Support structure for vehicle-mounted electronic equipment units

Abstract

The present invention provides a support structure for an electronic device unit for vehicle use, wherein the front wall of the housing of the electronic device unit is supported by a support member, and in such a support structure, the electronic device can be protected from the influence of the support member when the vehicle is hit from the front. The bottom bracket (20) supports the bottom wall (16) of the housing (14) of the electronic device unit (10). The rear end (39) of the support rod member (30) abuts against the front wall (15) of the housing (14) and is extended from the front wall (15) toward the front of the vehicle. The front bracket (40A, 40B) supports the front part of the support rod member (30). The front bracket (40A, 40B) has a flange (42A, 42B) and a hook (44A, 44B). The flange (42A, 42B) is fixed to the vehicle body at the side of the support rod member (30) in the vehicle width direction. One end of the hook portion (44A, 44B) is connected to the flange (42A, 42B) and extends from the side of the support rod component (30) in the vehicle width direction across the upper surface of the support rod component (30) to the opposite side of the vehicle width direction, making this end a free end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a support structure for an in-vehicle electronic equipment unit. Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an autonomous driving kit (ADK) as an electronic device unit mounted on a vehicle. For example, the ADK is a device unit that expands the functionality of a vehicle capable of Level 2 or Level 3 autonomous driving to enable Level 4 or higher autonomous driving. An electronic device unit such as an ADK includes an electronic device including a substrate with circuitry mounted thereon, and a housing that houses the electronic device.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a battery control unit mounted on a vehicle as an onboard electronic device. The battery control unit comprises a substrate on which circuitry is mounted and a housing (casing) that houses the substrate. The battery control unit is mounted on a board. The battery control unit is secured to the board via an L-shaped fixing plate (bracket) that abuts the board and the side of the battery control unit's housing.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-123144

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-301677 Summary of the Invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] Furthermore, when a vehicle body supports an electronic device unit using a support member such as a bracket, for example, the bracket may be attached to the front wall of the housing of the electronic device unit. In such a support structure, if the electronic device unit is subjected to a force intended to tip forward during a frontal collision (frontal collision), while the bracket attached to the vehicle body is held in place (stable), the bracket may cause the front wall of the housing to rupture, thereby damaging the electronic device inside the housing.

[0010] Therefore, this specification discloses a support structure for an in-vehicle electronic device unit in which a front wall of a housing of the electronic device unit is supported by a support member, thereby protecting the electronic device from the support member during a frontal collision of the vehicle.

[0011] Methods for solving problems

[0012] This specification discloses a support structure for an electronic device unit for use in a vehicle. The electronic device unit includes an electronic device and a housing that serves as a box for storing the electronic device. The support structure includes a bottom bracket, a support rod member, and a front bracket. The bottom bracket supports the bottom wall of the housing. The rear end of the support rod member abuts against the front wall of the housing and extends from the front wall toward the front of the vehicle. The front bracket supports the front portion of the support rod member. The front bracket includes a flange and a hook. The flange is fixed to the vehicle body at the side of the support rod member in the vehicle width direction. One end of the hook is connected to the flange and extends from the side of the support rod member in the vehicle width direction across the upper surface of the support rod member to the opposite side in the vehicle width direction, with this end becoming a free end.

[0013] According to the above structure, since the bottom wall of the housing is supported by the bottom bracket, the electronic equipment unit tilts forward during a frontal collision of the vehicle. This forward tilting motion causes the rear end of the support rod member to be biased downward, thereby biasing the front portion of the support rod member upward. At this time, the hook portion of the front bracket is unfolded by the front portion of the support rod member, resulting in the support rod member being able to detach from the front bracket. Thus, since the support rod member is released from the front bracket in response to the forward tilting motion of the electronic equipment unit, damage to the electronic equipment unit caused by the support rod member is suppressed.

[0014] Furthermore, in the above configuration, a pair of front brackets may be provided. In this case, flanges of the pair of front brackets are disposed facing each other with the support rod member interposed therebetween.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the support rod member can support the vehicle body from both sides.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above configuration, a joint for joining the hook portion of the front bracket and the support rod member may be provided.

