Holding structure for external sensor

Abstract

The invention provides a holding structure of an external sensor, and the holding structure suppresses the axial deviation of the external sensor caused by the impact from the outside. A holding structure (11) for holding an external sensor (12) on a vehicle body (2) is provided with a cover member (13) disposed on the outer periphery of the external sensor, and a bracket (14) fixed to the vehicle body and holding the external sensor and the cover member. The holder has a first member (29) that holds the external sensor, and a second member (31) that is fixed to the first member and holds the cover member. The rigidity of the second member is lower than that of the first member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding structure for holding an external sensor to a vehicle body. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, efforts to provide access to sustainable transportation systems for people who are in a vulnerable position among traffic participants have been active. In the face of this realization, research and development on preventive safety technologies are being carried out to further improve traffic safety and convenience.

[0003] A vehicle body structure having an external sensor disposed inside a bumper panel (inside the vehicle) is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The vehicle body structure described in Patent Document 1 includes a radar device (external sensor), a radar bracket for holding the radar device, and a cover member mounted on the radar bracket and disposed between the radar device and the bumper panel.

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 7285292 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] In the vehicle body structure described in Patent Document 1, an impact from the outside is transmitted to the radar bracket via the cover member, and thus the radar bracket may be deformed. Due to the deformation of the radar bracket, an axis shift (shift in the direction to be detected by the radar device) of the radar device may occur.

[0009] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to suppress an axis shift of an external sensor caused by an impact from the outside in a holding structure of the external sensor. Moreover, it further contributes to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0010] Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a holding structure 11 for holding an external sensor 12 to a vehicle body 2, the holding structure 11 including: a cover member 13 disposed on the outer periphery of the external sensor; and a bracket 14 fixed to the vehicle body, holding the external sensor and the cover member, the bracket including: a first member 29 holding the external sensor; and a second member 31 fixed to the first member, holding the cover member, the second member having a lower rigidity than the first member.

[0012] According to this method, an external impact is transmitted via the cover member to the second member of the bracket that holds the cover member. The rigidity of the second member is lower than that of the first member of the bracket that holds the external sensor. Therefore, the second member is more likely to deform due to an external impact than the first member. Due to the deformation of the second member, it is difficult for the external impact to be transmitted to the first member. That is, the deformation of the first member is suppressed. Thus, the shaft offset of the external sensor caused by an external impact can be suppressed.

[0013] In the above method, it may be that the first member and the second member are welded to each other.

[0014] According to this method, fasteners such as bolts are not required, and the first member and the second member can be joined by a simple structure.

[0015] In the above method, it may be that the first member has: a first main body portion 33 that overlaps with the external sensor when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior direction; and a plurality of leg portions 34 that extend from the first main body portion toward the vehicle interior side, and each of the leg portions is fixed to the vehicle body.

[0016] According to this method, the first member is fixed to the vehicle body by a simple structure.

[0017] In the above method, it may be that the second member has: a second main body portion 45 that overlaps with the first main body portion when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior direction; and a plurality of protruding portions 46A, 46B, 46C that protrude outward from the second main body portion when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior direction, and the cover member is mounted on each of the protruding portions.

[0018] According to this method, the cover member is mounted on the second member by a simple structure.

[0019] In the above method, it may be that when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior direction, the plurality of protruding portions do not overlap with the first member.

[0020] According to this method, when each protruding portion deforms due to an external impact, contact between each protruding portion and the first member is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the transmission of an external impact to the first member via each protruding portion.

[0021] In the above method, it may be that a through hole 38 that penetrates in the vehicle interior and exterior direction is provided in the first main body portion, and one of the plurality of protruding portions is exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the through hole.

[0022] According to this method, the cover member can be stably held by the second member.

[0023] In the above-described manner, it is possible that the second main body portion is disposed on the vehicle inner side of the first main body portion.

[0024] An impact from the outside acts in a direction from the vehicle outer side toward the vehicle inner side. According to this manner, an impact from the outside acts in a direction to separate the second main body portion from the first main body portion. Therefore, an impact from the outside is less likely to be transmitted to the first component.

[0025] In the above-described manner, it is possible that the surface on the vehicle inner side of the first main body portion and the surface on the vehicle outer side of the second main body portion are spot-welded to each other.

[0026] According to this manner, the second main body portion is likely to separate from the first main body portion with respect to an impact from the outside. Therefore, an impact from the outside is less likely to be transmitted to the first component.

[0027] In the above-described manner, it is possible that the first component and the second component are made of the same material as each other, and the thickness of the second component is smaller than the thickness of the first component.

