Bracket for camera

Abstract

This bracket fixes, to a vehicle body, a camera for imaging the area around a vehicle. The camera is provided with an engagement protrusion. The bracket includes: an attachment hole into which the camera is inserted; and a first position restriction part that engages with the engagement protrusion to restrict the position of the camera. The first position restriction part is configured to abut the engagement protrusion in a direction of rotation around an axis extending in an imaging direction of the camera.

Description

Camera Bracket

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a camera bracket for fixing a camera to a vehicle body.

[0002] A hazard warning sensor used to detect obstacles and people is attached to the rear bumper of a vehicle body. One example of a hazard warning sensor includes an ultrasonic element, a storage member, and a retaining member. The cylindrical storage member has a storage section between a first cylindrical end and a second cylindrical end. The first cylindrical end has an edge that hooks onto the rear bumper. The outer peripheral surface of the second end has a male thread. The ultrasonic element is stored in the storage section. The retaining member has a female thread on its inner peripheral surface.

[0003] When the hazard warning sensor is attached to the rear bumper, the housing member is fitted into the hole in the rear bumper with the ultrasonic element housed in the housing. By fitting the housing member, the edge of the housing member catches on the surface of the rear bumper, and the male thread protrudes from the rear bumper's back surface. The male thread protruding from the rear bumper's back surface is threadedly engaged with the female thread of the retainer member, thereby clamping the rear bumper between the edge of the housing member and the retainer member (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Utility Model Registration No. 3051562

[0005] However, when the above-mentioned screw fastening structure is used to fix the camera, the position of the camera relative to the vehicle body changes in the direction of rotation of the screw depending on the degree to which the screw is screwed in. As a result, the imaging range of the camera relative to the vehicle body varies.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a camera bracket configured to fix a camera that photographs the surroundings of a vehicle to a vehicle body, wherein the camera has an engagement portion, and the camera bracket has a mounting hole into which the camera is inserted so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the imaging direction, and a first position regulating portion configured to engage with the engagement portion to regulate the position of the camera, and the first position regulating portion is configured to abut against the engagement portion of the camera inserted into the mounting hole in a rotational direction around the axis.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a state in which a camera is fixed to a vehicle body. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a camera bracket and a camera. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of the camera. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the structure of the camera bracket. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the structure of the camera bracket. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the structure of the flexible piece shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a process diagram showing one step included in a camera mounting method. FIG. 9 is a process diagram showing one step included in a camera mounting method. FIG. 10 is a process diagram showing one step included in a camera mounting method. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 10.

[0008] 1, the camera bracket 10 (hereinafter also referred to as the bracket 10) is a bracket that fixes the camera 20, which captures images of the surroundings of the vehicle, to the vehicle body C. The bracket 10 includes a bracket main body 10A and a pair of flanges 10F.

[0009] The bracket body 10A has a mounting hole 10AH to which the camera 20 is attached. A pair of flanges 10F are arranged to sandwich the bracket body 10A. Each flange 10F has one fixing hole 10FH (see FIG. 2 ). A fixing member F is passed through the fixing hole 10FH. The bracket 10 is fixed to the vehicle body C by the fixing member F. As a result, the camera 20 attached to the bracket body 10A is fixed to the vehicle body C.

[0010] A plurality of cameras 20 may be attached at intervals around the vehicle body C. A plurality of brackets 10 may be arranged around one vehicle body C. One camera 20 is attached to each bracket 10. A plurality of cameras 20 are fixed at intervals around the vehicle body C. The cameras 20 fixed to the vehicle body C via the brackets 10 suppress variation in the imaging range based on the vehicle body C. The cameras 20 with reduced variation in the imaging range increase the accuracy of processing using the imaging results. The imaging results of the plurality of cameras 20 may be used in a device that displays an image simulating an omnidirectional view of the vehicle body C.

[0011] [Camera 20] An example of the camera 20 applied to the bracket 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing structure, showing the arrangement of the camera 20 relative to the bracket 10. Figure 3 is a plan view seen from a viewpoint opposite the bottom surface 20AR of the camera 20, showing the planar structure of the camera 20.

[0012] 2, the rotation axis A of the camera 20 extends in the imaging direction of the camera 20. The imaging direction of the camera 20 may be parallel to the optical axis specified by the lens of the camera 20, or may be parallel to an axis connecting the camera 20 and the aiming target. The rotation direction of the camera 20 is a circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis A, and may be either clockwise, counterclockwise, or both.

