Installation device

Abstract

In a camera device, when an installation body is pressed inward in a vehicle width direction, a restricting mechanism is operated without an operating body being operated, thereby releasing a restriction, effected by the restricting mechanism, on relative rotation of the installation body with respect to the operating body. This makes it possible to reduce the load required for releasing the restriction effected by the restricting mechanism on the relative rotation of the installation body with respect to the operating body.

Description

Installation equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to an installation device in which an installation body is moved and stored or deployed.

[0002] In the handle mechanism described in JP 2018-39453 A, a camera is provided on the handle body, and when a drive mechanism is activated, the handle body is moved to be stored or deployed. In addition, a push-push mechanism restricts the movement of the handle body relative to the drive mechanism.

[0003] Here, in this handle mechanism, when the push-push mechanism is operated, the drive mechanism is operated and the restriction by the push-push mechanism on the relative movement of the handle body with respect to the drive mechanism is released.

[0004] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an installation device that can reduce the load required to release the restriction on the relative movement of an installation body to an operating device by a restriction mechanism.

[0005] An installation device of a first aspect of the present invention comprises an installation body installed on a vehicle, an imaging device provided on the installation body and taking images of the outside of the installation body, an operating device that, when activated, moves the installation body to be stored or deployed, and a regulating mechanism that regulates relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device and, when operated, releases the regulation of relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device without operating the operating device.

[0006] The second aspect of the installation device of the present invention is the installation device of the first aspect of the present invention, in which the actuation device restricts the movement of the installation body when the actuation device is not actuated, and the restriction on the movement of the installation body by the actuation device is released by the load on the installation body.

[0007] An installation device of a third aspect of the present invention is an installation device of the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the load required to release the restriction on the relative movement of the installation body to the actuating device by the regulating mechanism is made smaller than the load required to release the movement restriction on the installation body by the actuating device.

[0008] An installation device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the installation device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, further comprising a biasing mechanism that biases the installation body in a deployment direction.

[0009] An installation device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the installation device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the installation body is moved by being rotated about a support shaft, and the biasing mechanism is provided on the support shaft.

[0010] An installation device of a sixth aspect of the present invention is the installation device of any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, wherein the installation body is operated in a storage direction relative to the operating device to operate the restriction mechanism.

[0011] An installation device of the seventh aspect of the present invention is an installation device of any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, in which the installation body side and the actuation device side of the regulating mechanism are separated when the restriction on the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the actuation device by the regulating mechanism is released.

[0012] In the installation device of the first aspect of the present invention, an installation body is installed on a vehicle, and an imaging device is provided on the installation body, and the imaging device captures images of the outside of the installation body. Furthermore, when an actuation device is actuated, the installation body is moved to be stored or deployed. Furthermore, a restriction mechanism restricts the movement of the installation body relative to the actuation device.

[0013] Here, by operating the restriction mechanism, the actuator is not operated and the restriction by the restriction mechanism on the relative movement of the installed body with respect to the actuator is released, thereby reducing the load required to release the restriction by the restriction mechanism on the relative movement of the installed body with respect to the actuator.

[0014] In the installation device of the second aspect of the present invention, the actuation device limits the movement of the installation body when the actuation device is not actuated.

[0015] Here, the load on the installation body causes the movement restriction of the installation body by the operating device to be released, and therefore the installation body can be allowed to move.

[0016] In the installation device of the third aspect of the present invention, the load required for releasing the restriction on the relative movement of the installation body to the operating device by the restriction mechanism is made smaller than the load required for releasing the movement restriction on the installation body by the operating device, thereby making it possible to appropriately reduce the load required for releasing the restriction on the relative movement of the installation body to the operating device by the restriction mechanism.

[0017] In the installation device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the biasing mechanism biases the installation body in the deployment direction, so that the installation body can be deployed by the biasing mechanism.

[0018] In the installation device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the installation body is moved by being rotated about the support shaft.

[0019] Here, the biasing mechanism is provided on the support shaft, which makes it possible to prevent the biasing mechanism from increasing in size.

[0020] In the installation device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the installation body is operated in the storage direction relative to the actuation device to operate the restriction mechanism, which makes it easy to operate the restriction mechanism.

[0021] In the installation device of the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the restriction on the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the actuator by the restriction mechanism is released, the installation body side and the actuator side of the restriction mechanism are separated, thereby making it possible to increase the amount of relative movement between the installation body and the actuator.

