Vehicle structure

Abstract

To enhance support rigidity of a sensor device.SOLUTION: A vehicle structure 1, which includes a sensor mounting structure for mounting a sensor device 20 arranged in an outer panel 10 constituting a design surface outside a vehicle on the outer panel 10, comprises the outer panel 10, the sensor device 20, and a sensor holding member 30 arranged between the outer panel 10 and the sensor device 20 to hold the sensor device 20. The sensor holding member 30 has a vehicle body-side fixing part 30A fixed to a reinforcement member 40 extending from a vehicle body structure member of the vehicle and a panel-side fixing part 30B fixed to a rear side 10b of the outer panel 10. The sensor device 20 is mounted on the outer panel 10 through the sensor holding member 30 fixed to the reinforcement member 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle structure including a mounting structure for a sensor device that detects an external environment of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, outer panels such as bumpers and grilles that constitute the exterior design surfaces of the vehicle are provided at the front and rear of vehicles such as automobiles, and sensor devices that detect the outside environment of the vehicle using cameras, radar, ultrasound, etc. may be attached to the back surfaces of the outer panels.

[0003] As an example of a mounting structure for a sensor device, a mounting structure for an in-vehicle camera disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In this structure, a resin radiator grill is provided so as to cover a large opening in a front bumper, and a camera unit including a camera body, a bracket, and a cable is fixed to the rear surface of the grill with screws, so that the camera unit is directly mounted to the radiator grill. In this state, the front part of the camera body is fitted into an image capturing opening formed in the radiator grill and is configured to be exposed to the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-65523 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Meanwhile, outer panels constituting the design surface of the outside of a vehicle, such as a grille, are often formed mainly using resin injection moldings, and are low-rigidity members. During driving, vibrations act on the sensor device, and people may touch the sensor device during car washing, etc. In this way, external forces due to vibrations, contact, etc. act on the sensor device attached to the low-rigidity outer panel, and the position of the sensor device may be shifted from the intended position, which may affect the detection accuracy of the sensor device. In addition, the sensor device may be attached not only to the front of the vehicle, but also to the rear or side of the vehicle, and in this case, the same risk may occur.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle structure having a sensor mounting structure capable of increasing the supporting rigidity of a sensor device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle structure including a sensor mounting structure for mounting a sensor device to an outer panel that constitutes a design surface on the outside of the vehicle, the vehicle structure including the outer panel, the sensor device, and a sensor holding member that is disposed between the outer panel and the sensor device and holds the sensor device, the sensor holding member being fixed to a reinforcing member extending from a body structural member of the vehicle, and the sensor device being attached to the outer panel via the sensor holding member fixed to the reinforcing member. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle structure having a sensor mounting structure that can increase the supporting rigidity of a sensor device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. [Diagram 2]2 is a perspective view of a sensor mounting structure of a vehicle structure as viewed from the back side. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view for explaining the mounting state of the sensor device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining components of a vehicle structure. [Diagram 5] 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of the sensor mounting structure as viewed from the rear surface side of the outer panel. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of the sensor mounting structure as viewed from the rear surface side of the outer panel. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main portion of the rear surface of the outer panel. [Figure 8] 11 is a perspective view of a positioned sensor holding member and a sensor device before being fixed; FIG. [Figure 9] 11 is a perspective view of the sensor holding member in a state where it is positioned on the outer panel. FIG. [Figure 10] 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XX shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining a modified example of the sensor mounting structure. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 are diagrams for explaining a vehicle structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle structure 1 as seen from the front of the vehicle, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the sensor mounting structure of the vehicle structure 1 as seen from the back side, and Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the mounting state of the sensor device 20 and an enlarged plan view as seen from the front of the vehicle. In the drawings, the arrow Fr direction indicates the front of the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the arrow O direction indicates the outside of the vehicle (outside in the vehicle width direction) in the vehicle width direction (vehicle width direction), and the arrow U direction indicates the upper side of the vehicle in the vehicle vertical direction. In the following description, "front" and "rear" correspond to the front and rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and "upper" and "lower" correspond to the upper and lower in the vehicle vertical direction. In addition, "left" and "right" correspond to the left and right in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle front side toward the vehicle rear side.

[0011] (Vehicle structure overview) 1 to 3, a vehicle structure 1 is a structure including a sensor mounting structure for mounting a sensor device 20 arranged on an outer panel 10 of a vehicle to the outer panel 10. In this embodiment, the vehicle structure 1 is applied as a front structure of a vehicle, and is configured to mount the sensor device 20 on the back side of the outer panel 10 with an end of the sensor device 20 facing forward of the vehicle and exposed to the outside of the vehicle. Referring to FIG. 3, an annular gap G is provided between the front part of the sensor device 20 (sensor front part 21a described below) and the opening edge of a hole for exposing the sensor device 20 to the outside of the vehicle (sensor exposure hole 31c described below).

