Object detection device and fixing structure

Abstract

To detect object on the left and right of a vehicle, while preventing an increase in the types of components.SOLUTION: An object detection device according to an aspect comprises a pair of left and right radar modules arranged on the left and right of a vehicle. The pair of left and right radar modules each comprises: a radar device that transmits and receives radio waves to detect an object around the vehicle; a bracket that has a mount member holding the radar device; and a shield member that absorbs part of the radio waves from the radar device to adjust the directivity of the radar device. The shield members of the pair of left and right radar modules have the same structure as each other, and are fixed upside down to the mount members.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an object detection device and a fixed structure. [Background technology]

[0002] A radar device is used to detect objects around a vehicle. The radar device transmits radio waves around the vehicle and receives reflected waves from the objects to detect the objects around the vehicle. However, since a vehicle is equipped with many parts, depending on the arrangement of the radar device, a part of the vehicle body may be arranged within the radiation range of the radio waves of the radar device. In this case, there is a risk that the reflected waves from the part of the vehicle body will make it impossible to accurately detect the objects around the vehicle. Therefore, it is required to adjust the directivity of the radar device so that the radio waves are not irradiated to the vehicle body.

[0003] As a technique for adjusting the directivity of a radar device, for example, a radar mechanism described in Patent Document 1 is known. This radar mechanism includes a fixture for fixing the radar device to a vehicle bumper. This fixture includes a bracket including a flange portion fixed to the bumper and a main body portion for holding the radar device, and a substantially triangular radio wave absorber for suppressing reflected waves is installed on the main body portion of the bracket. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-99004 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to prevent accidents involving bicycles, etc., it is desirable to install radar devices on the left and right sides of a vehicle to detect objects present on the sides of the vehicle. When the radar mechanism described in Patent Document 1 is installed on the left and right sides of a vehicle, it is necessary to install radio wave absorbers with left-right inverted shapes for the left and right radar devices in order to adjust the directivities of the left and right radar devices. However, using radio wave absorbers with left-right inverted shapes leads to an increase in the number of parts, which causes an increase in manufacturing costs and management costs.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to make it possible to detect objects on the left and right sides of a vehicle while suppressing an increase in the number of types of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one embodiment, an object detection device includes a pair of radar modules arranged on the left and right sides of a vehicle. Each of the pair of radar modules includes a radar device that detects objects around the vehicle by transmitting and receiving radio waves, a bracket having a mounting member that holds the radar device, and a shield member having a radio wave absorbing surface that absorbs part of the radio waves from the radar device to adjust the directivity of the radar device. The shield members of the pair of radar modules have the same structure and are fixed to the mounting member upside down.

[0008] In the object detection device according to this embodiment, the pair of left and right radar modules use shielding members with the same structure, which allows for common use of parts and suppresses an increase in the number of types of parts. In addition, by fixing the shielding members with the same structure upside down in the pair of left and right radar modules, the arrangement of the radio wave absorbing surfaces becomes symmetrical with respect to the center line of the vehicle body, and thus the directivities of the pair of left and right radar modules become symmetrical with respect to the center line of the vehicle body. As a result, reflected waves from the vehicle body are suppressed, making it possible to detect objects on the left and right sides of the vehicle.

[0009] In one embodiment, the radar device may have a plurality of first positioning pins, the mount member may have a plurality of first positioning holes into which the plurality of first positioning pins fit, and the radar device may be fixed to the mount member with the plurality of first positioning pins fitted into the plurality of first positioning holes. By fixing the radar device to the mount member with the plurality of first positioning pins fitted into the plurality of first positioning holes, the radar device can be positioned with high accuracy relative to the mount member.

[0010] In one embodiment, the shield member may have a plurality of second positioning pins, the mount member may have a plurality of second positioning holes that fit with the plurality of second positioning pins, and the shield member may be fixed to the mount member with the plurality of second positioning pins fitted into the plurality of second positioning holes. By fixing the shield member to the mount member with the plurality of second positioning pins fitted into the plurality of second positioning holes, the shield member can be positioned with high accuracy relative to the mount member. This improves the assembly accuracy of the object detection device, and as a result, the object detection device can be made more compact.