[0013] The camera 20 is inserted into the mounting hole 10AH of the bracket body 10A along the mounting direction, which is parallel to the imaging direction and extends from the camera body 20A toward the shaft 20C.

[0014] The camera 20 has a two-tiered polygonal prism shape. The camera 20 includes a camera body 20A and a shaft 20C. Both the camera body 20A and the shaft 20C have polygonal prism shapes. The camera body 20A, which is the large pillar part, may have a quadrangular prism shape. The shaft 20C, which is the small pillar part, may have an octagonal prism shape. The camera body 20A and the shaft 20C have the same central axis extending along the rotation axis A.

[0015] The camera body 20A has a bottom surface 20AR and an engagement protrusion 20B. The bottom surface 20AR is a flat surface facing the bracket 10. The shaft portion 20C protrudes from the bottom surface 20AR along the rotation axis A. The engagement protrusion 20B is an example of an engagement portion. The engagement portion is configured to position the camera 20 on the bracket 10 through engagement with the bracket 10. The engagement protrusion 20B protrudes from the bottom surface 20AR in the mounting direction along the rotation axis A.

[0016] 3, the engagement protrusions 20B may be arranged around the shaft portion 20C. The engagement protrusions 20B may be arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis A. The engagement protrusions 20B may have a columnar shape, a hemispherical shape, or a plate shape. The camera body 20A may be provided with two or more engagement protrusions 20B. In this embodiment, the camera body 20A is provided with two engagement protrusions 20B.

[0017] Returning to FIG. 2 , the shaft portion 20C protrudes from the bottom surface 20AR along the rotation axis A. The size of the shaft portion 20C is sufficiently larger than the engaging protrusion 20B. The shaft portion 20C includes an arm portion 20C1 and a clamping portion 20C2. The arm portion 20C1 is an example of a flexibility restricting portion.

[0018] The outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 20C may include two or more arms 20C1. In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 20C includes two arms 20C1. The two arms 20C1 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 20C so as to sandwich the rotation axis A therebetween.

[0019] The outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 20C may include two or more clamping portions 20C2. In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 20C includes two clamping portions 20C2. The two clamping portions 20C2 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 20C so as to sandwich the rotation axis A therebetween.

[0020] The arm 20C1 is an arm that is spaced apart from the bottom surface 20AR in the mounting direction and protrudes outward from the shaft 20C. In the mounting direction, the distance between the bottom surface 20AR and the arm 20C1 is slightly greater than the thickness of the bracket main body 10A. When the camera 20 is mounted on the bracket main body 10A, the bracket main body 10A is positioned between the bottom surface 20AR and the arm 20C1.

[0021] The clamping portion 20C2 is spaced apart from the bottom surface 20AR in the mounting direction and protrudes outward from the shaft portion 20C. In the mounting direction, the distance between the bottom surface 20AR and the clamping portion 20C2 is approximately equal to the thickness of the bracket main body 10A. When the camera 20 is mounted on the bracket main body 10A, the bracket main body 10A is clamped between the bottom surface 20AR and the clamping portion 20C2.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 3, the arm portion 20C1 may have a plate shape. The arm portion 20C1 may extend in the radial direction of a cylinder centered on the rotation axis A. The arm portion 20C1 may have a shape and arrangement that is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis A. The arm portion 20C1 may have a columnar shape or a block shape. The number of arm portions 20C1 may be one for each engaging protrusion 20B.

[0023] The position of arm portion 20C1 is offset from the position of engaging protrusion 20B in the rotational direction. Engaging protrusion 20B and arm portion 20C1 may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the rotational direction. Clamping portion 20C2 may extend in the radial direction of a cylinder centered on rotation axis A. Clamping portion 20C2 may have a shape and arrangement that is rotationally symmetrical with rotation axis A as the axis of symmetry. Clamping portion 20C2 may have a plate shape or a columnar shape. The number of clamping portions 20C2 may be one for each engaging protrusion 20B. Engaging protrusion 20B, arm portion 20C1, and clamping portion 20C2 may be equally spaced in the rotational direction.

[0024] The position of the clamping portion 20C2 is offset from the position of the arm portion 20C1 and the position of the engaging protrusion 20B in the rotational direction. The clamping portion 20C2 and the arm portion 20C1 may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the rotational direction. The clamping portion 20C2 and the engaging protrusion 20B may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the rotational direction.

