Sensor protector

Abstract

To make production of a sensor protector easy.SOLUTION: A sensor protector includes a body and a sheet-like cover part provided at a lower part of the body. The cover part is produced by a sheet made of a flexible material. Thus, the cover part is formed by the sheet made of the flexible material. Hence, the cover part has flexibility even if a fragile part, such as a groove, is not provided in the sheet. As a result, the structure makes production of the cover part easy.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor protector that protects a sensor from sand, stones, mud, snow, and the like that are kicked up while a vehicle is running. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a sensor protector including a main body and a sheet-like cover part provided at the bottom of the main body. A groove part is provided as a fragile part near the connection part of the cover part with the main body. The cover part is easily bent at the groove part, and thus has flexibility. The cover part is made of polyacetal resin, polybutylene terephthalate resin, etc.

[0022] . [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2019-64417 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to facilitate the manufacture of a sensor protector.

[0005] The sensor protector according to the present invention includes a main body and a sheet-like cover portion provided under the main body. The cover portion is made of a sheet of a flexible material. In this way, since the cover portion is made of a sheet of a flexible material, the cover portion can be made flexible without providing a weak portion such as a groove in the sheet. As a result, the cover portion can be easily manufactured. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams conceptually illustrating a sensor unit including a sensor protector according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively showing an exploded perspective view and a perspective view of the sensor unit; [Diagram 2] 2A and 2B are diagrams showing the state before and after the installation of the bumper cover when the sensor unit is installed on a first vehicle. (2a) is a front view of the sensor unit before the installation of the bumper cover. (2b) is a view taken along the arrow AA in (2a). (2c) is a view taken along the arrow BB in (2a). (2d) is a front view of the sensor unit after the installation of the bumper cover. (2e) is a view taken along the arrow AA in (2d). (2f) is a view taken along the arrow BB in (2d). [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the sensor unit before and after installation of the bumper cover when the sensor unit is installed on a second vehicle. (3a) is a front view of the sensor unit before the bumper cover is installed. (3b) is a view taken along the arrow AA in (3a). (3c) is a view taken along the arrow BB in (3a). (3d) is a front view of the sensor unit after the bumper cover is installed. (3e) is a view taken along the arrow AA in (3d). (3f) is a view taken along the arrow BB in (3d). [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the sensor unit is attached to a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A sensor protector according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0008] 4, the sensor unit 10 including the sensor protector 8 according to this embodiment can be attached, for example, to the inside of a bumper cover 14 at a corner of the host vehicle 12. The sensor unit 10 can be attached, for example, to at least one of four corners of the host vehicle 12, namely, the front right, front left, rear right, and rear left. The number of sensor units 10 provided on the host vehicle 12 and the attachment positions are not important.

[0009] The sensor protector 8 protects the sensor 16. The sensor 16 can be, for example, a millimeter wave radar (hereinafter simply referred to as radar). The radar 16 includes an electromagnetic wave irradiating unit 16f. The electromagnetic wave irradiating unit 16f irradiates electromagnetic waves, and receives reflected waves and the like that are reflected when the electromagnetic waves hit an object. Based on this, objects and the like around the vehicle 12 are detected, and the relative positional relationship between the vehicle 12 and the objects is acquired. In other words, the environment around the vehicle 12 is acquired.

[0010] 1(a), (b) and 2(a) to (c), the sensor protector 8 includes a main body 20 and a cover portion 22. The main body 20 holds the cover portion 22, and the cover portion 22 is attached to the main body 20. The main body 20 is generally frame-shaped with no bottom, and a plurality of engagement recesses 24 are provided on the outer periphery of the main body 20. The engagement recesses 24 may be, for example, through holes.

[0011] Moreover, the cover portion 22 is generally fan-shaped and is made of a sheet of a flexible material. The sheet constituting the cover portion 22 can be made of, for example, a soft material (soft rubber) such as thermoplastic polyurethane or silicone, or a general-purpose resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene. For example, the cover portion 22 can be made of a thin sheet (for example, having a thickness of 1 mm or less) made of a general-purpose resin, thereby providing the cover portion 22 with flexibility. It is preferable that the cover portion 22 has excellent resistance to aging and weather resistance. It is also preferable that the cover portion 22 can retain its shape after being deformed.