[0011] In one embodiment, among the plurality of first positioning holes and the plurality of second positioning holes formed in the mount member, three or more of the positioning holes may be arranged on the same line. By arranging the three or more positioning holes on the same line, the positioning holes can be formed with high positional accuracy. This improves the assembly accuracy of the object detection device.

[0012] In one aspect, each of the pair of left and right radar modules includes a first radar device that is a radar device and a second radar device that is different from the first radar device, and the bracket has a first mount member that holds the first radar device and a second mount member that holds the second radar device, and the first mount member has a mounting surface for the first radar device that is inclined toward the front side of the vehicle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the vehicle width direction, and the second mount member has a mounting surface for the second radar device that is inclined toward the rear side of the vehicle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. In this aspect, the first radar device is mounted on the mounting surface of the first mount member that is inclined toward the front side of the vehicle, and the second radar device is mounted on the mounting surface of the second mount member that is inclined toward the rear side of the vehicle, so that the radiation direction of the radio waves from the first radar device and the second radar device can be inclined toward the front side and the rear side of the vehicle. As a result, the detection range of the object can be expanded.

[0013] In one aspect, the radar device and the shield member may have bolt holes, and the radar device and the shield member may be fastened to the mount member by bolts passing through the bolt holes. By fixing the radar device and the shield member to the mount member through the bolt holes of the radar device and the shield member, it is possible to suppress misalignment of the radar device and the shield member.

[0014] A fixing structure according to one embodiment includes a pair of fixing devices arranged on the left and right sides of a vehicle for fixing a pair of left and right radar devices. Each of the pair of fixing devices includes a bracket having a mount member for holding the radar device, and a shield member having a radio wave absorbing surface for absorbing a portion of radio waves from the radar device and adjusting the directivity of the radar device, and the shield members of the pair of fixing devices have the same structure and are fixed to the mount member upside down. Fixing the pair of left and right radar devices using the pair of left and right fixing devices makes it possible to detect objects on the left and right sides of the vehicle while suppressing an increase in the number of types of parts. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to various aspects of the present invention, it is possible to detect objects on the left and right sides of a vehicle while suppressing an increase in the number of types of parts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a vehicle equipped with an object detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a radar module. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the radar module. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the radar module with the cover omitted. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the radar module as viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a view of the radar module as seen from the vehicle width direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. In the drawings, some parts may be simplified or exaggerated in order to facilitate understanding.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a plan view that shows a vehicle 50 equipped with an object detection device 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle 50 shown in FIG. 1. The vehicle 50 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is a truck, but the vehicle 50 may be a bus or a tractor, or may be a passenger car. In the following description, the left-right direction when the vehicle 50 is viewed from the rear is referred to as a vehicle width direction D1, and the forward and backward directions of the vehicle 50 are referred to as a front-rear direction D2. In the following description, symmetry with respect to a vehicle body center line, which is the center line of the vehicle 50 in the vehicle width direction D1, may be referred to as "left-right symmetry".

[0019] The object detection device 1 detects objects present on the left and right sides of a vehicle 50. Objects to be detected are, for example, pedestrians and bicycles. The object detection device 1 includes a pair of radar modules 2 mounted on the left and right sides of the vehicle 50, respectively.

[0020] 1, the pair of left and right radar modules 2 includes a radar module 2L disposed on the left side of the vehicle 50 for detecting objects on the left side of the vehicle 50, and a radar module 2R disposed on the right side of the vehicle 50 for detecting objects on the right side of the vehicle 50. Since the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R have a symmetrical structure, in the following description, the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R will be collectively referred to as radar modules 2 unless a distinction is particularly necessary.

[0021] 2, the pair of left and right radar modules 2 are installed, for example, at the rear lower part of the cabin of the vehicle 50. The pair of left and right radar modules 2 transmit radio waves to the left and right of the vehicle and receive reflected waves reflected from the objects, thereby detecting objects on the sides of the vehicle 50. For example, each of the pair of left and right radar modules 2 has a directivity of about 180° in the horizontal plane so that objects on the sides of the vehicle 50 can be detected.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a radar module 2 mounted on a vehicle 50. As shown in Fig. 3, a pair of left and right radar modules 2 are fixed to a body frame 51 of the vehicle 50. The pair of left and right radar modules 2 operate by receiving power from, for example, a battery of the vehicle 50.

