Bracket for vehicle-mounted apparatus

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a bracket for a vehicle-mounted apparatus, the bracket being capable of reducing a load applied to the vehicle-mounted apparatus without breaking in a light collision. [Solution] This bracket (1) for a vehicle-mounted apparatus includes: a plurality of vehicle body attachment parts 31 attached to a vehicle body (3); a coupling part 32 that couples together each of the vehicle body attachment parts; and at least one apparatus attachment part 34 that is provided to the coupling part via a connection part 33 and to which the vehicle-mounted apparatus (4) is attached. The connection part is more flexible than the coupling part and the apparatus attachment part, is elastically deformed with respect to a first load, and breaks with respect to a second load greater than the first load.

Description

Brackets for automotive equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a bracket for an in-vehicle device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a bracket for mounting a radar device on a vehicle body. The bracket has a base on which the radar device is mounted and a pair of legs that extend from the base toward the vehicle body and are fastened to the vehicle body. The base and the support legs are connected via a weak part. When an external load is applied to the radar device and the base, the weak part breaks, allowing the base to move toward the vehicle body. This reduces damage to the radar device.

[0003] JP 2016-121927 A

[0004] The bracket disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is difficult to appropriately set the load at which the weak portion breaks. If the breaking load of the weak portion is small, the weak portion will break in a light collision, which will require frequent replacement of the bracket. On the other hand, if the breaking load of the weak portion is large, the weak portion will not break in a light collision, which may damage the radar device.

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a bracket for an in-vehicle device that does not break in the event of a minor collision and that can reduce the load applied to the in-vehicle device.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a bracket (1, 101) for vehicle-mounted equipment, which has a plurality of vehicle body mounting portions (31) attached to a vehicle body (3), connecting portions (32) connecting each of the vehicle body mounting portions to one another, and at least one equipment mounting portion (34) provided on the connecting portions via a connection portion (33) and to which vehicle-mounted equipment (4) is attached, wherein the connecting portions have higher flexibility than the connecting portions and the equipment mounting portions, elastically deform under a first load, and break under a second load higher than the first load.

[0007] According to this aspect, when a relatively small first load is applied to the in-vehicle device, the connecting portion elastically deforms, causing the in-vehicle device and the device mounting portion to displace relative to the connecting portion, thereby reducing the load applied to the in-vehicle device. On the other hand, when a second load greater than the first load is applied to the in-vehicle device, the connecting portion breaks, causing the in-vehicle device and the device mounting portion to displace more significantly relative to the connecting portion, thereby reducing the load applied to the in-vehicle device. In this way, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle device bracket that can reduce the load applied to the in-vehicle device without breaking even in a minor collision.

[0008] In the above aspect, the device mounting portions may be provided swingably on both sides of the coupling portion via the corresponding connecting portions.

[0009] According to this aspect, when a relatively small first load is applied to the in-vehicle device, the device mounting portion swings relative to the connecting portion, thereby reducing the load applied to the in-vehicle device.

[0010] In the above aspect, the connecting portion may extend in a vertical direction relative to the vehicle body, and the plurality of device mounting portions may extend in a horizontal direction from the connecting portion.

[0011] According to this aspect, even if an external load applied to the vehicle-mounted device is shifted laterally, the device mounting portion can swing appropriately relative to the connecting portion.

[0012] In the above aspect, each of the connection portions may have a thickness thinner than each of the coupling portion and the device mounting portion.

[0013] According to this aspect, the connection portion can swingably connect the device mounting portion to the coupling portion.

[0014] In the above aspect, each of the connection portions may be a groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the coupling portion, and may separate the coupling portion from each of the device mounting portions.

[0015] According to this aspect, the connection portion can swingably connect the device mounting portion to the coupling portion.

[0016] In the above aspect, the connecting portion may have a cantilever (44) defined by a slit (43), and the cantilever may have a positioning hole (45) formed therein into which a positioning protrusion (20) provided on the on-board equipment is inserted.

