a notification function. The control unit 11 of the recording device 100 may have a function to determine the date and time and a notification function.

[0225] The control unit 11 may have a function to notify the user to tighten the suction cups 614A to 614C when the season enters a predetermined period, such as before or during the summer, or to prompt the user to release the air from inside the suction cups 614A to 614C and then reattach them. The predetermined time is best determined by the environment in which the suction cups 614A to 614C are more likely to detach from the mounting surface. If the time is determined considering not only the season but also the time of day, month, and location of the imaging device 100, it will be easier to provide notifications at a more appropriate time.

[0226] Furthermore, the imaging device 100 may be equipped with a sensor or the like as a function to detect temperature rise, in addition to or instead of a function to determine the date and time, and the control unit 11 may, when a certain temperature is reached, notify the user to tighten the suction cups 614A to 614C using a notification function, or prompt the user to release the air and reinstall them. In this case, the temperature rise should be detected not from the temperature of the SoC (for example, the chip on which the functions of the control unit 11 are implemented) of the imaging device 100, but rather from a temperature close to the temperature inside the car. In this case, the temperature sensor should be placed away from a part that generates heat due to the current inside a device such as a drive recorder, preferably in a location separated by a partition wall.

[0227] Furthermore, devices such as dashcams could be equipped with a function (e.g., a button or menu screen) to input when a bracket 600A-600C with a suction function is attached. The temperature at the time of this input could be used as a reference, and an alert could be issued when the temperature rises above a predetermined level (e.g., several tens of degrees, or +20 degrees). In particular, these processes (e.g., judgment and notification) should be performed when, for example, the device such as a dashcam is powered on, or when a sensor that functions as a vehicle detection unit to detect when a vehicle has stopped is detected. Even without an input function, the temperature at the time the power is first turned on (e.g., when the panel is mounted) could be used as the reference.

[0228] [7-2. Second Embodiment as a Function to Enhance Adhesion] The function to enhance adhesion in the second embodiment is to have a structure that allows the expanded air between the windshield 660A-660C and the suction cups 614A-614C to be released without having to remove the suction cups 614A-614C after they have been attached to, for example, the windshield 660A-660C.

[0229] For example, when the temperature inside the car rises, such as during the summer, the air between the windshield 660A-660C and the suction cups 614A-614C expands. If left unchecked, this could cause brackets 600A-600C attached to the windshield 660A-660C to fall off along with the equipment attached to them. Therefore, it is preferable to design the suction cups 614A-614C to also function as vents.

[0230] For example, when the air between the windshield 660A to 660C and the suction cups 614A to 614C (hereinafter referred to as "the inside of the suction cups" in this specification) expands due to heat such as a rise in temperature, it is preferable to have a vent that releases the air inside the suction cups 614A to 614C via a check valve.

[0231] Figure 41 is a plan view showing an example of a bracket to illustrate a second embodiment that enhances the suction force. In Figure 41, black and white are used to indicate the leader lines of the reference numerals, as showing all of them in black would make them difficult to see.

[0232] For example, a pump section 622, which functions as a retention section like a rubber ball that can hold air and is made of an elastic material such as rubber that can be pressed in by the user's hand, may be provided on the outside of the suction cups 614A to 614C. The pump section is configured to indent when pressed, and should expand when air comes in from between the windshield 660A to 660C and the suction cups 614A to 614C. In this way, the amount of air accumulated can be visually assessed by the degree to which the pump section expands.

[0233] It is preferable to provide a total of two check valves: one near the surface of the pump section and another between the inside of the pump section and the suction cups 614A to 614C. In this case, the check valve located between the inside of the pump section and the suction cups 614A to 614C should function as a vent.

[0234] As shown in Figure 41, for example, a through hole 613 with a smaller diameter (e.g., 1 mm) than the diameter of the pump section 622 may be provided in the pump section 622, and the above-mentioned check valve may be installed in the through hole 613. When installing, the part of the pump section 622 that does not have the through hole 613 should be pressed against the windshield 660A to 660C to switch from the open state to the closed state. The through hole 613 may be positioned offset from the center of the pump section 622. Alternatively, a valve that releases air from the side of the pump section 622 may be provided in the pump section 622 to allow air to escape from the side of the pump section 622.

