Holder base part for fixing at least one camera housing to a vehicle part of a vehicle, camera housing, and camera system - Patents.com

Abstract

To mount a camera housing reliably more easily in vehicle.SOLUTION: A holder base part (22) for securing at least one camera housing to a vehicle part of a vehicle comprises at least one retaining element (32, 36). The retaining element (32, 36) has at least one securing section (54). The securing section (54) enables the retaining element (32, 36) to be directly or indirectly secured to the vehicle part. The retaining element (32, 36) has at least one retaining section (56, 58). The retaining section (56, 58) enables the retaining element (32, 36) to be separably connected with at least one connection element on the at least one camera housing side by means of a shifting movement along a connection axis (40, 42).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a holder base part for fixing at least one camera housing to a vehicle part of a vehicle, the holder base part comprising at least one holding element, the at least one holding element having at least one fixing part by means of which the at least one holding element can be fixed directly or indirectly to the vehicle part, the at least one holding element having at least one holding part by means of which the at least one holding element can be detachably connected to at least one connection element on the at least one camera housing side by means of a sliding movement along a conceptual connection axis.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a camera housing comprising at least one connection element for detachably connecting to at least one holding element of a holder base part by means of a sliding movement along a conceptual connection axis, said holder base part enabling said camera housing to be fixed directly or indirectly to a vehicle part of a vehicle, said at least one connection element having at least one housing locking element which is capable of interacting with at least one holder locking element on the side of said at least one holding element so as to lock the connection between said at least one connection element and said at least one holding element.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle camera system for fixing comprising at least one camera housing and at least one holder base part by means of which the at least one camera housing can be fixed to a vehicle part of the vehicle, and wherein the at least one camera housing can be detachably connected to the at least one holder base part by a sliding movement along a conceptual connection axis. [Background technology]

[0004] US 2012 / 0099849 A1 discloses a structure for mounting a camera on a vehicle, the structure comprising a base fixed to a vehicle body, a camera, a slide mechanism configured to releasably engage the base by allowing the camera to slide in a slide direction, and a spring element configured to generate a compressive force in a direction perpendicular to a direction of movement between the base and the camera when the base and the camera are engaged, the spring element holding the camera against the base.

[0005] The present invention addresses the challenges in designing holder base parts, camera housings and camera systems of the type mentioned at the beginning, by allowing the camera housing to be mounted more easily and reliably even on vehicle parts with different designs, in particular with different inclinations. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the case of a holder base part, the problem is solved by the invention in that at least one holding part at least contributes to the definition (definition, formation, configuration) of at least one insertion area into which the at least one housing side connection element can be inserted for detachable connection to the at least one holding element, the at least one holding element having at least one holder locking element, which is capable of interacting with at least one housing locking element on the camera housing side so as to lock the connection between the at least one holding element and the at least one connection element, and the at least one holder locking element is arranged in the at least one insertion area.

[0007] According to the invention, the at least one holding part has at least one insertion area for at least one housing-side connection element. The at least one holder locking element is arranged in the at least one insertion area. Thus, in contrast to the structures known from the prior art, the at least one holder locking element is accommodated in a protected and compact manner. The at least one housing-side connection element can have a simpler structure.

[0008] The holder base part is used for releasably fixing at least one camera housing to a vehicle part of a vehicle. In this way, the holder base part can be rigidly connected to the vehicle part. For this purpose, the holder base part, in particular at least one fastening part of the at least one holding element, can be glued or otherwise fixed to the vehicle part. The at least one camera housing can be releasably connected to the holder base part by a releasable connection of the at least one connection element to the at least one holding element. Thus, as a whole, the holder base part is adaptable to different vehicle parts. The holder base part can act as a kind of adapter for fixing the at least one camera housing to the vehicle part.

[0009] The vehicle part can be mounted at an angle to the vehicle longitudinal axis, and the holder base part can allow the camera axis to be oriented in a desired manner, in particular parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis, so that the inclination of the vehicle part can be compensated for.