[0012] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining components of the vehicle structure 1. Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged perspective views of the main parts of the sensor mounting structure as viewed from the rear surface 10b side of the outer panel 10. In Figs. 5 and 6, a reinforcing member 40 described below has been removed.

[0013] 1 to 6, a vehicle structure 1 includes an outer panel 10, a sensor device 20, a sensor holding member 30, and a reinforcing member 40.

[0014] The outer panel 10 is a member constituting the design surface on the outside of the vehicle, and is an injection-molded resin product in this embodiment. Although not shown, a front bumper is provided at the front of the vehicle. The front bumper has a bumper front portion extending over the entire width of the vehicle and a bumper upper portion extending rearward from the upper portion of the bumper front portion, and a bumper opening V (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) is opened widely at the center of the bumper front portion. In this embodiment, the outer panel 10 is a front grille provided to close the bumper opening V, and constitutes the outer design surface at the center of the front of the vehicle. The outer panel 10 has an outer shape that matches the opening shape of the bumper opening V, and is formed in a roughly rectangular plate shape facing the front of the vehicle. A sensor insertion hole 10a (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is opened at the center of the outer panel 10 in the width direction of the vehicle, and the front portion of the sensor device 20 is exposed to the front of the outer panel 10 through the sensor insertion hole 10a. The outer panel 10 is not limited to a front grille, but may be a front bumper or a decorative member (for example, a metallic member).

[0015] The sensor device 20 is a device that detects the environment outside the vehicle. In this embodiment, the sensor device 20 is an imaging device (vehicle-mounted camera device) that optically detects the environment in front of the vehicle by capturing an image, and is provided on the back surface 10b side of the outer panel 10 at the front of the vehicle. The sensor device 20 is attached to the back surface 10b (back surface of the grille) of the outer panel 10 via a sensor holding member 30.

[0016] In this embodiment, the sensor device 20 has a sensor body 21 and a body support part 22 that supports the sensor body 21. The sensor body 21 and the body support part 22 are combined to form the sensor device 20 (in other words, a sensor unit or a sensor assembly). The sensor body 21 is an imaging part that includes a lens and an imaging element (imaging sensor) and captures and detects an image of an obstacle or the like in front of the vehicle, and is a main body for imaging (detection). A harness H is connected to the sensor body 21, and data such as the captured image is output to a control part of the vehicle through the harness H. The body support part 22 is, for example, a resin injection molded product.

[0017] The sensor holding member 30 is a member that holds the sensor device 20 and constitutes a main element of the sensor mounting structure (a structure for mounting the sensor device 20 to the outer panel 10). The sensor holding member 30 is disposed between the outer panel 10 and the sensor device 20, and is configured to connect between the outer panel 10 (its rear surface 10b) and the sensor device 20 while holding the sensor device 20. The sensor holding member 30 is, for example, a resin injection-molded product.

[0018] The reinforcing member 40 is a member for reinforcing the support rigidity of the sensor device 20 in the sensor mounting structure. The reinforcing member 40 extends in the vertical direction behind the sensor device 20. The reinforcing member 40 extends from a vehicle body structural member 50 (see the dashed line in FIG. 1 ) of the vehicle. The sensor holding member 30 is fixed to the outer panel 10 and also to a lower portion of the reinforcing member 40. The vehicle body structural member 50 is, for example, a hood lock member or a front cross member that extends in the vehicle width direction and serves as a structural member for receiving the front portion of a front hood (not shown). That is, the sensor holding member 30 is fixed to the reinforcing member 40 that extends from the vehicle body structural member 50 of the vehicle.

[0019] In the vehicle structure 1, the sensor device 20 is attached to the sensor holding member 30 and is held by the sensor holding member 30. The sensor holding member 30, which holds the sensor device 20 and connects the sensor device 20 to the outer panel 10, is fixed to the outer panel 10 (here, the back surface 10b) and is fixed to a reinforcing member 40 extending from a vehicle body structural member 50. In this way, the vehicle structure 1 has a sensor mounting structure in which the sensor device 20 is attached to the outer panel 10 via the sensor holding member 30 fixed to the reinforcing member 40. In other words, the sensor holding member 30 has a vehicle body side fixing portion 30A fixed to the reinforcing member 40 extending from the vehicle body structural member 50 and a panel side fixing portion 30B fixed to the back surface 10b of the outer panel 10.

