Pressure sensor configuration architecture

Abstract

The present application provides a pressure sensor arrangement for further improving traffic safety, which can accurately and stably detect the pressure change in the pressure tube during the offset collision of the vehicle. The pressure sensor arrangement of the present application comprises a bumper beam (2), a shock absorber (3) arranged in front of the bumper beam (2), a pressure tube (5) arranged between the bumper beam (2) and the shock absorber (3), a pressure sensor (6) mounted on the end of the pressure tube (5), and a sensor cover (8) fixed to the rear surface of the shock absorber (3), the sensor cover (8) being fixed to the shock absorber (3) at multiple positions different in the vehicle width direction at the end of the shock absorber (3) in the vehicle width direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a pressure sensor arrangement. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, as a pressure sensor arrangement for a vehicle, one is known which includes a bumper reinforcement (bumper beam) extending in the vehicle width direction, a shock absorber of foamed resin mounted at the front side of the bumper reinforcement by means of a bracket, a pressure tube extending in the vehicle width direction along the rear surface of the shock absorber, and a pressure sensor provided at both end portions of the pressure tube, respectively (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this pressure sensor arrangement, the pressure sensor detects a change in pressure in the pressure tube at the time of a vehicle collision and outputs a detection signal thereof to an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit calculates a collision load, an effective mass of a collision body, and the like based on the detection signal. The electronic control unit judges, for example, whether or not to output a deployment command of an airbag based on the calculation result.

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6070647 SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] However, the conventional pressure sensor arrangement (see, for example, Patent Document 1) has a possibility that the end portion of the shock absorber is cut in the vehicle width direction at the time of a vehicle offset collision. Also, if the end portion of the shock absorber is cut, the pressure sensor cannot accurately detect a change in pressure in the pressure tube at the time of a collision.

[0009] Thus, an object of the present application is to provide a pressure sensor arrangement in which a pressure sensor can accurately and stably detect a change in pressure in a pressure tube at the time of an offset collision of a vehicle, for further improvement in traffic safety.

[0010] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0011] The pressure sensor arrangement of the present application which solves the foregoing problems is characterized by including a bumper beam, a shock absorber provided at the front of the bumper beam, a pressure tube provided between the bumper beam and the shock absorber, a pressure sensor mounted at an end portion of the pressure tube, and a sensor cover fixed to the rear surface of the shock absorber, the sensor cover being fixed to the shock absorber at a plurality of positions different in the vehicle width direction at the end portion of the shock absorber in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] According to the present application, a pressure sensor arrangement configuration can be provided, which accurately and stably detects a pressure change in a pressure tube at the time of a side collision of a vehicle for further improving traffic safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a whole perspective view of the pressure sensor arrangement configuration of the embodiment of the present application.

[0015] Figure 2 is a II-II sectional view of Figure 1

[0016] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a left end portion in a vehicle width direction of the pressure sensor arrangement configuration.

[0017] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a shock absorber / sensor unit assembly constituting the pressure sensor arrangement configuration.

[0018] Figure 5 is a rear view of the shock absorber / sensor unit assembly.

[0019] Figure 6 is a schematic view illustrating another fixing method of the pressure sensor.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] 1 pressure sensor arrangement configuration

[0022] 2 bumper beam

[0023] 3 shock absorber

[0024] 5 pressure tube

[0025] 6 pressure sensor

[0026] 8 sensor cover

[0027] 9 protruding portion

[0028] 19 hole portion formed in the sensor cover

[0029] 21 fixing portion of the pressure sensor

[0030] 22 claw portion for fixing the pressure sensor DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Next, a mode (embodiment) of a pressure sensor arrangement configuration for embodying the present application will be explained in detail with reference to appropriate drawings.

[0032] ​Note that the front-rear, up-down, left-right directions in the following description are based on the arrow directions of the respective drawings in conformity with the front-rear, up-down, left-right directions of the vehicle.