[0010] Advantageously, the vehicle part to which the holder base part is fixed may be a vehicle window. The vehicle window may advantageously be a front window or a rear window.

[0011] Advantageously, the holder base part, in particular the at least one holding element, can be made as a one-piece part. In this way, the holder base part, in particular the at least one holding element, can have a more robust construction. No additional installation work is required for assembling the various parts.

[0012] Advantageously, the holder base part, in particular the at least one holding element, may consist of or at least contain a plastic material, a composite material, a metal and / or a mixture of these materials, etc. The at least one holding element may be made from a plastic material in a simple manner, in particular by injection molding or casting.

[0013] The invention is used in vehicles, in particular in motor vehicles. The invention can be advantageously used in particular in passenger cars, trucks, buses, land vehicles such as motorcycles, aircraft and / or personal watercraft. The invention can also be used in vehicles that can be operated autonomously or at least partially autonomously. However, the invention is not limited to vehicles. The invention can also be used in stationary operations.

[0014] The camera system may advantageously be connected to or be part of at least one electronic control device of the vehicle, in particular a driver assistance system and / or a body control system and / or a driver information device and / or a parking assistance system and / or gesture recognition etc. In this way, at least partially autonomous operation of the vehicle may be made possible.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one holder locking element can extend along a notional locking axis transverse to the connection axis, so that in the end position of the connection, the at least one holder locking element and the at least one housing locking element can engage with each other along the locking axis. In this way, the at least one holder locking element and the at least one housing locking element are movable relative to each other for locking or unlocking along a locking axis transverse to the connection axis. The force components for locking / unlocking along the locking axis, which are required for locking or unlocking, can be directed transverse to the force components for insertion / withdrawal, which are required for inserting the at least one housing-side connection element into the at least one insertion area or for withdrawing the connection element from this area. Thus, the force components required for locking / unlocking and the force components for insertion / withdrawal can be more easily separated.

[0016] In another advantageous embodiment, the at least one holder locking element may extend along a notional locking axis transverse to the notional pulling axis of the at least one holding part on the at least one fixing part. In this way, the force component for locking / unlocking along the locking axis that needs to be applied for locking or unlocking can be directed transverse to the holding force component that holds the camera housing to the holder base part. Thus, the force component required for locking / unlocking and the force component for holding the camera housing can be more easily decoupled.

[0017] The force component that holds the camera housing to the holder base part is substantially caused by gravity.

[0018] In another advantageous embodiment, the at least one holder locking element may have or consist of at least one protrusion and / or the at least one holder locking element may have or consist of at least one recess. Correspondingly, advantageously, the at least one housing locking element may have or consist of at least one recess and / or the at least one housing locking element may have or consist of at least one protrusion. In this way, the at least one holder locking element and the corresponding, in particular complementary, housing locking element may engage in a meshing manner.

[0019] The protrusions can be made in particular in a simple manner as studs, webs, pins etc. The recesses can be made simply as notches, grooves, holes etc.

[0020] In another advantageous embodiment, the at least one holding part can define at least one insertion area laterally, when viewed in the direction of the connection axis, and / or the at least one holding part can define at least one insertion area on the opposite side of the at least one fastening part. A laterally defining can define a movement of the camera housing transversely (transversely) to the connection axis and / or in the direction of a notional locking axis. A defining on the opposite side of the at least one fastening part can hold the weight of the at least one camera housing on the holder base part.

[0021] Advantageously, when viewed in the direction of the connection axis, the at least one insertion region can be open laterally and / or at an end face, via which the at least one housing-side connection element can be inserted into the insertion region, and in the end position the at least one housing-side connection element can protrude via the lateral opening.

[0022] Advantageously, when viewed in the direction of the connection axis, at least one insertion area can be open laterally and at the end faces.

[0023] In another advantageous embodiment, the at least one holding part and / or the at least one holder locking element can be elastically movable at least transversely to said connection axis. In this way, when inserting the at least one connection element into the at least one insertion area, the at least one holding part and / or the at least one holder locking element on the one hand and the at least one housing-side connection element on the other hand can be moved away from each other in the direction of the locking axis in order to provide space for the at least one holder locking element and / or the at least one housing locking element. As soon as an end position is reached in which the at least one holder locking element and the at least one housing locking element engage with each other, the at least one holding part and / or the at least one holder locking element can again take its original shape.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one connecting element is advantageously elastically movable transversely to the connecting axis.