[0022] It is a perspective view seen from the front side of the vehicle and the inner side in the vehicle width direction when the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention is deployed. It is a perspective view seen from the front side of the vehicle showing the deployment of the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view seen from the lower side showing substantially the whole when the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention is deployed. It is a perspective view seen from the lower side showing the main part when the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention is deployed. It is a perspective view seen from the front side of the vehicle and the inner side in the vehicle width direction when the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention is stored. It is a rear view seen from the inner side in the vehicle width direction showing the storage of the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view seen from the lower side showing substantially the whole when the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention is stored. It is a perspective view seen from the lower side showing the main part when the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention is stored. It is a perspective view seen from the front side of the vehicle showing the manual deployment of the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view seen from the lower side showing the manual deployment of the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a rear view seen from the inner side in the vehicle width direction showing the storage of the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view seen from the front side of the vehicle and the inner side in the vehicle width direction showing the regulation mechanism when the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention is stored. It is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view at the position of line A-A in FIG. 6A) seen from the front side of the vehicle showing the deployment of the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view (side view at the position of line B-B in FIG. 6A) seen from the front side of the vehicle showing the deployment of the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view at the position of line A-A in FIG. 6A) seen from the front side of the vehicle showing when the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention is pressed in the storage direction from the deployment position. It is a side view (side view at the position of line B-B in FIG. 6A) seen from the front side of the vehicle showing when the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention is pressed in the storage direction from the deployment position. It is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view at line A-A in FIG. 6A) seen from the front side of the vehicle showing the storage of the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view (side view at line B-B in FIG. 6A) seen from the front side of the vehicle showing the storage of the installation body in the camera device according to the embodiment of the present invention.6A ) is a cross-sectional view seen from the front side of the vehicle showing when an installation body of the camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention is pressed in the storage direction from the storage position (cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 6A ). FIG. 6B is a side view seen from the front side of the vehicle showing when an installation body of the camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention is pressed in the storage direction from the storage position (side view along line B-B in FIG. 6A ). FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view seen from the front side of the vehicle showing when an installation body of the camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention is manually deployed (cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 6A ). FIG. 6D is a side view seen from the front side of the vehicle showing when an installation body of the camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention is manually deployed (side view along line B-B in FIG. 6A ). FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view seen from the front side of the vehicle showing when an installation body of the camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention is pressed in the storage direction after manual deployment (cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 6A ). FIG. 6F is a side view seen from the front side of the vehicle showing when an installation body of the camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention is pressed in the storage direction after manual deployment (side view along line B-B in FIG. 6A ). FIG. 6G is a cross-sectional view seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction showing a limiting mechanism of the camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Fig. 1A shows a perspective view of a camera device 10 as an installation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front and inside of the vehicle width direction (left side of the vehicle), while Fig. 1B shows a perspective view of the camera device 10 as seen from the front of the vehicle. Furthermore, Fig. 7A shows a cross-sectional view of the camera device 10 as seen from the front of the vehicle. In the drawings, the front of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow FR, the outward direction in the vehicle width direction (right side of the vehicle) is indicated by an arrow OUT, and the upward direction is indicated by an arrow UP.

[0024] 7A, the camera device 10 according to this embodiment is installed on a plate-shaped fender panel 14 (front fender panel) of a vehicle (automobile) 12. A substantially rectangular installation hole 14A is formed through the middle of the vehicle rear end of the fender panel 14 in the vertical direction, and the installation hole 14A extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, with the lower end of the front portion of the vehicle tilting upward as it approaches the front of the vehicle.

[0025] 1A, 1B, and 7A, a bracket 16 serving as a support member is fixed to the inner side of the fender panel 14 in the vehicle width direction, and the bracket 16 is located on the inner side of the upper portion of the installation hole 14A in the vehicle width direction. The bracket 16 has a generally L-shaped plate cross section, and the vehicle front wall of the bracket 16 extends outward in the vehicle width direction, while the vehicle width direction inner wall of the bracket 16 extends toward the rear of the vehicle. A long restriction hole 16A serving as a restriction portion is formed through the vehicle width middle portion of the vehicle front wall of the bracket 16, and the restriction hole 16A extends in an arc shape centered on the shaft 20 (described below).

[0026] A retractor 18 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) is provided inside the bracket 16 .

[0027] The retractor 18 is provided with a roughly cylindrical shaft 20 as a support shaft. The shaft 20 is fixed to the outer end of the front wall of the vehicle of the bracket 16 in the vehicle width direction, extends toward the rear of the vehicle, and is made non-rotatable.