[0025] [Bracket 10] An example of the bracket 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Figs. 4 to 11. Fig. 4 shows the planar structure of the bracket 10 as seen from a viewpoint opposite the mounting wall 10AB of the bracket main body 10A. Fig. 5 shows the planar structure of the bracket 10 as seen from a viewpoint opposite the opening of the bracket main body 10A. Figs. 6 and 7 show the cross-sectional structure of the bracket main body 10A.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2, the bracket body 10A has a rectangular cylindrical shape with a bottom. One cylindrical end of the bracket body 10A opens toward the back of the paper in Fig. 2. The other cylindrical end of the bracket body 10A is closed by a mounting wall 10AB facing toward the front of the paper in Fig. 2.

[0027] The mounting wall 10AB is disposed so as to face the bottom surface 20AR of the camera body 20A. The mounting wall 10AB may have a plate shape parallel to the flange 10F. The thickness of the mounting wall 10AB is approximately equal to the distance between the bottom surface 20AR and the clamping portion 20C2 in the mounting direction. The side of the mounting wall 10AB facing the bottom surface 20AR of the camera body 20A is the mounting surface of the mounting wall 10AB.

[0028] The mounting hole 10AH penetrates the mounting wall 10AB in the thickness direction. The size and shape of the mounting hole 10AH allow the shaft portion 20C to be inserted along the rotation axis A and allow the shaft portion 20C to rotate around the rotation axis A. The size and shape of the mounting hole 10AH prevent the camera body 20A from being inserted along the rotation axis A.

[0029] [Planar Structure of Mounting Hole 10AH] As shown in Figure 4, the mounting hole 10AH includes a main hole 10AH1, a first sub-hole 10AH2, and a second sub-hole 10AH3. The main hole 10AH1 is a hole for passing the shaft portion 20C through the mounting wall 10AB. The first sub-hole 10AH2 is a hole for passing the arm portion 20C1 through the mounting wall 10AB. There is one first sub-hole 10AH2 for each arm portion 20C1. The second sub-hole 10AH3 is a hole for passing the clamping portion 20C2 through the mounting wall 10AB. There is one second sub-hole 10AH3 for each clamping portion 20C2.

[0030] The main hole 10AH1 has a substantially circular shape when viewed from a perspective facing the mounting surface of the mounting wall 10AB. The size and shape of the main hole 10AH1 allow the shaft portion 20C, excluding the arm portion 20C1, to pass through the main hole 10AH1 along the rotation axis A. The size and shape of the main hole 10AH1 allow the shaft portion 20C inserted through the main hole 10AH1 to rotate when the camera 20 is attached to the bracket 10. The size and shape of the main hole 10AH1 restrict the camera body 20A from passing through the main hole 10AH1.

[0031] The first sub-hole 10AH2 is connected to the outer edge of the main hole 10AH1 when viewed from a perspective facing the mounting surface of the mounting wall 10AB. The size and shape of the first sub-hole 10AH2 allow the arm 20C1 to pass through the first sub-hole 10AH2 along the rotation axis A. When the shaft 20C has two rotationally symmetrical plate-shaped arms 20C1 (see FIG. 3), the mounting hole 10AH also has two rotationally symmetrical slit-shaped first sub-holes 10AH2. The first sub-hole 10AH2 may be linear, extending from the outer edge of the main hole 10AH1 along the direction in which the two flanges 10F are aligned. The two first sub-holes 10AH2 may have the same length in the extension direction of the first sub-hole 10AH2.

[0032] The second sub-hole 10AH3 is connected to the outer edge of the main hole 10AH1 when viewed from the perspective facing the mounting surface of the mounting wall 10AB. The second sub-hole 10AH3 is arranged in the mounting wall 10AB so that when the first sub-hole 10AH2 faces the arm portion 20C1, the second sub-hole 10AH3 faces the clamping portion 20C2. The size and shape of the second sub-hole 10AH3 allow the clamping portion 20C2 to pass through the second sub-hole 10AH3 along the rotation axis A. When the clamping portion 20C2 has two rotationally symmetric clamping portions 20C2, the mounting hole 10AH also has two rotationally symmetric second sub-holes 10AH3.