[0235] In addition to the function of the second embodiment as a function to enhance the suction force, it is preferable to have a function that performs the same processing as described in the first embodiment as a function to enhance the suction force. For example, it is preferable to be able to attach a device to a bracket equipped with suction cups 614A to 614C that also have a vent structure, which has a function to detect a rise in temperature and a notification function in place of or in addition to the function to determine the date and time. When notification is performed by determining the date and time or detecting a rise in temperature, it is preferable to provide a notification that prompts the user to press the pump unit 622 to release the air. In this case, the reason for providing a notification to release the air from the pump unit 622, rather than a notification prompting the user to reattach the suction cups 614A to 614C is that if the suction cups 614A to 614C are reattached, the shooting position and direction of, for example, a drive recorder may shift, requiring adjustment of the shooting direction. Furthermore, since this would disrupt the consistency and continuity with conventional shooting directions, it is preferable to remove only the air inside the suction cups 614A to 614C without changing their positions. This ability to remove only the air inside the suction cups 614A to 614C was not possible with conventional brackets equipped with suction cups.

[0236] [7-3. Third Embodiment as a Function to Enhance Adhesion] The function to enhance adhesion in the third embodiment is provided with a cooling function inside the device, such as a drive recorder, and a structure that transmits the cooling force to contract the air inside the suction cups 614A to 614C.

[0237] For example, a heat conductor for cooling may be provided on one side of the drive recorder's SoC or image sensor, and the heat conductor may be equipped with, for example, a Peltier element to lower the surface temperature of the SoC, etc. A material (for example, a heat pipe, copper wire, etc.) may be provided to conduct heat from the heat conductor for cooling to a position that contracts the air inside the suction cups 614A to 614C.

[0238] [7-4. Fourth Embodiment as a Function to Enhance Adhesion] The fourth embodiment's function to enhance adhesion involves, for example, providing a fan inside a device such as a drive recorder to draw in air from inside the suction cups 614A to 614C.

[0239] For example, the heat pipe can be configured to draw air using a structure similar to the third embodiment, which has a function to enhance adsorption force, but with the heat pipe simply acting as a pipe.

[0240] [7-5. Examples of brackets equipped with a function to enhance suction force] Brackets 600A to 600C may be equipped with at least one of the functions of the first to fourth embodiments as a function to enhance suction force, or they may be equipped with two or three functions, or they may be equipped with all of the functions. For example, if bracket 600B is equipped with the functions of the first to fourth embodiments as a function to enhance suction force, then such bracket 600B may be equipped with at least one of the following: an operating unit 626B which functions as a means for the user to operate in a direction other than the direction of gravity to cause the suction cup to adhere to the mounting surface, and a means for enhancing the suction force after the suction cup 614B has adhered to the mounting surface by operating the operating unit 626B. Means for increasing the suction force after the suction cup 614B is attached to the mounting surface by operation of the operating unit 626B may include a notification function that notifies the suction state of the suction unit 610B, a pump unit 622 that has the function of releasing the expanded air between the windshield 660B and the suction cup 614B, a Peltier element that has the function of transmitting its cooling force to contract the air inside the suction cup 614B, or a fan installed in a device such as a drive recorder. Means for attaching the suction cup 614B to the mounting surface by user operation in a direction other than the direction of gravity may be, for example, the operating unit 626B that functions as a means for attaching the suction cup by rotational operation, as described in the second embodiment of another example of the bracket. Means for attaching the suction cup 614B to the mounting surface by user operation in a direction other than the direction of gravity may be a structure that connects to a vehicle-mounted device such as a drive recorder. It is preferable to provide a pump unit 622 that functions as a second operating unit separate from the operating unit 626B, as a means to increase the suction force after the suction cup 614B has been attached to the mounting surface by operating the operating unit 626B. It is preferable to provide a notification means to inform the user that the suction force of the suction cup 614B may be weakening, as a means to increase the suction force after the suction cup 614B has been attached to the mounting surface by operating the operating unit.