[0028] The retractor 18 is provided with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped actuator 22 serving as an actuator. A substantially rectangular parallelepiped box-shaped case 24 is provided on the outer periphery of the actuator 22, and the case 24 is configured by assembling an upper case upper part 24A and a lower case lower part 24B. A shaft 20 penetrates the case 24, and the case 24 is supported by the shaft 20 and is rotatable (movable) downward (outward in the vehicle width direction, in the deployment direction) and upward (inward in the vehicle width direction, in the storage direction) about the shaft 20.

[0029] A substantially cylindrical restriction shaft 24C serving as a restricted portion is integrally provided on the vehicle front side surface of the case 24, and the restriction shaft 24C protrudes toward the front of the vehicle. The restriction shaft 24C is inserted into a restriction hole 16A of the bracket 16, and when the case 24 is rotated, the restriction shaft 24C rotates along the restriction hole 16A. The restriction shaft 24C abuts against the lower end of the restriction hole 16A, thereby restricting downward rotation of the case 24. Furthermore, when the restriction shaft 24C abuts against the upper end of the restriction hole 16A, upward rotation of the case 24 is restricted. A contact post 24D (see FIG. 4A ) having a U-shaped cross section and serving as a contact portion is integrally provided on the lower side surface of the case 24, and the contact post 24D protrudes downward.

[0030] A motor 28 serving as a drive device is fixed inside the case 24 on the inner side of the shaft 20 in the vehicle width direction, and the output shaft of the motor 28 extends toward the front of the vehicle, and a worm 30 serving as a first gear constituting a transmission mechanism is coaxially fixed thereto. The motor 28 is electrically connected to a control device 32 (ECU) of the vehicle 12, and the actuator 22 is operated under the control of the control device 32, thereby driving the motor 28 and rotating the worm 30. The rotation of the output shaft of the driven motor 28 is restricted, and when an overcurrent flows through the motor 28, the drive of the motor 28 is stopped under the control of the control device 32, and the operation of the actuator 22 is stopped.

[0031] A helical gear 34 (worm wheel) serving as a second gear constituting the transmission mechanism meshes with the underside of the worm 30. The helical gear 34 is rotatably supported within the case 24, with its axial direction approximately parallel to the vehicle width direction. The worm 30 restricts the rotation of the helical gear 34, and the rotation of the worm 30 rotates the helical gear 34. A worm shaft 36 (worm) serving as a third gear constituting the transmission mechanism is coaxially provided inside the helical gear 34 in the vehicle width direction. The worm shaft 36 is rotatably supported within the case 24, and rotates integrally with the helical gear 34.

[0032] A limiting mechanism 38 (see FIG. 13) is provided inside the case 24 .

[0033] The limiting mechanism 38 is provided with a limiting gear 40 (worm wheel) as a limited member. The shaft 20 is coaxially inserted through the limiting gear 40, rotatably supported by the shaft 20, and movement of the limiting gear 40 toward the front of the vehicle is restricted. The worm shaft 36 is meshed with the limiting gear 40, and the worm shaft 36 is rotatable integrally with the limiting gear 40 around the shaft 20. A cylindrical insertion hole 40A is coaxially formed in the limiting gear 40 on the radially outer side of the shaft 20, and the insertion hole 40A is open toward the rear of the vehicle. A plurality of limiting protrusions 40B (three in this embodiment) are integrally formed on the vehicle front side (bottom) of the insertion hole 40A, and the plurality of limiting protrusions 40B are arranged at equal intervals circumferentially of the insertion hole 40A. The cross section of the limiting protrusion 40B along the circumferential direction of the insertion hole 40A is trapezoidal, and the dimension of the limiting protrusion 40B in the circumferential direction of the insertion hole 40A becomes smaller toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0034] The limiting mechanism 38 is provided with a substantially cylindrical clutch plate 42 serving as a limiting member, and the clutch plate 42 is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the limiting gear 40. The shaft 20 is coaxially inserted and fitted within the clutch plate 42, and the clutch plate 42 is supported so as to be non-rotatable on the shaft 20 but movable in the axial direction (the vehicle front-rear direction). A cylindrical insertion tube 42A is coaxially formed in the vehicle front portion of the clutch plate 42, and the insertion tube 42A is fitted into the insertion hole 40A of the limiting gear 40. A plurality of limiting recesses 42B (three in this embodiment) are formed through the peripheral wall of the insertion tube 42A, and the plurality of limiting recesses 42B are disposed at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the insertion tube 42A. A cross section of the limiting recess 42B along the circumferential direction of the insertion tube 42A is trapezoidal, and the dimension of the limiting recess 42B in the circumferential direction of the insertion tube 42A increases toward the vehicle front. The limiting recess 42B is open to the front side of the vehicle, and the limiting protrusion 40B of the insertion hole 40A is fitted into the limiting recess 42B.