[0017] According to this aspect, when the in-vehicle device is attached to the bracket, the positioning protrusion protrudes into the positioning hole, thereby positioning the in-vehicle device relative to the bracket. When the in-vehicle device is displaced by an external load, the cantilever beam deforms, thereby suppressing interference between the positioning protrusion and the positioning hole.

[0018] In the above aspect, each of the equipment mounting portions may have a fastening hole (48) for fastening a fastener that fastens the vehicle equipment, and a thin-walled portion (49) extending in an arc shape centered on the fastening hole.

[0019] According to this aspect, when the second load is applied to the vehicle-mounted equipment, the thin-walled portion breaks, causing the vehicle-mounted equipment and the equipment mounting portion to displace relative to the connecting portion, thereby reducing the load applied to the vehicle-mounted equipment.

[0020] In the above aspect, the connecting portion may be formed in a frame shape, the equipment mounting portion may be arranged inside the connecting portion, and the connection portion may have a first connection portion (119) that is flexible and a second connection portion (120) that is more susceptible to breaking than the first connection portion.

[0021] According to this aspect, the swinging of the device mounting portion due to the first connecting portion is suppressed until the second connecting portion breaks.

[0022] In the above aspect, the first connection portion may be connected to a first side edge of the device mounting portion, and the second connection portion may be connected to a second side edge of the device mounting portion that is opposite to the first side edge.

[0023] According to this aspect, the device mounting portion can be stably supported on the coupling portion by the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

[0024] In the above aspect, the connecting portion and the vehicle body mounting portion may be formed in an L-shape.

[0025] According to this aspect, the connecting portion can be attached to the vehicle body with good stability.

[0026] According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide a bracket for an in-vehicle device that does not break in the event of a minor collision and that can reduce the load applied to the in-vehicle device.

[0027] 1 is a perspective view of a bracket and a radar device according to a first embodiment; 2 is a perspective view of a bracket and a radar device according to a first embodiment; 3 is a front view of the radar device as seen from the left; 4 is a side view of the radar device as seen from the rear; 5 is a plan view of the radar device as seen from below; 6 is a perspective view of a bracket according to a first embodiment as seen from the front side; 7 is a perspective view of a bracket according to a first embodiment as seen from the back side; 8 is a front view of the back side of the bracket according to a first embodiment as seen from the front; 9 is a side sectional view of a bracket according to a first embodiment; 10 is a side sectional view of a bracket according to a first embodiment; 11 is a perspective view showing a main part of an equipment mounting portion; 12 is a perspective view of a bracket and a radar device according to a second embodiment; 13 is a perspective view of a bracket according to a second embodiment; 14 is an enlarged view showing a connection portion of a bracket according to a second embodiment;

[0028] An example in which the in-vehicle device bracket of the present invention is applied to a vehicle such as an automobile will be described below with reference to the drawings. The in-vehicle device bracket is a bracket 1 for mounting an in-vehicle device to a vehicle.

[0029] (First Embodiment) A vehicle has a body panel 3 and exterior components attached to the outer surface of the body panel 3. The exterior components include, for example, a front bumper face, a rear bumper face, and a front grille. As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, on-board equipment is attached to the rear end of the body panel 3. Specifically, the on-board equipment is preferably attached to a portion of the body panel 3 below the tail lamps and covered by the rear bumper face. The body panel 3 is provided with fasteners for attaching the on-board equipment. The fasteners may be, for example, weld nuts welded to the body panel 3.

[0030] The on-board device may be a sensor that detects obstacles around the vehicle. The on-board device may be, for example, a radar device, a sonar sensor, a capacitance sensor, a camera, etc. In this embodiment, the on-board device is a radar device 4. The radar device 4 may be a millimeter-wave radar.

[0031] 1 to 5 , the radar device 4 has a radar main body 6. The radar main body 6 may have a known configuration, for example, including a circuit board, a transmitting antenna for transmitting millimeter waves, a receiving antenna for receiving reflected waves, and a casing 7 that houses the circuit board, the transmitting antenna, and the receiving antenna. The casing 7 is formed in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The casing 7 is provided with a connector 8 for connection to a wire harness (not shown).

