Adapter and Radar Unit

Abstract

To provide an adapter that holds a radar device mounted on a saddle-riding vehicle, the adapter capable of determining a position of the radar device and preventing backlash of the radar device compared with prior arts.SOLUTION: An adapter according to the present invention is an adapter that holds a radar device mounted on a saddle-riding vehicle. When one of side face parts of the radar device is a first side face part, and of the side face parts of the radar device, when a side face part opposite to the first side face part is a second side face part, the adapter includes a first wall part opposite to the first side face part and a second wall part opposite to the second side face part. The first wall part and the second wall part have groove parts into which projections of the radar device are inserted and that determine the position of the radar device. The groove part has in the middle thereof a reduction part that has a reduced width and is pressed by the projection of the radar device to be plastically deformed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an adapter for holding a radar device and a radar unit including the adapter.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been proposed a vehicle such as a saddle-riding type vehicle equipped with a radar device using a laser radar or a millimeter-wave radar to detect obstacles. The radar device is used, for example, in an ACC system (Adaptive Cruise Control System), a Stop&Go system (Traffic Jam Follow-up System), and an inter-vehicle warning system. Such a radar device is held by an adapter and attached to an attachment portion of a vehicle as shown in Patent Document 1 etc.

[0003] In addition, there has been proposed a conventional adapter for holding a radar device provided with a groove portion for positioning the radar device. Specifically, one of the side surfaces of the radar device is defined as a first side surface. Of the side surfaces of the radar device, the side surface opposite to the first side surface is defined as a second side surface. When the first side surface and the second side surface are defined in this way, the adapter includes the above-described groove portion in a first wall portion facing the first side surface and a second wall portion facing the second side surface. The groove portion has a first end that is open. Further, the groove portion has a second end, which is an end opposite to the first end, in a V shape. Then, a columnar protrusion such as a pin of the radar device is inserted into the groove portion from the first end, and the radar device is positioned with respect to the adapter by the protrusion abutting against the wall portion forming the V shape of the second end.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As described above, in a conventional adapter provided with a groove portion for positioning a radar device, the protruding portion of the radar device abuts against the wall portion forming the V-shaped second end portion of the groove portion, whereby the radar device is positioned with respect to the adapter. Here, the wall portion forming the V-shaped groove portion and the protruding portion of the radar device are in line contact, and the contact area is small. For this reason, in a conventional adapter provided with a groove portion for positioning a radar device, the contact portion between the wall portion forming the V-shaped groove portion and the protruding portion of the radar device is likely to wear due to the vibration transmitted to the radar device and the adapter. Therefore, the conventional adapter provided with a groove portion for positioning a radar device has a problem that the radar device held by the adapter is likely to rattle.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the first aspect of the present invention is to provide an adapter for holding a radar device mounted on a saddle-type vehicle, which can position the radar device and suppress rattling of the radar device more effectively than in the prior art. Another object of the present invention is to provide a radar unit including such an adapter. Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The adapter according to the present invention is an adapter for holding a radar device mounted on a saddle-type vehicle. When one of the side surfaces of the radar device is defined as a first side surface and the side surface of the radar device that faces the first side surface is defined as a second side surface among the side surfaces of the radar device, the adapter includes a first wall portion facing the first side surface and a second wall portion facing the second side surface. The first wall portion and the second wall portion each have a groove portion with an open first end, and a protruding portion of the radar device inserted from the first end abuts against a second end, positioning the radar device. The groove portion has a reduced width in a direction perpendicular to the direction connecting the first end and the second end at a position between the first end and the second end, and includes a reduced portion that is plastically deformed by being pressed by the protruding portion of the radar device.

[0008] The radar unit according to the present invention includes the adapter according to the present invention and a radar device held by the adapter.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] In the adapter according to the present invention, when holding the radar device, the groove portion and the protruding portion of the radar device inserted into the groove portion are in surface contact at a location where the protruding portion of the radar device in the reduced portion is plastically deformed. Therefore, the adapter according to the present invention can increase the contact area between the groove portion and the protruding portion of the radar device inserted into the groove portion when holding the radar device, compared to the prior art. Thus, the adapter according to the present invention can position the radar device and suppress rattling of the radar device more effectively than in the prior art.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, an example of an adapter and a radar unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] In the following, an example in which an adapter and a radar unit according to the present invention are mounted on a motorcycle, which is an example of a straddle-type vehicle, will be described. However, the adapter and the radar unit according to the present invention may be adopted for other straddle-type vehicles other than motorcycles. Other straddle-type vehicles other than motorcycles include, for example, bicycles (e.g., two-wheeled bicycles, three-wheeled bicycles, etc.), three-wheeled motor vehicles having at least one of an engine and an electric motor as a drive source, and buggies. Further, the bicycle means all vehicles that can be propelled on the road by the pedaling force applied to the pedals. That is, the bicycle includes ordinary bicycles, electric assist bicycles, electric bicycles, etc. Further, the motorcycle or three-wheeled motor vehicle means a so-called motorcycle, and the motorcycle includes motorcycles, scooters, electric scooters, etc.

[0013] In addition, the configurations and operations of the adapter and the radar unit according to the present invention described below are examples, and the adapter and the radar unit according to the present invention are not limited to such configurations and operations. Also, in each figure, the same or similar members or parts may be given the same reference numerals or the assignment of reference numerals may be omitted. Further, for the detailed structure, the illustration is appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0014] Embodiment. Hereinafter, an adapter according to the present embodiment, a radar unit including the adapter and a radar device, and a saddle-type vehicle including the radar unit will be described.

[0015] <Configuration of Saddle-Type Vehicle> FIG. 1 is a side view showing a saddle-type vehicle equipped with a radar unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The saddle-type vehicle 1 is, for example, a motorcycle, and a radar unit 3 is provided at the front portion of the saddle-type vehicle 1. The radar unit 3 includes a radar device 200 and an adapter 100 that holds the radar device 200, as will be described later. The radar device 200 is arranged such that a transmission / reception surface 201 described later faces forward in the traveling direction of the saddle-type vehicle 1. Further, the adapter 100 is attached to an attachment portion (not shown) of the saddle-type vehicle 1. The attachment portion is a bracket or the like for attaching the adapter 100. Note that the component to which the attachment portion is attached is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the attachment portion is attached to the frame 2 of the saddle-type vehicle 1. At this time, the attachment portion may be directly attached to the frame 2 or may be indirectly attached via a damper or the like.

[0016] Note that the saddle-type vehicle 1 may also be provided with the radar unit 3 at a position other than the front portion of the saddle-type vehicle 1. For example, the saddle-type vehicle 1 may be provided with the radar unit 3 at the rear portion of the saddle-type vehicle 1. The radar device 200 provided at the rear portion of the saddle-type vehicle 1 will be arranged such that the transmission / reception surface 201 described later faces rearward in the traveling direction of the saddle-type vehicle 1.