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the entire pressure sensor arrangement structure 1 of the embodiment. Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a II-II sectional view of Figure 1 In

[0034] As shown in Figure 1 , the pressure sensor arrangement structure 1 is assembled to the front bumper 10 of the vehicle to constitute.

[0035] Specifically, the pressure sensor arrangement structure 1 is constituted so as to mainly include the bumper beam 2, the shock absorber 3, the pressure pipe 5, the pressure sensor 6, and the sensor cover 8 to be described later (see Figure 3 ).

[0036] Bumper beam

[0037] The bumper beam 2 is a skeletal member of the front bumper 10 arranged in the vehicle front portion so as to extend in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] The bumper beam 2 has a substantially arcuate shape in plan view, bulging toward the front. Specifically, the bumper beam 2 extends substantially linearly at a central portion in the vehicle width direction, and is inclined so as to gradually shift toward the rear as it approaches the outer sides in the vehicle width direction from the central portion.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2 , the bumper beam 2 has a closed cross-sectional structure in which a front member 11 having a disc shape and a rear member 12 having a hat shape are joined.

[0040] The front member 11 has a flat longitudinal wall 26 corresponding to the bottom surface of the disc shape, and an upper wall 27 and a lower wall 28 formed corresponding to the rim portions of the disc shape so as to extend in the up-down direction from the upper and lower ends of the longitudinal wall 26, respectively, offset toward the front side from the longitudinal wall 26 so as to form a step with the longitudinal wall 26. That is, the front member 11 forms a concave portion 29 having the longitudinal wall 26 flat in the up-down direction as a bottom surface and shallow in the front-rear direction.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2 , the rear member 12 has a beam body 23 formed corresponding to the raised portion of the hat shape, open at the front and closed at the rear, and an upper flange portion 24 and a lower flange portion 25 formed corresponding to the flange portions of the hat shape, extending in the up-down direction from the upper and lower opening ends of the beam body 23, respectively.

[0042] In addition, a reinforcing rib portion 23a that extends in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface (in a vehicle width direction) and bulges toward the rear is formed in the rear portion of the beam body 23 that constitutes the rear side member 12. The reinforcing rib portion 23a is provided in pairs above and below the rear portion of the beam body 23. Figure 2

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper flange portion 24 and the lower flange portion 25 that constitute the rear side member 12 are formed in a manner corresponding to the upper wall 27 and the lower wall 28 of the front side member 11, and are joined to each other in the aforementioned manner. Figure 2

[0044] In addition, the upper flange portion 24 and the lower flange portion 25 each have a turn portion 24a, 25a that extends toward the rear at a midpoint of extension from the beam body 23.

[0045] The hook portion 14 of the shock absorber 3 (refer to FIG. 2) is caught in the upper and lower ends of the bumper beam 2 formed with such turn portions 24a, 25a in the manner described below, and thus the shock absorber / sensor unit assembly 30 (refer to FIG. 3) is mounted to the bumper beam 2. Figure 3 Figure 4

[0046] Note that in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference numeral 9 is a protruding portion. Figure 1 Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1, the protruding portion 9 is formed as a substantially square tubular body that extends toward the rear from the rear surface of the both end portions of the bumper beam 2.

[0047] The protruding portion 9 is connected to the front end portions of the front side frame and the longitudinal beam, not shown, by way of a connecting plate 9a. Figure 1

[0048] By this, the protruding portion 9 transmits a collision load input to the bumper beam 2 to the front side frame and the like that are the vehicle body frame.

[0049] Shock Absorber

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the shock absorber 3 is configured to have: a shock absorber body 13 that is formed in front of the bumper beam 2 in a manner following the bumper beam 2; a hook portion 14 that is integrally formed with the shock absorber body 13 at an end portion in the vehicle width direction that is closer to the center portion of the shock absorber body 13; and a sensor mounting portion 15 that is integrally formed with the shock absorber body 13 in a manner extending downward from the end portion of the shock absorber body 13.