[0032] The radar device 4 further includes a radar mount 9 and a hood 10 that hold the radar main body 6. The radar mount 9 and the hood 10 may be formed of, for example, a resin material. The radar mount 9 includes a plate-shaped substrate 12 whose surface faces perpendicular to the vehicle body panel 3 and a support wall 14 that protrudes from the surface of the substrate 12 facing in a direction opposite to the vehicle body panel 3. The support wall 14 is U-shaped with an open top. An opening that penetrates the bottom of the support wall 14 in the vertical direction is formed. The radar main body 6 is accommodated in a housing 15 defined by the support wall 14. The radar main body 6 is disposed in the radar mount 9 so that each antenna of the radar main body 6 faces in a direction opposite to the substrate 12. The radar main body 6 is also disposed so that the connector 8 passes through the opening in the support wall 14. The radar mount 9 may have a plurality of locking claws (not shown) for locking the radar main body 6 .

[0033] The radar device 4 further has a positioning protrusion 20 that protrudes from the rear surface of the substrate portion 12. The positioning protrusion 20 passes through a positioning hole 45, which will be described later, formed in the bracket 1.

[0034] The radar mount 9 further has a pair of legs 22, 23 that protrude from the rear surface of the base portion 12 that extends outward from the support wall 14. The legs 22, 23 are formed with first fastening holes 28 that are attached to the bracket 1.

[0035] The hood 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The hood 10 is provided around the radar main body 6 and regulates the emission direction and the incidence direction of radio waves. The hood 10 is preferably connected to the radar mount 9.

[0036] The radar device 4 is attached to a vehicle body panel 3 via a bracket 1. The bracket 1 is made of a resin material such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polycarbonate.

[0037] In the following description, the front side of the bracket 1 facing away from the body panel 3 is defined as the front, and the back side of the bracket 1 facing the body panel 3 is defined as the rear, but these directions do not limit the direction in which the bracket 1 is mounted on the vehicle. For example, if the bracket 1 is attached to the rear end of the vehicle, the front side of the bracket 1 may face rearward. Furthermore, the vertical direction will be defined as the up-down direction in the following description.

[0038] 1, 2, and 6 to 10, the bracket 1 has a plurality of vehicle body mounting portions 31 attached to a vehicle body panel 3, linking portions 32 that link the vehicle body mounting portions 31 to one another, and an equipment mounting portion 34 that is provided on the linking portions 32 via connection portions 33 and to which the radar device 4 is attached. In this embodiment, the vehicle body mounting portions 31, linking portions 32, connection portions 33, and equipment mounting portion 34 are integrally formed. The vehicle body mounting portion 31 has a first vehicle body mounting portion 31A and a second vehicle body mounting portion 31B that are connected by the linking portions 32. The first vehicle body mounting portion 31A and the second vehicle body mounting portion 31B are arranged spaced apart from each other above and below.

[0039] The first vehicle body mounting portion 31A and the second vehicle body mounting portion 31B each have a fastening plate 36 that is fastened to the vehicle body panel 3 and a standing wall 37 that extends rearward from the fastening plate 36. Each fastening plate 36 is formed with a second fastening hole 38 for fastening to the vehicle body panel 3. As shown in Fig. 11 , in this embodiment, each fastening plate 36 is provided with a plurality of cylindrical portions 36A that penetrate the fastening plate 36 in the thickness direction and protrude forward from the front surface of each fastening plate 36. The second fastening holes 38 are defined by the inner circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical portions 36A.

[0040] In this embodiment, the fastening plate 36 of the first vehicle body mounting portion 31A is provided with two second fastening holes 38, and the fastening plate 36 of the second vehicle body mounting portion 31B is provided with one second fastening hole 38. The fastening plate 36 of the first vehicle body mounting portion 31A extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. The two second fastening holes 38 of the first vehicle body mounting portion 31A are provided at corresponding ends of the fastening plate 36, respectively.