[0017] <Configuration of Adapter and Radar Unit> FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a radar unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a radar device is held by an adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a radar device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The adapter 100 according to the present embodiment constitutes a radar unit 3 mounted on the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 together with the radar device 200. In other words, the adapter 100 holds the radar device 200 mounted on the saddle-riding type vehicle 1.

[0019] Hereinafter, when explaining the adapter 100, each part of the radar device 200 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is defined as follows. The transmission / reception surface 201 is defined as the front surface, and the surface facing the transmission / reception surface 201 is defined as the rear surface 202. Among the side surfaces connecting the transmission / reception surface 201 and the rear surface 202, the side surface that becomes the lower surface in the present embodiment is defined as the lower surface portion 203. Among the side surfaces connecting the transmission / reception surface 201 and the rear surface 202, the side surface facing the lower surface portion 203 is defined as the upper surface portion 204. Among the side surfaces connecting the transmission / reception surface 201 and the rear surface 202, the side surface that becomes the left side surface in the present embodiment is defined as the left side surface 205. The left side surface 205 can also be said to be one of the side surfaces connecting the lower surface portion 203 and the upper surface portion 204 among the side surfaces connecting the transmission / reception surface 201 and the rear surface 202. Among the side surfaces connecting the transmission / reception surface 201 and the rear surface 202, the side surface facing the left side surface 205 is defined as the right side surface 206.

[0020] Here, in the present embodiment, the left side surface 205 corresponds to the first side surface of the present invention, and the right side surface 206 corresponds to the second side surface of the present invention.

[0021] The adapter 100 includes a first component 10 and a second component 20.

[0022] The first component 10 includes a base portion 11 and a wall portion 12 that protrudes forward from the base portion 11. The base portion 11 is disposed to face the rear surface 202 of the radar device 200. The wall portion 12 faces the lower surface portion 203 of the radar device 200. Further, the wall portion 12 contacts the lower surface portion 203 of the radar device 200 and supports the lower surface portion 203. In the present embodiment, the radar device 200 held by the adapter 100 is provided with a connector 207 used when wiring-connecting to a control device (not shown) on the lower surface portion 203. For this reason, a relief portion 16 is formed in the wall portion 12 so that the wall portion 12 and the connector 207 do not interfere with each other. The relief portion 16 is a through-hole or a notch. That is, when the radar device 200 is held by the adapter 100, the connector 207 is inserted into the relief portion 16.

[0023] Further, the first component 10 according to the present embodiment includes a wall portion 13 and a wall portion 14 that protrude forward from the base portion 11. The wall portion 13 is a wall portion corresponding to the first wall portion of the present invention in the present embodiment. The wall portion 13 is disposed to face the left side surface portion 205 of the radar device 200. The wall portion 14 is a wall portion corresponding to the second wall portion of the present invention in the present embodiment. The wall portion 14 is disposed to face the right side surface portion 206 of the radar device 200. That is, in the present embodiment, the wall portion 13 and the wall portion 14 face each other in the lateral direction. As will be described later, the adapter 100 sandwiches the radar device 200 in the vertical direction by the first component 10 and the second component 20 and holds the radar device 200. At this time, the adapter 100 can hold the radar device 200 with a holding force sufficient to restrict the lateral movement of the radar device 200. However, by providing the wall portion 13 and the wall portion 14, the lateral movement of the radar device 200 can be more restricted, and the detachment of the radar device 200 from the adapter 100 can be more suppressed.

[0024] The second component 20 includes a base portion 21 and a wall portion 22 that protrudes forward from the base portion 21. The base portion 21 is arranged to face the first component 10. In this embodiment, although the base portion 21 does not face the back surface of the radar device 200, the base portion 21 may be extended downward and a part of the base portion 21 may be arranged to face the back surface of the radar device 200. The wall portion 22 faces the upper surface portion 204 of the radar device 200. The wall portion 22 is in direct or indirect contact with the upper surface portion 204 of the radar device 200 and supports the upper surface portion 204.

[0025] The adapter 100 includes a fastening portion 30. The first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened by the fastening portion 30. In this embodiment, the fastening portion 30 uses a screwing structure. Specifically, the fastening portion 30 is composed of a female screw portion 31 provided on the first component 10, a location where a through hole 32 is formed in the second component 20, and a male screw 33. The female screw portion 31 is arranged at a position facing the second component 20, for example, on the base portion 11 of the first component 10. The through hole 32 is arranged at a position facing the female screw portion 31, for example, on the base portion 21 of the second component 20. Then, the male screw 33 is inserted into the through hole 32 of the second component 20, and the male screw 33 is screwed into the female screw portion 31 of the first component 10, whereby the second component 20 is fastened to the first component 10. Further, when the second component 20 is fastened to the first component 10, the radar device 200 is sandwiched between the wall portion 12 of the first component 10 and the wall portion 22 of the second component 20. Thereby, the fastening force of the fastening portion 30 acting in the vertical direction becomes a holding force, and the radar device 200 is held by the adapter 100.

[0026] In the adapter 100 according to this embodiment, two fastening portions 30 are provided, but the number of the fastening portions 30 is not particularly limited. Further, the fastening portion 30 is not limited to the one using a screwing structure. Conventionally, a structure using a snap structure is known as a structure for fastening two components. For example, the fastening portion 30 may use a snap structure.

[0027] Incidentally, the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment can also hold a plurality of radar devices 200 with different positions of the connector 207 using the same adapter 100. Specifically, in addition to the wall portion 12, relief portions 16 are also formed in the wall portion 13 and the wall portion 14 of the adapter 100. Therefore, by inserting the connector 207 into the relief portion 16 of the wall portion 13, the radar device 200 provided with the connector 207 on the left side surface 205 can be held by the adapter 100. Further, by inserting the connector 207 into the relief portion 16 of the wall portion 14, the radar device 200 provided with the connector 207 on the right side surface 206 can be held by the adapter 100.

[0028] Moreover, the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle of the detection axis of the radar device 200 with respect to the attachment portion of the straddle-type vehicle 1. Specifically, the adapter 100 includes, as the adjustment mechanism, three female screw portions 15 and three adjustment bolts 70. Each of the female screw portions 15 is formed in the first component 10 so as to penetrate, for example, in the front-rear direction. Each of the adjustment bolts 70 includes a male screw portion 71 that engages with the female screw portion 15. Further, a tool connection portion 72 having a cross-sectional shape that is, for example, polygonal is provided at the end of the male screw portion 71. That is, by screwing the male screw portion 71 of the adjustment bolt 70 into the female screw portion 15 of the first component 10 and connecting a tool to the tool connection portion 72 and turning the adjustment bolt 70, the adjustment bolt 70 can be relatively moved with respect to the first component 10 in the penetrating direction of the female screw portion 15.