[0035] A limiting spring 44 (compression coil spring) serving as a limiting biasing member is provided on the vehicle rear side of the clutch plate 42, and the shaft 20 is coaxially inserted through the limiting spring 44. A substantially rectangular cam plate 46 serving as a locking member is provided on the vehicle rear side of the limiting spring 44, and the shaft 20 passes through the cam plate 46 coaxially and is supported by the shaft 20 so as to be immovable in the axial direction (the vehicle front-rear direction). The limiting spring 44 is compressed in the axial direction (the vehicle front-rear direction) between the clutch plate 42 and the cam plate 46, and by biasing the clutch plate 42 toward the vehicle front, the limiting spring 44 prevents the limiting protrusion 40B of the limiting gear 40 (insertion hole 40A) from being released from the limiting recess 42B of the clutch plate 42 (insertion tube 42A), thereby restricting the rotation of the limiting gear 40. As a result, the rotation of the worm shaft 36 together with the limiting gear 40 is restricted, and the rotation (movement) of the actuating body 22 (including the case 24, motor 28, worm 30, helical gear 34 and worm shaft 36) around the shaft 20 is restricted.

[0036] When the operating body 22 is actuated as described above and the worm shaft 36 is rotated, the rotational force of the worm shaft 36 is applied to the limit gear 40, causing the worm shaft 36 to rotate (revolve) around the limit gear 40, thereby rotating the operating body 22 about the shaft 20. When a rotational load equal to or greater than a predetermined load (a load greater than the rotational load of the operating body 22 due to actuation of the operating body 22) is applied to the operating body 22, the clutch plate 42 moves toward the rear of the vehicle against the biasing force of the limit spring 44, and the engagement of the limiting protrusion 40B with the limiting recess 42B is released, allowing rotation of the limit gear 40. As a result, the worm shaft 36 rotates integrally with the limit gear 40, allowing rotation of the operating body 22 about the shaft 20.

[0037] An installation body 48 is supported on the shaft 20, and the installation body 48 is rotatable (movable) around the shaft 20 outward in the vehicle width direction (deployment direction) and inward in the vehicle width direction (storage direction). A substantially rectangular box-shaped cover 50 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B ) is provided on the outer periphery of the installation body 48, and the interior of the cover 50 is open inward in the vehicle width direction. The installation body 48 is deployed, and the cover 50 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction of the fender panel 14 through the installation hole 14A in the fender panel 14. The upper and lower ends of the cover 50 are plate-shaped and protrude upward and downward, respectively, and are positioned inward in the vehicle width direction of the fender panel 14. The lower end of the cover 50 interferes with the inner surface of the fender panel 14 in the vehicle width direction, thereby restricting the installation body 48 from pivoting outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] A substantially cylindrical contact protrusion 50A (see FIG. 4A ) serving as a contact portion is fixed to the inner side of the cover 50 in the vehicle width direction, and the contact protrusion 50A protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction. The contact protrusion 50A is disposed on the outer side of the contact pillar 24D of the actuator 22 (case 24) in the vehicle width direction, and is capable of contacting the contact pillar 24D when the installation body 48 is rotated inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the actuator 22.

[0039] The shaft 20 is coaxially inserted into a deployment spring 52 (torsion coil spring, see FIG. 2B ) serving as a biasing mechanism, on the vehicle rear side of the case 24 of the actuator 22. One end of the deployment spring 52 is engaged with the case 24, and the other end of the deployment spring 52 is engaged with a cover 50 of the installation body 48, and the deployment spring 52 biases the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the actuator 22.

[0040] A restricting mechanism 54 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B) is provided between the case 24 of the actuator 22 and the cover 50 of the installation body 48 .

[0041] A generally U-shaped rod-shaped pin 56 (see FIG. 2A ) serving as a guided portion is supported on the vehicle widthwise inner side of the cover 50. The pin 56 is rotatable in the vertical direction around its middle and protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction. A guide shaft 56A is integrally formed with one end (the vehicle rear end) of the pin 56, and the guide shaft 56A extends toward the vehicle rear. Restriction protrusions 50B (see FIG. 11B ) are fixed to the upper and lower sides of one end portion of the pin 56 on the vehicle widthwise inner side of the cover 50. The restriction protrusions 50B protrude toward the vehicle rear and are capable of restricting the rotation of the one end portion of the pin 56. Therefore, the pin 56 is rotatable between the upper and lower restriction protrusions 50B, thereby limiting the range of vertical rotation of the pin 56 relative to the cover 50.