[0017] When the vehicle is hit from the front, the electronic device unit tilts forward, and the support rod is also biased forward. This causes shear loads to be applied to the joints, breaking the joints and enabling the support rod to move forward and backward relative to the rod bracket.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the support structure for a vehicle-mounted electronic device unit disclosed in this specification, in which the front wall of the housing of the electronic device unit is supported by the support member, the electronic device can be protected from the support member during a frontal collision of the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a perspective view illustrating the vehicle-mounted electronic device unit and its supporting structure according to the present embodiment.

[0021] Figure 2 For Figure 1 The side cross-sectional view is exemplified by the AA cross-section.

[0022] Figure 3 This is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the structure around the front bracket.

[0023] Figure 4 This figure (1 / 4) illustrates the operation of the electronic equipment unit and its supporting structure during a frontal collision of the vehicle.

[0024] Figure 5 Figure 2 / 4 illustrates the operation of the electronic equipment unit and its supporting structure during a frontal collision of a vehicle.

[0025] Figure 6 Figure 3 / 4 illustrates the operation of the electronic equipment unit and its supporting structure during a frontal collision of the vehicle.

[0026] Figure 7 Figure 4 / 4 illustrates the operation of the electronic equipment unit and its supporting structure during a frontal collision of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following describes a support structure for an in-vehicle electronic device unit according to an embodiment using the accompanying drawings. The shapes, materials, numbers, and numerical values described below are examples and can be modified as appropriate depending on the specifications of the electronic device unit and the support structure. In addition, identical elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the accompanying drawings.

[0028] In addition, Figures 1 to 7 In order to express the position and orientation of various components, an orthogonal coordinate system consisting of the FR, RW, and UP axes is used. The FR axis is the vehicle's longitudinal axis, with the front of the vehicle as the positive direction. The RW axis is the vehicle's widthwise axis, with the right side of the vehicle as the positive direction. The UP axis is the vehicle's vertical axis, with the top of the vehicle as the positive direction.

[0029] exist Figure 12 illustrates an in-vehicle electronic device unit 10 and its supporting structure. The supporting structure includes a bottom bracket 20, a supporting rod member 30, and front brackets 40A and 40B.

[0030] exist Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , cross members 60A, 60B, and 60C and a floor panel 62 are illustrated as a part of the vehicle body. The floor panel 62 is a floor of the vehicle and is made of, for example, an aluminum plate. Figure 1 , the structure of the vehicle interior is illustrated. However, as shown in the figure, the floor panel 62 has a stepped structure divided into a plurality of steps having different heights.

[0031] For example, the vehicle involved in this embodiment is a passenger vehicle such as a bus. Figure 1 The rear portion (the negative portion of the FR axis) is used as passenger space, while the front portion is used as the driver's seat. By setting the passenger space as a so-called low-floor area, it is possible to improve entry and exit convenience.

[0032] Furthermore, in the driver's seat space where the floor panel 62 is relatively high from the ground, a space is created below the floor panel 62. In this space, relatively large equipment such as drive train equipment of the vehicle can be accommodated.

[0033] The floor panel 62 is supported by cross members 60A, 60B, and 60C. Each of the cross members 60A, 60B, and 60C is a frame member extending in the vehicle width direction, and its vehicle width direction ends are connected to, for example, rocker sills (not shown), which are also frame members.

[0034] Cross members 60A, 60B, and 60C each have a closed cross-section structure and are, for example, cube-shaped members. Cross members 60A and 60B are provided at a stepped portion (folded portion) of floor panel 62, while cross member 60C is provided below floor panel 62 in the front portion of the passenger compartment.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 2 An in-vehicle electronic device unit 10 is provided on the floor panel 62. The electronic device unit 10 includes an electronic device 12 and a housing 14 for housing the electronic device 12. The electronic device unit 10 may be, for example, the aforementioned autonomous driving kit (ADK).

