Sensor fixing structure for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a sensor fixing structure for a vehicle that is able to improve the mounting rigidity of a sensor.SOLUTION: A sensor bracket of a sensor fixing structure includes a bracket top-surface portion on which a sensor is installed; a bracket wall portion extending downward from a side edge of the bracket top-surface portion; a flange bent from the bracket wall portion along a tunnel top-surface portion; a front-side fixing portion provided on a front portion of the flange and fixed to the tunnel top-surface portion; a rear-side fixing portion provided at a rear portion of the flange and fixed to the tunnel top-surface portion; and a first bulging portion formed by bulging a region between the front-side fixing portion and the rear-side fixing portion of the bracket top-surface portion and the bracket wall portion toward a virtual line connecting the front-side fixing portion and the rear-side fixing portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor fixing structure for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the number of sensors and controllers mounted on vehicles has tended to increase. For example, in Patent Document 1, as shown in Fig. 1, an airbag sensor 14 is disposed on the upper surface of a tunnel section 2 of a front floor. In the technology of Patent Document 1, by disposing the airbag sensor 14 on the upper surface of the tunnel section 2, sensitivity to impact loads during side collisions and frontal collisions is improved. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-114256 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above sensors require high rigidity in the mounting area to prevent false detection due to vibrations during normal driving, so sensors are often attached to the vehicle using dedicated brackets.

[0005] Here, the floor tunnel of a vehicle has an upwardly bulging shape and is prone to vibrations that open in the vehicle width direction while the vehicle is moving. However, in recent years, vehicles have become increasingly standardized in their bodies, including the floor tunnel, and it can be difficult to add reinforcing members to the floor tunnel in relation to the surrounding structures.

[0006] Therefore, the bracket is required to have higher rigidity to prevent erroneous detection of sensors due to vibration during driving. On the other hand, since reduction in cost and weight is also required for vehicle parts such as the bracket, it is desirable to avoid increasing the size and thickness of the bracket.

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a sensor fixing structure for a vehicle that can improve the mounting rigidity of a sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a representative configuration of a sensor fixing structure for a vehicle according to the present invention is a sensor fixing structure for a vehicle that includes a floor tunnel in which the floor panel of the vehicle bulges upward in the fore-and-aft direction, and a sensor bracket for attaching a predetermined sensor to a tunnel top surface portion that forms the top surface of the floor tunnel, wherein the sensor bracket has a bracket top surface portion on which the sensor is installed, a bracket wall portion extending downward from each of the left and right side edges of the bracket top surface portion, a flange that bends from the bracket wall portion along the tunnel top surface portion and extends in a direction away from the bracket top surface portion, a front fixing portion provided at the front of the flange and fixed to the tunnel top surface portion, a rear fixing portion provided at the rear of the flange and fixed to the tunnel top surface portion, and a first bulge portion in which the area between the front fixing portion and the rear fixing portion of the bracket top surface portion and the bracket wall portion bulges toward an imaginary line connecting the front fixing portion and the rear fixing portion. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sensor fixing structure for a vehicle that can improve the mounting rigidity of a sensor. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a sensor fixing structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a view showing the sensor bracket in FIG. 1(b) from a different angle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the sensor bracket of FIG. [Figure 4] 2(a) is a cross-sectional view of the sensor fixing structure taken along line AA in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] A sensor fixing structure for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a floor tunnel in which the floor panel of the vehicle bulges upward in the fore-and-aft direction, and a sensor bracket for attaching a predetermined sensor to a tunnel top surface portion that forms the top surface of the floor tunnel, the sensor bracket being characterized in having a bracket top surface portion on which the sensor is installed, a bracket wall portion extending downward from each of the left and right side edges of the bracket top surface portion, a flange that bends from the bracket wall portion along the tunnel top surface portion and extends in a direction away from the bracket top surface portion, a front fixing portion provided at the front of the flange and fixed to the tunnel top surface portion, a rear fixing portion provided at the rear of the flange and fixed to the tunnel top surface portion, and a first bulge portion in which the area between the front fixing portion and the rear fixing portion of the bracket top surface portion and the bracket wall portion bulges toward an imaginary line connecting the front fixing portion and the rear fixing portion.

[0012] A vehicle's floor tunnel tends to vibrate open in the vehicle width direction, but with the above-mentioned sensor bracket, the first bulge portion improves rigidity, making it resistant to vibrations in the vehicle width direction and preventing erroneous detection by the sensor due to vibrations while driving.

[0013] The rear fixing portion is preferably provided on the outer side of the front fixing portion with respect to the left-right center line of the bracket top surface portion.