[0042] A generally rectangular rail plate 58 (see FIGS. 4A and 7B) is integrally provided on the underside of the case 24. The rail plate 58 protrudes downward and is disposed perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. A concave rail 60 serving as a guide portion is formed on the front side of the rail plate 58, and the rail 60 is open toward the front of the vehicle.

[0043] A first inner passage 60A is provided on the upper side of the rail 60. The first inner passage 60A extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the base end side (outer side in the vehicle width direction) to the tip end side (inner side in the vehicle width direction), and then extends upward as it extends inward in the vehicle width direction. The base end surface of the first inner passage 60A is concave outward in the vehicle width direction. The tip end of the first inner passage 60A is connected to the base end of the first outer passage 60B, and the first outer passage 60B extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the base end side (inner side in the vehicle width direction) to the tip end side (outer side in the vehicle width direction).

[0044] The tip of the first outer passage 60B is connected to the base end of the second inner passage 60C. The second inner passage 60C extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the base end side (outer side in the vehicle width direction) to the tip end side (inner side in the vehicle width direction), and then extends upward as it extends inward in the vehicle width direction. The base end portion of the second inner passage 60C expands vertically as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and the base end face of the second inner passage 60C opens outward in the vehicle width direction. The tip of the second inner passage 60C is connected to the middle of the second outer passage 60D. The second outer passage 60D extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the base end side (inner side in the vehicle width direction) to the tip end side (outer side in the vehicle width direction), and then extends upward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction. The tip of the second outer passage 60D is connected to the base end of the first inner passage 60A, and the rail 60 is formed into a ring shape.

[0045] A guide surface 58A is formed on the outer surface of the rail plate 58 in the vehicle width direction, and the guide surface 58A extends upward from the base end opening of the second inner passage 60C.

[0046] The guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 in the cover 50 is inserted into the rail 60, and the movement of the guide shaft 56A outward in the vehicle width direction is restricted by the base end surface of the first inner passage 60A of the rail 60, thereby restricting the rotation of the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the operating body 22 due to the biasing force of the deployment spring 52.

[0047] When the installation body 48 (cover 50) is pressed inward in the vehicle width direction with a pressing load equal to or greater than a specified load (a load smaller than the above-mentioned predetermined load), the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 is moved from the base end to the tip of the first inner passage 60A of the rail 60 against the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 (see FIG. 10B), and the installation body 48 is rotated inward in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, when the pressing operation of the installation body 48 inward in the vehicle width direction is released, the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 moves the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 from the tip of the first inner passage 60A of the rail 60 to the outside in the vehicle width direction of the rail plate 58 (rail 60) via the base ends of the first outer passage 60B and the second inner passage 60C (see FIG. 11B), and the installation body 48 is rotated outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0048] Thereafter, when the installation body 48 is pressed inward in the vehicle width direction with a pressing load equal to or greater than a specified load, the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 is moved from the guide surface 58A of the rail plate 58 to the base end of the second outer path 60D via the second inner path 60C of the rail 60 against the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 (see FIG. 12B), and the installation body 48 is rotated inward in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, when the pressing operation of the installation body 48 inward in the vehicle width direction is released, the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 moves the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 from the base end of the second outer path 60D of the rail 60 to the base end of the first inner path 60A (see FIG. 9B), and the installation body 48 is rotated outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0049] A lower camera 62 (see FIG. 2A ) serving as an imaging device is fixed within the cover 50 of the installation body 48 in the middle in the vehicle longitudinal direction, with a lens 62A of the lower camera 62 facing downward and exposed to the lower side of the cover 50 through a first through-hole in the lower wall of the cover 50. A rear camera 64 serving as an imaging device is fixed within the cover 50 in the rear side of the vehicle, with a lens (not shown) of the rear camera 64 facing the rear side of the vehicle and exposed to the rear side of the cover 50 through a second through-hole in the rear wall of the cover 50.

[0050] The lower camera 62 and the rear camera 64 are electrically connected to the control device 32, and the lower camera 62 and the rear camera 64 capture images of the underside of the cover 50 and the rear side of the vehicle via the lens 62A of the lower camera 62 and the lens of the rear camera 64, respectively, under the control of the control device 32. A monitor 66 serving as a display device is electrically connected to the control device 32, and images captured by the lower camera 62 and the rear camera 64 are displayed on the monitor 66 under the control of the control device 32. The monitor 66 is installed inside the vehicle cabin, and the occupant can check the images displayed on the monitor 66 to assist the occupant in viewing the underside and the rear side of the vehicle.