[0028] According to this manner, it is possible to make the first component and the second component of the same material, and to make the rigidity of the second component lower than the rigidity of the first component.

[0029] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0030] According to the above structure, in the holding structure of the external sensor, it is possible to suppress the axial displacement of the external sensor caused by an impact from the outside. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of a main part of a vehicle provided with the holding structure of the external sensor according to the embodiment.

[0032] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of the holding structure of the external sensor according to the embodiment.

[0033] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the cover member and the bracket according to the embodiment.

[0034] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the bracket according to the embodiment.

[0035] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the first component according to the embodiment.

[0036] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the second component according to the embodiment.

[0037] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of a modified example of the bracket according to the embodiment.

[0038] Description of Reference Numerals

[0039] 2: Vehicle body

[0040] 11: Sensor holding structure (holding structure for external sensor)

[0041] 12: External sensor

[0042] 13: Cover member

[0043] 14: Bracket

[0044] 29: First component

[0045] 31: Second component

[0046] 33: First main body portion

[0047] 34: Leg

[0048] 38: Through hole

[0049] 45: Second main body portion

[0050] 46A: First protruding portion (protruding portion)

[0051] 46B: Second protruding portion (protruding portion)

[0052] 46C: Third protruding portion (protruding portion). Detailed Embodiment

[0053] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle 1 provided with a holding structure for an external sensor of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "sensor holding structure 11") will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0054] As Figure 1 shown, the vehicle 1 is, for example, a four-wheel automobile. The vehicle 1 has a vehicle body 2 that forms a skeleton and a plurality of wheels 3 supported by the vehicle body 2. A rear bumper 6 (an example of an exterior component) is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2. The rear bumper 6 extends in the left-right direction and covers the rear of a bumper beam (not shown).

[0055] As Figure 2 shown, the sensor holding structure 11 is a structure for holding the external sensor 12 on the vehicle body 2. The sensor holding structure 11 has a cover member 13 disposed on the outer periphery of the external sensor 12 and a bracket 14 fixed to the vehicle body 2 and holding the external sensor 12 and the cover member 13.

[0056] The external sensor 12 detects obstacles around the vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the external sensor 12 is a millimeter-wave radar. The millimeter-wave radar has, for example: a sensor main body portion (not shown) including a circuit board, a transmitting antenna for irradiating millimeter waves (radio waves), and a receiving antenna for receiving reflected waves (millimeter waves reflected by hitting an obstacle); a housing 16 that houses the sensor main body portion; and a connector portion 18 that houses sensor-side terminals (not shown) connected to the circuit board.

[0057] The external sensor 12 irradiates millimeter waves (radio waves) within a specified angular range centered on a specified axis (the double-dot dash line X shown in Figure 2 . In the present embodiment, the external sensor 12 is held on the vehicle body 2 via a bracket 14 so as to detect obstacles on the rear and left and right outer sides of the vehicle 1. The external sensor 12 is, for example, disposed at a corner portion on the rear side of the vehicle body 2. In other embodiments, the external sensor 12 may be disposed at a corner portion on the front side of the vehicle body 2, or may be disposed at a portion of the vehicle body 2 other than the corner portions (for example, the front end portion, the rear end portion, or the left and right side portions).

[0058] The external sensor 12 is disposed between the vehicle body 2 and the rear bumper 6. More specifically, the external sensor 12 is disposed in a space on the rear side (outer side of the vehicle) of the vehicle body 2 and on the front side (inner side of the vehicle) of the rear bumper 6. Hereinafter, based on the state where the external sensor 12 is mounted on the vehicle body 2, the direction toward the vehicle body 2 side in the direction parallel to the specified axis of the external sensor 12 is defined as the in-vehicle direction, and the direction toward the rear bumper 6 side in the direction parallel to the specified axis of the external sensor 12 is defined as the out-of-vehicle direction for explanation. In addition, the in-vehicle direction and the out-of-vehicle direction are collectively referred to as the in- and out-of-vehicle directions.

[0059] The housing 16 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A plurality of tabs 19A, 19B, 19C protruding outward to the left and right are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the housing 16. In the present embodiment, the plurality of tabs 19A, 19B, 19C include: a first tab 19A provided at the upper part of one of the left and right side surfaces of the housing 16; a second tab 19B provided at the upper part of the other of the left and right side surfaces of the housing 16; and a third tab 19C provided at the lower part of the other of the left and right side surfaces of the housing 16. Through holes (not shown) penetrating in the in- and out-of-vehicle directions (the direction parallel to the specified axis of the external sensor 12) are provided in each of the tabs 19A, 19B, 19C.