[0029] Also, one end, which is the end opposite to the tool connection part 72 of the adjustment bolt 70, is attached to the attachment part of the straddle-type vehicle 1 so as to be rotatable and angle-changeable. If the adjustment bolt 70 is rotatable and angle-changeable with respect to the attachment part of the straddle-type vehicle 1, the attachment configuration between one end of the adjustment bolt 70 and the attachment part of the straddle-type vehicle 1 is not particularly limited. Various configurations of universal joints in which two connecting parts are connected rotatably and angle-changeably are known. For example, one end of the adjustment bolt 70 may be attached to the attachment part of the straddle-type vehicle 1 rotatably and angle-changeably using a known connection configuration of such a universal joint.

[0030] In the present embodiment, using an attachment part 80 that constitutes a universal joint together with the adjustment bolt 70, one end of the adjustment bolt 70 is attached to the attachment part of the straddle-type vehicle 1 rotatably and angle-changeably. The attachment part 80 may be an accessory of the adapter 100 or an accessory of the straddle-type vehicle 1. Specifically, a ball head part 73 having a spherical shape for a part of the outer peripheral part is formed at the end opposite to the tool connection part 72 of the adjustment bolt 70. Further, the attachment part 80 includes a holding part 81 that holds the ball head part 73 of the adjustment bolt 70 rotatably and angle-changeably. Note that the configuration in which the holding part 81 holds the ball head part 73 is not particularly limited. As the configuration in which the holding part 81 holds the ball head part 73, various known configurations for holding the ball head part rotatably and angle-changeably in a universal joint can be used.

[0031] Thread the male screw portion 71 of the adjustment bolt 70 into each of the female screw portions 15 of the first component 10, attach attachment components 80 equal in number to the adjustment bolts 70 to the attachment portion of the saddle-type vehicle 1, and hold the ball head portion 73 of each adjustment bolt 70 in the holding portion 81 of each attachment component 80, whereby the adapter 100 is attached to the attachment portion of the saddle-type vehicle 1. In a state where the adapter 100 is attached to the attachment portion of the saddle-type vehicle 1, by connecting a tool to the tool connection portion 72 and turning each adjustment bolt 70, the distance between the adapter 100 and the attachment portion of the saddle-type vehicle 1 can be changed at the position of each adjustment bolt 70. Thereby, the angle of the adapter 100 with respect to the attachment portion of the saddle-type vehicle 1 can be adjusted. That is, the angle of the detection axis of the radar device 200 held by the adapter 100 can be adjusted with respect to the attachment portion of the saddle-type vehicle 1.

[0032] Note that the method of adjusting the angle from the front of the adapter 100 is an example. When the male screw portion 71 of the adjustment bolt 70 is threaded into the female screw portion 15 from the front of the first component 10, the adapter 100 is disposed behind the attachment portion of the saddle-type vehicle 1, and the tool connection portion 72 of the adjustment bolt 70 projects rearward of the first component 10. For this reason, the angle of the adapter 100 with respect to the attachment portion of the saddle-type vehicle 1 can be adjusted from behind the adapter 100.

[0033] Further, the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment included three female screw portions 15 and three adjustment bolts 70. However, the number of female screw portions 15 is not limited to three, and the number of adjustment bolts 70 is not limited to three. If the distance between the adapter 100 and the attachment portion of the saddle-type vehicle 1 can be adjusted at at least three locations, the angle of the adapter 100 with respect to the attachment portion of the saddle-type vehicle 1 can be adjusted. For this reason, if there are at least three female screw portions 15, four or more may be used. Similarly, if there are at least three adjustment bolts 70, four or more may be used. Further, in the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment, all the female screw portions 15 were provided in the first component 10. However, not limited thereto, at least a part of the female screw portions 15 may be provided in the second component 20.

[0034] Here, as shown in FIG. 2, when the radar device 200 is held by the adapter 100, in the direction facing between the transmission / reception surface 201 and the back surface 202, the end portion 23 on the transmission / reception surface 201 side of the second component 20 is located at a position farther from the back surface 202 than the transmission / reception surface 201 with reference to the back surface 202. In other words, in the case of this embodiment, when the radar device 200 is held by the adapter 100, in the direction facing between the transmission / reception surface 201 and the back surface 202, the end portion 23 on the transmission / reception surface 201 side of the second component 20 protrudes forward of the radar device 200. Note that when the radar device 200 is held by the adapter 100, in the direction facing between the transmission / reception surface 201 and the back surface 202, the end portion 23 on the transmission / reception surface 201 side of the second component 20 may be at the same position as the transmission / reception surface 201. In this embodiment, when the radar device 200 is held by the adapter 100, in the direction facing between the transmission / reception surface 201 and the back surface 202, the end portion 24 on the back surface 202 side of the second component 20 is either at the same position as the back surface 202 or at a position farther from the transmission / reception surface 201 than the back surface 202 with reference to the transmission / reception surface 201.

[0035] The radar device 200 may have components such as metal parts that are exposed to the outside and may be corroded by water. When the radar device 200 is held by the adapter 100, since the end portion 23 on the transmission / reception surface 201 side of the second component 20 is arranged at the above-described position, the upper part of the radar device 200 can be covered by the second component 20. Therefore, it is possible to suppress water such as rainwater from adhering to the components of the radar device 200 that are corroded by water, and to suppress corrosion of the components. Note that in the direction facing between the wall portion 13 and the wall portion 14, the second component 20 does not necessarily cover all of the upper part of the radar device 200. For example, portions of the radar device 200 that are not corroded by water do not necessarily need to be covered by the second component 20 in the direction facing between the wall portion 13 and the wall portion 14.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of another example of the upper part of a radar unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, observed from the side. When the radar device 200 is held by the adapter 100, it is assumed that, in the direction in which the transmission / reception surface 201 and the back surface 202 face each other, the end portion 23 on the transmission / reception surface 201 side of the second component 20 is located farther from the back surface 202 than the transmission / reception surface 201 with reference to the back surface 202. In such a case, the end portion 23 on the transmission / reception surface 201 side of the second component 20 may be bent toward the wall portion 12, in other words, toward the radar device 200. Thereby, it is possible to suppress water from entering between the second component 20 and the upper surface portion 204 of the radar device 200 from the end portion 23 side of the second component 20. In other words, in the case of this embodiment, it is possible to suppress water from entering between the second component 20 and the upper surface portion 204 of the radar device 200 from the front of the radar unit 3. For this reason, it is possible to further suppress water such as rainwater from adhering to the components of the radar device 200 that are corroded by water, and it is possible to further suppress the corrosion of the components. Note that the reference numeral 40 shown in FIG. 5 is a radar positioning portion 40 to be described later.