[0014] According to the above configuration, by making the positions of the front and rear fixing parts different, it is possible to further increase the rigidity of the sensor bracket against vibration in the vehicle width direction. In particular, by making the width of the rear fixing part wider than the width of the front fixing part, it becomes difficult for the sensor bracket to deform in the vehicle width direction, and this makes it possible to deflect the load applied from the front of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

[0015] The sensor bracket may further include a sensor attachment portion provided on the first bulge portion to which a sensor is attached.

[0016] According to the above configuration, by attaching the sensor to the first bulge, which has high rigidity, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection by the sensor due to vibrations during driving. In addition, since the sensor bracket only needs to have a dimension that allows the sensor to be placed on the first bulge, it is also possible to contribute to miniaturization of the sensor bracket.

[0017] The sensor bracket may further include beads provided along the front and rear edges of the bracket top surface.

[0018] The above-mentioned bead also improves the rigidity of the sensor bracket, making it possible to prevent erroneous detection by the sensor due to vibrations while driving.

[0019] The above-mentioned sensor bracket further has a second bulge portion in which the area of ​​the bracket top surface and the bracket wall portion rearward of the rear fixed portion bulges toward the imaginary line, and the second bulge portion bulges outward more than the first bulge portion with respect to the left-right center line of the bracket top surface.

[0020] The provision of the second bulge also improves the rigidity of the sensor bracket, making it possible to absorb vibrations during driving and prevent erroneous detection by the sensor. In particular, by making the second bulge wider than the first bulge, it becomes difficult for the sensor to deform in the vehicle width direction, making it possible to deflect loads applied from the front of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. EXAMPLES

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a sensor fixing structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, sensor fixing structure 100). In Fig. 1 and all other drawings of the present application, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Backward), the left and right in the vehicle width direction are indicated by arrows L (Leftward) and R (Rightward), and the up-down direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows U (Upward) and D (Downward).

[0023] 1(a) is a perspective view of the sensor fixing structure 100 as viewed from the rear left side of the vehicle. The floor tunnel 102 is a portion of the floor panel of the vehicle that bulges upward, and is formed in the center of the floor panel in the front-rear direction.

[0024] The sensor 106 is an example of various sensors and control units. The sensor fixing structure 100 fixes the sensor 106 to a tunnel top surface portion 110, which is the top surface of the floor tunnel 102, using a sensor bracket 104. In particular, the sensor fixing structure 100 improves the rigidity of the sensor bracket 104, thereby preventing erroneous detection by the sensor 106 caused by vibrations during driving, etc.

[0025] Fig. 1(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the sensor 106 of Fig. 1(a) has been removed. The sensor 106 is attached to a bracket top surface portion 108 of the sensor bracket 104. The bracket top surface portion 108 is a portion that forms the top surface of the sensor bracket 104, and the sensor 106 can be attached using fasteners such as bolts 109a to 109c.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a view showing the sensor bracket 104 in Fig. 1(b) from a different direction. Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of the sensor bracket 104 in Fig. 1(b) as viewed from the front left side of the vehicle.

[0027] The sensor bracket 104 has flanges 112, 114 on the left and right as portions that come into contact with a tunnel ceiling portion 110. Bracket walls 116, 118 rise up from the flanges 112, 114, and the bracket ceiling portion 108 is formed on the upper portions thereof.

[0028] The bracket top surface 108 is formed to be generally flat, and is provided in the center with a rectangular lightening hole 120. The lightening hole 120 reduces the weight of the sensor bracket 104.

[0029] Beads 122a, 122b are provided in ranges along the front and rear edges of bracket top surface portion 108. Beads 122a, 122b are portions that ensure the rigidity of bracket top surface portion 108, and are formed by causing bracket top surface portion 108 to bulge downward.

[0030] By providing the beads 122a and 122b, the second moment of area of ​​the bracket top surface portion 108 is improved, and the rigidity thereof is increased. That is, the beads 122a and 122b improve the rigidity of the sensor bracket 104, making it possible to prevent erroneous detection of the sensor 106 caused by vibrations during driving. The beads 122a and 122b also ensure the rigidity of the bracket top surface portion 108 when the lightening hole 120 is provided, making it possible to achieve both a reduction in weight of the sensor bracket 104 and an increase in rigidity.

[0031] Fig. 2(b) is a view of the sensor bracket 104 in Fig. 2(a) as seen from the left side of the vehicle. The bracket walls 116, 118 (see Fig. 2(a)) become gradually higher toward the rear, and the distance between the bracket top surface 108 and the flange 112 gradually increases toward the rear.

[0032] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the sensor bracket 104 in Fig. 1(b). Fig. 3(a) is a diagram showing the sensor bracket 104 in Fig. 1(b) as viewed from above.