[0051] Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 2, the shock absorber 3 is configured to have: a shock absorber body 13 that is formed in front of the bumper beam 2 in a manner following the bumper beam 2; a hook portion 14 that is integrally formed with the shock absorber body 13 at an end portion in the vehicle width direction that is closer to the center portion of the shock absorber body 13; and a sensor mounting portion 15 that is integrally formed with the shock absorber body 13 in a manner extending downward from the end portion of the shock absorber body 13.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, the shock absorber 3 is configured to have: a shock absorber body 13 that is formed in front of the bumper beam 2 in a manner following the bumper beam 2; a hook portion 14 that is integrally formed with the shock absorber body 13 at an end portion in the vehicle width direction that is closer to the center portion of the shock absorber body 13; and a sensor mounting portion 15 that is integrally formed with the shock absorber body 13 in a manner extending downward from the end portion of the shock absorber body 13. Figure 1 ​​​​​​​As shown, the shock absorber body 13 has a substantially arch-shaped form in plan view, bulging forward. That is, the shock absorber body 13 extends substantially linearly at the central portion in the vehicle width direction in correspondence with the bumper beam 2, and gradually displaces rearward as it approaches the outer sides in the vehicle width direction from the central portion.

[0053] As shown, the shock absorber body 13 is an elongated member integrally formed with a front portion 33 having an upper and lower width substantially equal to the upper and lower width of the extension portion 9 described later, in cross-sectional view taken in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper, and a rear portion 32 having an upper and lower width substantially equal to the upper and lower width of the longitudinal wall 26 in the front side member 11 of the bumper beam 2. Figure 2 Figure 2 As shown, the shock absorber body 13 is an elongated member integrally formed with a front portion 33 having an upper and lower width substantially equal to the upper and lower width of the extension portion 9 described later, in cross-sectional view taken in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper, and a rear portion 32 having an upper and lower width substantially equal to the upper and lower width of the longitudinal wall 26 in the front side member 11 of the bumper beam 2.

[0054] Further, a mounting portion 31 of the pressure tube 5 (hereinafter referred to as the tube mounting portion 31) is formed at the rear end surface of the shock absorber body 13 in the rear portion 32. The tube mounting portion 31 is formed so as to be raised rearward compared to a general surface 32a occupying a large portion of the rear end surface of the shock absorber body 13.

[0055] Further, a tube insertion slot 31a extending in the vehicle width direction is formed in the tube mounting portion 31.

[0056] The tube mounting portion 31 of the present embodiment is formed at the upper portion of the rear end surface of the rear portion 32 of the shock absorber body 13.

[0057] As shown, the hooking portions 14 are provided in pairs above and below the shock absorber body 13 in correspondence with the respective turned-up portions 24a, 25a of the upper and lower flange portions 24, 25 of the bumper beam 2. Figure 2 As shown, the hooking portions 14 are provided in pairs above and below the shock absorber body 13 in correspondence with the respective turned-up portions 24a, 25a of the upper and lower flange portions 24, 25 of the bumper beam 2.

[0058] Figure 1 As shown, the hooking portions 14 have a ring-shaped support portion 14a extending rearward from the shock absorber body 13, and a protrusion 14b protruding from the support portion 14a toward the bumper beam 2.

[0059] Further, as shown, the hooking portions 14 are configured to support the shock absorber body 13 to the bumper beam 2 by hooking the protrusions 14b to the turned-up portions 24a, 25a of the bumper beam 2. Figure 2 As shown, the hooking portions 14 described above are each provided in a pair at the left and right portions in correspondence with the extension portion 9.

[0060] Figure 1 As shown, the hooking portions 14 described above are each provided in a pair at the left and right portions in correspondence with the extension portion 9.