[0060] The connector portion 18 has a flat cylindrical shape. The connector portion 18 extends outward to the left and right from one of the left and right side surfaces of the housing 16.

[0061] The cover member 13 is a drip-proof cover disposed around the external sensor 12 to enhance the weather resistance strength of the external sensor 12. For example, the cover member 13 inhibits rainwater, muddy water, dust, etc. that splash from the road surface and enter the inner side of the vehicle of the rear bumper 6 from adhering to the external sensor 12. As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the cover member 13 covers the periphery of the external sensor 12 and extends from the external sensor 12 toward the rear bumper 6 (outer side of the vehicle). In the present embodiment, the cover member 13 has: a base portion 22 whose main surface faces the vehicle interior and exterior directions; an upper wall 23 that extends outward from the upper end of the base portion 22; a pair of protruding walls 24 that respectively protrude outward from the left and right ends of the base portion 22; and a lower wall 25 that extends outward from the lower end of the base portion 22 and connects the lower ends of the respective protruding walls 24 to each other.

[0062] An opening 26 that penetrates in the vehicle interior and exterior directions and a plurality of through grooves 27A, 27B, 27C are provided in the base portion 22. The external sensor 12 is disposed in the opening 26. The plurality of through grooves 27A, 27B, 27C are continuous with the opening 26. In the present embodiment, the plurality of through grooves 27A, 27B, 27C include: a first through groove 27A provided in the upper portion on one side of the left and right of the base portion 22, a second through groove 27B provided in the central portion on the other side of the left and right of the base portion 22, and two third through grooves 27C provided in the lower portion of the base portion 22.

[0063] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the bracket 14 has: a first member 29 that holds the external sensor 12; and a second member 31 that is fixed to the first member 29 and holds the cover member 13. The rigidity of the second member 31 is lower than that of the first member 29. The second member 31 can be formed of a material having a lower Young's modulus than the first member 29, for example. Alternatively, the second member 31 can be formed of a material that is more fragile than the first member 29.

[0064] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the first member 29 is a plate-like member formed of a single sheet of plate material. The first member 29 has: a first main body portion 33 that overlaps the external sensor 12 when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior directions; and a plurality of legs 34 that extend inward from the first main body portion 33.

[0065] The first main body portion 33 is in the shape of a flat plate along a plane perpendicular to the vehicle interior and exterior direction. The two main surfaces of the first main body portion 33 face the vehicle interior direction and the vehicle exterior direction respectively. The first main body portion 33 is disposed on the vehicle inner side of the external sensor 12. A plurality of fastening holes 36A, 36B, 36C and through holes 38 penetrating in the vehicle interior and exterior direction are provided in the first main body portion 33. In the present embodiment, the plurality of fastening holes 36A, 36B, 36C include: a first fastening hole 36A provided at the upper part of the left and right one side of the first main body portion 33, a second fastening hole 36B provided at the upper part of the left and right other side of the first main body portion 33, and a third fastening hole 36C provided at the lower part of the left and right other side of the first main body portion 33. The central axes of the respective fastening holes 36A, 36B, 36C match (align) with the central axes of the through holes (not shown) provided on the tabs 19A, 19B, 19C of the corresponding housing 16.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the through hole 38 is provided on the left and right other side of the first main body portion 33, and more specifically, is provided between the second fastening hole 36B and the third fastening hole 36C.

[0067] As Figure 2 shown, the external sensor 12 is mounted on the first main body portion 33. The external sensor 12 is fastened to the first main body portion 33 by a bolt 39 and a nut (not shown) screwed with the bolt 39, wherein the bolt 39 penetrates through the through holes (not shown) provided on the respective tabs 19A, 19B, 19C of the housing 16 and the corresponding fastening holes 36A, 36B, 36C. Thus, the external sensor 12 is held by the first component 29.

[0068] Each leg portion 34 is fixed to the vehicle body 2. As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the portion on the end (vehicle inner side end) side of each leg portion 34 is bent so as to abut against the vehicle outer side surface of the vehicle body 2. As Figure 5 shown, fastening holes 41 penetrating in a direction perpendicular to the vehicle outer side surface of the vehicle body 2 are provided in the portion on the end (vehicle inner side end) side of each leg portion 34. For example, the first component 29 is fixed to the vehicle body 2 by a bolt 42 (refer to Figure 3 ) penetrating through the fastening hole 41 and a nut (not shown) screwed with the bolt 42. In addition, the nut screwed with the bolt 42 may be a welding nut fixed to the end side portion of each leg portion 34.