[0033] The flanges 112, 114 are fixed to the tunnel ceiling portion 110 by fasteners, typically bolts 124a to 124d, at the front and rear portions, respectively.

[0034] Fig. 3(b) is a view showing the sensor bracket 104 of Fig. 3(a) alone. The flanges 112, 114 are provided with front fixing parts 126a, 126b and rear fixing parts 128a, 128b as portions where the bolts 124a to 124d (see Fig. 3(a)) are used. The front fixing parts 126a, 126b and rear fixing parts 128a, 128b are realized as through holes provided in the flanges 112, 114.

[0035] The front fixing parts 126a, 126b are provided at the front of the flanges 112, 114, and are fixed to the tunnel ceiling part 110 by fastening bolts 124a, 124b (see FIG. 3(a)). The rear fixing parts 128a, 128b are provided at the rear of the flanges 112, 114, and are fixed to the tunnel ceiling part 110 by fastening bolts 124a, 124b.

[0036] The bracket top surface portion 108 is provided with sensor mounting portions 130a to 130c as portions for mounting the sensor 106. The sensor mounting portions 130a to 130c are also implemented as through holes for using the bolts 109a to 109c (see FIG. 1(b)).

[0037] The sensor mounting portions 130a to 130c are provided on a plurality of bulging portions formed on the bracket top surface portion 108. In particular, the sensor mounting portions 130a, 130b are provided on first bulging portions 132, 134, and the sensor mounting portion 130c is provided on a second bulging portion 138.

[0038] 3(b), an imaginary line L1 is a line segment that linearly connects the front fixing part 126a and the rear fixing part 128a, and an imaginary line L2 is a line segment that linearly connects the front fixing part 126b and the rear fixing part 128b.

[0039] The first bulge 132 is formed by bulging the area between the front fixing part 126a and the rear fixing part 128a of the bracket top surface 108 and the bracket wall part 116 to an extent that it reaches the imaginary line L1. The first bulge 134 is formed by bulging the area between the front fixing part 126b and the rear fixing part 128b of the bracket top surface 108 and the bracket wall part 118 to an extent that it reaches the imaginary line L2.

[0040] The second bulges 136, 138 are provided in the rear area of ​​the rear fixing portions 128a, 128b, and only the right second bulge 138 is provided with the sensor attachment portion 130c.

[0041] The second bulging portion 136 is formed by bulging the area of ​​the bracket top surface portion 108 and the bracket wall portion 116 rearward of the rear fixing portion 128a toward the imaginary line L1. The second bulging portion 138 is formed by bulging the area of ​​the bracket top surface portion 108 and the bracket wall portion 118 rearward of the rear fixing portion 128b toward the imaginary line L2.

[0042] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor fixing structure 100 taken along line AA in Fig. 2(a). Fig. 4 also illustrates the sensor 106 in Fig. 1(a).

[0043] As described above, the bracket top surface portion 108 is formed flat, and the bracket walls 116, 118 extend downward from the left and right side edges of the bracket top surface portion 108. The flanges 112, 114 are bent from the lower ends of the bracket walls 116, 118 along the tunnel top surface portion 110 and extend in a direction away from the bracket top surface portion 108.

[0044] Since the floor tunnel 102 has an upwardly bulging shape, it tends to vibrate so as to open in the vehicle width direction while traveling. In this regard, according to the sensor bracket 104 of this embodiment, the rigidity is improved by each component such as the first bulging portions 132, 134, the second bulging portions 136, 138, and the beads 122a, 122b shown in Fig. 3(b), and the vibration of the floor tunnel 102 opening in the vehicle width direction can be suppressed, so that it is possible to prevent erroneous detection by the sensor 106 caused by vibration.

[0045] 3(b), the sensor mounting parts 130a, 130b are provided on the first bulging parts 132, 134. The first bulging parts 132, 134 have a bulging shape, and therefore have a large moment of area and high rigidity. Therefore, by providing the sensor mounting parts 130a, 130b on the first bulging parts 132, 134 and mounting the sensor 106 thereon, it is possible to further prevent erroneous detection by the sensor 106 caused by vibration.

[0046] Furthermore, by providing sensor mounting portions 130a, 130b on first bulging portions 132, 134, sensor bracket 104 can achieve its purpose as long as the dimensions are such that sensor 106 can be placed between first bulging portions 132, 134. In other words, first bulging portions 132, 134 also help to make sensor bracket 104 smaller.