[0033] [Planar Structure of Engagement Passage 10A3] As shown in Figure 4, the mounting wall 10AB has an engagement passage 10A3 and a first position restriction portion 10A1. The engagement passage 10A3 is configured to allow the engagement protrusion 20B of the camera 20 to pass through in the rotational direction. There is one engagement passage 10A3 for each engagement protrusion 20B. The first position restriction portion 10A1 is configured to restrict rotation relative to the engagement protrusion 20B of the camera 20. There is one first position restriction portion 10A1 for each engagement passage 10A3.

[0034] The engagement passage 10A3 is an arc-shaped groove. The center of the arc of the engagement passage 10A3 is located on the rotation axis A of the camera 20 attached to the bracket 10 when viewed from a viewpoint facing the mounting surface of the mounting wall 10AB. The center of the first engagement passage 10A3 and the center of the second engagement passage 10A3 are identical. The two engagement passages 10A3 are located on the same circumference. The engagement passage 10A3 is a passage for the engagement protrusion 20B that rotates the engagement protrusion 20B around the rotation axis A. The central angle of the arc of the engagement passage 10A3 may be approximately 45°. The radius of curvature of the first engagement passage 10A3 and the radius of curvature of the second engagement passage 10A3 are identical to each other.

[0035] The engagement passage 10A3 has a base end that is one end in the rotational direction of the camera 20 and a tip end that is the other end opposite the base end. The base end of the engagement passage 10A3 is connected to the mounting hole 10AH. The base end of the engagement passage 10A3 is arranged on the mounting wall 10AB so that, when viewed from a perspective facing the mounting surface of the mounting wall 10AB, when the arm portion 20C1 of the camera 20 overlaps the first sub-hole 10AH2, the tip of the base end of the engagement passage 10A3 faces the engagement protrusion 20B of the camera 20.

[0036] The first position restriction portion 10A1 is located at the tip of the engagement passage 10A3. The first position restriction portion 10A1 is part of the wall portion of the mounting wall 10AB that defines the engagement passage 10A3. The tip of the engagement passage 10A3 is arranged on the mounting wall 10AB so that, when viewed from a viewpoint facing the mounting surface of the mounting wall 10AB, when the engagement protrusion 20B of the camera 20 overlaps the tip of the engagement passage 10A3, the clamping portion 20C2 overlaps the mounting wall 10AB.

[0037] The first position restriction portion 10A1 is configured to engage with the engaging protrusion 20B of the camera 20. The first position restriction portion 10A1 is configured to come into contact with the engaging protrusion 20B when the camera 20 rotates in the rotational direction (clockwise in FIG. 4 ). The first position restriction portion 10A1 is configured to continue to come into contact with the engaging protrusion 20B while the camera 20 is attached to the bracket 10.

[0038] When the engagement protrusion 20B of the camera 20 is disposed at the base end of the engagement passage 10A3 and the camera 20 rotates around the rotation axis A, the engagement protrusion 20B is guided by the engagement passage 10A3 to the first position restriction portion 10A1. This makes it easier for the engagement protrusion 20B to reach the first position restriction portion 10A1 when the camera 20 is attached to the bracket 10.

[0039] Furthermore, when the engagement protrusion 20B guided through the engagement passage 10A3 reaches the first position restriction unit 10A1, the position of the camera 20 is restricted by the first position restriction unit 10A1 in the rotation direction of the camera 20 (the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 ). That is, the first position restriction unit 10A1 restricts the position of the camera 20 in the rotation direction (the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 ). As a result, the position of the camera 20 is fixed in the direction of rotation of the camera 20 in which the engagement protrusion 20B rotates toward the first position restriction unit 10A1. Since the position of the camera 20 is fixed, variation in the imaging range of the camera 20 relative to the vehicle body C is reduced.

[0040] 4, the mounting wall 10AB includes a flexible piece 10A2. The flexible piece 10A2 is configured to interfere with the engaging protrusion 20B of the camera 20. The number of flexible pieces 10A2 is one for each engaging passage 10A3.

[0041] The flexible piece 10A2 is a cantilever beam located within the engagement passage 10A3. The fixed end of the flexible piece 10A2 is located at the base end of the engagement passage 10A3. The free end of the flexible piece 10A2 is located near the tip of the engagement passage 10A3. When viewed from a perspective facing the mounting surface of the mounting wall 10AB, the flexible piece 10A2 has an arc shape that follows the engagement passage 10A3.