[0061] As shown, the hooking portions 14 described above are each provided in a pair at the left and right portions in correspondence with the extension portion 9. Figure 2 ​​​As shown, the shock absorber body 13 is supported by the bumper beam 2 by means of the hook portion 14, so that the rear end of the rear portion 32 of the shock absorber body 13 is fitted into the recess 29 of the bumper beam 2. As a result, the tube mounting portion 31 of the pressure tube 5 contacts the vertical wall 26 of the bumper beam 2. Furthermore, the general surface 32a of the rear end surface of the shock absorber body 13 is separated from the vertical wall 26 by a predetermined gap.

[0062] Furthermore, a stepped surface 34 formed between the front portion 33 and the rear portion 32 of the shock absorber body 13 faces the upper wall 27 and the lower wall 28 of the front side member 11 of the bumper beam 2 at predetermined intervals.

[0063] like Figure 1 As shown, the sensor mounting portion 15 is formed by a block connected to the lower surface of the end portion of the shock absorber body 13. The sensor mounting portion 15 is connected to the shock absorber / sensor unit assembly 30 (see FIG. Figure 4 ) are explained in detail.

[0064] It should be noted that the damper 3 of the present embodiment is assumed to be formed of a resin foam such as a foamed polyurethane resin.

[0065] Pressure tube and pressure sensor

[0066] Next, the pressure pipe 5 (see Figure 1 ) and pressure sensor 6 (refer to Figure 1 ) for explanation. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The illustrated diagram is an exploded perspective view of the left end portion of the pressure sensor arrangement structure 1 in the vehicle width direction.

[0067] like Figure 3 As shown, the pressure pipe 5 is arranged between the bumper beam 2 and the shock absorber 3 along the vehicle width direction ( Figure 3 The device is configured in a manner extending in the left and right directions).

[0068] Specifically, if Figure 2 As shown, the pressure tube 5 is fitted and supported in a tube fitting groove 31 a formed in the tube mounting portion 31 of the shock absorber body 13 .

[0069] The pressure tube 5 of this embodiment is assumed to be formed of an elastic resin material such as synthetic rubber. A pressure transmission medium such as air is sealed in the hollow portion of the pressure tube 5.

[0070] exist Figure 2 When a collision load is input to the shock absorber body 13 shown, the cross-sectional shape of the hollow portion of the pressure tube 5 changes between the pressure tube 5 and the vertical wall 26 of the bumper beam 2. As a result, the pressure in the hollow portion of the pressure tube 5 increases in accordance with the magnitude of the collision load. The pressure transmission medium in the pressure tube 5 is transferred to the end of the pressure tube 5.Figure 3 The pressure sensor 6 shown transmits a pressure change generated in the hollow portion of the pressure tube 5.

[0071] The pressure sensor 6 of this embodiment (refer to Figure 3 ) has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0072] The pressure sensor 6 converts a pressure change generated in the hollow portion of the pressure tube 5 into an electric signal (a detection signal) and outputs the detection signal to an electronic control unit, not shown, via a wire harness 7 connected to the pressure sensor 6. The electronic control unit calculates a collision load, an effective mass of a colliding body, and the like based on the detection signal. The electronic control unit judges whether or not to output an instruction to deploy an airbag for a pedestrian, which is deployed on, for example, a hood, based on the calculation result.

[0073] Then, as shown in Figure 3 , by mounting the sensor unit 4 having the pressure sensor 6, the pressure tube 5, and the wire harness 7 and the sensor cover 8 to the shock absorber 3, a shock absorber / sensor unit assembly 30 (refer to Figure 4 ) described below is constituted.

[0074] Note that in Figure 3 , a reference numeral 9 is a protruding portion engaged with the rear surface of the bumper beam 2.

[0075] Shock Absorber / Sensor Unit Assembly

[0076] Next, the shock absorber / sensor unit assembly 30 (refer to Figure 4 ) is described.

[0077] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the shock absorber / sensor unit assembly 30.