[0041] A plurality of first recesses 38A recessed radially outward are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 36A that defines the second fastening hole 38. In this embodiment, three first recesses 38A are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 36A. The bottoms of the first recesses 38A are formed in an arc shape. The center of curvature of the bottom of each first recess 38A may be offset from the center of the second fastening hole 38. The front-to-rear length of the first recesses 38A is equal to the front-to-rear length of the cylindrical portion 36A.

[0042] Additionally, a plurality of second recesses 38B recessed radially outward are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 36A. In this embodiment, each second recess 38B extends circumferentially and connects adjacent first recesses 38A. The front-to-rear length of each second recess 38B is shorter than the front-to-rear length of the cylindrical portion 36A. In this embodiment, each second recess 38B extends forward from the rear end of the cylindrical portion 36A. The bottom of each second recess 38B is formed in an arc shape. The center of curvature of the bottom of each second recess 38B preferably coincides with the center of the second fastening hole 38.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 12 , a collar member 39 is inserted into each of the second fastening holes 38. The collar member 39 is cylindrical. The center of the collar member 39 overlaps the center of the second fastening hole 38. The collar member 39 may be inserted into the second fastening hole 38 by, for example, cold press-fitting. When the collar member 39 is inserted into the corresponding second fastening hole 38, a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the collar member 39 abuts the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 36A other than the first recess 38A and the second recess 38B. The first recess 38A and the second recess 38B facilitate flexibility of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 36A abutting the outer circumferential surface of the collar member 39. Therefore, when the collar member 39 is inserted into the second fastening hole 38, damage such as chipping or cracking of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 36A is suppressed. Each collar member 39 may be formed from metal.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , each vehicle body mounting portion 31 is provided with a plurality of first ribs 40. Specifically, each of the plurality of first ribs 40 is provided on the surface of the fastening plate 36 facing in a direction opposite to the vehicle body panel 3. The first ribs 40 extend along the surface of the fastening plate 36. Some of the plurality of first ribs 40 may be provided along the periphery of the fastening plate 36. Some of the plurality of first ribs 40 extend radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 36A that defines a portion of the second fastening hole 38. More specifically, some of the plurality of first ribs 40 extend radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 36A that faces the bottom surface of the first recess 38A. This prevents a decrease in the rigidity of the cylindrical portion 36A that defines a portion of the second fastening hole 38.

[0045] In other embodiments, the fastening plate 36 may have a plurality of cutouts. In this case, the portions defining the cutouts may be the first ribs 40. Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 36A may be formed by the cutouts.

[0046] As shown in Figures 6 to 10, the connecting portion 32 is formed in a plate shape extending in the vertical direction and with a surface facing in the front-to-rear direction. A standing wall 37 of the first vehicle body mounting portion 31A is joined to the upper edge of the connecting portion 32. A standing wall 37 of the second vehicle body mounting portion 31B is joined to the lower edge of the connecting portion 32. The bracket 1 is L-shaped at the connecting portion 32, the first vehicle body mounting portion 31A, and the second vehicle body mounting portion 31B. The standing wall 37 forms a gap between the connecting portion 32 and the vehicle body panel 3.

[0047] A plurality of second ribs 41 are provided on the back surface of the connecting portion 32 facing the vehicle body panel 3. The second ribs 41 extend along the surface direction of the connecting portion 32. It is preferable that some of the plurality of second ribs 41 are provided along the periphery of the connecting portion 32.

[0048] In other embodiments, the connecting portion 32 may have a plurality of lightening portions. In this case, the second rib 41 may be a portion that defines the lightening portions.