[0020] (Vehicle structure details) The structures of the outer panel 10, the sensor device 20, and the sensor holding member 30 will be described in detail below. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of the rear surface 10b of the outer panel 10, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the sensor holding member 30 positioned on the outer panel 10 and a perspective view of the sensor device 20 before being fixed, Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the sensor holding member 30 positioned on the outer panel 10, and Fig. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line XX shown in Fig. 2.

[0021] (Outer panel) 7, the sensor insertion hole 10a of the outer panel 10 is opened in a shape (approximately octagonal) that matches the outer shape of a sensor cover portion 31 (described later) of the sensor holding member 30. As shown in FIG. 8, the sensor cover portion 31 is fitted into the sensor insertion hole 10a. The sensor insertion hole 10a is located at the center in the vehicle width direction. The outer panel 10 also has a plurality of flat hexagonal air vents 10c (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4). That is, in the illustrated example, the front grille as the outer panel 10 is an intake member.

[0022] 5 to 10, the outer panel 10 has a plurality of protruding legs 11 (first protruding leg 11a, second protruding leg 11b) protruding rearward from the back surface 10b. In this embodiment, the outer panel 10 has two protruding legs 11, and the sensor insertion hole 10a is disposed between the two protruding legs 11. The first protruding leg 11a, which is the right protruding leg 11, has a seating surface 11a1 that abuts against the vehicle body side fixing part 30A, and the second protruding leg 11b, which is the left protruding leg 11, has a seating surface 11b1 that abuts against the left panel side fixing part 30B, which will be described later.

[0023] The first protruding leg 11a has a base 11a2 extending rearward from the rear surface 10b of the outer panel 10, a pillar 11a3 extending rearward from the rear surface of the base 11a2, and a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) seating surface forming plate portions 11a4 extending in the front-rear direction along the outer peripheral surface of the pillar 11a3. The side wall of the base 11a2 on the sensor insertion hole 10a side extends in the up-down direction close to the opening edge of the sensor insertion hole 10a. The pillar 11a3 has a circular cross section, and is formed with a female thread into which the screw 12 (see Figures 2 and 10) is screwed. The rear end surface of each seating surface forming plate portion 11a4 constitutes the seating surface 11a1 of the first protruding leg 11a. A circular fitting hole 30A1 is opened in the vehicle body side fixing part 30A, and when the tip portion of the pillar portion 11a3 (the portion rearward of the seat surface 11a1) is fitted into the fitting hole 30A1, the opening periphery of the fitting hole 30A1 in the vehicle body side fixing part 30A abuts against the seat surface 11a1 and is supported.

[0024] The second protruding leg 11b, like the first protruding leg 11a, has a base 11b2, a pillar 11b3, and a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) seating surface forming plate portions 11b4. The side wall of the base 11b2 on the sensor insertion hole 10a side is spaced from the opening edge of the sensor insertion hole 10a and extends in the vertical direction. The pillar 11b3 has a circular cross section, and is formed with a female thread into which the screw 12 (FIGS. 2, 5, 6, and 10) screws. The rear end surface of each seating surface forming plate portion 11b4 constitutes the seating surface 11b1 of the second protruding leg 11b. A circular fitting hole 30B1 is opened in the left panel side fixing part 30B, and when the tip of the column part 11b3 (the part rearward of the seat surface 11b1) is fitted into the fitting hole 30B1, the opening periphery of the fitting hole 30B1 in the left panel side fixing part 30B abuts against the seat surface 11b1 and is supported.

[0025] (Sensor device) In this embodiment, the sensor device 20 has a device outer surface 20a extending in a direction intersecting with the rear surface 10b of the outer panel 10. The device outer surface 20a is a surface extending in the front-rear and up-down directions so as to intersect with the outer panel 10, which is the front grille, and is provided on a main body support portion 22 (more specifically, a sensor right side wall 222 and a sensor left side wall 223, which will be described later).

[0026] In this embodiment, the main body support portion 22 has a mounting wall 221 facing the outer panel 10 and to which the sensor main body 21 is attached, a sensor right side wall 222 extending rearward from the right end of the mounting wall 221, a sensor left side wall 223 extending rearward from the left end of the mounting wall 221, a sensor right flange 224 extending to the right from the rear of the sensor right side wall 222, and a sensor left flange 225 extending to the left from the rear of the sensor left side wall 223.