[0078] As shown in Figure 4 , when the shock absorber / sensor unit assembly 30 is constituted, first, the sensor unit 4 except for the wire harness 7 and the connector 7a is mounted to the shock absorber 3.

[0079] Specifically, the pressure tube 5 is inserted into a tube insertion slot 31a of the shock absorber main body 13. Also, the pressure sensor 6 is inserted into a hole portion 42 formed on the sensor mounting portion 15 located downwardly compared with the shock absorber main body 13.

[0080] Incidentally, the block having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape constituting the sensor mounting portion 15 is arranged in a manner shifted backwardly compared with the rear surface 35 of the end portion of the shock absorber main body 13.

[0081] Thus, a stepped surface 41 is formed between the rear surface 39 of the sensor mounting portion 15 and the rear surface 35 of the shock absorber body 13. Furthermore, a groove 36 is formed from the sensor mounting portion 15 to the end of the shock absorber body 13. The pressure tube 5 extending from the pressure sensor 6 disposed in the hole 42 is fitted into the groove 36.

[0082] The sensor cover 8 is formed of a curved plate. In this embodiment, the sensor cover 8 extends from the rear surface 39 of the sensor mounting portion 15 to the stepped surface 41 of the sensor mounting portion 15, the rear surface 35 of the end portion of the damper body 13, the inner side surface 38 of the end portion of the damper body 13, and the back surface 37 of the damper body 13.

[0083] That is, the sensor cover 8 is bent along the rear surface 39 of the sensor mounting portion 15, the step surface 41 of the sensor mounting portion 15, the rear surface 35 of the end of the shock absorber body 13, the inner side surface 38 of the end of the shock absorber body 13 and the back surface 37 of the shock absorber body 13.

[0084] The sensor cover 8 has a hole 19 formed in a portion corresponding to the stepped surface 41 of the sensor mounting portion 15. Furthermore, the sensor cover 8 has a hole 18 formed in the pressure sensor 6 disposed in the hole 42 of the sensor mounting portion 15 for connecting the connector 7a of the wiring harness 7.

[0085] Such a sensor cover 8 is fixed to the shock absorber 3 at a plurality of different positions in the vehicle width direction of the shock absorber 3 by a plurality of clips C. The sensor cover 8 is fixed only to the shock absorber 3 .

[0086] Then, the connector 7 a of the wire harness 7 is connected to the pressure sensor 6 via the hole 18 , thereby completing the shock absorber / sensor unit assembly 30 .

[0087] Figure 5 It is a partial rear view of the left side of the shock absorber / sensor unit assembly 30 .

[0088] It should be noted that Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , the arrangement positions of the bumper beam 2 and the extension portion 9 are indicated by imaginary lines (two-dot chain lines).

[0089] like Figure 5 As shown, the hook portion 14 of the shock absorber 3 in the shock absorber / sensor unit assembly 30 is hooked on the bumper beam 2, thereby forming the pressure sensor arrangement structure 1 of this embodiment (see FIG. Figure 1 ).

[0090] In the pressure sensor arrangement structure 1 (see Figure 1 ), such as Figure 5As shown, the pressure sensor 6 is arranged below the bumper cross member 2 and the projection 9 .

[0091] Furthermore, the sensor cover 8 extends downwardly relative to the bumper beam 2 and the extension portion 9 .

[0092] The pressure sensor 6 is disposed outside the bumper beam 2 in the vehicle width direction, and the sensor cover 8 extends from the bumper beam 2 to the position where the pressure sensor 6 is disposed.

[0093] Furthermore, an end portion of the sensor cover 8 in the vehicle width direction is provided on the outer side than an end portion of the pressure sensor 6 in the vehicle width direction.

[0094] Furthermore, the sensor cover 8 has a hole 19 formed therein so as to be adjacent to the upper portion of the pressure sensor 6 .

[0095] The sensor cover 8 is fixed to the shock absorber 3 by a clip C on the outer side in the vehicle width direction relative to the center position P of the pressure sensor 6 in the vehicle width direction.