[0047] Of the second bulges 136, 138, the right second bulge 138 is provided with a sensor attachment portion 130c. Providing these second bulges 136, 138 also improves the rigidity of the sensor bracket 104, making it possible to absorb vibrations and the like during driving, thereby making it possible to prevent erroneous detection by the sensor 106 caused by vibrations.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3(b), the sensor bracket 104 has an overall shape that becomes wider toward the rear, as can be seen from the fact that the imaginary lines L1 and L2 widen toward the rear.

[0049] Specifically, the rear fixing parts 128a, 128b are provided further outboard than the front fixing parts 126a, 126b with respect to the left-right center line C1 of the sensor bracket 104 (D2>D1). By making the positions of the front and rear fixing parts different in the vehicle width direction in this manner, it is possible to further increase the rigidity of the sensor bracket 104 against vibration in the vehicle width direction.

[0050] The floor tunnel 102 (see FIG. 1(a)) generally has a shape that gradually opens in the vehicle width direction toward the rear near the dashboard of the driver's seat. The sensor bracket 104 is shaped so that the left and right width of the rear fixing parts 128a, 128b is wider than the left and right width of the front fixing parts 126a, 126b, making it difficult for the sensor bracket 104 to deform in the vehicle width direction, and by connecting to the floor tunnel 102, it suppresses vibration of the floor tunnel 102 and enables the load applied to the floor tunnel 102 from the front of the vehicle to be deflected in the vehicle width direction.

[0051] The second bulges 136, 138 are also formed to bulge outward relative to the left-right center line C1 of the sensor bracket 104 more than the first bulges 132, 134 (D4>D3)). By making the left-right width of the second bulges 136, 138 wider than the left-right width of the first bulges 132, 134, the sensor bracket 104 is less likely to deform in the vehicle width direction, and it becomes possible to deflect a load applied from the front of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] As described above, the sensor fixing structure 100 can fix the sensor 106 (see FIG. 1(a)) to the floor tunnel 102 with high rigidity, suppress vibration in the vehicle width direction, and prevent erroneous detection by the sensor 106. In particular, the sensor bracket 104 (see FIG. 3(b)) has improved rigidity due to elements such as the first bulges 132, 134, the second bulges 136, 138, and the beads 122a, 122b, and is prevented from becoming larger or having a thicker plate, making it possible to reduce the weight and installation space. Therefore, the sensor fixing structure 100 can ensure highly accurate sensing performance while satisfying the weight and size requirements.

[0053] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0054] The present invention can be used in a sensor fixing structure for a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 100...sensor fixing structure, 102...floor tunnel, 104...sensor bracket, 106...sensor, 108...bracket top surface, 109a to 109c...bolts, 110...tunnel top surface, 112, 114...flanges, 116, 118...bracket wall, 120...lightening hole, 122a, 122b...beads, 124a to 124d...bolts, 126a, 126b...front fixing portion, 128a, 128b...rear fixing portion, 130a to 130c...sensor mounting portion, 132, 134...first bulge, 136, 138...second bulge, L1, L2...phantom line

Claims

1. A vehicle sensor fixing structure includes a floor tunnel formed by expanding a floor panel of a vehicle upward in a front-rear direction, and a sensor bracket for attaching a predetermined sensor to a tunnel top surface portion that forms a top surface of the floor tunnel, The sensor bracket includes: A bracket top surface portion on which the sensor is installed; a bracket wall portion extending downward from each of the left and right side edges of the bracket top surface portion; A flange bent from the bracket wall portion along the tunnel top surface portion and extending in a direction away from the bracket top surface portion; A front fixing portion provided at a front portion of the flange and fixed to the tunnel ceiling portion; A rear fixing portion provided at a rear portion of the flange and fixed to the tunnel ceiling portion; a first bulging portion in which a region between the front fixing portion and the rear fixing portion of the bracket top surface portion and the bracket wall portion bulges toward an imaginary line connecting the front fixing portion and the rear fixing portion; A sensor fixing structure for a vehicle, comprising:

2. The vehicle sensor fixing structure according to claim 1 , wherein the rear fixing portion is provided outside the front fixing portion with respect to a lateral center line of the bracket top surface portion.

3. 3. The sensor fixing structure for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the sensor bracket further comprises a sensor mounting portion provided on the first bulge portion and on which the sensor is mounted.

4. 4. The vehicle sensor fixing structure according to claim 3, wherein the sensor bracket further comprises beads provided in ranges along the front and rear edges of the bracket top surface portion.

5. the sensor bracket further includes a second bulging portion that bulges a region of the bracket top surface portion and the bracket wall portion rearward of the rear fixing portion toward the imaginary line, 5. The vehicle sensor fixing structure according to claim 2, wherein the second bulge portion bulges outward from the first bulge portion relative to a lateral center line of the bracket top surface portion.

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