[0025] In another advantageous embodiment, the at least one holding element can have at least one stop, which delimits the at least one insertion area when viewed in the insertion direction of the at least one housing-side connection element into the at least one insertion area, in this way the at least one connection element can be prevented from being pushed out of the end position of the connection with the at least one holding element.

[0026] Advantageously, the at least one stopper and the at least one retaining part can be elastically movable relative to one another. In this way, the at least one retaining part is elastically movable separately from the at least one stopper. In this way, mounting can be simplified.

[0027] Advantageously, a separation slot may be defined between the at least one stopper and the at least one retaining part, in such a way that the at least one stopper and the at least one retaining part are elastically movable separately from one another.

[0028] In another advantageous embodiment, the at least one holding element can have at least one guide element, which is arranged on a side of the at least one insertion area facing the at least one fastening part, by means of which the at least one housing-side connection element can be guided when being inserted into the at least one insertion area.

[0029] Advantageously, the at least one holding element can have at least one pressing area on its outer surface. In the pressing area, the at least one holding element can be elastically deformable. In this way, pressing can be caused by a corresponding pressing area on the at least one camera housing side having the pressing area. Thus, the connection of the at least one holding element to the at least one connecting element can be further stabilized.

[0030] Advantageously, the at least one pressing area can be arranged on the fastening part, such that a corresponding housing-side pressing area can be supported against it and the at least one housing-side connecting element can be pressed against a part of the at least one holding part which defines the at least one insertion area from the opposite side of the at least one fastening part.

[0031] Advantageously, each of said fastening parts of at least two holding elements may be interconnected by a common base fastening part, in this way at least one camera housing may be held at different points.

[0032] Advantageously, the holder base part may have at least two holding elements, the connection axes of which are parallel, in this way the camera housing may be connected to the holder base part by a straight insertion movement along the connection axis.

[0033] At least two retaining elements can be fixed together to a vehicle part by being interconnected on a same base fastening part, which further ensures that the orientation of the at least two retaining elements relative to one another and / or the distance between them is permanently defined.

[0034] Advantageously, the fastening part of the holding element and the base fastening part can be made in one piece, so that the base fastening part can simultaneously function as a respective fastening part for the corresponding holding element, so that the holding element can be fastened to the vehicle part by means of its fastening part and the base fastening part.

[0035] In another advantageous embodiment, the respective fastening parts of at least two holding elements can be interconnected by a common base fastening part such that, when viewed in the direction of their connection axis, one of the fastening parts is arranged behind the other or diagonally behind the other. In this way, the holding force can be distributed to a number of points, one behind the other, to hold at least one camera housing on the holder base part.

[0036] Advantageously, two sets each having at least two holding elements, one arranged behind the other or one arranged diagonally behind the other, can be arranged side by side. In this way, the camera housing can be held at at least four points relative to the vehicle part via the holder base part.

[0037] In another advantageous embodiment, the fixing parts of at least two holding elements can be interconnected by the base fixing part such that their connection axes are parallel to each other at the same height when viewed from a common base fixing part, and / or the fixing parts of at least two holding elements can be interconnected by the base fixing part such that their connection axes are parallel to each other at different heights when viewed from a common base fixing part. In this way, tilts of the vehicle parts can be compensated as a whole by the holder base part for directing the camera axis.

[0038] Furthermore, in the case of a camera housing, this problem is solved by the invention in that at least one connection element has at least one connection wing which can be inserted into an insertion area of ​​at least one holding element on the holder base part side, and at least one housing locking element is arranged on the at least one connection wing.