[0036] For example, Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the electronic device unit 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with the vehicle width direction as the longitudinal direction. In addition, the electronic device unit 10 is arranged at the front end portion of the passenger space in the vehicle cabin.

[0037] Electronic device 12 is, for example, an electronic device used to enable Level 4 or higher autonomous driving of the vehicle. Electronic device 12 includes circuitry for acquiring measurements from onboard sensors to obtain information about the vehicle's surrounding environment, posture, operating conditions, and position, and for issuing commands to the drive system and steering system.

[0038] The housing 14 is a box that houses the electronic device 12. For example, the housing 14 is made of a member having a predetermined rigidity, such as a steel plate. As described later, the housing 14 is supported by the vehicle body (cross members 60A, 60B, and 60C) via the bottom bracket 20, the support rod member 30, and the front brackets 40A and 40B.

[0039] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 2 The bottom bracket 20 supports the bottom wall 16 of the housing 14. The bottom bracket 20 is a substantially L-shaped component and includes a flange 22, a column 24, and a seat plate 26. In addition, a plurality of bottom brackets 20 are provided depending on the size of the electronic device unit 10. For example, referring to Figure 1 The pair of bottom brackets 20 , 20 are arranged on the floor panel 62 so as to be separated in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] Flange 22 is provided on cross member 60C. Joint holes (not shown) provided in flange 22, floor panel 62, and cross member 60C are axially aligned, and bolts 21 are screwed into these holes. Nuts 23 (e.g., weld nuts) are provided on the upper surface of the inner circumference of cross member 60C, coaxially with the joint holes, and are screwed into bolts 21.

[0041] In addition, as described later Figure 5 As shown, in order to prevent damage to the housing 14 during a frontal collision, the bolt 21 supporting the bottom bracket 20 is lifted, partially disengaging (coming out) from the cross member 60C, as the electronic device unit 10 tilts forward. At this time, the axial length of the bolt 21 is set to prevent the bolt 21 from completely coming out of the cross member 60C. For example, the axial length of the bolt 21 is set to be at least half the height of the interior space of the cross member 60C.

[0042] In addition, in order to protect the housing 14, the yield strength (yield strength) of the bolt 21 is set to be smaller than the yield strength of the out-of-plane load on the bottom wall 16 of the housing 14. That is, when the electronic device unit 10 is forced to fall forward, the bolt 21 and the nut 23 are intended to prevent the forward fall. As a reaction force, the bottom wall 16 of the housing 14 is subjected to an out-of-plane load (for example, a load in the UP axis direction) from the bolt 17 and the nut 18. When the out-of-plane load exceeds the yield strength of the bottom wall 16, the bottom wall 16 undergoes plastic deformation. Due to this situation, in the support structure involved in this embodiment, before the out-of-plane load applied to the bottom wall 16 reaches the yield strength, the thread teeth of the bolt 21, for example, will undergo plastic deformation and come out of the nut 23.

[0043] Reference Figure 2 A column 24 is provided upright from the flange 22 on the bottom bracket 20. The height dimension of the column 24 is set to be equal to the step height H1 formed by the cross member 60B. The column 24 may be, for example, a cubic member.

[0044] The rear end of the seat plate portion 26 is connected to the upper end of the column portion 24. The seat plate portion 26 extends forward from the rear end, and its front end is positioned above the cross member 60B. Joint holes (not shown) are provided in the front end of the seat plate portion 26, the floor panel 62, and the cross member 60B, and bolts 25 are threaded into these joint holes. Nuts 27 (e.g., weld nuts) are provided on the upper surface of the inner circumference of the cross member 60B, coaxial with the joint holes, and are screwed into the bolts 25.

[0045] Electronic device unit 10 is mounted on base plate 26 of bottom bracket 20. Joint holes (not shown) are provided in bottom wall 16 and base plate 26 of housing 14, and bolts 17 are threaded into these joint holes. Nuts 18 (e.g., weld nuts) are provided on the inner surface of bottom wall 16 of housing 14 to be screwed onto bolts 17.