[0069] As Figure 6 shown, the second component 31 is a plate-shaped component formed of a single sheet of plate material. The second component 31 has a second main body portion 45 that overlaps the first main body portion 33 when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior direction, and a plurality of protruding portions 46A, 46B, 46C that protrude outward from the second main body portion 45 when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior direction.

[0070] The second main body portion 45 is in the shape of a flat plate along a plane perpendicular to the vehicle interior and exterior direction. The second main body portion 45 is arranged in parallel with the first main body portion 33. The two main surfaces of the second main body portion 45 face the vehicle interior direction and the vehicle exterior direction respectively. The second main body portion 45 is arranged on the vehicle inner side of the first main body portion 33.

[0071] The bracket 14 is formed by welding the first component 29 and the second component 31 to each other. In the present embodiment, the bracket 14 is formed by spot welding the surface on the vehicle inner side of the first main body portion 33 and the surface on the vehicle outer side of the second main body portion 45 to each other.

[0072] In the present embodiment, the plurality of protruding portions 46A, 46B, 46C include: a first protruding portion 46A protruding from one of the left and right side portions of the second main body portion 45, a second protruding portion 46B protruding from the other of the left and right side portions of the second main body portion 45, and a third protruding portion 46C protruding downward from the lower end portion of the second main body portion 45.

[0073] As Figure 4 shown, when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior direction, each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, 46C is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the first component 29. Specifically, when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior direction, each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, 46C is arranged outside the first main body portion 33 and at a position avoiding each leg portion 34. One of the plurality of protruding portions 46A, 46B, 46C is exposed to the vehicle outer side through a through hole 38 provided on the first main body portion 33 of the first component 29. In the present embodiment, the second protruding portion 46B is exposed to the vehicle outer side through the through hole 38 provided on the first main body portion 33 of the first component 29.

[0074] As Figure 4 and Figure 6 shown, fastening holes 49A, 49B, 49C penetrating in the vehicle interior and exterior direction are provided in each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, 46C. In the present embodiment, the fastening holes 49A, 49B, 49C include: one first fastening hole 49A provided in the first protruding portion 46A, one second fastening hole 49B provided in the second protruding portion 46B, and two third fastening holes 49C provided in the third protruding portion 46C.

[0075] The central axis of the first fastening hole 49A matches the central axis of the first through groove 27A (refer to Figure 3 ) provided on the base portion 22 of the cover member 13. The central axis of the second fastening hole 49B matches the central axis of the second through groove 27B (refer to Figure 3 ) provided on the base portion 22 of the cover member 13. The central axis of each of the third fastening holes 49C matches the central axis of the corresponding third through groove 27C (refer to Figure 3) matches the central axis.

[0076] The cover member 13 is mounted on each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, and 46C. The cover member 13 is fastened to each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, and 46C by bolts (not shown) that pass through the respective through grooves 27A, 27B, 27C provided in the base portion 22 and the corresponding fastening holes 49A, 49B, 49C, and nuts (not shown) that are screwed onto the bolts. Thus, the cover member 13 is held by the second member 31.

[0077] In the sensor holding structure 11 configured as described above, an impact from the outside is transmitted via the rear bumper 6 and the cover member 13 to the second member 31 of the bracket 14 that holds the cover member 13. The rigidity of the second member 31 is lower than that of the first member 29 of the bracket 14 that holds the external sensor 12. Therefore, the second member 31 is more likely to deform due to an impact from the outside than the first member 29. Due to the deformation of the second member 31, the impact from the outside is difficult to be transmitted to the first member 29. That is, the deformation of the first member 29 is suppressed. Thus, the axis shift of the external sensor 12 caused by an impact from the outside can be suppressed.

[0078] In addition, since the axis shift of the external sensor 12 is not likely to occur even when an impact from the outside is received, the external sensor 12 can also be arranged at a position (for example, a corner portion of the vehicle body 2) that is likely to receive an impact from the outside. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the layout of the external sensor 12 can be increased. In addition, without forming the cover member 13 from a special material, the axis shift of the external sensor 12 can be suppressed. Therefore, the cover member 13 can be formed from a low-cost material.

[0079] The first member 29 has a first main body portion 33 and a plurality of legs 34 that extend from the first main body portion 33 toward the vehicle interior side, and each leg 34 is fixed to the vehicle body 2. Thus, the first member 29 is fixed to the vehicle body 2 by a simple structure.

[0080] The second member 31 has a second main body portion 45 and a plurality of protruding portions 46A, 46B, 46C that protrude outward from the second main body portion 45 when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior direction. The cover member 13 is mounted on each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, 46C. Thus, the cover member 13 is mounted on the second member 31 by a simple structure.