[0023] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the radar module 2. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the pair of left and right radar modules 2 includes a bracket 11, a first radar device 12a, a second radar device 12b, a first shield member 13a, a second shield member 13b, and a cover 14. The first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b are fixed to a body frame 51 of a vehicle 50 using the bracket 11, the first shield member 13a, and the second shield member 13b. That is, the bracket 11, the first shield member 13a, and the second shield member 13b configure a fixing device 30 for fixing the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b to the vehicle 50. The fixing device 30 is disposed on the left and right of the vehicle 50. The pair of left and right fixing devices 30 configure a fixing structure 40 for fixing the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b disposed on the left and right of the vehicle 50 to the vehicle 50.

[0024] The cover 14 is made of, for example, a resin material that transmits radio waves. The cover 14 houses the bracket 11, the first radar device 12a, the second radar device 12b, the first shield member 13a, and the second shield member 13b, and protects the bracket 11, the first radar device 12a, the second radar device 12b, the first shield member 13a, and the second shield member 13b from external impacts.

[0025] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the radar module 2 without the cover 14. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the radar module 2 viewed from an angle different from that of Fig. 5. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the bracket 11 includes a base 21, a first mounting member 22a, a second mounting member 22b, and a support body 23.

[0026] The base 21 is, for example, a metal plate, and is fixed to a body frame 51 of the vehicle 50 (see FIG. 4). For example, the surface of the base 21 faces the vehicle width direction D1. The support body 23 stands upright on the surface of the base 21, and supports the first mount member 22a and the second mount member 22b. The base 21, the first mount member 22a, the second mount member 22b, and the support body 23 may be integrally configured by welding.

[0027] The first mount member 22a and the second mount member 22b are, for example, metal plates and are supported by a support body 23. The first mount member 22a and the second mount member 22b provide mounting surfaces 28 for mounting the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b, respectively. The first mount member 22a and the second mount member 22b are arranged in the vertical direction. The mounting surface 28 of the first mount member 22a is inclined toward the front side of the vehicle 50 with respect to a plane perpendicular to the vehicle width direction D1, and the mounting surface 28 of the second mount member 22b is inclined toward the rear side of the vehicle 50 with respect to a plane perpendicular to the vehicle width direction D1.

[0028] The first mount member 22a and the second mount member 22b may have the same structure and may be attached upside down to the base 21. In the following description, unless there is a particular need to distinguish between them, the first mount member 22a and the second mount member 22b will be collectively referred to as the mount members 22.

[0029] Fig. 7 is a front view of the mount member 22. As shown in Fig. 7, the mount member 22 has a substantially rectangular planar shape. In the following description, the two axial directions along the surface (mounting surface 28) of the mount member 22 are referred to as the "X direction" and the "Y direction", respectively. The X direction and the Y direction are perpendicular to each other. Typically, the Y direction is parallel to the up-down direction of the vehicle 50.

[0030] A plurality of bolt holes 24a, 24b, and 24c are formed in the mount member 22. Bolts B1, B2, and B3 are inserted into the plurality of bolt holes 24a, 24b, and 24c, respectively. The bearing surfaces of the bolts B1, B2, and B3 may be welded to the mount member 22.

[0031] A pair of first positioning holes 25a, 25b and a pair of second positioning holes 26a, 26b are further formed in the mount member 22. The pair of first positioning holes 25a, 25b and the pair of second positioning holes 26a, 26b penetrate the mount member 22 in the thickness direction. Note that the mount member 22 may have three or more first positioning holes and three or more second positioning holes.

[0032] 7, the pair of first positioning holes 25a, 25b and the pair of second positioning holes 26a are arranged on a straight line L1 extending in the Y direction. That is, among the pair of first positioning holes 25a, 25b and the pair of second positioning holes 26a, 26b formed in the mounting member 22, three or more positioning holes are arranged on the same line. By arranging the pair of first positioning holes 25a, 25b and the second positioning hole 26a on the same line, it is possible to specify the positions for forming the pair of first positioning holes 25a, 25b and the second positioning hole 26a by measuring only the distance in the Y direction, so that the pair of first positioning holes 25a, 25b and the second positioning hole 26a can be formed with high positional accuracy.