[0037] Further, the adapter 100 includes a positioning structure for positioning the radar device 200 with respect to the adapter 100. Specifically, the adapter 100 includes a positioning structure for positioning the portion of the radar device 200 on the wall portion 12 side and a positioning structure for positioning the portion of the radar device 200 on the wall portion 22 side. In other words, in the case of this embodiment, the adapter 100 includes a positioning structure for positioning the lower portion of the radar device 200 and a positioning structure for positioning the upper portion of the radar device 200. Hereinafter, the details of these positioning structures will be described.

[0038] Adapter 100 is provided with groove portions 60 in each of the wall portions 13 and 14 of the first component 10 as a positioning structure for positioning the wall portion 12 side portion of the radar device 200 with respect to the adapter 100. The protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 is inserted into the groove portion 60. Thereby, the wall portion 12 side portion of the radar device 200 is positioned with respect to the adapter 100. Specifically, the protruding portion 209 provided on the left side surface portion 205 of the adapter 100 is inserted into the groove portion 60 of the wall portion 13. The protruding portion 209 provided on the right side surface portion 206 of the adapter 100 is inserted into the groove portion 60 of the wall portion 14. The protruding portion 209 is, for example, a pin attached to the outer peripheral portion of the radar device 200. Note that the protruding portion 209 may be integrally formed with the outer peripheral portion of the radar device 200. Also, in the present embodiment, the protruding portion 209 has a cylindrical shape, but the protruding portion 209 may have a shape other than the cylindrical shape. The groove portion 60 opens toward the second component 20. Note that in the present embodiment, the groove portion 60 extends in the facing direction of the first component 10 and the second component 20. However, as long as the groove portion 60 opens toward the second component 20, the extending direction of the groove portion 60 may be inclined with respect to the facing direction of the first component 10 and the second component 20.

[0039] Conventional adapters for holding a radar device are integrated. That is, a conventional adapter for holding a radar device has a configuration in which a first component 10 and a second component 20 of the adapter 100 are integrally formed. Also, there has been proposed a conventional adapter for holding a radar device in which groove portions for positioning the radar device are provided in opposing wall portions. When holding a radar device in such a conventional adapter capable of positioning the radar device, first, the portion where the protruding portion of the radar device is provided is inserted into the adapter through the opening of the adapter. Then, the protruding portion of the radar device is inserted into the groove portion of the adapter. After that, while rotating the radar device with the protruding portion of the radar device as the rotation center, the radar device is pushed into the adapter from the opening of the adapter. As a result, the radar device is held by the adapter. Thus, in the case of a conventional adapter capable of positioning a radar device, when holding the radar device, the process of pushing in the radar while rotating it as described above is required, so the operation of holding the radar device becomes complicated.

[0040] On the other hand, in the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment, by inserting the radar device 200 into the first component 10 along the direction in which the first component 10 and the second component 20 face each other, the protruding portion 209 provided on the radar device 200 can be inserted into the groove portion 60 provided in the first component 10. And in the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment, by fastening the first component 10 and the second component 20 with the fastening portion 30, the radar device 200 can be held by the adapter 100. For this reason, when holding the radar device 200 by the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment, the conventional process of pushing the radar device into the adapter while rotating it is not required. Therefore, the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment can position the radar device 200 in the adapter 100, and the operation of holding the radar device 200 in the adapter 100 becomes easier than before.

[0041] Note that a protruding portion 209 may be provided on the first component 10, and a groove portion 60 may be provided on the radar device 200. In such a case, specifically, the protruding portion 209 is provided on the wall portions 13 and 14 of the first component 10. Further, the groove portion 60 is provided on the left side surface portion 205 and the right side surface portion 206 of the radar device 200. Further, the groove portions 60 provided on the left side surface portion 205 and the right side surface portion 206 of the radar device 200 open toward the lower surface portion 203 of the radar device 200.

[0042] Even when the adapter 100 and the radar device 200 are configured in this way, that is, even when the radar unit 3 is configured in this way, by inserting the radar device 200 into the first component 10 along the facing direction between the first component 10 and the second component 20, the protruding portion 209 can be inserted into the groove portion 60. Then, by fastening the first component 10 and the second component 20 with the fastening portion 30, the radar device 200 can be held by the adapter 100. And when holding the radar device 200 by the adapter 100, the conventional process of pushing the radar device into the adapter while rotating it becomes unnecessary. Therefore, even when the radar unit 3 is configured in this way, the radar device 200 can be positioned on the adapter 100, and the operation of holding the radar device 200 by the adapter 100 becomes easier than before.

[0043] Further, in the present embodiment, the groove portion 60 has the following configuration.

[0044] FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged views of the main part showing the periphery of the groove portion of the adapter according to the embodiment of the present invention. These FIGS. 6 and 7 are views of the groove portion 60 provided on the wall portion 13 of the first component 10 of the adapter 100 observed in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 3. Further, FIG. 6 shows the groove portion 60 before the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 is inserted. FIG. 7 shows the groove portion 60 in a state where the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 is inserted. Note that the groove portion 60 provided on the wall portion 14 of the first component 10 of the adapter 100 has the same configuration as the groove portion 60 provided on the wall portion 13 of the first component 10 of the adapter 100.

[0045] The groove portion 60 has an opening at the first end portion 61. Then, when the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 inserted from the first end portion 61 abuts against the second end portion 62, the radar device 200 is positioned. And the groove portion 60 is provided with a reduced portion 63 at a position between the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62. The reduced portion 63 is a portion where the width in the direction perpendicular to the direction connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62 is reduced. Specifically, the groove portion 60 includes a side wall portion 64 and a side wall portion 65 as side wall portions connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62. And the groove portion 60 is provided with a convex portion 66 protruding toward the inside of the groove portion 60 on each of the side wall portion 64 and the side wall portion 65. In the present embodiment, these convex portions 66 serve as the reduced portion 63. Note that in the present embodiment, the side wall portion 64 and the side wall portion 65 are substantially L-shaped (or substantially C-shaped). However, this shape of the side wall portion 64 and the side wall portion 65 is an example. For example, the side wall portion 64 and the side wall portion 65 may be substantially linear.

[0046] In the reduced portion 63 of the groove portion 60, the width in the direction perpendicular to the direction connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62 is reduced. In FIGS. 6 and 7, in the reduced portion 63 of the groove portion 60, the lateral width is reduced. Also, in the state before the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 is inserted into the groove portion 60, in the direction perpendicular to the direction connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62, the width of the reduced portion 63 is smaller than the width of the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200. For this reason, when the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 is inserted into the groove portion 60, the reduced portion 63 is pressed by the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 and plastically deformed. That is, in the state where the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 abuts against the second end portion 62 and the radar device 200 is positioned, the groove portion 60 and the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 inserted into the groove portion 60 are in surface contact at the portion of the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 in the reduced portion 63 that has been plastically deformed.