[0027] The mounting wall 221 extends generally in the vertical direction and is inclined so as to approach the outer panel 10 as it extends upward. When the sensor body 21 is attached to the mounting wall 221, the sensor body 21 is fixed to the body support part 22 in a posture in which the sensor body 21 is directed forward and downward. The sensor body 21 has a sensor front part 21a that protrudes forward of the mounting wall 221 and a sensor rear part 21b that protrudes rearward of the mounting wall 221. With the sensor front part 21a protruding forward of the mounting wall 221 through an insertion hole opened in the mounting wall 221, the sensor body 21 is fixed to the mounting wall 221 by a machine screw 226. A harness H is connected to the sensor rear part 21b.

[0028] The sensor right side wall 222 and the sensor left side wall 223 face each other with a gap in the vehicle width direction. The right side surface of the sensor right side wall 222 and the left side surface of the sensor left side wall 223 each constitute a part of the device outer surface 20a extending in a direction intersecting with the rear surface 10b of the outer panel 10.

[0029] The sensor right flange 224 and the sensor left flange 225 each extend in the vehicle width direction. In the illustrated example, the sensor right flange 224 is shorter than the sensor left flange 225 in the vehicle width direction, is disposed at a position shifted downward relative to the sensor left flange 225 in the up-down direction, and protrudes downward relative to the lower edge of the sensor left flange 225.

[0030] In this embodiment, the main body support portion 22 has a bulging portion 227 that is located on the reinforcing member 40 side (rearward in the illustrated example) with respect to the mounting wall 221 and bulges outward with respect to the mounting wall 221. The bulging portion 227 is provided on each of the sensor right side wall 222 and the sensor left side wall 223. The bulging portion 227 of the sensor right side wall 222 bulges to the right in the vehicle width direction (toward an opposing right wall 32 described below), and the bulging portion 227 of the sensor left side wall 223 bulges to the left in the vehicle width direction (toward an opposing left wall 33 described below).

[0031] In the body support part 22, the length of the sensor left flange 225 in the vehicle width direction is longer than the length of the sensor right flange 224 in the vehicle width direction. Then, referring to FIG. 8, the body support part 22 has a reinforcing rib 228 that connects the bulging part 227 (device outer surface 20a) of the sensor left wall 223 and the front surface of the sensor left flange 225. Therefore, the surface rigidity of the device outer surface 20a is improved. In addition, a lattice-shaped closed cross-sectional structure part 229 is provided on the rear surface of the sensor left flange 225, and the rigidity of the sensor left flange 225 is improved. And, by connecting the reinforcing rib 228 to the highly rigid sensor left flange 225, the surface rigidity of the device outer surface 20a is further improved. In this manner, in the illustrated example, the sensor left flange 225 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear of the bulging portion 227, and a large bent portion is formed in a portion of the main body support portion 22, but the rigidity around the bent portion is improved by the bulging portion 227, the reinforcing rib 228, and the closed cross-sectional structure portion 229. In addition, a portion of the lattice-shaped closed cross-sectional structure portion 229 extends to the periphery of a screw insertion hole 225a (described later) of the sensor left flange 225, thereby improving the rigidity around the screw insertion hole 225a and suppressing changes in the peripheral surface of the screw insertion hole 225a.

[0032] (Sensor holding member) In this embodiment, the sensor holding member 30 has a sensor cover portion 31 that is fitted into the sensor insertion hole 10a of the outer panel 10. The sensor cover portion 31 is formed so as to surround the sensor front portion 21a from the front side and the outer periphery side. The sensor cover portion 31 has a cover main body 31a formed in a generally hexagonal cylindrical shape and a cover front wall 31b provided at the front end of the cover main body 31a. The cover main body 31a is fitted into the sensor insertion hole 10a from the rear surface 10b side of the outer panel 10, and in this state, protrudes forward of the outer panel 10. A circular sensor exposure hole 31c is opened in the cover front wall 31b, and the front surface of the sensor front portion 21a (front surface of the imaging lens) is exposed to the vehicle exterior area through the sensor exposure hole 31c, so that an image of the front of the vehicle can be captured.

[0033] As described above, the vehicle body side fixing part 30A is a part of the sensor holding member 30 that is fixed to the reinforcing member 40 extending from the vehicle body structural member 50. In this embodiment, the vehicle body side fixing part 30A is located on one side in the vehicle width direction (the right side in the illustrated example) of the sensor cover part 31 (in other words, the sensor insertion hole 10a or the sensor main body 21) in a rear view looking toward the rear surface 10b of the outer panel 10.