[0049] The connecting portion 32 has a cantilever 44 defined by a slit 43. The cantilever 44 is provided in the vertical center of the connecting portion 32. The cantilever 44 has a positioning hole 45 into which a positioning protrusion 20 provided on the radar mount 9 is inserted. In this embodiment, the slit 43 has a first slit 43A extending laterally and a second slit 43B extending vertically upward from each of both lateral ends of the first slit 43A. Some of the multiple second ribs 41 are provided in a rectangular shape when viewed from the back surface side of the connecting portion 32, surrounding the periphery of the slit 43. The cantilever 44 does not have a second rib 41. That is, the cantilever 44 is formed thinner than the other portions of the connecting portion 32, including the second rib 41. Therefore, the cantilever 44 has higher flexibility than the other portions of the connecting portion 32.

[0050] The device mounting portion 34 is formed in a plate shape with a surface facing the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the bracket 1 has two device mounting portions 34. Each device mounting portion 34 extends laterally from the connecting portion 32. Specifically, the device mounting portion 34 protrudes outward in the laterally direction from each of both lateral edges of the connecting portion 32.

[0051] A plurality of third ribs 46 are provided on the back surface of the device mounting portion 34. The third ribs 46 extend along the surface of the device mounting portion 34. Some of the plurality of third ribs 46 extend generally in the vertical direction along the side edge of the device mounting portion 34 that is at least close to the connecting portion 32.

[0052] In other embodiments, the device mounting portion 34 may have a plurality of lightening holes. In this case, the third rib 46 may be a portion that defines the lightening holes.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 , the device mounting portions 34 have third fastening holes 48 to which fasteners for mounting the radar device 4 are fastened, and thin-walled portions 49 extending in an arc shape centered on the third fastening holes 48. The fasteners may be, for example, bolts. In this embodiment, the third fastening holes 48 are provided at the top of one device mounting portion 34 and at the bottom of the other device mounting portion 34. A female thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the third fastening holes 48. A metal collar member may be inserted into the third fastening holes 48. The thin-walled portions 49 are portions between the third fastening holes 48 and the third rib 46 extending in an arc shape centered on the third fastening holes 48.

[0054] Between the connecting portion 32 and the corresponding device mounting portion 34, a groove extending generally in the vertical direction is formed by cooperation between second ribs 41 provided along each lateral side edge of the connecting portion 32 and third ribs 46 provided along the corresponding side edge of the device mounting portion 34. In this embodiment, the groove corresponds to the connecting portion 33. As a result, the connecting portion 33 separates the connecting portion 32 from the device mounting portion 34.

[0055] In this embodiment, the coupling portion 32, the connecting portion 33, and the device mounting portion 34 are formed from a single plate-like member whose surfaces are arranged on the same plane. Each of the connecting portions 33 has a thickness thinner than each of the coupling portions 32 and the device mounting portion 34. Specifically, the thickness of the connecting portion 33 is thinner than the thickness of the coupling portion 32 including the second rib 41 and the thickness of the device mounting portion 34 including the third rib 46. That is, the connecting portion 33 has higher flexibility than the coupling portion 32 and the device mounting portion 34. Therefore, the connecting portion 33 connects the device mounting portion 34 to the coupling portion 32 in a swingable manner. Furthermore, the thickness of the thin-walled portion 49 is thinner than the thickness of the portion of the device mounting portion 34 other than the thin-walled portion 49.

[0056] The second fastening holes 38 and the weld nuts welded to the corresponding body panels 3 may be fastened with bolts 50 (see FIG. 1 ). More specifically, the collar members 39 inserted into the second fastening holes 38 and the weld nuts welded to the corresponding body panels 3 may be fastened with bolts 50. In this way, the bracket 1 is assembled to the body panel 3. The bracket 1 has an L-shape at the connecting portions 32 and each body mounting portion 31. This allows the bracket 1 to be stably attached to the body panel 3.

[0057] The procedure for assembling the radar device 4 to the bracket 1 will now be described. First, the positioning protrusions 20 provided on the radar mount 9 are inserted into the positioning holes 45 provided in the connecting portions 32 of the bracket 1. This positions the radar device 4 relative to the bracket 1. Next, the first fastening holes 28 and the corresponding third fastening holes 48 are fastened with bolts as fasteners. This completes the assembly of the radar device 4 to the bracket 1.