[0033] Furthermore, the two bolt holes 24a, 24b and the second positioning hole 26a are arranged on a straight line L2 extending in the X direction. That is, the two bolt holes 24a, 24b and the second positioning hole 26a are arranged on the same line. By arranging the two bolt holes 24a, 24b and the second positioning hole 26a on the same line, the two bolt holes 24a, 24b and the second positioning hole 26a can be formed with high positional accuracy.

[0034] Furthermore, the bolt holes 24c and the second positioning holes 26b are arranged on a straight line L3 extending in the X direction. That is, the bolt holes 24c and the second positioning holes 26b are arranged on the same line. By arranging the bolt holes 24c and the second positioning holes 26b on the same line, the bolt holes 24c and the second positioning holes 26b can be formed with high positional accuracy. Note that the mounting member 22 may further be formed with a plurality of drainage holes 27.

[0035] The first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b transmit radio waves to the sides of the vehicle 50 and receive reflected waves from the objects to detect the position, direction, speed, etc. of the objects present to the sides of the vehicle 50. For example, the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b of the radar module 2L transmit radio waves to the left side of the vehicle 50 and detect the objects on the left side of the vehicle 50. The first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b of the radar module 2R transmit radio waves to the right side of the vehicle 50 and detect the objects on the right side of the vehicle 50. The first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b are, for example, millimeter wave radars and have a directivity of about 180° in the horizontal plane.

[0036] The first radar device 12a is fixed to a mounting surface 28 of the first mount member 22a, and the second radar device 12b is fixed to a mounting surface 28 of the second mount member 22b. The mounting surface 28 of the first mount member 22a is inclined toward the front side of the vehicle 50 with respect to a plane perpendicular to the vehicle width direction D1, so that the radiation direction of the radio waves of the first radar device 12a is inclined toward the front side of the vehicle 50. Similarly, the mounting surface 28 of the second mount member 22b is inclined toward the rear side of the vehicle 50 with respect to a plane perpendicular to the vehicle width direction D1, so that the radiation direction of the radio waves of the second radar device 12b is inclined toward the rear side of the vehicle 50. By arranging the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b with inclinations toward the front side and the rear side of the vehicle 50, respectively, the object detection range is expanded.

[0037] Since the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b have the same structure, in the following description, unless there is a particular need to distinguish between them, the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b will be collectively referred to as the radar device 12. The radar device 12 includes a radar body 31 and a casing 32. The radar body 31 includes, for example, a patch antenna having antenna elements arranged two-dimensionally. The casing 32 houses the radar body 31.

[0038] 6, the casing 32 of the radar device 12 has a pair of positioning pins (first positioning pins) 33a, 33b. The pair of positioning pins 33a, 33b protrude toward the mount member 22 of the bracket 11, are formed at positions corresponding to the pair of first positioning holes 25a, 25b of the mount member 22, and can be fitted into the pair of first positioning holes 25a, 25b. The radar device 12 is positioned with respect to the mount member 22 by fitting the pair of positioning pins 33a, 33b into the pair of first positioning holes 25a, 25b.

[0039] Furthermore, a plurality of bolt holes 34a, 34b, and 34c are formed in the casing 32 of the radar device 12. The plurality of bolt holes 34a, 34b, and 34c are formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of bolt holes 24a, 24b, and 24c of the mount member 22. The radar device 12 is fixed to the mount member 22 by fastening the bolts B1, B2, and B3 into the plurality of bolt holes 34a, 34b, and 34c with the pair of positioning pins 33a and 33b fitted into the pair of first positioning holes 25a and 25b.