[0241] (Effects) In the brackets of the first to fourth embodiments, which have the function of enhancing the suction force described above, the means for making it easier to attach the suction part to a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle is to have a structure that removes the air between the suction part and the mounting surface without operating the operating part after the suction part has been attached to the mounting surface by operating the operating part. In this way, after the user has attached the suction part to the mounting surface by operating the operating part, it is possible to make it easier to attach the suction part to the mounting surface without operating the operating part again. For example, even if the temperature inside the vehicle rises after attachment, it is possible to suppress the detachment of the suction part from the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle unintentionally due to, for example, thermal expansion of the air between the predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle and the suction part.

[0242] A structure that removes air between the suction part and the mounting surface without operating the operating part is preferably provided with a pump section 622 that functions as a reservoir capable of retaining air outside the suction part, with a capacity that changes according to the amount of retained air; a first check valve provided between the inside of the suction cups 614A~614C and the reservoir; and a second check valve that, when the air inside the suction cups 614A~614C expands, moves the air inside the suction cups 614A~614C to the pump section 622, which functions as a reservoir, and discharges the air retained in the pump section 622 to the outside. In this way, when the air inside the suction part between a predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle and the suction part expands, the air inside moves to the pump section 622. The air retained in the pump section 622 is then discharged to the outside via the second check valve. In particular, the temperature inside the vehicle tends to rise in the summer, and the air inside the suction cups 614A~614C tends to expand. Therefore, for example, if the pump section 622 is pushed in to release the air inside it beforehand, when the air inside the suction cups 614A to 614C expands, the air inside the suction cups 614A to 614C moves to the pump section 622, and the air that can no longer be retained in the pump section 622 is discharged to the outside via the second check valve. As a result, even if the temperature inside the vehicle rises, it is possible to prevent the suction sections 610A to 610C from detaching from the designated mounting surface of the vehicle when the user does not intend.

[0243] A structure that removes air between the suction part and the mounting surface without operating the operating part should include a cooling section that cools the air inside the suction cups 614A to 614C. This further suppresses the suction part from detaching from the designated mounting surface of the vehicle when the user does not intend it. For example, if the temperature inside the vehicle rises rapidly in the summer, the air inside the suction cups 614A to 614C may expand beyond the discharge capacity of the first and second check valves. However, by providing a cooling section that cools the air inside the suction cups 614A to 614C, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the air inside the suction cups 614A to 614C beyond the discharge capacity of the first and second check valves.

[0244] A structure that removes air between the suction part and the mounting surface without operating the operating part should have a suction part that sucks air from inside the suction cups 614A to 614C. This prevents the suction parts 610A to 610C from detaching from the designated mounting surface of the vehicle unintentionally. For example, since the temperature inside a vehicle tends to change with the seasons, by sucking the air from inside the suction cups 614A to 614C in advance, for example, when the temperature inside the vehicle may rise, the degree of expansion of the air inside the suction cups 614A to 614C can be suppressed.

[0245] The device to be mounted on the bracket should have a camera unit that takes pictures with the outside of the vehicle as the shooting direction, such as a dashcam, and when the suction parts 610A to 610C are attached to the mounting surface, it is preferable that the suction parts 610A to 610C be positioned inside the vehicle relative to the lens of the camera unit in terms of the shooting direction. In this way, when the device is mounted with a camera unit that takes pictures with the outside of the vehicle as the shooting direction, the suction parts 610A to 610C are positioned inside the vehicle relative to the lens of the camera unit in terms of the shooting direction, thus preventing the suction parts 610A to 610C from encroaching on the shooting range of the camera unit.