[0081] The second protruding portion 46B is exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the through hole 38 provided in the first main body portion 33 of the first member 29. Thus, the cover member 13 is held by the three protruding portions 46A, 46B, and 46C on the second member 31, so that the second member 31 can hold the cover member 13 more stably. In addition, each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, and 46C is provided at a position that does not overlap with the first member 29 when viewed in the vehicle interior-exterior direction. Thus, when each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, and 46C is deformed due to an external impact, contact between each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, and 46C and the first member 29 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the transmission of an external impact to the first member 29 via each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, and 46C.

[0082] Since the first main body portion 33 of the first member 29 and the second main body portion 45 of the second member 31 are welded to each other, fasteners such as bolts are not required, and the first member 29 and the second member 31 can be joined by a simple structure.

[0083] An external impact acts in a direction from the outside of the vehicle toward the inside of the vehicle. Since the second main body portion 45 of the second member 31 is disposed on the vehicle inner side of the first main body portion 33 of the first member 29, an external impact acts in a direction to separate the second member 31 from the first member 29. The second main body portion 45 is spot-welded to the first main body portion 33. Thus, for an external impact, the second main body portion 45 is likely to be separated from the first main body portion 33. Therefore, it is more difficult for an external impact to be transmitted to the first member 29.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, the first member 29 and the second member 31 are formed of different materials. In other embodiments, the first member 29 and the second member 31 may be formed of the same material as each other. For example, as Figure 7 shown, the thickness of the second member 31 is smaller than the thickness of the first member 29. Thus, the first member 29 and the second member 31 can be made of the same material, and the rigidity of the second member 31 can be made lower than the rigidity of the first member 29.

[0085] The description of the specific embodiments is ended above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be widely modified and implemented. For example, in the above embodiments, the second member 31 is not fixed to the vehicle body 2, but the second member 31 can also be fixed to the vehicle body 2. Additionally, a groove portion that is recessed from the outside of the vehicle toward the inside of the vehicle can be provided at the base end portions (the ends on the side of the second main body portion 45) of the respective protruding portions 46A, 46B, 46C. Thus, when an impact is applied from the outside, the base end portions of the respective protruding portions 46A, 46B, 46C are deformed toward the inside of the vehicle along the corresponding groove portions, so that the impact from the outside is more difficult to be transmitted to the first member 29. Moreover, a millimeter-wave radar is taken as an example of the external sensor 12, but in other embodiments, a sensor other than the millimeter-wave radar (for example, a microwave radar, a LiDAR, an ultrasonic sensor) can be taken as an example of the external sensor 12.

Claims

1. A holding structure for an external sensor for holding the external sensor to a vehicle body, wherein, the holding structure of the external sensor has: a cover member disposed on the outer periphery of the external sensor; and a bracket fixed to the vehicle body for holding the external sensor and the cover member, the bracket has: a first member for holding the external sensor; and a second member fixed to the first member for holding the cover member, the rigidity of the second member is lower than that of the first member.

2. The holding structure of the external sensor according to claim 1, wherein, the first member and the second member are welded to each other.

3. The holding structure of the external sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the first member has: a first main body portion that overlaps the external sensor when viewed in the vehicle interior-exterior direction; and a plurality of legs that extend from the first main body portion toward the vehicle interior, each of the legs is fixed to the vehicle body.

4. The holding structure of the external sensor according to claim 3, wherein, the second member has: a second main body portion that overlaps the first main body portion when viewed in the vehicle interior-exterior direction; and a plurality of protruding portions that protrude outward from the second main body portion when viewed in the vehicle interior-exterior direction, the cover member is mounted on each of the protruding portions.

5. The holding structure of the external sensor according to claim 4, wherein, the plurality of protruding portions do not overlap the first member when viewed in the vehicle interior-exterior direction.

6. The holding structure of the external sensor according to claim 5, wherein, a through hole penetrating in the vehicle interior-exterior direction is provided in the first main body portion, one of the plurality of protruding portions is exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the through hole.

7. The holding structure of the external sensor according to claim 4, wherein, the second main body portion is disposed on the vehicle interior side of the first main body portion.

8. The holding structure of the external sensor according to claim 7, wherein, the surface on the vehicle interior side of the first main body portion and the surface on the vehicle exterior side of the second main body portion are spot welded to each other.

9. The holding structure of the external sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the first member and the second member are made of the same material as each other, the thickness of the second member is smaller than the thickness of the first member.

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