[0040] As described above, since the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b are disposed with an inclination toward the front and rear sides of the vehicle 50, some of the radio waves emitted from the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b may be irradiated toward the body of the vehicle 50. In this case, there is a risk that objects on the left and right sides of the vehicle 50 cannot be accurately detected due to the waves reflected from the body of the vehicle 50. The first shield member 13a and the second shield member 13b absorb some of the radio waves from the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b, respectively, and block the radio waves irradiated from the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b to the body of the vehicle 50.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the first shield member 13a is fixed to the first mount member 22a and absorbs radio waves from the first radar device 12a. The second shield member 13b is fixed to the second mount member 22b and absorbs radio waves from the second radar device 12b. The first shield members 13a of the pair of left and right radar modules 2 have the same structure and are attached upside down to the first mount member 22a. The second shield members 13b of the pair of left and right radar modules 2 have the same structure and are attached upside down to the second mount member 22b. In the following description, the first shield member 13a and the second shield member 13b will be collectively referred to as the shield member 13 unless there is a particular need to distinguish between them.

[0042] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the shielding member 13. As shown in Fig. 8, the shielding member 13 has a pair of supporting parts 41 and a radio wave absorbing part 42. The pair of supporting parts 41 are, for example, metal or resin plate pieces, and are provided spaced apart from each other.

[0043] The pair of support portions 41 of the shield member 13 each have a pair of positioning pins (second positioning pins) 44a, 44b. The pair of positioning pins 44a, 44b protrude toward the mount member 22 of the bracket 11, are formed at positions corresponding to the pair of second positioning holes 26a, 26b of the mount member 22, and can be fitted into the pair of second positioning holes 26a, 26b. The pair of positioning pins 44a, 44b fit into the pair of second positioning holes 26a, 26b, thereby positioning the shield member 13 with respect to the mount member 22.

[0044] A pair of bolt holes 45a, 45b are formed in each of the pair of support portions 41 of the shield member 13. The pair of bolt holes 45a, 45b are formed at positions corresponding to the bolt holes 24b, 24c of the mount member 22. The shield member 13 is fixed to the mount member 22 by fastening bolts B2, B3 to the multiple bolt holes 34b, 34c with the pair of positioning pins 44a, 44b fitted into the pair of second positioning holes 26a, 26b.

[0045] The radio wave absorbing portion 42 spans between the pair of supporting portions 41 and connects the pair of supporting portions 41. The radio wave absorbing portion 42 absorbs radio waves radiated from the radar device 12, and removes or reduces unnecessary radio waves.

[0046] The radio wave absorbing section 42 is formed, for example, by adding a radio wave absorbing material to a binder. As the radio wave absorbing material, for example, particulate carbon filler, ferrite, or metal is used. As the binder, a resin such as polypropylene is used. The binder may be formed of one type of material or a plurality of materials. The radio wave absorbing section 42 provides a radio wave absorbing surface 48 that absorbs a part of the radio waves from the radar device 12 to adjust the directivity of the radar device 12. The radio wave absorbing surface 48 is provided approximately perpendicular to the mounting surface 28 of the mounting member 22 and is disposed so as to be interposed between the radar device 12 and the body of the vehicle 50. Therefore, the radio waves traveling from the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b toward the body of the vehicle 50 are absorbed by the radio wave absorbing section 42 of the first shielding member 13a and the second shielding member 13b, respectively. As a result, unnecessary reflected waves to the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b are reduced.

[0047] 5 and 6, a method for fixing the radar device 12 using the fixing device 30 will be described. First, the bolts B1, B2, and B3 fixed to the bolt holes 24a, 24b, and 24c of the mount member 22 are inserted into the bolt holes 34a, 34b, and 34c of the radar device 12, respectively, and the pair of positioning pins 33a and 33b of the radar device 12 are fitted into the pair of first positioning holes 25a and 25b. Next, the bolts B2 and B3 of the mount member 22 are inserted into the bolt holes 45a and 45b of the shield member 13, respectively, and the pair of positioning pins 44a and 44b of the shield member 13 are fitted into the pair of second positioning holes 26a and 26b. Next, nuts N are screwed onto the bolts B1, B2, and B3, and the radar device 12 and the shield member 13 are fixed to the mount member 22. As described above, by mounting the radar device 12 and the shield member 13 to the mount member 22, the radar device 12 and the shield member 13 are prevented from shifting in position.