[0039] According to the invention, the at least one housing locking element is arranged on a connecting wing of the connecting element. The at least one housing locking element can be inserted together with the connecting wing into an insertion region of the at least one holder element. The at least one housing locking element can thus interact with the at least one holder locking element of the at least one holder element. In this case, the at least one holder locking element can be arranged in the at least one insertion region of the at least one holder element.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one housing locking element may extend along a notional locking axis transverse to the connection axis of the at least one housing-side connection element into the at least one insertion region (78), whereby the at least one holder locking element and the at least one housing locking element may engage with each other along the locking axis. In this way, the at least one holder locking element and the at least one housing locking element are movable relative to each other for locking or unlocking along a locking axis transverse to the connection axis.

[0041] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one housing locking element may have or consist of at least one recess and / or the at least one housing locking element may have or consist of at least one protrusion, in this way the at least one housing locking element and a corresponding, in particular complementary, housing locking element may engage with one another.

[0042] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one connecting element can have at least one pressing protrusion, by means of which a pressing force can be generated by a corresponding elastically deformable pressing area on the at least one holding element, so that the connection between the at least one holding element and the at least one connecting element can be made even more stable.

[0043] Advantageously, the at least one pressing protrusion can extend across the at least one connecting wing, in this way the pressing force caused by the pressing can press the at least one connecting wing against the at least one holding part of the at least one holding element, thus making the connection even more stable.

[0044] Advantageously, the at least two connection elements may be arranged on the camera housing such that their respective connection axes are parallel to one another, in this way the at least two connection elements may be inserted into corresponding insertion areas of corresponding holding elements by a straight movement.

[0045] Advantageously, the at least two connection elements may be arranged one behind the other or one obliquely behind the other when viewed in the direction of their connection axis, in this way multiple fixing points may be made on the same side of the at least one camera housing.

[0046] In another advantageous embodiment, at least two connection elements can be arranged on the camera housing such that their connection axes are parallel to one another at the same height when viewed from the side on which the holder base part is arranged, and / or at least two connection elements can be arranged on the camera housing such that their connection axes are parallel to one another at different heights when viewed from the side on which the holder base part is arranged, in this way a tilt of the vehicle part can be totally compensated for by the holder base part for directing the camera axis.

[0047] In the case of a camera system, the problem is further solved by the present invention in that at least one holder base part has at least one holding element according to the present invention and at least one camera housing has at least one connecting element according to the present invention.

[0048] Furthermore, the features and advantages given in connection with the holder base part according to the invention, the camera housing according to the invention and the camera system according to the invention as well as their respective advantageous configurations apply correspondingly to one another and vice versa. Naturally, the individual features and advantages can be combined with one another. In this case, further advantageous effects may arise that exceed the sum of the individual effects.

[0049] Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which: A person skilled in the art can consider the disclosed features in combination with the drawings, the specification and the claims individually and can combine them appropriately to form further meaningful combinations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0050] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a car with a camera system fixed to the car's windshield. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a front isometric view of the camera system of FIG. 1 with the camera housing and the holder base components that mount the camera housing to the windshield. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the camera system of FIGS. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view of the camera system of FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a top view of the camera system of FIGS. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view from below of the camera system of FIGS. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a first detailed view of the camera system of FIGS. 1 to 6, a rear view in the area of ​​the rear holding element of the holder base part at the vehicle window and the rear connection element of the camera housing of the camera system. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a second detail view of the side view of the camera system of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a third detailed view in rear view of the camera system of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a fourth detail in the top view of the camera system of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the holder base part of the camera system of FIGS. 1 to 10, in the area of ​​the rear connection element, from above. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a view from below of the holder base part of the camera system of FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an isometric front view of the camera housing of the camera system of FIGS. 1-10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] In the drawings, identical elements are provided with the same reference numbers.

[0052] 1 is a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle 10, for example in the form of a passenger car. The motor vehicle 10 comprises a camera system 12. The camera system 12 is fixed to a vehicle part, for example to the inner surface of a highly inclined vehicle window 14, such as a windshield. A notional camera axis 16 of the camera system 12 is oriented, for example, parallel to a notional vehicle longitudinal axis 18.