[0047] In a conventional adapter provided with a groove portion for positioning a radar device, the end portion of the groove where a columnar protrusion such as a pin of the radar device abuts was V-shaped. That is, in the groove portion of the conventional adapter, the end portion corresponding to the second end portion 62 of the groove portion 60 according to the present embodiment was V-shaped. And in a conventional adapter provided with a groove portion for positioning a radar device, the radar device was positioned with respect to the adapter by the protrusion of the radar device abutting against the wall portion forming the V-shaped groove portion. At this time, the wall portion forming the V-shaped groove portion and the protrusion of the radar device were in line contact, and the contact area was small. For this reason, in a conventional adapter provided with a groove portion for positioning a radar device, the contact portion between the wall portion forming the V-shaped groove portion and the protrusion of the radar device was likely to wear due to the vibration transmitted to the radar device and the adapter. Therefore, in a conventional adapter provided with a groove portion for positioning a radar device, the radar device held by the adapter was likely to rattle.

[0048] On the other hand, in the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the groove portion 60 and the protrusion 209 of the radar device 200 inserted into the groove portion 60 are in surface contact at the portion where the protrusion 209 of the radar device 200 in the reduced portion 63 is plastically deformed. For this reason, the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment can increase the contact area between the groove portion 60 and the protrusion 209 of the radar device 200 inserted into the groove portion 60 when holding the radar device 200, as compared with the conventional case. Therefore, the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment can position the radar device 200 and suppress the rattling of the radar device 200 more than in the conventional case.

[0049] Here, it is preferable that the convex portions 66 provided on each of the side wall portions 64 and 65 are at equal distances from the second end portion 62 in the direction connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62. In other words, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the direction connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62 is the vertical direction. In such a case, it is preferable that the convex portion 66 provided on the side wall portion 64 and the convex portion 66 provided on the side wall portion 65 are at the same height. By arranging the convex portions 66 provided on each of the side wall portions 64 and 65 in this way, when the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 is inserted into the groove portion 60, the two convex portions 66 are simultaneously pressed, and the two convex portions 66 are simultaneously plastically deformed. Therefore, by arranging the convex portions 66 provided on each of the side wall portions 64 and 65 in this way, the positioning accuracy of the radar device 200 is improved. When measuring the distance from the second end portion 62 in the direction connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62, for example, the position farthest from the first end portion 61 among the second end portions 62 is measured as the measurement position of the second end portion 62. For example, in the case of FIGS. 6 and 7, the lowermost position of the second end portion 62 is the measurement position of the second end portion 62.

[0050] Also, in the present embodiment, the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 has a cylindrical shape. In such a case, the second end portion 62 of the groove portion 60 preferably has an arc shape that is recessed in a direction away from the first end portion 61. By configuring the second end portion 62 of the groove portion 60 in this way, the contact area between the second end portion 62 of the groove portion 60 and the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 is increased compared to the case where the second end portion 62 has a V shape. Therefore, by configuring the second end portion 62 of the groove portion 60 in this way, rattling of the radar device 200 within the adapter 100 can be further suppressed.

[0051] Further, when the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 has a cylindrical shape and the second end portion 62 of the groove portion 60 has an arcuate shape that is recessed in a direction away from the first end portion 61, the contact portion of the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 in the reduced portion 63 is preferably at the same position as the central axis of the protruding portion 209 or closer to the second end portion 62 than the central axis of the protruding portion 209 in the direction connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62. In other words, in FIGS. 6 and 7 where the direction connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62 is the vertical direction, the contact portion of the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 in the reduced portion 63 is preferably lower than the central axis of the protruding portion 209. When the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 has a cylindrical shape, the width of the protruding portion 209 is the widest at the position of the central axis in the direction perpendicular to the direction connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62. Therefore, by configuring the reduced portion 63 in this way, before the widest portion of the protruding portion 209 in the direction perpendicular to the direction connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62 passes through the reduced portion 63, the protruding portion 209 comes into contact with the second end portion 62. Therefore, by configuring the reduced portion 63 in this way, rattling between the protruding portion 209 and the reduced portion 63 can be more effectively suppressed, and rattling of the radar device 200 within the adapter 100 can be further suppressed.

[0052] Such a configuration of the reduced portion 63 can be realized, for example, as follows. As shown in FIG. 6, on one of the side wall portions 64 and 65 connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62, the end portion on the second end portion 62 side of the contact portion of the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 in the reduced portion 63 is defined as the first point P1. On the other of the side wall portions 64 and 65 connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62, the end portion on the second end portion 62 side of the contact portion of the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 in the reduced portion 63 is defined as the second point P2. The center point of the arcuate second end portion 62 is defined as the center point C. The virtual straight line connecting the center point C and the first point P1 is defined as the first virtual straight line L1. The virtual straight line connecting the center point C and the second point P2 is defined as the second virtual straight line L2.

[0053] When defined in this way, the angle α formed by the first virtual straight line L1 and the second virtual straight line L2 on the second end portion 62 side is preferably 180° or less. When it is desired to increase the contact area between the second end portion 62 and the protruding portion 209, the radius of the arc shape of the second end portion 62 and the radius of the outer peripheral portion of the protruding portion 209 are substantially the same. For this reason, the center point C is located at substantially the same position as the central axis of the protruding portion 209. Therefore, by setting the above-described angle α to 180° or less, the portion of the radar device 200 in the reduced portion 63 that contacts the protruding portion 209 is at the same position as the central axis of the protruding portion 209 or closer to the second end portion 62 than the central axis of the protruding portion 209 in the direction connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62.

[0054] Also, the first end portion 61 of the groove portion 60 preferably widens as it moves away from the second end portion 62. In the present embodiment, due to the inclined surface 67 formed at the first end portion 61, the first end portion 61 of the groove portion 60 widens as it moves away from the second end portion 62. Since the first end portion 61 of the groove portion 60 widens as it moves away from the second end portion 62, it becomes easier to insert the protruding portion 209 into the groove portion 60, and it becomes easier to hold the radar device 200 by the adapter 100.

[0055] Note that the reduced portion 63 is not limited to the convex portion 66. Hereinafter, an example of the groove portion 60 provided with the reduced portion 63 configured by other than the convex portion 66 will be introduced.

[0056] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the periphery of a groove portion of another example of an adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the groove portion 60 shown in FIG. 8, the side wall portion 64 and the side wall portion 65 approach each other as going from the second end portion 62 toward the first end portion 61. Even when the groove portion 60 is configured in this way, the reduced portion 63 is formed at a position between the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62. Then, when the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 is inserted into the groove portion 60, the reduced portion 63 is pressed by the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 and plastically deformed.