[0058] After the radar device 4 is mounted on the bracket 1 , a connector (not shown) provided on the wire harness may be connected to the connector portion 8 of the radar device 4 .

[0059] The operation of the bracket 1 configured as above will now be described.

[0060] When another vehicle or an object collides with the vehicle from the exterior side of the vehicle, the impact of the collision is transmitted to the bracket 1 via the rear bumper face. If the collision is a minor collision, i.e., when a relatively small first load is applied to the bracket 1, the connection portion 33 elastically deforms. Specifically, the radar device 4 and the device mounting portion 34 are displaced toward the vehicle body panel 3 relative to the coupling portion 32, with the connection portion 33 as an axis. When the first load applied to the bracket 1 is released, the radar device 4 and the device mounting portion 34 are displaced toward their original positions relative to the coupling portion 32 due to the biasing force of the connection portion 33. Therefore, the device mounting portion 34 swings relative to the coupling portion 32 via the corresponding connection portion 33. The swing of the device mounting portion 34 reduces the load applied to the radar device 4. Therefore, the bracket 1 is not broken in the event of a minor collision, and the load applied to the radar device 4 can be reduced. Furthermore, the connection portion 33 is unlikely to become a vibration node of the bracket 1, thereby suppressing vibration between the connection portion 33 and the equipment mounting portion 34. The connecting portion 32 is separated from the vehicle body panel 3 by the standing wall 37, so even if the equipment mounting portion 34 is displaced in a direction toward the vehicle body panel 3, contact with the vehicle body panel 3 is suppressed. Furthermore, when the radar device 4 is displaced due to a minor collision, the cantilever beam 44 also deforms in a direction toward the vehicle body panel 3, thereby suppressing interference between the positioning protrusion 20 and the positioning hole 45.

[0061] The device mounting portion 34 extends laterally from the connecting portion 32. This allows the device mounting portion 34 to swing appropriately relative to the connecting portion 32 even if the load applied to the radar device 4 shifts laterally, i.e., shifts from the direction in which the bracket 1 faces.

[0062] When the impact is greater than a minor collision, i.e., when a second load higher than the first load is applied to the bracket 1, the bracket 1 breaks. Specifically, the connection portion 33 breaks. This causes a greater displacement of the radar device 4 and the equipment mounting portion 34 relative to the coupling portion 32, thereby reducing the load applied to the radar device 4. Furthermore, when the second load is applied to the bracket 1, it is preferable that the thin-walled portion 49 also breaks. This further reduces the load applied to the radar device 4.

[0063] Second Embodiment A bracket 101 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. FIG.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the bracket 101 has a vehicle body mounting portion 102, a coupling portion 103, a connecting portion 104, and an equipment mounting portion 105, similar to the bracket 1 of the first embodiment.

[0065] The first vehicle body mounting portion 102A, which constitutes the upper vehicle body mounting portion 102, has two fastening plates 106 and corresponding standing walls 107. Each fastening plate 106 is provided with a corresponding second fastening hole 108. The fastening plates 106 of the second vehicle body mounting portion 102B, which constitutes the lower vehicle body mounting portion 102, extend laterally. The fastening plates 106 of the second vehicle body mounting portion 102B are provided with a corresponding second fastening hole 108. The second vehicle body mounting portion 102B does not have a standing wall 107. A collar member (not shown) may be inserted into the second fastening hole 108.

[0066] The connecting portion 103 is formed in a frame shape. The connecting portion 103 is formed by a plate-like member whose surface faces the front-rear direction and a first rib 110 protruding from the front face of the plate-like member facing forward. As in the first embodiment, the connecting portion 103 may have multiple lightening holes. In this case, the first rib 110 may define the lightening holes. The connecting portion 103 has a first portion 111 extending laterally, a pair of second portions 112 extending downward from both ends of the first portion 111, a pair of third portions 113 extending laterally inward from the lower ends of each second portion 112, and a pair of fourth portions 114 extending downward from the inner ends of each third portion 113 in the laterally direction. The lower ends of the second portions 112 are located forward of the other portions of the second portions 112.