[0046] The front wall 15 of the housing 14 is supported by the vehicle body (cross member 60A) via the support rod member 30 and the front brackets 40A and 40B. Figure 2 For example, the support rod member 30 contacts the front wall 15 slightly above the center of the height dimension of the housing 14 .

[0047] The support rod member 30 is, for example, a rectangular member, and its rear end 39 abuts against the front wall 15 of the housing 14. The support rod member 30 extends forward of the vehicle from its rear end 39. The front end of the support rod member 30 passes over the cross member 60A and extends further forward.

[0048] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 2 The front wall 15 of the housing 14 is supported by the support rod member 30 via an L-shaped bracket 70. The L-shaped bracket 70 is an L-shaped member in a side view, comprising a vertical plate 72 and a horizontal plate 74. The L-shaped bracket 70 and the front wall 15 are joined together, for example, by welding. For example, a joint 76 is provided on the vertical plate 72 and the front wall 15 to connect the two.

[0049] The L-shaped bracket 70 and the support rod member 30 are bolted together using nuts and bolts. Unillustrated coupling holes are provided in the horizontal plate 74 and the upper plate 32 of the support rod member 30, and bolts 77 are screwed into these coupling holes. Nuts 78 (e.g., weld nuts) are provided on the inner surface of the upper plate 32 of the support rod member 30 to be screwed together with the bolts 77.

[0050] The front portion of the support rod member 30 is supported by the vehicle body (cross member 60A) via a pair of front brackets 40A and 40B. Figure 3 The front brackets 40A and 40B include flanges 42A and 42B and hooks 44A and 44B.

[0051] The flanges 42A and 42B are fixed to a cross member 60A as a vehicle body at the vehicle width direction side of the support rod member 30. Figure 2 、 Figure 3 For example, coupling holes (not shown) are provided on the flanges 42A, 42B and the cross member 60A, and bolts 41A, 41B are screwed into these coupling holes. Figure 2 In the embodiment, since the bolt 41A and the nut 43A are arranged in the Figure 1 The AA section is closer to the front of the paper than the AA section, so it is represented by a dotted line. Figure 2 Nuts 43A and 43B (eg, weld nuts) are provided on the inner surface of the upper plate of the cross member 60A so as to be screwed together with the bolts 41A and 41B.

[0052] The hooks 44A and 44B have one end connected (integrally fixed) to the flanges 42A and 42B and extend from the vehicle width direction side of the support rod member 30 across the upper surface of the support rod member 30 to the opposite side, with this end being a free end.

[0053] The hook portions 44A and 44B include side plates 46A and 46B, upper plates 45A and 45B, and side plates 47A and 47B. The lower ends of the side plates 46A and 46B are connected to the flanges 42A and 42B and extend upward along the side plates 36 and 38 of the support rod member 30. The upper plates 45A and 45B extend in the vehicle width direction to cover the upper plate 32 of the support rod member 30. Furthermore, the side plates 47A and 47B extend downward along the side plates 38 and 36 of the support rod member 30, with their lower ends being free. For example, the height dimension of the side plates 47A and 47B is set to be less than the height dimension of the side plates 36 and 38 of the support rod member 30.

[0054] The hooks 44A and 44B are joined to the support rod member 30 by welding. For example, the upper plates 45A and 45B of the hooks 44A and 44B and the upper plate 32 of the support rod member 30 are provided with joints 48A and 48B.

[0055] The flanges 42A and 42B are disposed opposite each other across the support rod member 30. For example, the flange 42A is provided on the inner side of the support rod member 30 in the vehicle width direction, and the flange 42B is provided on the outer side of the support rod member 30 in the vehicle width direction.

[0056] Therefore, hook portion 44A extends from the inner side of the vehicle width direction toward the outer side, starting from its connection with flange 42A, while hook portion 44B extends from the outer side of the vehicle width direction toward the inner side, starting from its connection with flange 42B. In other words, hook portion 44A extends sequentially from flange 42A to cover side plate 36, upper plate 32, and side plate 38 of support rod member 30. Meanwhile, hook portion 44B extends sequentially from flange 42B to cover side plate 38, upper plate 32, and side plate 36 of support rod member 30.