[0048] As described above, when the radar device 12 and the shield member 13 are attached to the mount member 22, the radio wave absorbing surface 48 of the shield member 13 is disposed approximately perpendicular to the mounting surface 28 of the mount member 22 and is interposed between the radar device 12 and the body of the vehicle 50. As a result, radio waves radiated from the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b toward the body of the vehicle 50 are absorbed and blocked by the radio wave absorbing surface 48. As a result, unnecessary reflected waves from the vehicle body are suppressed, and a decrease in the detection capabilities of the first radar device 12a and the second radar device 12b is suppressed.

[0049] 9(a) is a view of the radar module 2L disposed on the left side of the vehicle 50 as viewed in the vehicle width direction D1, and FIG. 9(b) is a view of the radar module 2R disposed on the right side of the vehicle 50 as viewed in the vehicle width direction D1. As described above, the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R have a left-right symmetrical structure. Specifically, the brackets 11 of the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R have a left-right symmetrical shape, the first radar device 12a of the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R is disposed with an inclination toward the front side of the vehicle 50, and the second radar device 12b of the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R is disposed with an inclination toward the rear side of the vehicle 50.

[0050] In addition, the first shield members 13a of the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R have the same structure and are attached upside down to the first mount member 22a. Similarly, the second shield members 13b of the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R have the same structure and are attached upside down to the mount member 22. By using the shield members 13 of the same structure in the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R, the components are made common, and the increase in the types of components of the object detection device 1 is suppressed. In addition, by fixing the shield members 13 of the same structure upside down in the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R, the arrangement of the radio wave absorbing surface 48 of the shield member 13 becomes symmetrical, so that the directivity of the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R can be made symmetrical while using the shield members 13 of the same structure. As a result, it becomes possible to detect objects on the left and right of the vehicle 50. Note that the same structure includes a substantially identical structure. For example, even if a small notch is formed in only one of the first shield members 13a of the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R, as long as the directivities of the first radar devices 12a of the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R are adjusted to be symmetrical, it can be said that the first shield members 13a of the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R have substantially the same structure.

[0051] Furthermore, the pair of positioning pins 33a, 33b of the radar device 12 fit into the pair of first positioning holes 25a, 25b, and the pair of positioning pins 44a, 44b of the shield member 13 fit into the pair of second positioning holes 26a, 26b, thereby positioning the radar device 12 and the shield member 13 with respect to the mount member 22. This improves the assembly accuracy of the radar device 12 and the shield member 13, and allows the object detection device 1 to be miniaturized.

[0052] The object detection device 1 and the fixing structure 40 according to various embodiments have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0053] For example, each of the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R described above has a bracket 11 including two mounting members 22, two radar devices 12, and two shield members 13, but in one embodiment, each of the pair of left and right radar modules 2L, 2R may have only a bracket 11 including one mounting member 22, one radar device 12, and one shield member 13.

[0054] Although the radar device 12 and the shield member 13 each have a pair of positioning pins 33a, 33b and a pair of positioning pins 44a, 44b, the radar device 12 and the shield member 13 may each have three or more positioning pins. In this case, the mount member 22 is formed with positioning holes corresponding to the number of positioning pins of the radar device 12 and the shield member 13.

[0055] The various embodiments described above can be combined in any manner without causing any inconsistency.