[0096] In addition, if Figure 3 As shown, the sensor cover 8 partially overlaps with the extension 9 via the bumper beam 2 , and partially overlaps with the outer side surface of the extension 9 in the vehicle width direction.

[0097] Effects

[0098] Next, the effects of the pressure sensor arrangement structure 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0099] The pressure sensor arrangement structure 1 is fixed to the shock absorber 3 at a plurality of positions different in the vehicle width direction at the end portion of the sensor cover 8 in the vehicle width direction of the shock absorber 3 .

[0100] According to the pressure sensor arrangement structure 1, even if the shock absorber 3 breaks during an offset collision of the vehicle, the sensor cover 8 can prevent the end of the shock absorber 3 from falling off. Even during an offset collision of the vehicle, the pressure sensor arrangement structure 1 can accurately and stably detect pressure changes in the pressure tube 5 using the pressure sensor 6.

[0101] Furthermore, in a conventional pressure sensor arrangement structure (see, for example, Patent Document 1), there is a possibility that the end of the shock absorber may break during an offset collision of the vehicle, causing the pressure sensor to fall off.

[0102] In contrast, the pressure sensor arrangement structure 1 of this embodiment effectively prevents the pressure sensor 6 from falling off due to the sensor cover 8 provided at the end of the shock absorber 3 even when the shock absorber 3 breaks outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the hook portion 14 .

[0103] In addition, in the pressure sensor arrangement structure 1 , the sensor cover 8 is fixed only to the shock absorber 3 .

[0104] According to such a pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, unlike a configuration in which the sensor cover 8 is fixed to the bumper beam 2, it is not necessary to provide a mounting hole or the like in the bumper beam 2, and the mounting process of the sensor cover 8 becomes easy.

[0105] Further, according to such a pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, by first fixing the shock absorber / sensor unit assembly 30 in which the shock absorber 3 and the sensor cover 8 are fixed, the mounting workability of the shock absorber 3, the sensor unit 4, and the sensor cover 8 with respect to the bumper beam 2 is improved.

[0106] Further, in this pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, the pressure sensor 6 is arranged lower than the bumper beam 2 and the extension portion 9.

[0107] According to such a pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, at the time of a vehicle collision, it is possible to prevent the pressure sensor 6 from being broken by being pinched between the bumper beam 2, the extension portion 9, and other members.

[0108] Further, in this pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, the sensor cover 8 extends downward more than the bumper beam 2 and the extension portion 9.

[0109] According to such a pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, at the time of a vehicle collision, it is possible to prevent the pressure sensor 6 from being broken by being pinched between the bumper beam 2, the extension portion 9, and other members.

[0110] Further, in this pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, the pressure sensor 6 is arranged outside in the vehicle width direction of the bumper beam 2, and the sensor cover 8 extends from the bumper beam 2 side to the arrangement position of the pressure sensor 6.

[0111] According to such a pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, even if the shock absorber 3 is broken at the time of a vehicle offset collision, it is possible to more reliably prevent the end portion of the shock absorber 3 from falling off by the sensor cover 8.

[0112] Further, in this pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, the end portion of the sensor cover 8 in the vehicle width direction is arranged outside compared to the end portion of the pressure sensor 6 in the vehicle width direction.

[0113] According to such a pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, at the time of a vehicle collision, it is possible to prevent the pressure sensor 6 from being broken by being pinched between the bumper beam 2, the extension portion 9, and other members.

[0114] Further, in this pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, the sensor cover 8 is formed with the hole portion 19 in a manner so as to abut the upper portion of the pressure sensor 6.

[0115] According to such a pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, stress of the sensor cover 8 around the hole portion 19 is moderated when a collision load is input to the end portion of the shock absorber 3 from the side. Breakage of the sensor cover 8 caused by stress being locally concentrated in the sensor cover 8 is suppressed.