[0057] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the radar unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, observed from the front. The adapter 100 includes a radar positioning portion 40 and an adapter positioning portion 50 as a positioning structure for positioning the wall portion 22 side portion of the radar device 200 with respect to the adapter 100. The radar positioning portion 40 is provided on the second component 20 of the adapter 100 and positions the radar device 200 with respect to the second component 20. The adapter positioning portion 50 has a first positioning portion provided on the first component 10 of the adapter 100 and a second positioning portion provided on the second component 20 of the adapter 100, and positions the first component 10 and the second component 20. That is, by positioning the radar device 200 with respect to the second component 20 by the radar positioning portion 40 and positioning the first component 10 and the second component 20 by the adapter positioning portion 50, the wall portion 22 side portion of the radar device 200 is positioned with respect to the adapter 100.

[0058] In this embodiment, the adapter positioning portion 50 includes a concave portion 51 as the first positioning portion provided on the first component 10, and a protruding portion 52 as the second positioning portion provided on the second component 20. The protruding portion 52 has, for example, a cylindrical shape and is inserted into the concave portion 51. That is, in the adapter positioning portion 50 according to this embodiment, the first component 10 and the second component 20 are positioned by inserting the protruding portion 52 into the concave portion 51. Note that the protruding portion 52 may be integrally formed with the base portion 11 or the like of the first component 10, or may be a pin or the like formed separately from the base portion 11 or the like and attached to the base portion 11 or the like. Further, in this embodiment, the protruding portion 52 has a cylindrical shape, but the protruding portion 209 may have a shape other than the cylindrical shape. Further, in this embodiment, an inclined surface 53 is formed at the opening of the concave portion 51 so that the opening spreads toward the protruding portion 52. Thereby, the insertion of the protruding portion 52 into the concave portion 51 becomes easy, and the positioning of the first component 10 and the second component 20 becomes easy. Further, in this embodiment, two adapter positioning portions 50 configured as described above are provided on the adapter 100. In other words, in this embodiment, a pair of adapter positioning portions 50 configured as described above are provided on the adapter 100.

[0059] Note that the configuration of the adapter positioning portion 50 described above is an example. For example, the adapter positioning portion 50 may include a protruding portion 52 as the first positioning portion provided on the first component 10, and a concave portion 51 as the second positioning portion provided on the second component 20. Further, for example, the adapter positioning portion 50 may have a configuration using parts other than the concave portion 51 and the protruding portion 52, such as a configuration in which step portions are brought into contact with each other for positioning. Also, if the rotation of the second component 20 with respect to the first component 10 can be restricted by the adapter positioning portion 50, the number of adapter positioning portions 50 is also arbitrary.

[0060] In addition, in the present embodiment, the radar positioning portion 40 includes a recess 41. A protruding portion 208 provided on the upper surface portion 204 of the radar device 200 is inserted into the recess 41. Thereby, the radar device 200 is positioned with respect to the second component 20. The protruding portion 208 is, for example, a pin attached to the outer peripheral portion of the radar device 200. Note that the protruding portion 208 may be integrally formed with the outer peripheral portion of the radar device 200. Further, in the present embodiment, an inclined surface 43 is formed at the opening of the recess 41 so that the opening extends toward the protruding portion 208. This facilitates the insertion of the protruding portion 208 into the recess 41 and the positioning of the radar device 200 and the second component 20. Further, in the present embodiment, one radar positioning portion 40 configured as described above is provided in the adapter 100.

[0061] Note that the configuration of the adapter positioning portion 50 described above is an example. For example, when a recess is provided in the radar device 200, the radar positioning portion 40 may be a convex portion inserted into the recess. Further, for example, the radar positioning portion 40 may have a configuration using other than the recess and the protruding portion, such as a configuration in which stepped portions are abutted against each other for positioning. Also, two or more radar positioning portions 40 may be provided in the adapter 100.

[0062] Here, in the present embodiment, in a state where the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened by the fastening portion 30, the radar positioning portion 40 is configured to press the radar device 200 toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10. Specifically, the radar positioning portion 40 includes a convex portion 42 that protrudes from the wall portion 22 of the second component 20 toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10. Further, the recess 41 of the radar positioning portion 40 is provided at the tip of the convex portion 42. In a state where the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened by the fastening portion 30, the tip of the convex portion 42 of the radar positioning portion 40 is configured to press the radar device 200 toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10.

[0063] When the radar device 200 is sandwiched between the wall portion 12 of the first component 10 and the wall portion 22 of the second component 20, it is necessary to provide a configuration for pressing the radar device 200 toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10 on the wall portion 22 of the second component 20. In the present embodiment, the radar positioning portion 40 can also serve as this configuration. For this reason, by configuring the radar positioning portion 40 to press the radar device 200 toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10, the shape of the first component 10 can be simplified.

[0064] Also, in the present embodiment, the radar positioning portion 40 is disposed between the pair of fastening portions 30. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 3, when the second component 20 is not fastened to the first component 10 by the fastening portion 30, it is preferable that at least between the pair of fastening portions 30 is bent so as to protrude toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10.

[0065] When the radar device 200 is sandwiched between the wall portion 12 of the first component 10 and the wall portion 22 of the second component 20, the radar device 200 is sandwiched using the reaction force acting on the wall portion 22 of the second component 20. Specifically, when the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened by the fastening portion 30, the wall portion 22 of the second component 20 is pressed in a direction away from the wall portion 12 of the first component 10 by the radar device 200 and is deformed. For this reason, the wall portion 22 of the second component 20 tries to return to its original shape. At this time, a reaction force in a direction toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10 is generated on the wall portion 22 of the second component 20. Using this reaction force, the radar device 200 is sandwiched between the wall portion 12 of the first component 10 and the wall portion 22 of the second component 20.

[0066] Therefore, in the second component 20 that is not fastened to the first component 10 at the fastening portion 30, if the area between the pair of fastening portions 30 is flat, when the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened at the fastening portion 30, the area between the pair of fastening portions 30 in the second component 20 will warp so as to protrude in a direction away from the wall portion 12 of the first component 10. On the other hand, in the second component 20 that is not fastened to the first component 10 at the fastening portion 30, compared with the case where the area between the pair of fastening portions 30 is flat, when the area between the pair of fastening portions 30 in the second component 20 that is not fastened to the first component 10 at the fastening portion 30 warps so as to protrude toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10, when the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened at the fastening portion 30, the area between the pair of fastening portions 30 in the second component 20 will have a shape closer to flat. For this reason, when the area between the pair of fastening portions 30 in the second component 20 that is not fastened to the first component 10 at the fastening portion 30 warps so as to protrude toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10, the design property of the radar unit 3 is improved. In other words, when the area between the pair of fastening portions 30 in the second component 20 that is not fastened to the first component 10 at the fastening portion 30 warps so as to protrude toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10, the design property of the adapter 100 holding the radar device 200 is improved.