[0042] The flexible piece 10A2 forms the bottom of the engagement passage 10A3, which is an arc-shaped groove. The surface of the flexible piece 10A2 that faces the camera body 20A forms the bottom of the engagement passage 10A3. When the engagement protrusion 20B is located at the base end of the engagement passage 10A3, the facing surface of the flexible piece 10A2 has a shape that curves upward from the fixed end toward the free end so as to approach the bottom surface 20AR of the camera body 20A.

[0043] The opposing surface of the flexible plate 10A2 continues to contact the engaging protrusion 20B as the engaging protrusion 20B rotates along the engagement path 10A3. Furthermore, as the engaging protrusion 20B rotates along the engagement path 10A3, the flexible plate 10A2 interferes with the rotation of the engaging protrusion 20B through contact between the opposing surface of the flexible plate 10A2 and the engaging protrusion 20B. The interference by the flexible plate 10A2 bends the free end of the flexible plate 10A2 downward in the mounting direction, and applies a reaction force due to the bending of the flexible plate 10A2 as a resistance force against the rotational operation of the engaging protrusion 20B. As a result, the movement of the engaging protrusion 20B along the engagement path 10A3 can be detected by the interference between the engaging protrusion 20B and the flexible plate 10A2.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5, the mounting wall 10AB has a guide surface 10A4 on the side opposite the mounting surface of the mounting wall 10AB. There is one guide surface 10A4 for each second sub-hole 10AH3. The guide surface 10A4 is a slope connected to the second sub-hole 10AH3. The guide surface 10A4 increases the thickness of the mounting wall 10AB in the rotational direction (counterclockwise in Figure 5) from the second sub-hole 10AH3.

[0045] When the engaging protrusion 20B begins to rotate from the base end of the engaging passage 10A3, the clamping portion 20C2 begins to rotate along the guide surface 10A4. The inclination of the guide surface 10A4 facilitates the rotation of the clamping portion 20C2. When the engaging protrusion 20B reaches the tip of the engaging passage 10A3, the clamping portion 20C2 passes through the guide surface 10A4, and the clamping portion 20C2 and the bottom surface 20AR of the camera 20 clamp the bracket main body 10A. This fixes the camera 20 to the bracket main body 10A in the imaging direction.

[0046] [Cross-sectional structure of flexible piece 10A2] As shown in Figure 6, the flexible piece 10A2 has a second position restriction portion 10A21. The second position restriction portion 10A21 is disposed at the free end of the flexible piece 10A2. The second position restriction portion 10A21 faces the first position restriction portion 10A1 in the rotational direction. One second position restriction portion 10A21 is provided for each engagement passage 10A3.

[0047] The first position restricting portion 10A1 is configured to restrict rotation in one direction (clockwise in FIG. 4) relative to the engaging protrusion 20B of the camera 20. The second position restricting portion 10A21 is configured to restrict rotation in the other direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) relative to the engaging protrusion 20B of the camera 20.

[0048] 7, the free end of the flexible piece 10A2 is thicker than the fixed end of the flexible piece 10A2. The second position restriction portion 10A21 protrudes beyond the fixed end of the flexible piece 10A2 in the imaging direction. The second position restriction portion 10A21 is an inclined surface formed on the tip of the flexible piece 10A2. The inclined surface may be flat or gently curved.

[0049] The second position restricting portion 10A21 has an inclination θ such that the shorter the distance from the first position restricting portion 10A1 in the rotational direction, the further away from the mounting surface of the mounting wall 10AB. The second position restricting portion 10A21 has an inclination θ such that the shorter the distance from the first position restricting portion 10A1 in the rotational direction, the closer the distance from the first position restricting portion 10A1 in the rotational direction, the closer the position of the second position restricting portion 10A21 to the mounting direction.

[0050] The inclination θ of the second position restricting portion 10A21 converts the bending stress of the engaging protrusion 20B in the installation direction (downward in FIG. 7 ) into a pressure of the engaging protrusion 20B toward the first position restricting portion 10A1 through contact between the engaging protrusion 20B and the second position restricting portion 10A21. As a result, even if the dimension of the engaging protrusion 20B varies in the rotational direction, some position of the second position restricting portion 10A21 abuts against the engaging protrusion 20B so that the engaging protrusion 20B abuts against the second position restricting portion 10A21. This makes it easy to ensure a dimensional tolerance for the engaging protrusion 20B in the rotational direction.