[0057] In this manner, the front brackets 40A and 40B of the so-called cantilever support structure are engaged with the support rod member 30 in different ways, so that both sides of the support rod member 30 in the vehicle width direction are supported by the cross member 60A (see FIG. Figure 2 ) supported.

[0058] <Vehicle frontal collision status>

[0059] Figures 4 to 7 , the electronic device unit 10 and its supporting structure are exemplified in the case of a frontal collision (frontal collision) of a vehicle. In the case of a frontal collision of a vehicle, a load such as a forward tilt is inputted to the electronic device unit 10 supported by the bottom bracket 20 at the bottom.

[0060] When the housing 14 is elastically deformed by this load, the support rod member 30 is urged forward. This urging causes a shear load to be inputted to the joints 48A and 48B connecting the support rod member 30 and the front brackets 40A and 40B. This shear load causes the support rod member 30 to be elastically deformed. Figure 4 As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the joints 48A and 48B are broken, and the support rod member 30 becomes movable relative to the front brackets 40A and 40B in the front-rear direction.

[0061] When the electronic equipment unit 10 tilts forward further, the thread teeth and thread grooves of the bolt 21 and the nut 23 of the bottom bracket 20 will be damaged, so that Figure 5 As illustrated in FIG, the bolt 21 will begin to come out of the nut 23.

[0062] When the electronic device unit 10 tilts forward further, the rear portion of the support rod member 30 is urged downward. Figure 6 As illustrated in FIG, the support rod member 30 is buckled with the portion rearward of the cross member 60A serving as the bending point 100. At this time, the front portion of the support rod member 30 is biased upward.

[0063] As the front portion of the support rod member 30 is urged upward, Figure 7 As shown in the example, the hooks 44A and 44B of the front brackets 40A and 40B are deployed. For example, the upper plates 45A and 45B and the side plates 47A and 47B of the hooks 44A and 44B are bent upward. As the hooks 44A and 44B are deployed, the front portion of the support rod member 30 becomes movable upward.

[0064] In this manner, according to the support structure for an in-vehicle electronic device unit of this embodiment, during a frontal collision, the joints 48A and 48B break, allowing the support rod member 30 to move in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the hooks 44A and 44B of the front brackets 40A and 40B are deployed by the support rod member 30, enabling upward movement of the support rod member 30. This prevents damage to the electronic device unit 10 that contacts the rear end 39 of the support rod member 30.

[0065] Explanation of symbols

[0066] 10…electronic equipment unit; 12…electronic equipment; 14…housing; 15…front wall of housing; 16…bottom wall of housing; 20…bottom bracket; 30…support rod member; 40A, 40B…front bracket; 42A, 42B…flange; 44A, 44B…hook; 48A, 48B…joint point; 60A-60C…cross member; 62…floor panel.

Claims

1. A support structure for an in-vehicle electronic device unit, comprising an electronic device and a housing for housing the electronic device, wherein: The support structure of the vehicle-mounted electronic equipment unit includes: a bottom bracket supporting the bottom wall of the housing; a supporting rod member having a rear end in contact with the front wall of the housing and extending from the front wall toward the front of the vehicle; a front bracket that supports the front portion of the support rod member, The front bracket includes: a flange fixed to the vehicle body at a side of the support rod member in the vehicle width direction; One end of the hook is connected to the flange and extends from the vehicle width direction side of the support rod member across the upper surface of the support rod member to the opposite side in the vehicle width direction, with the end portion becoming a free end.

2. The support structure for an in-vehicle electronic device unit according to claim 1, wherein: The front bracket is provided with a pair of, The flanges of the pair of front brackets are arranged to face each other with the support rod member interposed therebetween.

3. The support structure for an in-vehicle electronic device unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The hook portion of the front bracket and the support rod member are provided with a joint point for joining the two.

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