[0053] Camera system 12 may be used to capture a surveillance area in front of vehicle 10 in the driving direction of vehicle 10. Instead of a windshield, camera system 12 may be fixed to another vehicle part of vehicle 10, such as a rear window, a side window, or an inner surface of the roof of vehicle 10, and / or may be oriented in another direction.

[0054] 2-13, camera system 12 is shown in various perspective and detailed views.

[0055] The camera system 12 includes a camera housing 20 and a holder base part 22. The camera housing 20 is fixed to the vehicle window 14 by the holder base part 22.

[0056] The camera housing 20 accommodates a camera (of no further importance here) with a lens 24 at the front side. By way of example, the lens axis of the lens 24 coincides with the camera axis 16. At the rear side, the camera housing 20 has an electrical connection plug 30 by means of which an electrical cable can be connected which leads to a control and evaluation unit of the motor vehicle 10, for example a driver assistance system.

[0057] When the terms "front side," "rear side," "front / forward," "rear / rear," etc. are used below, unless otherwise specified, these refer to the insertion direction 28 of the camera housing 20 into the holder base part 22.

[0058] References hereinafter to "above / upper", "below / lower", "side / lateral", "lateral" and the like relate to the mounting of the camera system 12 to the vehicle window 14 with the camera system 12 suspended spatially below the inner surface of the vehicle window 14, unless otherwise specified. Thus, "above / upper" is the side of the camera system 12 that faces the vehicle window 14. "below / lower" is the side of the camera system 12 that faces away from the vehicle window 14.

[0059] The camera housing 20 has two front connection elements 30 on either side relative to the camera axis 16. By means of the front connection elements 30 the camera housing 20 is separably connected to corresponding front holding elements 32 of the holder base part 22.

[0060] The camera housing 20 further has two rear connection elements 34 on either side relative to the camera axis 16. By means of the rear connection elements 34 the camera housing 20 is separably connected to corresponding rear holding elements 36 of the holder base part 22.

[0061] When viewed in the insertion direction 28, the rear connecting elements 34 are respectively arranged behind the front connecting elements 30. The connecting elements 30 and 34 are shown, for example, in FIG.

[0062] The front connecting element 30 and the rear connecting element 34 are each in the form of a planar connecting wing. The connecting elements 30 and 34 each extend laterally outwardly away from the camera housing 20. The connecting elements 30 and 34 each have a lead-in chamfer 38 on a front of their outer surface.

[0063] The front connection elements 30 extend along respective notional front connection axes 40. The rear connection elements 34 extend along respective rear connection axes 42. The front connection elements 30 can be inserted into the respective front holding elements 32 along the respective front connection axes 40 to connect the camera housing 20 to the holder base part 22. The rear connection elements 34 can be inserted into the respective rear holding elements 36 along the respective rear connection axes 42 to connect the camera housing 20 to the holder base part 22.

[0064] The connection axes 40 and 42 are parallel to each other. When viewed from the holder base part 22 or the base fixing part 50, which will be described in detail below, the front connection axis 40 is at the same height. Correspondingly, the rear connection axis 42 is at the same height. When viewed from the holder base part 22 or the base fixing part 50 with respect to the camera axis 16, the front connection element 30 and the front connection axis 40 are arranged below the respective rear connection element 34 and the rear connection axis 42. The front connection element 30 and the rear connection element 34 are therefore arranged at different heights. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the rear connection axis 42 is arranged above the camera axis 16, as shown for example in FIG. 3. The front connection axis 40 is arranged below the camera 16. In this way, the inclination of the vehicle window 14 can be corrected, such that the camera axis 16 is, for example, approximately parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis 18.

[0065] The rear connection elements 34 each further have a housing locking element 44. The housing locking element 44 is, for example, recessed. The housing locking element 44 is arranged on an outer surface of each rear connection element 34 facing away from the camera axis 16. The housing locking element 44 extends along a respective notional locking axis 46. The locking axis 46 extends transversely to each rear connection axis 42. Along the locking axis 46, a corresponding holder locking element 48 on the rear holding element 36 engages with a corresponding housing locking element 44 to lock the connection.