[0051] The flexible piece 10A2 includes a position determining portion 10A22. The position determining portion 10A22 is disposed at the free end of the flexible piece 10A2. The position determining portion 10A22 protrudes beyond the fixed end of the flexible piece 10A2 in the attachment direction. The position determining portion 10A22 is disposed so as to be positioned in the imaging direction of the arm portion 20C1 when the engaging protrusion 20B abuts against the first position restricting portion 10A1.

[0052] The position determining portion 10A22 may be disposed at the free end in the mounting direction of the second position determining portion 10A21, or may be offset from the mounting direction of the second position determining portion 10A21. The position of the position determining portion 10A22 may coincide with the position of the second position determining portion 10A21 in the rotational direction, or may be offset from the second position determining portion 10A21. The distance between the position determining portion 10A22 and the second position determining portion 10A21 in the mounting direction may be approximately equal to the distance between the engaging protrusion 20B and the arm portion 20C1.

[0053] The distance between the position determining portion 10A22 and the second position determining portion 10A21 is configured so that the position determining portion 10A22 abuts against the arm portion 20C1 when the engaging protrusion 20B abuts against the first position determining portion 10A1. The position determining portion 10A22 abuts against the arm portion 20C1 to restrict bending of the flexible piece 10A2. The abutment of the position determining portion 10A22 against the arm portion 20C1 may be surface contact between the position determining portion 10A22 and the arm portion 20C1. The position determining portion 10A22 may have a planar shape perpendicular to the rotation axis A.

[0054] The position determining portion 10A22 abutting against the arm portion 20C1 is positioned relative to the camera 20 having the arm portion 20C1 in the mounting direction. The second position restricting portion 10A21, which is integral with the position determining portion 10A22, is also positioned relative to the camera 20 having the arm portion 20C1 in the mounting direction. Then, the second position restricting portion 10A21, which has been positioned relative to the camera 20, abuts against the engaging protrusion 20B of the camera 20 in the mounting direction and in the other direction of rotation (counterclockwise in FIG. 4 ). As a result, while the flexible piece 10A2 allows rotation of the camera 20 by bending, when the engaging protrusion 20B abuts against the first position restricting portion 10A1, it restricts displacement of the camera 20 in the other direction of rotation (counterclockwise in FIG. 4 ) and in the mounting direction. The relative position of the camera 20 to the bracket 10 is determined by the relative position of the engaging protrusion 20B to the first position restricting portion 10A1.

[0055] [Mounting Method] A method for mounting the camera 20 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 11. As shown in Figure 8, the camera 20 is positioned relative to the bracket 10 so that the arm portion 20C1 faces the first sub-hole 10AH2 and the clamping portion 20C2 faces the second sub-hole 10AH3 in the mounting direction. The camera 20 is then moved in the mounting direction so that the bottom surface 20AR of the camera body 20A approaches the mounting surface of the mounting wall 10AB. This inserts the shaft portion 20C of the camera 20 into the mounting hole 10AH in the mounting wall 10AB. The engaging protrusion 20B of the camera 20 is also inserted into the base end of the engaging passage 10A3 in the mounting wall 10AB.

[0056] As shown in Figure 9, the camera 20 is rotated in a rotational direction (counterclockwise in Figure 9) relative to the bracket 10. This causes the engagement protrusion 20B to be guided into the engagement passage 10A3 toward the first position restriction portion 10A1. The clamping portion 20C2 rotates in the rotational direction (counterclockwise in Figure 9) while overlapping with the guide surface 10A4.

[0057] As shown in Figure 10, the camera 20 is further rotated in the rotational direction (counterclockwise in Figure 10) relative to the bracket 10. As a result, the engaging protrusion 20B bends the flexible piece 10A2 and reaches the tip of the engaging passage 10A3. The clamping portion 20C2 also passes through the guide surface 10A4, and the clamping portion 20C2 and the bottom surface 20AR of the camera 20 clamp the bracket main body 10A. As a result, the camera 20 is fixed to the bracket main body 10A in the imaging direction.

[0058] As shown in Figure 11, when the engaging protrusion 20B reaches the tip of the engaging passage 10A3, the engaging protrusion 20B abuts against the first position restricting portion 10A1 in one direction of rotation (counterclockwise in Figure 10). The engaging protrusion 20B also abuts against the second position restricting portion 10A21 in the other direction of rotation (clockwise in Figure 10). The position restricting portion 10A22 of the flexible piece 10A2 then abuts against the arm portion 20C1. This restricts displacement of the camera 20 relative to the bracket 10 in both the rotational direction and the mounting direction. The bracket 10 is fixed to the vehicle body C by the fixing member F, thereby fixing the camera 20 to the vehicle body C.