[0246] The mounting component comprises one of the brackets 600A to 600C, and a device that can be attached to the mounting portion of this bracket. The device has a notification function that notifies the user about the suction state of the suction part, and the bracket as a mounting component is provided. In this way, the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C is notified, and when notified, the user can check the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C, thereby preventing the suction part from detaching from the designated mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0247] The notification function for notifying the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C should be capable of notifying at least one of the following: that the suction force of the suction parts 610A to 610C may be weakening; that the user should check the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C; and that the user should reattach the suction parts 610A to 610C to the vehicle. In this way, the user will be made aware that the suction force of the suction parts 610A to 610C may be weakening in response to the notification, and the user will be able to check the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C, reattach the suction parts 610A to 610C to the vehicle, or, if the deterioration of the suction cups 614A to 614C is significant, replace the brackets 600A to 600C themselves, thereby preventing the suction parts 610A to 610C from detaching from the designated mounting surface of the vehicle and making it easier to maintain the suction state of the suction parts to the mounting surface. Therefore, a notification function that provides information regarding the suction state is one example of a means to make it easier to maintain the suction state of the suction part on the mounting surface.

[0248] The notification function for the suction status of the suction parts 610A to 610C should be configured to provide notification at a predetermined time. This way, when the predetermined time arrives, the notification will be issued, and the user can, for example, check the suction status of the suction parts 610A to 610C in response to the notification, thereby preventing the suction parts 610A to 610C from detaching from the designated mounting surface of the vehicle. In particular, since the temperature inside the vehicle tends to rise during the summer, setting the predetermined time to before summer can prevent the suction parts from detaching due to the expansion of internal air between the designated part of the vehicle and the suction parts 610A to 610C.

[0249] A device such as a drive recorder, which is mounted on one of the brackets 600A to 600C as a mounting component, is equipped with a sensor that functions as a temperature detection unit capable of detecting the interior temperature of the vehicle or a temperature close to the interior temperature. The notification function that notifies about the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C is configured to notify when the temperature detected by the sensor that functions as a temperature detection unit exceeds a predetermined temperature. In this way, a notification is issued when the interior temperature of the vehicle or a temperature close to the interior temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature, and by checking the suction state of the suction parts in response to this notification, the user can prevent the suction parts from detaching from the designated mounting surface of the vehicle. In particular, since the temperature inside the vehicle tends to rise in the summer, setting a predetermined temperature can prevent the suction parts from detaching due to the expansion of air inside the suction cups 614A to 614C between the designated part of the vehicle and the suction parts 610A to 610C.

[0250] The notification function for the suction status of the suction parts 610A to 610C should ideally be configured to notify when the power of a device, such as a drive recorder, is turned on. This way, the notification is triggered when the power of the device, such as a drive recorder, is turned on, making it easier for the user to notice the notification from the device. Therefore, this makes it more certain that the user will check the suction status of the suction parts 610A to 610C in response to the notification, thereby preventing the suction parts 610A to 610C from detaching from the designated mounting surface of the vehicle.

[0251] For example, a dashcam should be equipped with a sensor that functions as a vehicle detection unit to detect when the vehicle stops, and a notification function that notifies about the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C should be configured to notify when the sensor that functions as the vehicle detection unit detects that the vehicle has stopped. In this way, since a notification is issued when the vehicle has stopped, the user is more likely to notice the notification from the device. Therefore, this makes it more certain that the user will, for example, check the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C in response to the notification, thereby preventing the suction parts 610A to 610C from detaching from the designated mounting surface of the vehicle. The user can, for example, check the suction state when they have time, such as when returning home.

[0252] For example, a dashcam, as a device, should be equipped with a mounting member determination function that determines the type of bracket to which the device is attached, and a notification function that notifies about the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C should be configured to notify when the mounting member determination function determines that the device is attached to one of the brackets 600A to 600C. In this way, the device will notify when it determines that the bracket to which the device is attached is attached to one of the brackets 600A to 600C, and therefore, when the device is attached to the vehicle's mounting surface using brackets 600A to 600C that have suction parts 610A to 610C, it will be able to notify about the suction state of the suction parts 610A to 610C. For example, if the bracket is fixed to the vehicle's mounting surface using a material other than the suction part, such as double-sided tape, unnecessary notifications can be prevented.