[0066] The holder base part 22 has a planar base fixing portion 50. The base fixing portion 50 has a V-shaped field of view opening 52 for the lens 24 of the camera of the camera system 12 in front thereof.

[0067] On the side facing the camera housing 20, a total of four fastening parts 54 protrude. The fastening parts 54 are formed integrally with the holder base part 22. Each of the fastening parts 54 belongs to one of the holding elements 32 and 36.

[0068] The front retaining element 32 is constructed and arranged symmetrically with respect to a notional plane of symmetry, which runs parallel to the insertion direction 28 and is exemplarily perpendicular to the extent of the base fastening part 50. The rear retaining element 36 is likewise constructed and arranged symmetrically with respect to the notional plane of symmetry.

[0069] The fixing parts 54 are hollow. When viewed in the insertion direction 28, they each have a substantially U-shaped profile. The fixing parts 54 are closed at the front and open at the rear. Inside the fixing parts 54, the base fixing part 50 has a through opening.

[0070] On the side facing away from the base fastening part 54 , the front fastening parts 54 are respectively integrally merged with holding parts 56 of the front holding element 32 .

[0071] On the opposite outer surface of the other rear fastening part 54, the rear fastening part 54 is integrally joined to a lateral retaining part 58 and at the front to a stop 60. The lateral retaining part 58 and the stop 60 are each part of the rear retaining element 36.

[0072] Each of the retaining parts 56 of the front retaining elements 32 has a lateral region 62 arranged opposite the other front retaining element 32, a front region acting as a stopper 64, and a lower region 66. The lateral region 62, the stopper 64, the lower region 66 and the corresponding fastening part 54 define a front insertion region 68 of the corresponding front retaining element 32. On the side opposite the lateral region 62 and the stopper 64, respectively, the front insertion region 68 is open.

[0073] Additionally, each front retention element 32 has a guide web 70 extending from each fastening portion 54 to the front insertion region 68 along the corresponding front connection axis 40 .

[0074] Furthermore, a lateral guide element 72 is arranged inside the lateral region 62. This element extends in the direction of the locking axis 46 into the front insertion region 68.

[0075] Each front connecting element 30 may be inserted into the front insertion region 68 along each front connecting axis 40 .

[0076] The lateral retaining portions 58 of the rear retaining element 36 are each integrally joined to a corresponding fastening portion 54 at an upper portion and integrally joined to a lateral region 74 at a lower portion. The lateral region 74 is integrally joined to a lower region 76.

[0077] The lateral regions 74, the lower region 76, the stopper 60 and the fastening portion 54 of the rear retaining element 36 define a respective rear insertion region 78. On the opposite side to the lateral region 74 and on the rear side opposite the stopper 60, the rear insertion region 78 is open.

[0078] Furthermore, the lateral retaining portions 58 of the rear retaining elements 36 each have a holder locking element 48 on its inner surface facing the other rear retaining element 36. The holder locking elements 48 are, for example, protrusions. The holder locking elements 48 each extend along a corresponding locking axis 46 transversely of the corresponding rear connection axis 42 into the corresponding rear insertion region 78.

[0079] In each case, a separation slot 80 is provided between the stop 60 of the rear retaining element 36 and the rear lateral retaining portion 58. The lateral retaining portions 28 can thus bend elastically outwardly in the direction of the locking axis 46 independently of the stop 60.

[0080] Furthermore, the rear retaining elements 36 each have a guide element 82, for example in the form of a guide web. The guide elements 82 are respectively arranged on the side of the corresponding rear insertion area 78 facing the fixing part 54. They are therefore arranged on the side of the rear insertion area 78 opposite the respective lower area 76. The guide elements 82 each extend along the corresponding rear connection axis 42 into the rear insertion area 78 in a direction away from the respective fixing part 54. The guide element 82 is used to guide each rear connection element 34 when it is inserted into the corresponding rear insertion area 78.