[0051] A lamp 68 serving as an illumination device is fixed inside the cover 50, on the vehicle front side of the lower camera 62, and a lens 68A of the lamp 68 faces downward and is exposed to the underside of the cover 50 through a third through-hole in the lower wall of the cover 50. The lamp 68 is electrically connected to the control device 32, and under the control of the control device 32, the lamp 68 illuminates the underside of the cover 50 through the lens 68A (it may also project an image of a mark or the like).

[0052] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0053] In the camera device 10 configured as described above, in the limiting mechanism 38 inside the actuator 22 of the retractor 18, the biasing force of the limiting spring 44 prevents the limiting protrusion 40B of the limiting gear 40 (insertion hole 40A) from being released from the limiting recess 42B of the clutch plate 42 (insertion tube 42A), thereby limiting the rotation of the limiting gear 40. Therefore, inside the actuator 22, the integral rotation of the worm shaft 36 with the limiting gear 40 is limited, thereby limiting the rotation of the actuator 22 (including the case 24, motor 28, worm 30, helical gear 34, and worm shaft 36).

[0054] In the regulating mechanism 54, the movement of the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 in the installation body 48 (cover 50) outward in the vehicle width direction is regulated by the base end surface of the first inner passage 60A of the rail 60 in the operating body 22 (rail plate 58 of the case 24) (see Figure 7B), and the rotation of the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the operating body 22 due to the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 is regulated.

[0055] When the actuator 22 is operated under the control of the control device 32, the motor 28 is driven to rotate the worm 30, the helical gear 34 and the worm shaft 36, causing the worm shaft 36 to rotate around the limit gear 40 and rotating the actuator 22.

[0056] Furthermore, the installation body 48 is deployed (see FIG. 7A ), and the actuator 22 is actuated to rotate the actuator 22 upward, thereby rotating the installation body 48 inward in the vehicle width direction and storing it (see FIGS. 3A , 3B , 4A , 4B , 9A , and 9B ). When the installation body 48 is rotated to the stored position, the restricting shaft 24C of the actuator 22 (case 24) abuts against the upper end of the restricting hole 16A of the bracket 16, thereby restricting the upward rotation of the actuator 22 and stopping the rotation of the installation body 48 inward in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, restricting the upward rotation of the actuator 22 restricts the rotation of the output shaft of the motor 28, causing an overcurrent to flow in the motor 28. As a result, the drive of the motor 28 is stopped under the control of the control device 32, and the operation of the actuator 22 is stopped. Furthermore, when the installation body 48 is stored, the installation body 48 is stored on the inside of the fender panel 14 in the vehicle width direction (inside the vehicle 12), and the lower camera 62 (including lens 62A), rear camera 64 (including lens), and lamp 68 (including lens 68A) of the installation body 48 are stored on the inside of the fender panel 14 in the vehicle width direction, thereby preventing the lower camera 62, rear camera 64, and lamp 68 from becoming dirty, scratched, or broken.

[0057] Thereafter, the actuator 22 is actuated and rotated downward, causing the installation body 48 to rotate outward in the vehicle width direction and deploy (return) (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 7A, and 7B). When the installation body 48 is rotated to the deployed position, the restricting shaft 24C of the actuator 22 abuts against the lower end of the restricting hole 16A of the bracket 16, restricting the downward rotation of the actuator 22 and stopping the outward rotation of the installation body 48 in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, restricting the downward rotation of the actuator 22 restricts the rotation of the output shaft of the motor 28, causing an overcurrent to flow in the motor 28, and thereby stopping the drive of the motor 28 under the control of the control device 32, thereby stopping the operation of the actuator 22.

[0058] When the installation body 48 is stored and is to be manually deployed, the installation body 48 is pressed inward in the vehicle width direction with a load equal to or greater than a specified load (see FIG. 10A). Therefore, the restriction mechanism 54 is operated to move the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 from the base end to the tip end of the first inner passage 60A of the rail 60 against the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 (see FIG. 10B), thereby rotating the installation body 48 inward in the vehicle width direction from the stored position relative to the operating body 22.