[0067] In addition, in the present embodiment, the second component 20 is made of resin. In such a case, it is more preferable that the second component 20 is warped so that the whole protrudes toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10 when not fastened to the first component 10 by the fastening portion 30. This is for the following reason. In the second component 20 in a state where it is not fastened to the first component 10 by the fastening portion 30, assume that only the portion between the pair of fastening portions 30 is warped so as to protrude toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10. In such a case, when the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened by the fastening portion 30 and the second component 20 is deformed, stress concentration occurs at the boundary between the warped portion between the fastening portions 30 and the flat portion adjacent to the warped portion in the second component 20. When the second component 20 is made of resin, if a creep phenomenon occurs at the boundary due to the stress concentration, the reaction force acting on the wall portion 22 of the second component 20 decreases. That is, the force for clamping the radar device 200 decreases.

[0068] On the other hand, in the second component 20 in a state where it is not fastened to the first component 10 by the fastening portion 30, when the whole is warped so as to protrude toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10, the reaction force acting on the wall portion 22 of the second component 20 becomes larger than the case where only a part is warped so as to protrude toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10. For this reason, in the second component 20 in a state where it is not fastened to the first component 10 by the fastening portion 30, when the whole is warped so as to protrude toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10, the reaction force acting on the wall portion 22 of the second component 20 becomes larger even after the decrease in the reaction force acting on the wall portion 22 of the second component 20 due to the creep phenomenon, compared with the case where only a part is warped so as to protrude toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10. Therefore, when the second component 20 is made of resin, in a state where it is not fastened to the first component 10 by the fastening portion 30, if the whole of the second component 20 is warped so as to protrude toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10, the adapter 100 can stably hold the radar device 200 over a long period of time.

[0069] Also, in the second component 20 not fastened to the first component 10 at the fastening portion 30, when at least between a pair of fastening portions 30 is warped so as to protrude toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10, the following effects can be obtained. When the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened and the second component 20 is pressed by the radar device 200, the second component 20 is less likely to deform at locations farther from the contact portion with the radar device 200. For this reason, in the second component 20 not fastened to the first component 10 at the fastening portion 30, when at least between a pair of fastening portions 30 is warped so as to protrude toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10, when the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened, the end portion 23 on the transmission / reception surface 201 side of the second component 20 is likely to be bent toward the radar device 200. Therefore, in the second component 20 not fastened to the first component 10 at the fastening portion 30, when at least between a pair of fastening portions 30 is warped so as to protrude toward the wall portion 12 of the first component 10, it is easy to suppress water from entering between the second component 20 and the upper surface portion 204 of the radar device 200, and it is easy to suppress corrosion of the components of the radar device 200 corroded by water.

[0070] Further, when the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened at the fastening portion 30, it is preferable that after the concave portion 51 and the protruding portion 52 of the adapter positioning portion 50 come into contact, the radar positioning portion 40 and the radar device 200 come into contact. For example, when the radar device 200 and the second component 20 are positioned by the radar positioning portion 40, assume that the concave portion 51 and the protruding portion 52 of the adapter positioning portion 50 have not yet come into contact. In such a case, for example, depending on the configuration of the radar positioning portion 40, the second component 20 is in a state of being rotatably attached to the radar device 200. The operation of positioning the second component 20 and the first component 10 in such a state with the adapter positioning portion 50 is complicated.

[0071] Suppose that the first component 10 and the second component 20 are positioned by the adapter positioning portion 50, and then the radar device 200 and the second component 20 are positioned by the radar positioning portion 40. In this case, the second component 20 that does not rotate and the radar device 200 can be positioned by the radar positioning portion 40. Therefore, after the concave portion 51 and the protruding portion 52 of the adapter positioning portion 50 come into contact, by adopting a configuration in which the radar positioning portion 40 and the radar device 200 come into contact, the positioning operation of the radar device 200 and the adapter 100 using the radar positioning portion 40 and the adapter positioning portion 50 becomes easy.

[0072] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper part of the radar unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, observed from the side. This FIG. 10 shows a state in which, when some force acts on the second component 20 in a state where the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened by the fastening portion 30, the protruding portion 208 of the radar device 200 has come out of the concave portion 41 of the radar positioning portion 40 of the second component 20. In such a state, the radar device 200 can move in the direction from the back surface 202 toward the transmission / reception surface 201 as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 10, and there is a possibility of falling off from the adapter 100.

[0073] Therefore, the second component 20 of the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with a catching portion 25. When the radar device 200 moves in the direction from the back surface 202 toward the transmission / reception surface 201 in a state where the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened by the fastening portion 30, the catching portion 25 catches on the radar device 200. In the present embodiment, when the radar device 200 moves in the direction from the back surface 202 toward the transmission / reception surface 201, the catching portion 25 is configured to catch on a protruding portion 210 provided on the upper surface portion 204 of the radar device 200. However, the position of the radar device 200 on which the catching portion 25 catches is arbitrary. For example, when the radar device 200 moves in the direction from the back surface 202 toward the transmission / reception surface 201, the catching portion 25 may catch on the transmission / reception surface 201 of the radar device 200. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the protruding portion 210 on the radar device 200. Since the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with the catching portion 25, even when a certain force acts on the second component 20 and the protruding portion 208 of the radar device 200 comes out of the recess 41 of the radar positioning portion 40 of the second component 20 in a state where the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened by the fastening portion 30, it is possible to prevent the radar device 200 from falling off the adapter 100.

[0074] <Method for Holding Radar Device with Adapter> Subsequently, a method for holding the radar device 200 with the adapter 100 will be described. First, in a state where the first component 10 and the second component 20 are not fastened, the radar device 200 is inserted into the first component 10. Specifically, the radar device 200 is inserted into the first component 10 along the direction that becomes the facing direction of the first component 10 and the second component 20 when the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened. Then, the protruding portion 209 provided on the radar device 200 is inserted into the groove portions 60 provided on the wall portions 13 and 14 of the first component 10 of the adapter 100. And the protruding portion 209 provided on the radar device 200 is brought into contact with the second end portion 62 of the groove portion 60. Thereby, the wall portion 12 side portion of the radar device 200 can be positioned with respect to the first component 10 of the adapter 100. At this time, the groove portion 60 opens in the direction toward the second component 20 when the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened. For this reason, the radar device 200 can be inserted into the first component 10 while keeping the facing direction of the lower surface portion 203 and the upper surface portion 204 of the radar device 200 substantially parallel to the facing direction of the first component 10 and the second component 20 when the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened.

[0075] Thereafter, the adapter positioning portion 50 positions the first component 10 and the second component 20 of the adapter 100, and the radar positioning portion 40 positions the radar device 200 with respect to the second component 20. Specifically, the second component 20 is brought closer to the first component 10 along the direction that becomes the facing direction of the first component 10 and the second component 20 when the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened. And in the adapter positioning portion 50, the protruding portion 52 is inserted into the recessed portion 51 to position the first component 10 and the second component 20 of the adapter 100. Also, the protruding portion 208 of the radar device 200 is inserted into the recessed portion 41 of the radar positioning portion 40 to position the radar device 200 with respect to the second component 20. Thereby, the wall portion 22 side portion of the radar device 200 can be positioned with respect to the adapter 100.