[0081] Furthermore, the fastening parts 54 of the rear retaining elements 36 each have a pressing area 84 in the area of ​​their outer surface. The transition area 84 is arranged on the side of the fastening part 54 facing the respective other rear retaining element 36. In the pressing area 84, the fastening parts 54 are elastically deformable at least on their outer surface. When the camera system 12 is mounted, the pressing area 84 is pressed against the respective pressing protrusions 86 of the camera housing 20 so that pressing occurs. The pressing protrusions 86 are arranged obliquely upward on the opposite side of the respective housing locking elements 44 of each rear connecting element 34.

[0082] To fix the camera system 12 to the vehicle window 14, first the holder base part 22 is fixed, e.g. glued, to the inner surface of the vehicle window 15 with the opposing upper surfaces of the holding elements 32 and 36. In this process, the V-shaped viewing opening 52 is oriented in the driving direction of the motor vehicle 10.

[0083] The camera housing 20 is then positioned so that the lens 24 is located on the side facing the field of view opening 52, so that each front connection element 30 is located in front of the rear opening of the front insertion area 68, and so that each rear connection element 34 is located in front of the front opening of the rear insertion area 78.

[0084] Then, by moving the camera housing 20 in a linear movement in the insertion direction 28, the front connection elements 30 slide into the respective front insertion regions 68 along the respective front connection axes 40, and the rear connection elements 34 slide into the respective rear insertion regions 78 along the respective rear connection axes 42. In this process, the rear connection elements 34 are guided into the respective rear insertion regions 78 by the respective guide elements 82, and the front connection elements 30 are guided into the respective front insertion regions 68 by the respective guide webs 70.

[0085] Furthermore, as the holder locking element 48 is pushed outward by the lead-in chamfer 38 of the rear connection element 34, each side retaining portion 58 of the rear retaining element 36 resiliently bends outward.

[0086] 2 to 10, the side of the front connection element 30 which is forward when viewed from the insertion direction 28 hits the respective stopper 64 of the front holding element 32. Furthermore, the front side of the rear connection element 34 hits the respective stopper 60 of the rear holding element 36. Thus, the camera housing 20 is prevented from being pushed further.

[0087] Furthermore, in the final position, the holder locking elements 48 engage with the housing locking elements 44 along the locking shafts 46, thereby allowing the rear side holding portions 58 to be released again. This locking prevents the camera housing 20 from accidentally sliding rearward from the holder base part 22.

[0088] Furthermore, each pressing protrusion 86 presses each pressing area 84 of the rear holding element 36, thereby generating a pressing force. Such pressing force improves the locking of the rear holding element 36 to the rear connecting element 34.

[0089] The locking axis 46 is oriented transverse to the mounting direction 28, and therefore transverses the corresponding mounting forces for insertion and pulling forces for withdrawal and release of the connection. Moreover, the locking axis 46 extends transverse to each notional pulling axis 88 of the holding part 58 of each fixing part 54, respectively. In this way, the locking axis 46 is likewise transverse to the corresponding forces holding the camera housing 20 to the holder base part 22, which are generated by gravity at least when the vehicle 10 is stationary. In this way, the forces required to make and break the connection between the camera housing 20 and the holder base part 22, the forces required to lock or unlock the connection, and the holding forces holding the camera housing 20 to the holder base part 22 can be more easily separated or distributed.

[0090] To release the connection, i.e. to separate the camera housing 20 from the holder base part 22 and thus also from the vehicle window 14, the connection elements 30 and 34 of the camera housing 20 are pulled out of the holding elements 32 and 36 of the holder base part 22 in the opposite direction of the insertion area 28. For this purpose, a large force is first required to release the locking of the holder locking element 48 with the respective housing locking element 44. In this process, the holder base part 22 can remain on the vehicle window 14.

[0091] In one embodiment (not shown), the front retaining element 32 may also have a holder locking element 48. Correspondingly, the front connecting element 30 may have a housing locking element 44.