[0059] Furthermore, the pressing operation of the installation body 48 inward in the vehicle width direction is released, and the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 is moved from the tip of the first inner passage 60A of the rail 60 to the outside in the vehicle width direction of the rail plate 58 (rail 60) via the base ends of the first outer passage 60B and the second inner passage 60C by the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 (see FIG. 11B ), whereby the installation body 48 is rotated outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the operating body 22 and deployed (see FIGS. 5A , 5B , and 11A ). When the installation body 48 is rotated to the deployed position, the upper and lower ends of the cover 50 of the installation body 48 interfere with the upper surface of the case 24 of the operating body 22 and the inside surface of the fender panel 14 in the vehicle width direction, respectively, and the rotation of the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction is stopped.

[0060] Thereafter, when the installation body 48 is pressed inward in the vehicle width direction with a load equal to or greater than the specified load, the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 is guided by the guide surface 58A of the rail plate 58 as necessary against the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 and moved to the base end of the second outer path 60D via the second inner path 60C of the rail 60 (see Figure 12B), thereby rotating the installation body 48 inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the operating body 22 (see Figure 12A).

[0061] Furthermore, the pressing operation of the installation body 48 inward in the vehicle width direction is released, and the guide axis 56A of the pin 56 is moved from the base end of the second outer path 60D of the rail 60 to the base end of the first inner path 60A by the force of the deployment spring 52 (see Figure 9B), and the installation body 48 is rotated outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the operating body 22 and positioned in the storage position (see Figure 9A).

[0062] When the installation body 48 is deployed by the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 (see FIG. 11A ), even if an attempt is made to operate the actuator 22 under the control of the control device 32 to rotate the actuator 22 downward, the downward rotation of the actuator 22 is restricted by the biasing force of the deployment spring 52. As a result, the rotation of the output shaft of the motor 28 is restricted, and an overcurrent flows in the motor 28, so that the drive of the motor 28 is stopped under the control of the control device 32, and the operation of the actuator 22 is stopped.

[0063] Furthermore, when the installation body 48 is deployed by the operation of the actuator 22 (see Figures 7A and 7B), if the installation body 48 is pressed inward in the vehicle width direction by an external force with a load equal to or greater than the total load of the predetermined load and the regulated load, the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 is moved from the base end to the tip end of the first inner passage 60A of the rail 60 against the biasing force of the deployment spring 52 (see Figure 8B), and the installation body 48 is rotated inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the actuator 22 from the deployed position, causing the abutment protrusion 50A of the installation body 48 (cover 50) to abut against the abutment column 24D of the actuator 22 (case 24), and a rotational load equal to or greater than the predetermined load is applied upward to the actuator 22 (see Figure 8A). Therefore, in the limiting mechanism 38, the clutch plate 42 is moved toward the rear of the vehicle against the biasing force of the limiting spring 44, and the limiting protrusion 40B is released from the limiting recess 42B, allowing the limiting gear 40 to rotate, causing the worm shaft 36 to rotate integrally with the limiting gear 40, allowing the operating body 22 to rotate upward and the installation body 48 to rotate inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0064] Thereafter, when the pressure of the installation body 48 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction is released, the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 is moved toward the outside in the vehicle width direction of the rail plate 58 (rail 60) from the tip of the first inner passage 60A of the rail 60 via the base ends of the first outer passage 60B and the second inner passage 60C by the biasing force of the deployment spring 52, causing the installation body 48 to rotate outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the operating body 22 and be deployed. When the installation body 48 is rotated to the deployed position, the lower end of the cover 50 of the installation body 48 interferes with the inside surface of the fender panel 14 in the vehicle width direction, stopping the installation body 48 from rotating outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0065] Here, when the installation body 48 is stored, the installation body 48 is pressed inward in the vehicle width direction and the restriction mechanism 54 is operated, so that the operating body 22 is not operated and the restriction by the restriction mechanism 54 on the installation body 48 relative to the operating body 22 outward in the vehicle width direction is released (see FIGS. 10A and 10B ). Therefore, the load required to release the restriction by the restriction mechanism 54 on the relative rotation of the installation body 48 relative to the operating body 22 outward in the vehicle width direction (the load required to operate the restriction mechanism 54) can be reduced.

[0066] Furthermore, when the actuating body 22 is not actuated, the load on the installation body 48 releases the restriction on the rotation of the installation body 48 by the restriction mechanism 38 of the actuating body 22 (see FIG. 8A). This allows the installation body 48 to move.

[0067] Furthermore, the load (specified load) required to release the restriction by the restriction mechanism 54 on the relative rotation of the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the operating body 22 is set smaller than the load (predetermined load) required to release the restriction on the rotation of the installation body 48 by the limiting mechanism 38. Therefore, the load required to release the restriction by the restriction mechanism 54 on the relative rotation of the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the operating body 22 can be appropriately reduced.