[0012] The length L of the cover part 22 can be designed based on the distance between the position of the radar 16 and the position of the bumper cover 14 in each of a plurality of types of vehicles to which the sensor unit 10 is to be attached. The length L of the cover part 22 refers to the length of the portion of the cover part 22 located between the radar 16 and the bumper cover 14 in the sensor unit 10 attached to the vehicle. It is desirable that the length L is equal to or greater than the distance between the position of the radar 16 and the position of the bumper cover 14.

[0013] When the length inside the bumper cover 14 between the position of the radar 16 and the position of the bumper cover 14 is the same, the amount of deflection of the cover part 22 is larger when the length (the length between the base end and the tip end of the sector) L of the cover part 22 is long than when it is short. Also, the present invention can be applied to a vehicle type in which the distance between the position of the radar 16 and the position of the bumper cover 14 is larger when the length L of the cover part 22 is long than when it is short.

[0014] The sensor holding portion 32 is fixedly provided on a vehicle body side member (which can be the body, or a bracket fixed to the body, etc.) on the inner side of the bumper cover 14. For example, the sensor holding portion 32 may be fixedly attached to the body, or may be fixedly attached to a bracket (e.g., a bumper mounting bracket) that is attached to the body, or the sensor holding portion 32 may be integral with the bumper mounting bracket.

[0015] The sensor holding portion 32 is generally box-shaped and includes a holding portion main body 34 and a bottom portion 36. The sensor holding portion 32 is provided with a plurality of claw portions 38a, engagement pieces 38b, and spring portions 38c that can engage with the radar 16, and these are utilized to hold the radar 16. Furthermore, a plurality of engagement protrusions 39 are provided on the outer periphery of the holding portion main body 34. Each of the plurality of engagement protrusions 39 is provided at a position on the holding portion main body 34 that corresponds to each of the plurality of engagement recesses 24 provided on the main body 20 of the protector 8. Furthermore, a notch 34c is provided in the center of the lower portion of the holding portion main body 34. The notch 34c is sized so that the harness connection portion 16s of the radar 16 can be fitted into the notch 34c.

[0016] A case where the sensor unit 10 configured as above is installed in a first vehicle, which is the host vehicle 12, will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the sensor holding portion 32 is provided integrally with the bumper mounting bracket 40, and the bumper mounting bracket 40 is attached to the body 30. The radar 16 is attached to the sensor holding portion 32 of the bumper mounting bracket 40, and after the harness is connected, the sensor protector 8 and the like are attached. As a result, it can be considered that the sensor unit 10 is attached to the vehicle body side member (body 30).

[0017] The bumper mounting bracket 40 is made of resin and is generally block-shaped. The center of the bumper mounting bracket 40 serves as the sensor holding portion 32. In addition, a plurality of bumper retainers 42 are provided on the upper portion of the bumper mounting bracket 40.

[0018] The radar 16 is held in the sensor holding portion 32 of the bumper mounting bracket 40 . With the electromagnetic wave irradiation section 16f positioned on the opposite side to the bottom 36, the main body of the radar 16 is positioned inside the holding section main body 34, and the harness connection section 16s is engaged with the notch 34c, and the radar 16 is held in the sensor holding section 32 using the claw section 38 or the like.

[0019] Next, in the first vehicle, the bumper mounting bracket 40 is attached to the body 30 by the fastening parts 44 or the like, and the bumper cover 14 is attached by utilizing the bumper retainer 42 of the bumper mounting bracket 40. Next, the multiple engaging protrusions 39 of the sensor holding part 32 engage with the multiple engaging recesses 24 of the main body 20 of the sensor protector 8, and the sensor protector 8 is attached to the sensor holding part 32 in a state in which the main body 20 of the sensor protector 8 is fitted into the sensor holding part 32 from the outside. Since the sensor holding part 32 and the sensor protector 8 are assembled by the engagement between the engaging recesses 24 and the engaging protrusions 39, the assembly of these can be facilitated. As a result of the above, the sensor unit 10 with the bumper mounting bracket 40 as shown in FIGS. 2(a)-(c) is assembled as shown in FIGS. 2(d)-(f).