[0076] Here, as described above, when the first component 10 and the second component 20 are fastened, the radar device 200 can be inserted into the first component 10 while keeping the facing direction between the lower surface portion 203 and the upper surface portion 204 of the radar device 200 substantially parallel to the facing direction between the first component 10 and the second component 20. For this reason, when the adapter positioning portion 50 positions the first component 10 and the second component 20 of the adapter 100 with respect to the radar device 200 inserted into the first component 10, the protruding portion 208 of the radar device 200 is easily inserted into the recess 41 of the radar positioning portion 40. Specifically, the recess 41 of the radar positioning portion 40 and the protruding portion 208 of the radar device 200 are in substantially opposing positions. For this reason, in the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment, it is easy to position the wall portion 22 side portion of the radar device 200 with respect to the adapter 100.

[0077] Finally, the fastening portion 30 fastens the first component 10 and the second component 20 of the adapter 100. As a result, the radar device 200 is sandwiched between the first component 10 and the second component 20, and the radar device 200 is held by the adapter 100.

[0078] <Effect of the adapter> The adapter 100 according to the present embodiment is an adapter that holds the radar device 200 mounted on the straddle-type vehicle 1. The adapter 100 according to the present embodiment includes a wall portion 13 facing the left side surface portion 205 of the radar device 200 and a wall portion 14 facing the right side surface portion 206 of the radar device 200. Further, the wall portion 13 and the wall portion 14 are provided with a groove portion 60 in which the first end portion 61 is open, the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 inserted from the first end portion 61 abuts against the second end portion 62, and the radar device 200 is positioned. The groove portion 60 has a reduced width in a direction perpendicular to the direction connecting the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62 at a position between the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62, and includes a reduced portion 63 that is plastically deformed by being pressed by the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200.

[0079] In the adapter 100 configured as described above, the groove portion 60 and the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 inserted into the groove portion 60 are in surface contact at the location where the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 in the reduced portion 63 is plastically deformed. For this reason, when the radar device 200 is held, the adapter 100 configured as described above can increase the contact area between the groove portion 60 and the protruding portion 209 of the radar device 200 inserted into the groove portion 60 as compared with the conventional case. Therefore, the adapter 100 configured as described above can position the radar device 200 and can suppress rattling of the radar device 200 more effectively than in the conventional case.

[0080] As described above, the adapter 100 and the radar unit 3 according to the present embodiment have been described. However, the adapter and the radar unit according to the present invention are not limited to the description of the present embodiment, and only a part of the present embodiment may be implemented.

[0081] For example, the adapter 100 according to the present embodiment has a configuration divided into the first component 10 and the second component 20. However, the adapter according to the present invention is not limited to this, and may be an adapter of an integral structure similar to the conventional one, provided with the groove portion 60. Even with an adapter configured in this way, the effect of suppressing rattling of the radar device 200 more effectively than in the conventional case can be obtained by the groove portion 60.

[0082] Also, the attitude of the radar unit 3 shown in the present embodiment is merely an example. The radar unit according to the present invention may be attached to a straddle-type vehicle, for example, in an attitude where the first wall portion and the second wall portion of the adapter according to the present invention face each other in the vertical direction.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0083] 1 saddle-riding type vehicle, 2 frame, 3 radar unit, 10 first component, 11 base portion, 12 wall portion, 13 wall portion, 14 wall portion, 15 female screw portion, 16 relief portion, 20 second component, 21 base portion, 22 wall portion, 23 end portion, 24 end portion, 25 engaging portion, 30 fastening portion, 31 female screw portion, 32 through-hole, 33 male screw, 40 radar positioning portion, 41 concave portion, 42 convex portion, 43 inclined surface, 50 adapter positioning portion, 51 concave portion, 52 protruding portion, 53 inclined surface, 60 groove portion, 61 first end portion, 62 second end portion, 63 reducing portion, 64 side wall portion, 65 side wall portion, 66 convex portion, 67 inclined surface, 70 adjustment bolt, 71 male screw portion, 72 tool connection portion, 73 ball head portion, 80 mounting component, 81 holding portion, 100 adapter, 200 radar device, 201 transmitting / receiving surface, 202 back surface, 203 lower surface portion, 204 upper surface portion, 205 left side surface portion, 206 right side surface portion, 207 connector, 208 protruding portion, 209 protruding portion, 210 protruding portion.

Claims

1. An adapter (100) for holding a radar device (200) mounted on a saddle-type vehicle (1), wherein one of the side surfaces of the radar device (200) is defined as a first side surface (205), and when, among the side surfaces of the radar device (200), the side surface opposite to the first side surface (205) is defined as a second side surface (206), the adapter (100) includes a first wall portion (13) facing the first side surface (205) and a second wall portion (14) facing the second side surface (206), the first wall portion (13) and the second wall portion (14) are provided with a groove portion (60) in which a first end portion (61) is open, a protruding portion (209) of the radar device (200) inserted from the first end portion (61) abuts against a second end portion (62), and the radar device (200) is positioned, the groove portion (60) has a reduced width in a direction perpendicular to the direction connecting the first end portion (61) and the second end portion (62) at a position between the first end portion (61) and the second end portion (62), and includes a reduced portion (63) that is plastically deformed by being pressed by the protruding portion (209) of the radar device (200), the protruding portion (209) of the radar device (200) inserted into the groove portion (60) has a cylindrical shape, the second end portion (62) has an arc shape that is recessed in a direction away from the first end portion (61), on one of both side wall portions (64, 65) connecting the first end portion (61) and the second end portion (62), an end portion on the second end portion (62) side at a location where the protruding portion (209) in the reduced portion (63) contacts is defined as a first point (P1), on the other of both side wall portions (64, 65), an end portion on the second end portion (62) side at a location where the protruding portion (209) in the reduced portion (63) contacts is defined as a second point (P2), when a virtual straight line connecting the center point (C) of the arc shape and the first point (P1) is defined as a first virtual straight line (L1), and a virtual straight line connecting the center point (C) of the arc shape and the second point (P2) is defined as a second virtual straight line (L2), an angle (α) formed by the first virtual straight line (L1) and the second virtual straight line (L2) on the second end portion (62) side is 180° or less the adapter (100).

2. The reduced portion (63) is a convex portion (66) provided on each of side wall portions (64, 65) connecting the first end portion (61) and the second end portion (62), and protruding inward of the groove portion (60). The adapter (100) according to claim 1.

3. The convex portions (66) provided on each of the side wall portions (64, 65) are equal in distance from the second end portion (62) in the direction connecting the first end portion (61) and the second end portion (62). The adapter (100) according to claim 2.

4. The first end portion (61) widens as it moves away from the second end portion (62). The adapter (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The adapter (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a radar device (200) held by the adapter (100), and a radar unit.

Images