[0067] Each upright wall 107 of the first vehicle body mounting portion 102A is connected to the first portion 111. A lateral end of the fastening plate 106 of the second vehicle body mounting portion 102B is connected to the corresponding fourth portion 114. The connecting portion 103 has an opening defined by each portion and the second vehicle body mounting portion 102B. The opening is open in the front-rear direction.

[0068] The device mounting portion 105 may be formed by a rectangular plate-shaped member whose surface faces the front-rear direction and a lattice-shaped second rib 116 protruding from the front of the plate-shaped member. As in the first embodiment, the device mounting portion 105 may have multiple lightening holes. In this case, the second rib 116 may define the lightening holes. The device mounting portion 105 is disposed inside the connecting portion 103. Specifically, the device mounting portion 105 is disposed in an opening surrounded by the first portion 111, the second portion 112, and the third portion 113. In this case, the surface of the device mounting portion 105 may be disposed substantially flush with the surface of the first portion 111. The surface of the device mounting portion 105 is located rearward of the surface of the lower end of the second portion 112 and the surface of the third portion 113. Third fastening holes 118 for mounting the radar device 4 are provided at an upper portion on one lateral side of the device mounting portion 105 and at a lower portion on the other lateral side of the device mounting portion 105. A positioning hole 117 may be formed in the center of the device mounting portion 105 in the lateral direction.

[0069] The connection portion 104 has a plurality of first connection portions 119 and a plurality of second connection portions 120. The first connection portions 119 connect the lower edge portion (first side edge) of the device mounting portion 105 to the third portion 113 of the connecting portion 103. The second connection portions 120 connect the upper edge portion (second side edge) of the device mounting portion 105 to the first portion 111 of the connecting portion 103. As a result, the device mounting portion 105 is stably supported by the connecting portion 103.

[0070] 14 , the first connecting portion 119 may be a member that is more flexible than the second connecting portion 120. The first connecting portion 119 may be, for example, a thin hinge whose surface faces in the front-to-rear direction and is thinner than the thickness of the coupling portion 103 and the device mounting portion 105. The first connecting portion 119 connects the device mounting portion 105 to the coupling portion 103 in a manner that allows it to swing.

[0071] 15 , the second connection portion 120 is more easily broken than the first connection portion 119. The second connection portion 120 is formed in a plate shape with a surface facing horizontally. Specifically, the second connection portion 120 has a vertical wall portion 121 extending downward from the lower edge of the device mounting portion 105, and a horizontal wall portion 122 extending forward from the lower end of the vertical wall portion 121 and coupled to the upper edge portion of the corresponding third portion 113. The vertical thickness of the horizontal wall portion 122 is thinner than the vertical thickness of the vertical wall portion 121.

[0072] When the radar device 4 is attached to the bracket 101 , the connector portion 8 of the radar device 4 is disposed on the lower side, i.e., on the side of the second connection portion 120 .

[0073] When another vehicle or an object collides lightly with the vehicle from outside the vehicle, that is, when a first load is applied to the bracket 101, the second connection portion 120 breaks. This makes it possible to reduce the load applied to the radar device 4. When the second connection portion 120 breaks, the radar device 4 and the device mounting portion 105 swing around the first connection portion 119. This makes it possible to further reduce the load applied to the radar device 4. Because the device mounting portion 105 is provided inside the coupling portion 103, even if the device mounting portion 105 is displaced in a direction toward the vehicle body panel 3, contact with the vehicle body panel 3 is suppressed.