[0253] [8. Other Extension Examples] [8-1. Extension Example 1] In the first to fourth embodiments described above as functions to enhance the suction force, the device, for example, a drive recorder, may be equipped with a mounting member determination function that determines the type of bracket to which the device is attached. The notification function that notifies about the suction state of the suction part may be configured to notify when the mounting member determination function determines that the device is attached to one of the brackets. In this way, the device will notify when it determines that the bracket to which the device is attached is attached to one of the brackets 600A to 600C, and will be able to notify about the suction state of the suction part when the device is attached to the mounting surface of the vehicle using a bracket with a suction part. For example, if the bracket is fixed to the mounting surface of the vehicle using a material other than the suction part, such as double-sided tape, it is possible to prevent unnecessary notifications.

[0254] [8-2. Extension Example 2] The bracket on which the device can be attached should have a suction cup with a device mounting structure that can be used for both drive recorders and other in-vehicle devices. In this case, the bracket should be equipped with means to make it difficult to attach to the windshield when attached to a drive recorder, but difficult to attach to the windshield when attached to other in-vehicle devices.

[0255] Furthermore, a mounting structure that can be shared between a dashcam and other in-vehicle equipment should be designed to allow both to be mounted on the dashboard or interior panels.

[0256] Figure 42 is a diagram illustrating an example of a means of making installation difficult, which makes it difficult to attach to the windshield, and (A) drive recorder This figure shows the case when (B) a dashcam 130 is installed, and when other in-vehicle equipment 140 is installed. In Figure 42, the left side of the page is considered the front of the vehicle. In addition, some components and equipment are denoted by reference numerals in the explanations that refer to Figure 42.

[0257] As shown in Figure 42(A), when the device mounted on the bracket is a drive recorder 130, the lens 132 faces forward. Also, as shown in Figure 42(B), when the device mounted on the bracket is an in-vehicle device other than a drive recorder (e.g., a radar detector, etc.) 140, the operation unit 144 and display unit 146 of the in-vehicle device 140 are located on the front side of the vehicle. When the imaging device 100 described in Figure 2 is used, the operation unit 123 and display unit 13 are located on the front side of the vehicle, respectively.

[0258] As a means of making it difficult to attach the device to the windshield 660, the configuration shown in Figures 42(A) and 42(B) is preferable. When the device attached to the bracket is a drive recorder 130, as shown in Figure 42(A), the suction cup can be attached to the windshield 660 so that it can photograph the outside (for example, the front of the vehicle). In the case of an in-vehicle device other than a drive recorder (for example, a radar detector, etc.) 140, as shown in Figure 42(B), the operating unit 144 and the display unit 146 can be attached facing the windshield 660, but a structure (for example, a restricting means) can be provided so that it cannot be attached facing the driver. For example, a vertical groove can be made in the ball part, and the ball receiving part (for example, the socket part) can fit into the vertical groove to restrict movement in the left and right direction, while a protrusion that can move in the up and down direction can be provided to restrict movement.

[0259] The installation difficulty-improving means that makes installation to the windshield 660 difficult is not limited to the above structure, and it is preferable to provide a structural installation difficulty-improving means. As an installation difficulty-improving means other than structural means, for example, on the screen of an in-vehicle device 140 other than a drive recorder, it is preferable to issue a notification to the effect that installation using a suction cup is prohibited. It is preferable not to issue a notification to the effect that installation using a suction cup is prohibited on the screen of the drive recorder 130.

[0260] [8-3. Modification 3] Incidentally, there are cases where a user does not notice that the suction cup of a drive recorder has come off. This is particularly difficult to notice when the cable is tightly attached. For example, the control unit 11 of the drive recorder has a function of setting whether the drive recorder is attached by a suction cup (for example, whether attached by a suction cup or adhered by a double-sided tape or the like), and when it is set that the attachment is by a suction cup, it is preferable to perform processing different from that when it is set that the attachment is not by a suction cup. As the different processing, it is preferable to perform detection processing for a change from a state where the suction cup is attached to a state where the suction cup is detached. In this detection processing, for example, an image captured by the camera may be recognized to detect that the drive recorder has become in an unfixed state to the windshield, but in particular, after an acceleration corresponding to falling occurs by an acceleration sensor, it is preferable to determine that the state has changed from the attached state to the detached state of the suction cup based on the occurrence of acceleration corresponding to the fall being stopped by the power cable. As the different processing, it is preferable to detect that the suction cup has come off. It is preferable to determine that the suction cup has come off when an image swaying back and forth is detected to be captured.