Claims

1. A camera housing (20) comprising at least one connection element (30, 34) for detachably connecting to at least one holding element (32, 36) of a holder base part (22) by a sliding movement along a notional connection axis (40, 42), the holder base part (22) allows the camera housing (20) to be fixed directly or indirectly to a vehicle part (14) of a vehicle (10); At least one connecting element (30, 34) has at least one housing locking element (44); the at least one housing locking element (44) is capable of interacting with at least one holder locking element (48) on the at least one holding element (32, 36) to lock the connection between the at least one connecting element (30, 34) and the at least one holding element (32, 36); In the camera housing, at least one connecting element (30, 34) has at least one connecting wing which can be inserted into an insertion area (68, 78) of at least one holding element (32, 36) on said holder base part (22), and at least one housing locking element (44) is arranged on said at least one connecting wing, the at least one holder locking element (48) is elastically movable at least transversely to the connection axis (42); A camera housing comprising:

2. at least one housing locking element (44) extends along a notional locking axis (46) transverse to the connection axis (42) of the at least one housing-side connection element (34) into the at least one insertion region (78), whereby the at least one holder locking element (48) and the at least one housing locking element (44) can engage with each other along the locking axis (46); 2. The camera housing of claim 1.

3. when inserting the at least one connection element (30, 34) into the at least one insertion region (68, 78), in order to provide space for the at least one holder locking element (48) and / or the at least one housing locking element (44), the at least one holder locking element (48) is elastically movable at least transversely to the connection axis, such that the at least one holder locking element (48) on the one hand and the at least one housing-side connection element (30, 34) on the other hand are movable away from each other in the direction of a notional locking axis (46) transverse to the connection axis (42) of the at least one housing-side connection element (34) into the at least one insertion region (78), 3. A camera housing according to claim 1 or 2.

4. At least one housing locking element (44) comprises at least one recess and / or At least one housing locking element comprises at least one protrusion; 4. The camera housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing is a housing for mounting a camera thereon.

5. the at least one holder locking element (48) and the corresponding housing locking element (44) are engaged with each other in a mating manner; 5. The camera housing according to claim 4.

6. At least one connecting element (34) has at least one pressing protrusion (86); 6. The camera housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing is a housing for mounting a camera thereon.

7. At least two connection elements (30, 34) are arranged on the camera housing (20) such that their connection axes (40, 42) are parallel to each other at the same height when viewed from the side on which the holder base part (22) is arranged, and / or At least two connection elements (30, 34) are arranged on the camera housing (20) such that their connection axes (40, 42) are parallel to each other at different heights when viewed from a side on which the holder base part (22) is arranged.

7. The camera housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing is a housing for mounting a camera thereon.

8. A camera system for a vehicle (10) for fixing, comprising at least one camera housing (20) and at least one holder base part (22), the holder base part (22) allows the at least one camera housing (20) to be fixed to a vehicle part (14) of the vehicle (10); the at least one camera housing (20) can be detachably connected to the at least one holder base part (22) by a sliding movement along a notional connection axis (40, 42); In the camera system, At least one holder base part (22) has at least one holding element (32, 36) and at least one camera housing (20) has at least one connecting element (30, 34) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The at least one retaining element (32, 36) has at least one fastening portion (54); said at least one fastening portion (54) allows for directly or indirectly fastening said at least one holding element (32, 36) to said vehicle part (14); The at least one retaining element (32, 36) has at least one retaining portion (56, 58); said at least one holding part (56, 58) detachably connects said at least one holding element (32, 36) to at least one connecting element (30, 34) on said at least one camera housing (20) by a sliding movement along a notional connecting axis (40, 42); at least one holding portion (56, 58) at least contributes to the definition of at least one insertion area (68, 78) into which the at least one housing-side connection element (30, 34) can be inserted for detachable connection to the at least one holding element (32, 36); At least one holding element (36) has at least one holder locking element (48); the at least one holder locking element (48) is capable of interacting with at least one housing locking element (44) on the camera housing (20) to lock a connection between the at least one holding element (36) and the at least one connecting element (34); The at least one holder locking element (48) is arranged in at least one insertion area (78); A camera system, characterized in that the at least one holder locking element (48) is elastically movable at least transversely to the connection axis (42).

Images