[0059] Effects of the embodiment The bracket 10 has the following effects. (1) When the camera 20 is inserted into the mounting hole 10AH, the first position restriction portion 10A1 abuts against the engaging protrusion 20B. This restricts the position of the camera 20 in the rotational direction by the first position restriction portion 10A1. As a result, variations in the imaging range caused by the rotation of the camera 20 are suppressed.

[0060] (2) The engaging protrusion 20B is guided to the first position restriction portion 10A1 by the engaging passage 10A3. Therefore, when attaching the camera 20 to the bracket 10, it is easy to guide the engaging protrusion 20B to the first position restriction portion 10A1.

[0061] (3) When the engagement passage 10A3 guides the engagement protrusion 20B, the flexible piece 10A2 interferes with the rotation of the engagement protrusion 20B. Therefore, the movement of the engagement protrusion 20B in the engagement passage 10A3 is grasped by the interference between the engagement protrusion 20B and the flexible piece 10A2 and the bending of the flexible piece 10A2 due to the interference. In this way, making it easier to grasp the movement of the engagement protrusion 20B increases the accuracy of the installation work of the camera 20.

[0062] (4) Rotation of the engaging protrusion 20B in one direction is restricted by the first position restricting portion 10A1. Rotation of the engaging protrusion 20B in the other direction is restricted by the second position restricting portion 10A21. Therefore, movement of the camera 20 is restricted in both rotational directions, that is, in one direction and the other direction. As a result, variation in the imaging range of the camera 20 relative to the vehicle body C is further reduced.

[0063] (5) The second position restricting portion 10A21 converts the stress received from the engaging protrusion 20B in the mounting direction into rotation of the engaging protrusion 20B. As a result, even if the size of the engaging protrusion 20B varies in the rotational direction, the engaging protrusion 20B abuts against the first position restricting portion 10A1. Therefore, a tolerance is ensured for the size of the engaging protrusion 20B in the rotational direction, etc., by the amount of the inclination of the second position restricting portion 10A21.

[0064] (6) The direction in which the engaging protrusion 20B bends the flexible piece 10A2 and the direction in which the camera 20 is inserted into the mounting hole 10AH are the same as the mounting direction. Therefore, the movement of the engaging protrusion 20B along the engaging passage 10A3 is easier to grasp. As a result, the effect equivalent to the above (3) is further enhanced.

[0065] (7) With the engaging protrusion 20B in contact with the first position restriction portion 10A1, the arm 20C1 restricts the bending of the flexible piece 10A2. This positions the second position restriction portion 10A21 of the flexible piece 10A2 relative to the camera 20. As a result, the position of the camera 20 is more reliably fixed in both rotational directions. The relative position of the camera 20 to the bracket 10 is determined by the relative position of the engaging protrusion 20B to the first position restriction portion 10A1.

[0066] (8) Variation in the imaging range is reduced among the multiple cameras 20 fixed to the vehicle body C. This improves the accuracy of processing using the imaging results of each camera 20. [Modifications] The above-described embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows.

[0067] [Camera 20] The flexibility restricting portion of camera 20 is not limited to arm 20C1, but may be a protrusion that is arranged to abut against flexible piece 10A2 bent by engaging protrusion 20B and restricts the bending of flexible piece 10A2 to a predetermined amount. Note that the flexibility restricting portion may be omitted from camera 20.

[0068] The clamping portion 20C2 is not limited to a protrusion, and may be a clamping claw that positions the camera 20 on the mounting wall 10AB in the mounting direction and allows the camera 20 to rotate relative to the mounting wall 10AB, or a groove into which a protrusion of the mounting wall 10AB is fitted. Note that the clamping portion 20C2 may be omitted from the camera 20.

[0069] The camera 20 may have a multi-stage cylindrical shape or a multi-stage elliptical cylindrical shape. [Second Position Regulating Part 10A21] The second position regulating part 10A21 is not limited to an inclined surface, and may be a hemispherical surface protruding toward the engaging protrusion 20B or a concave curved surface recessed toward the engaging protrusion 20B, as long as it abuts against the engaging protrusion 20B and presses the engaging protrusion 20B toward the first position regulating part 10A1. This modified example also provides the same effect as in (7) above.