[0116] In addition, in this pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, the sensor cover 8 is fixed to the shock absorber 3 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction from the central position P of the pressure sensor 6 in the vehicle width direction.

[0117] According to such a pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, even if the shock absorber 3 is broken when a vehicle is subjected to an offset collision, the pressure sensor 6 can be more reliably prevented from falling off.

[0118] The above describes the present embodiment, but the present application is not limited to the foregoing embodiment and can be implemented in various ways.

[0119] In the foregoing embodiment, it is assumed that the pressure sensor 6 is fixed within the hole portion 42 of the sensor mounting portion 15 formed in the shock absorber 3, but the fixing configuration of the pressure sensor 6 is not limited thereto.

[0120] Figure 6 is a schematic view that illustrates another fixing configuration of the pressure sensor 6, and illustrates the fixing configuration of the pressure sensor 6 on the left side of the shock absorber / sensor unit assembly 30 (refer to Figure 4 ).

[0121] As shown in Figure 6 , the fixing portion 21 of the pressure sensor 6 formed in the sensor cover 8 is a concave shape that opens toward the rear.

[0122] In this fixing configuration, the pressure sensor 6 has a sensor main body 16 and a flange 17 provided on one end side of the sensor main body 16.

[0123] In addition, the fixing portion 21 is formed with a pair of claw portions 22 that engage the flange 17 of the pressure sensor 6 that is inserted.

[0124] Note that, in Figure 6 , reference numeral 15 is a sensor mounting portion of the shock absorber 3, and reference numeral C is a clip that fixes the sensor cover 8 to the shock absorber 3.

[0125] According to such a pressure sensor arrangement configuration 1, since the fixing portion 21 of the pressure sensor 6 formed on the sensor cover 8 is a concave shape, stress is moderated due to the sensor cover 8 being caused to bend when a collision load is input to the end portion of the shock absorber 3 from the side.

[0126] According to such a pressure sensor configuration 1, since the claw portion 22 that clamps the pressure sensor 6 embedded in the fixing portion 21 is provided, the mounting of the pressure sensor 6 to the fixing portion 21 becomes easy.

Claims

1. A pressure sensor configuration structure, characterized in that: include: bumper beams; a shock absorber, which is arranged in front of the bumper beam; a pressure pipe disposed between the bumper beam and the shock absorber; a pressure sensor mounted at the end of the pressure tube; a sensor cover fixed to the rear surface of the shock absorber; as well as protruding portions mounted on the rear surfaces of both ends of the bumper beam, The sensor cover is fixed to the shock absorber at a plurality of different positions in the vehicle width direction at an end portion of the shock absorber in the vehicle width direction. The pressure sensor is provided below the bumper beam and the protruding portion.

2. The pressure sensor arrangement structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensor cover is fixed only to the shock absorber.

3. The pressure sensor arrangement structure according to claim 1, wherein: The sensor cover extends downward relative to the bumper beam and the extension portion.

4. The pressure sensor arrangement structure according to claim 1, wherein: The pressure sensor is arranged on the outer side of the bumper beam in the vehicle width direction. The sensor cover extends from the bumper beam side to a location where the pressure sensor is disposed.

5. The pressure sensor arrangement structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: An end portion of the sensor cover in the vehicle width direction is provided outside an end portion of the pressure sensor in the vehicle width direction.

6. The pressure sensor arrangement structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sensor cover has a hole formed therein so as to be adjacent to an upper portion of the pressure sensor.

7. The pressure sensor arrangement structure according to claim 1, wherein: The sensor cover is fixed to the shock absorber at an outer side in the vehicle width direction relative to a center position of the pressure sensor in the vehicle width direction.

8. The pressure sensor arrangement structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fixing portion of the pressure sensor in the sensor cover is partially recessed in either the front-rear direction.

9. The pressure sensor arrangement structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: A claw portion is provided in the recessed fixing portion of the pressure sensor, and the claw portion locks the embedded pressure sensor.

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