[0056] The present disclosure includes the following: [1] An object detection device having a pair of radar modules arranged on the left and right sides of a vehicle, Each of the pair of left and right radar modules is a radar device that detects objects around the vehicle by transmitting and receiving radio waves; a bracket having a mount member for holding the radar device; a shield member having a radio wave absorbing surface that absorbs a portion of the radio waves from the radar device to adjust the directivity of the radar device; Equipped with An object detection device, wherein the shield members of the pair of left and right radar modules have the same structure and are fixed to the mount member upside down. [2] The radar device has a plurality of first positioning pins, the mounting member has a plurality of first positioning holes that engage with the plurality of first positioning pins, The object detection device according to [1], wherein the radar device is fixed to the mount member with the first positioning pins fitted into the first positioning holes. [3] The shield member has a plurality of second positioning pins, the mounting member has a plurality of second positioning holes that engage with the plurality of second positioning pins, The object detection device according to [2], wherein the shield member is fixed to the mount member with the second positioning pins fitted into the second positioning holes. [4] An object detection device as described in [3], wherein three or more of the multiple first positioning holes and the multiple second positioning holes formed in the mounting member are arranged on the same line. [5] Each of the pair of left and right radar modules includes a first radar device that is the radar device and a second radar device that is different from the first radar device, the bracket has a first mount member that holds the first radar device and a second mount member that holds the second radar device, the first mount member has a mounting surface for the first radar device that is inclined toward the front side of the vehicle with respect to a plane perpendicular to a vehicle width direction, The object detection device described in any one of [1] to [4], wherein the second mounting member has a mounting surface for the second radar device that is inclined toward the rear side of the vehicle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. [6] An object detection device described in any one of [1] to [5], wherein the radar device and the shielding member have bolt holes, and the radar device and the shielding member are fastened to the mounting member by bolts passed through the bolt holes. [7] A fixing structure including a pair of left and right fixing devices arranged on the left and right sides of a vehicle for fixing a pair of left and right radar devices, Each of the pair of left and right fixing devices is a bracket having a mount member for holding the radar device; a shield member having a radio wave absorbing surface that absorbs a portion of the radio waves from the radar device to adjust the directivity of the radar device; Equipped with A fixing structure in which the shield members of the pair of left and right fixing devices have the same structure and are fixed to the mount member upside down. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1...object detection device, 2, 2L, 2R...radar module, 11...bracket, 12a...first radar device, 12b...second radar device, 13a...first shielding member, 13b...second shielding member, 22a...first mounting member, 22b...second mounting member, 24a, 24b, 24c, 34a, 34b, 34c, 45a, 45b...bolt holes, 25a, 25b...first positioning holes, 26a, 26b...second positioning holes, 28...mounting surface, 30...fixing device, 33a, 33b...positioning pins (first positioning pins), 40...fixing structure, 44a, 44b...positioning pins (second positioning pins), 48...radio wave absorbing surface, 50...vehicle, B1, B2, B3...bolts.

Claims

1. An object detection device including a pair of left and right radar modules disposed on the left and right sides of a vehicle, Each of the pair of left and right radar modules is a radar device that detects objects around the vehicle by transmitting and receiving radio waves; a bracket having a mount member for holding the radar device; a shield member having a radio wave absorbing surface that absorbs a portion of the radio waves from the radar device to adjust the directivity of the radar device; Equipped with An object detection device, wherein the shield members of the pair of left and right radar modules have the same structure and are fixed to the mount member upside down.

2. The radar device has a plurality of first positioning pins, the mounting member has a plurality of first positioning holes that engage with the plurality of first positioning pins, The object detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the radar device is fixed to the mount member with the first positioning pins fitted into the first positioning holes.

3. The shield member has a plurality of second positioning pins, the mounting member has a plurality of second positioning holes that engage with the plurality of second positioning pins, The object detection device according to claim 2 , wherein the shield member is fixed to the mount member with the second positioning pins fitted into the second positioning holes.

4. The object detection device according to claim 3 , wherein three or more of the first positioning holes and the second positioning holes formed in the mounting member are arranged on the same line.

5. each of the pair of left and right radar modules includes a first radar device that is the radar device and a second radar device that is different from the first radar device; the bracket has a first mount member that holds the first radar device and a second mount member that holds the second radar device, the first mount member has a mounting surface for the first radar device that is inclined toward the front side of the vehicle with respect to a plane perpendicular to a vehicle width direction, The object detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the second mount member has a mounting surface for the second radar device that is inclined toward the rear side of the vehicle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the vehicle width direction.

6. 2. The object detection device according to claim 1, wherein the radar device and the shield member have bolt holes, and the radar device and the shield member are fastened to the mount member by bolts passed through the bolt holes.

7. A fixing structure including a pair of left and right fixing devices arranged on the left and right sides of a vehicle for fixing a pair of left and right radar devices, Each of the pair of left and right fixing devices is a bracket having a mount member for holding the radar device; a shield member having a radio wave absorbing surface that absorbs a portion of the radio waves from the radar device to adjust the directivity of the radar device; Equipped with A fixing structure in which the shield members of the pair of left and right fixing devices have the same structure and are fixed to the mount member upside down.

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