[0070] The flexible piece 10A2 is not limited to a cantilever beam, but may be a thin, doubly supported beam configured to bend due to the engagement protrusion 20B inserted into the engagement passage 10A3. In this case, the second position restriction portion 10A21 of the flexible piece 10A2 may be omitted.

[0071] The flexible piece 10A2 may be disposed outside the engagement passage 10A3. The bending direction of the flexible piece 10A2 is not limited to the mounting direction, but may be a direction toward the radially outward direction of the shaft portion 20C. In this case, the camera 20 is provided with a separate protrusion that protrudes radially outward from the shaft portion 20C so that the flexible piece 10A2 is bent by the rotation of the camera 20. This modification also provides an effect similar to that of (3) above.

[0072] [Engagement Passage 10A3] The protruding direction of the engagement protrusion 20B is not limited to the mounting direction, but may be a direction from the outer circumferential surface of the camera 20 toward the periphery of the camera 20, such as the radial direction of the cylindrical camera 20. In this case, the first position restriction portion 10A1 may be disposed around the camera 20 so as to abut against the engagement protrusion 20B in the rotational direction. The engagement passage 10A3 may be a groove or slit disposed around the periphery of the camera 20 so as to guide the engagement protrusion 20B in the rotational direction. The camera 20 may also have a one-stage columnar shape, with the bottom surface 20AR omitted.

[0073] [First Position Restriction Portion 10A1] The first position restriction portion 10A1 is not limited to a wall portion that defines the engagement passage 10A3 within the mounting wall 10AB, but may be a protrusion provided on the mounting surface of the mounting wall 10AB. In this case, the first position restriction portion 10A1 is a protrusion that is disposed in the rotational direction of the engagement protrusion 20B and is configured to be able to abut against the rotating engagement protrusion 20B.

[0074] Furthermore, when the first position restriction portion 10A1 is a protrusion, the engagement portion of the camera 20 may be a recess that accommodates the first position restriction portion 10A1 so that the first position restriction portion 10A1 can move in the rotational direction. In this case, the recess that is the engagement portion of the camera 20 is defined by a side surface that can abut against the first position restriction portion 10A1 in the rotational direction of the first position restriction portion 10A1. Also, the bracket 10 may omit the engagement passage 10A3.

Claims

1. A camera bracket configured to fix a camera that photographs the surroundings of a vehicle to a vehicle body, the camera having an engagement part, the camera bracket having: a mounting hole into which the camera is inserted so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the imaging direction; and a first position restriction part configured to engage with the engagement part to restrict the position of the camera, the first position restriction part configured to abut against the engagement part of the camera inserted into the mounting hole in the rotational direction around the axis.

2. A camera bracket as described in claim 1, further comprising an engagement passage extending in the rotational direction, the engagement passage being configured to guide the engagement portion in the rotational direction, and the first position restriction portion being located at the end of the engagement passage in the rotational direction.

3. A camera bracket as described in claim 2, further comprising a cantilevered flexible piece in the engagement passage, the flexible piece being configured to bend by interfering with the engagement portion guided in the engagement passage.

4. A camera bracket as described in claim 3, wherein the flexible piece is provided with a second position regulating portion located at the free end of the flexible piece, and the first position regulating portion is configured to abut against the engaging portion in one direction of the rotation direction, and the second position regulating portion is configured to abut against the engaging portion in the other direction of the rotation direction.

5. A camera bracket as described in claim 4, wherein the second position regulating portion is an inclined surface, and the inclined surface is configured to convert the bending stress of the flexible piece due to contact with the engaging portion into pressure in one direction against the engaging portion.

6. A camera bracket as described in claim 3, wherein the direction in which the camera is inserted into the mounting hole is an installation direction along the imaging direction, the engaging portion is an engaging protrusion that protrudes from the bottom surface of the camera in the installation direction, and the bending of the flexible piece by the engaging protrusion displaces the free end of the flexible piece in the installation direction.

7. The camera bracket of claim 6, further comprising a flexible regulating portion, wherein the free end of the flexible piece is positioned in the imaging direction of the flexible regulating portion with the engaging portion abutting the first position regulating portion, and is configured to abut against the flexible regulating portion to regulate bending.

8. A camera bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the camera bracket is at least one of a plurality of camera brackets arranged around the vehicle body.

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