[0074] When another vehicle or an object collides with the vehicle from the exterior side of the vehicle, a load applied to the radar device 4 and the device mounting portion 105 acts in a direction toward the vehicle body panel 3. At this time, the load of the device mounting portion 105 acts in a direction pulling the horizontal wall portion 122 via the vertical wall portion 121. As a result, the second connection portion 120 is likely to break at the joint between the vertical wall portion 121 and the horizontal wall portion 122. On the other hand, for example, when a connector of a wire harness is connected to the connector portion 8 of the radar device 4, a load is applied to the radar device 4 and the device mounting portion 105 in a direction opposite to the vehicle body panel 3. At this time, the load of the device mounting portion 105 acts in a direction compressing the horizontal wall portion 122 via the vertical wall portion 121. As a result, the second connection portion 120 is unlikely to break at the joint between the vertical wall portion 121 and the horizontal wall portion 122. Therefore, the susceptibility of the second connection portion 120 to breaking changes depending on the direction of the load applied to the device mounting portion 105. This prevents the first connection portion 119 from breaking unintentionally by the operator.

[0075] Although the description of the specific embodiment has been completed above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be widely modified. For example, the connection portion 33 may be a groove formed by cutting out a plate-like member. The connection portion 33 may also be a perforation formed by cutting out a break line in the plate-like member. Furthermore, the connection portion 33 may be an opening extending vertically in the plate-like member. In the second embodiment, a cut groove extending horizontally may be formed near the joining portion between the vertical wall portion 121 and the horizontal wall portion 122.

[0076] 1, 101: Bracket (bracket for vehicle-mounted equipment) 3: Vehicle body panel (vehicle body) 4: Radar device (vehicle-mounted equipment) 20: Positioning protrusion 31: Vehicle body mounting portion 32: Linking portion 33: Connection portion 34: Equipment mounting portion 43: Slit 44: Cantilever beam 45: Positioning hole 48: Third fastening hole (fastening hole) 49: Thin portion 119: First connecting portion 120: Second connecting portion

Claims

1. A bracket for in-vehicle equipment comprising: a plurality of vehicle body mounting portions attached to a vehicle body; a connecting portion connecting each of the vehicle body mounting portions to each other; and at least one equipment mounting portion provided on the connecting portion via a connection portion and to which in-vehicle equipment is attached, the connection portion having greater flexibility than the connecting portions and the equipment mounting portions, elastically deforming under a first load, and breaking under a second load higher than the first load.

2. The bracket for an in-vehicle device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a plurality of said device mounting portions are provided swingably on both sides of said connecting portion via corresponding said connecting portions.

3. The bracket for an in-vehicle device according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion extends in a vertical direction relative to the vehicle body, and the plurality of device mounting portions extend in a horizontal direction from the connecting portion.

4. The bracket for an in-vehicle device according to claim 2, wherein each of said connection portions has a thickness thinner than each of said coupling portion and said device mounting portion.

5. The bracket for an in-vehicle device according to claim 2, wherein each of said connection portions is a groove extending in the longitudinal direction of said coupling portion, and separates said coupling portion from each of said device mounting portions.

6. A bracket for an in-vehicle device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is formed with a cantilever defined by a slit, and the cantilever is formed with a positioning hole into which a positioning protrusion provided on the in-vehicle device is inserted.

7. A bracket for vehicle-mounted equipment as described in claim 2, wherein each of the equipment mounting portions has a fastening hole into which a fastener for fastening the vehicle-mounted equipment is fastened, and a thin-walled portion extending in an arc shape centered on the fastening hole, and the thin-walled portion breaks under the second load.

8. A bracket for an in-vehicle device as described in claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is formed in a frame shape, the device mounting portion is disposed inside the connecting portion, and the connection portion has a first connection portion having flexibility and a second connection portion which is more easily broken than the first connection portion.

9. A bracket for an in-vehicle device as described in claim 8, wherein the first connection portion is connected to a first side edge of the device mounting portion, and the second connection portion is connected to a second side edge of the device mounting portion opposite to the first side edge.

10. The bracket for an in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion and the vehicle body mounting portion are formed in an L-shape.

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