[0068] Furthermore, the deployment spring 52 biases the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction (deployment direction) relative to the operating body 22. Therefore, when the restriction by the restriction mechanism 54 on the relative rotation of the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the operating body 22 is released, the deployment spring 52 can deploy the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the operating body 22.

[0069] Furthermore, the deployment spring 52 is provided coaxially with the shaft 20, which is the rotation center of the installation body 48. Therefore, the deployment spring 52 can prevent the camera device 10 from becoming larger in size.

[0070] Furthermore, as described above, when the installation body 48 is stored, the installation body 48 is pressed inward in the vehicle width direction (storing direction), which operates the restriction mechanism 54, and the restriction by the restriction mechanism 54 on the rotation of the installation body 48 relative to the operating body 22 outward in the vehicle width direction is released (see FIGS. 10A and 10B ). This makes it easy to operate the restriction mechanism 54.

[0071] Furthermore, when the restriction by the restriction mechanism 54 on the rotation of the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the operating body 22 is released, the guide shaft 56A (on the installation body 48 side) of the pin 56 of the restriction mechanism 54 is separated outward in the vehicle width direction from the rail 60 (on the operating body 22 side) of the rail plate 58 of the restriction mechanism 54 (see FIGS. 11A and 11B ). Therefore, the amount of rotation of the installation body 48 outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the operating body 22 can be increased without increasing the size of the pin 56 and the rail plate 58.

[0072] Furthermore, the pin 56 of the installation body 48 is rotatable between the restricting protrusions 50B on the upper and lower sides of the operating body 22, and the range of rotation of the pin 56 in the up-down direction relative to the operating body 22 is restricted (see FIG. 11B). Therefore, even if the guide shaft 56A of the pin 56 is separated outward in the vehicle width direction from the rail 60 of the rail plate 58, the guide shaft 56A can properly enter (communicate with) the rail 60 when the installation body 48 is rotated inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0073] In the present embodiment, when the operating body 22 is actuated, the operating body 22 is prevented from rotating against the biasing force of the deployment spring 52. However, when the operating body 22 is actuated, the operating body 22 may be allowed to rotate against the biasing force of the deployment spring 52.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the installation body 48 is rotated. However, the installation body 48 may be slid (moved).

[0075] In addition, in this embodiment, the installation body 48 may be provided with a light irradiation device such as a turn signal lamp, and the installation body 48 may be provided with a detection device such as a radar.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the camera device 10 is installed on the fender panel 14 of the vehicle 12. However, the camera device 10 may be installed on a portion of the vehicle 12 other than the fender panel 14.

[0077] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-211491, filed on December 14, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0078] 10: Camera device (installation device), 12: Vehicle, 20: Shaft (support shaft), 22: Actuator (actuator device), 48: Installation body, 52: Deployment spring (biasing mechanism), 54: Restriction mechanism, 62: Lower camera (imaging device), 64: Rear camera (imaging device)

Claims

1. An installation device comprising: an installation body to be installed on a vehicle; an imaging device provided on the installation body for imaging the outside of the installation body; an actuation device which, when actuated, moves the installation body to be stored or deployed; and a regulating mechanism which regulates the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the actuation device and, when operated, releases the regulation of the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the actuation device without operating the actuation device.

2. An installation device as described in claim 1, wherein the actuator limits the movement of the installation body when the actuator is not actuated, and the restriction on the movement of the installation body by the actuator is released by a load on the installation body.

3. An installation device as described in claim 2, wherein the load required for releasing the restriction on the relative movement of the installation body to the operating device by the regulating mechanism is made smaller than the load required for releasing the movement restriction of the installation body by the operating device.

4. An installation device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the actuating device limits the movement of the installation body by a biasing force.

5. An installation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a biasing mechanism for biasing the installation body in the deployment direction.

6. The installation device according to claim 5, wherein said installation body is moved by being rotated about a support shaft, and said biasing mechanism is provided on said support shaft.

7. An installation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the installation body is operated in a storage direction relative to the operating device to operate the regulating mechanism.

8. An installation device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the installation body side and the actuator side of the regulating mechanism are separated when the restriction by the regulating mechanism on the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the actuator is released.

9. An installation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the regulating mechanism regulates the relative movement of the installation body with respect to the operating device by means of a biasing force.

10. An installation device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the regulating mechanism has: a guided portion provided on the installation body; and a guiding portion provided on the operating device for guiding the guided portion.

Images