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2(f), in the first vehicle, the distance between the position of the radar 16 and the position of the bumper cover 14 is short. Therefore, the bumper cover 14 is located near the electromagnetic wave emitting portion (e.g., laser light emitting portion) 16f of the radar 16. By attaching the bumper cover 14 to the bumper mounting bracket 40, the cover portion 22 is largely deflected and deformed along the inner shape of the bumper cover 14. The cover portion 22 is in surface contact or line contact with the bumper cover 14, and there is no or very small gap between the cover portion 22 and the bumper cover 14. As a result, the lower portion of the radar 16 is well isolated from the outside such as the road surface by the cover portion 22, and it is possible to make it difficult for sand, stones, mud, snow, etc. to enter between the radar 16 and the bumper cover 14.

[0021] The electromagnetic waves may be impeded from traveling if sand, stones, or the like are present between the electromagnetic wave emitting portion 16f of the radar 16 and the bumper cover 14. In addition, the electromagnetic waves may be refracted if there is anything containing moisture, such as mud or snow.

[0022] In contrast, according to the sensor protector 8 of this embodiment, the cover portion 22 is in surface or line contact with the bumper cover 14 and deforms to conform to the inner shape of the bumper cover 14. Therefore, the cover portion 22 can effectively prevent sand, stones, mud, snow, and the like from entering between the electromagnetic wave irradiating portion 16f of the radar 16 and the bumper cover 14, and can prevent a decrease in the accuracy of object detection by the radar 16.

[0023] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the area R indicated by the dashed line is the electromagnetic wave irradiation area of ​​the radar 16. In this embodiment, however, the cover part 22 is located outside the electromagnetic wave irradiation area R, so that the electromagnetic wave irradiation area is not interfered with by the cover part 22.

[0024] Next, a case where the sensor unit 10 is attached to a second vehicle other than a first vehicle as the host vehicle 12 will be described with reference to Figs. 3(a)-(f). 3(a)-(c), in the second vehicle, the sensor holding portion 32 is provided integrally with the center portion of the bracket 40x, and the bracket 40x is fixedly attached to the body 30x by a fastening portion 44x, etc. By attaching the radar 16 and the sensor protector 8 to the sensor holding portion 32, the sensor unit 10 is attached to the vehicle body side member (body 30x).

[0025] In this embodiment, the distance between the position of the radar 16 and the position of the bumper cover 14x is large, and with the bracket 40x (sensor unit 10) attached to the body 30x, the bumper cover 14x is located away from the electromagnetic wave irradiating portion 16f of the radar 16. The amount of bending of the cover portion 22 is small, and in this embodiment, the tip portion 22p of the cover portion 22 is in contact with the bumper cover 14x, or the vicinity 22p of the tip portion of the cover portion 22 is slightly bent, or the gap between the tip portion 22 and the bumper cover 14x is very small.

[0026] In the second vehicle as well, similarly to the first vehicle, intrusion of sand, stones, mud, snow, and the like between the electromagnetic wave irradiating surface 16f of the radar 16 and the bumper cover 14x can be effectively prevented. Moreover, the sensor protector 8 does not interfere with the irradiation area R of the radar 16.

[0027] As described above, in this embodiment, the cover portion 22 is made of a sheet of a flexible material. Therefore, the cover portion 22 can be made flexible without providing a fragile portion such as a groove. As a result, the sensor protector can be manufactured more easily.

[0028] On the other hand, the bumper cover 14 is usually made of a resin that is easily deformed, and can be easily deformed even when an external force is applied during assembly of the vehicle, washing the car, etc. Therefore, when an external force is applied to the bumper cover 14, the external force is applied to the cover portion 22 through the bumper cover 14, and the cover portion 22 is deformed according to the deformation of the bumper cover 14. On the other hand, since the cover portion 22 is flexible, the external force is absorbed by the deformation of the cover portion 22, and it is possible to make it difficult for the external force to be transmitted to the vehicle body side member 30, the radar 16, etc. In other words, it is no longer necessary to provide a gap between the tip of the cover portion 22 and the bumper cover 14, and there is less need to shape the cover portion 22 in accordance with the bumper cover 14. As a result, it becomes possible for a sensor protector 8 of a certain shape to be applied to a plurality of types of vehicles, and the versatility of the sensor protector 8 can be improved.