[0261] [8-4. Modified Example 4] The predetermined mounting surface of a vehicle to which the suction cups 614A to 614C are suctioned is not limited to windshields 660A to 660C. For example, the suction cups 614A to 614C may be suctioned to glass surfaces such as side glass and rear glass, or other light-transmissive surfaces. In the above-described embodiment, the imaging apparatus 100 is used as an imaging apparatus for imaging the front of the vehicle 400, but it may also be used as an imaging apparatus for imaging the rear of the vehicle 400. In this case, the mounting surface of the imaging apparatus 100 is located, for example, on the rear side of the vehicle 400, and is, for example, a rear glass. The imaging apparatus 100 may also be an imaging apparatus for imaging directions such as the lateral side of the vehicle 400. In this case, the mounting surface of the imaging apparatus 100 is located, for example, on the lateral side of the vehicle 400, and is, for example, a side glass. The predetermined mounting surface of the vehicle to which the suction cups 614A to 614C are suctioned may be a dashboard, an interior panel, or the like.

[0262] It should be noted that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification, and the scope of the present invention also includes combinations of various aspects of the invention disclosed in the present specification. Although the configurations for which a patent is sought in the present invention are specified in the appended claims, the applicant intends that any configurations disclosed in the present specification that are not specified in the claims at present may be made the subject matter of the claims in the future.

[0263] The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiments above. The components of each embodiment and modification described above can be arbitrarily selected and combined. Furthermore, any component of each embodiment and modification can be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the means for solving the invention, or any component that embodies any component described in the means for solving the invention. The present application intends to obtain rights to these as well through amendments or divisional applications. Even if there is a description such as "in the case of..." or "when...", it is not meant to be a configuration that is limited to that case or time. Configurations that do not fall under these cases or times are also disclosed, and the present application intends to obtain rights to them. Also, even if there is a sequence of descriptions, it is not limited to that order. Configurations with some parts deleted or the order rearranged are also disclosed, and the present application intends to obtain rights to them.

[0264] Furthermore, by converting to a design registration application, we intend to acquire rights to the overall design or a partial design. The drawing depicts the entire device with solid lines, but it is a drawing that includes not only the overall design but also partial designs claimed for parts of the device. For example, it is a drawing that includes not only a partial design for a part of the device's components, but also a partial design for a part of the device regardless of its components. A part of the device may be a component of the device, or a part of that component. We intend to acquire rights not only to the overall design, but also to any part of the drawing that is represented by dashed lines within the solid lines. In addition, all modules, components, and parts inside the device's casing that are shown in the drawing are independently tradable, and we intend to acquire rights to them by converting to a design registration application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0265] 600A~600C Bracket 610A~610C Suction part 614A~614C Suction cup 620A~620C Connecting part 621A~621C Ball part 630A~630C Socket part 640A~640C Nut 625A~625C Actuating part 622 Pump part

Claims

1. A bracket on which a device can be attached, having a suction cup with a device mounting structure that can be used for both a drive recorder and other in-vehicle devices, and having a means for making attachment difficult that makes attachment to the windshield difficult when attached to a drive recorder, but difficult when attached to other in-vehicle devices.

2. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein the means for making installation difficult allows the in-vehicle device other than the drive recorder to be mounted so that the operation unit and display unit of the in-vehicle device other than the drive recorder face the windshield, but it cannot be mounted so that it faces the driver.

3. The mounting difficulty means comprises a groove vertically inserted into the ball portion and a protrusion provided on the ball receiving portion that fits into the groove, wherein the protrusion restricts movement in the left-right direction while being movable in the up-down direction, as described in claim 1 or 2.

4. The bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the in-vehicle device other than the drive recorder is a radar detector.

5. The bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the equipment mounting structure is such that it can be mounted on the dashboard for both the drive recorder and other in-vehicle equipment.

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