[0029] In addition, because the cover portion 22 is made of a sheet of a flexible material, the sensor protector 8 can be used for a plurality of types of vehicles. Therefore, there is less need to design and manufacture the sensor protector 8 for each vehicle and each shape of the bumper cover. This makes it possible to reduce the number of types of sensor protectors 8, facilitating inventory management and reducing costs.

[0030] In the above embodiment, the sensor is the radar 16, but the sensor may be any of various sensors other than the radar. In the above embodiment, the engaging protrusion 39 is provided on the holding portion main body 34 of the sensor holding portion 32, and the engaging recess 24 is provided on the main body 20 of the sensor protector 8, but it is possible to provide an engaging recess on the holding portion main body 34 and an engaging protrusion on the main body 20 of the sensor protector 8. Furthermore, a claw portion can be used instead of the engaging protrusion, etc. The sensor protector 8 can be attached to the sensor holding portion 32 by hooking the claw portion into a recess serving as the engaging recess.

[0031] Furthermore, there is no restriction on the shape of the main body 20 of the sensor protector 8 and the holder main body 34 of the sensor holder 32. These do not generally need to be frame-shaped, and may be of any shape as long as they can hold the radar 16 on the vehicle body side member 30. Furthermore, there is no particular limitation on the material from which the main body 20 and the sensor holding portion 32 of the sensor protector 8 are manufactured. For example, the main body 20 can also be manufactured from a sheet having the same flexibility as the cover portion 22.

[0032] In addition, the present invention can be embodied in various forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 8: Sensor protector 10: Sensor unit 12: Vehicle 14: Bumper cover 16: Sensor 20: Main body 22: Cover part 24: Engagement recess 32: Sensor holding part 34: Holding part main body 38: Engagement protrusion Patentable invention

[0034] The following paragraphs set forth inventions which may be claimed.

[0035] (1) A sensor protector for protecting a sensor provided on an inner side of a bumper cover of a vehicle, The main body, a cover portion provided at the bottom of the body and made of a flexible sheet material; A sensor protector including:

[0036] The cover portion is made of a sheet of flexible material. Examples of sheets made of a flexible material include sheets made of soft rubber, sheets made of soft materials, and thin sheets (less than a set thickness) made of resin (e.g., general-purpose resin). In this way, in the present sensor protector, the sheet constituting the cover is itself made of a flexible material, and therefore, as described in Patent Document 1, the cover can be made flexible without providing a fragile portion in the cover.

[0037] (2) The sensor protector according to (1), wherein the sheet constituting the cover portion is made of soft rubber.

[0038] Soft rubber includes silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane, and the like.

[0039] (3) The sensor protector according to (1), wherein the sheet constituting the cover portion is made of resin and has a thickness that provides flexibility.

[0040] By making the sheet thin, it is possible to use a flexible material without providing a fragile portion. For example, the thickness of the cover portion can be set to a set thickness (eg, 1 mm) or less. For example, the resin may be a general-purpose resin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0041] (4) A sensor protector for protecting a sensor provided on an inner side of a bumper cover of a vehicle, The main body, a cover part made of a soft material provided at the bottom of the main body; A sensor protector including:

[0042] The sensor protector described in this section may employ any of the technical features described in sections (1) to (3).

[0043] (5) A sensor protector according to any one of (1) to (4), The sensor; a sensor holder that is fixedly attached to a vehicle body side member that is located on the inner side of the vehicle and that holds the sensor and the sensor protector; A sensor unit comprising: A sensor unit in which the sensor protector is held in the sensor holding portion by engagement between a plurality of engaging protrusions provided on one of the main body and the sensor holding portion of the sensor protector and a plurality of engaging recesses provided on the other of the main body and the sensor holding portion.

[0044] Due to the engagement between the engaging protrusion and the engaging recess, the sensor protector can be easily held by the sensor holding portion.

Claims

[Claim 1] A sensor protector for protecting a sensor provided on an inner side of a bumper cover of a vehicle, The main body, a cover portion provided at the bottom of the body and made of a flexible sheet material; A sensor protector including:

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