[0034] In this embodiment, the vehicle body side fixing part 30A has an opposing wall 32 having a sensor opposing surface 32a facing a part of the device outer surface 20a. In this embodiment, the opposing wall 32 of the vehicle body side fixing part 30A extends rearward continuously from the right side of the cover main body 31a, and the sensor opposing surface 32a faces the sensor right side wall 222. The sensor opposing surface 32a abuts against the sensor right side wall 222 or is located in the vicinity of the sensor right side wall 222. The sensor holding member 30 also has an opposing wall 33 other than the opposing wall 32 of the vehicle body side fixing part 30A. The opposing wall 33 is located on the other side in the vehicle width direction (the left side in the illustrated example) with respect to the sensor cover part 31, and extends rearward continuously from the left side of the cover main body 31a. The sensor opposing surface 33a of the opposing wall 33 faces the sensor left side wall 223, and abuts against the sensor left side wall 223 or is located in the vicinity of the sensor left side wall 223. Hereinafter, the facing wall 32 of the vehicle body side fixing part 30A will be referred to as the right facing wall 32, and the other facing wall 33 will be referred to as the left facing wall 33, where appropriate.

[0035] In this embodiment, the right facing wall 32 and the left facing wall 33 each have an abutment bead (32b, 33b) that protrudes toward the bulging portion 227. Each abutment bead (32b, 33b) extends in the front-rear direction along the sensor facing surface (32a, 33a). The right abutment bead 32b protrudes from the sensor facing surface 32a toward the right bulging portion 227, and the left abutment bead 33b protrudes from the sensor facing surface 33a toward the left bulging portion 227. Each abutment bead (32b, 33b) can abut against the bulging portion 227 of the sensor right side wall 222 and the bulging portion 227 of the sensor left side wall 223, which are located rearward of the mounting wall 221 in the sensor device 20.

[0036] In this embodiment, the vehicle body side fixing part 30A has a vehicle body abutment wall 34 having a vehicle body abutment surface 34a that is fixed by abutting against the reinforcing member 40. The opposing wall 32 (right opposing wall 32) of the vehicle body side fixing part 30A extends from an end of the vehicle body abutment wall 34 (the left end, which is the end on the device outer surface 20a side in the illustrated example) in a direction intersecting with the vehicle body abutment wall 34. The vehicle body abutment wall 34 is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the vertical direction and the vehicle width direction, and the vehicle body abutment surface 34a is formed as a flat surface. The vehicle body abutment wall 34 extends in a direction approximately perpendicular to the right opposing wall 32, and constitutes the vehicle body side fixing part 30A together with the opposing wall 32.

[0037] The vehicle body side fixing part 30A further has a lower wall 35. The lower wall 35 connects between the lower end of the opposing wall 32 and the lower end of the vehicle body abutting wall 34, extends in the front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction, and constitutes the vehicle body side fixing part 30A together with the opposing wall 32 and the vehicle body abutting wall 34.

[0038] The panel-side fixed portion 30B is a portion of the sensor holding member 30 that is fixed to the rear surface 10b of the outer panel 10, as described above.

[0039] In this embodiment, the panel side fixing portion 30B is provided at a plurality of positions on the sensor holding member 30, and one of the panel side fixing portions 30B provided at a plurality of positions also serves as the vehicle body abutment wall 34 of the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A fixed to the reinforcing member 40. Specifically, the panel side fixing portion 30B is provided at one position on the right side of the sensor cover portion 31 and one position on the left side of the sensor cover portion 31, and the right panel side fixing portion 30B also serves as the vehicle body abutment wall 34. That is, the rear surface of the right panel side fixing portion 30B constitutes the vehicle body abutment surface 34a that abuts against the reinforcing member 40 and is fixed thereto, and the front surface of the right panel side fixing portion 30B (the opening periphery of the fitting hole 30A1) abuts against the seat surface 11a1 of the first protruding leg portion 11a. The fitting hole 30A1 is opened in the right panel side fixing portion 30B (the vehicle body abutment wall 34 of the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A).

[0040] In this embodiment, the left panel side fixing part 30B (the panel side fixing part 30B that does not also serve as the vehicle body side fixing part 30A) also serves as a sensor abutment wall 36 (in other words, a sensor fixing part) having a sensor abutment surface 36a against which the main body support part 22 (the sensor left flange 225) abuts and is fixed. That is, the rear surface of the left panel side fixing part 30B constitutes the sensor abutment surface 36a, the front surface of the sensor left flange 225 abuts and is fixed against the rear surface (sensor abutment surface 36a) of the left panel side fixing part 30B, and the front surface (the opening periphery of the fitting hole 30B1) of the left panel side fixing part 30B abuts against the seat surface 11b1 of the second protruding leg part 11b. The fitting hole 30B1 is opened in the left panel side fixing part 30B (sensor abutment wall 36).

[0041] 2 and 10, in this embodiment, the right panel side fixing part 30B (vehicle body side fixing part 30A) is sandwiched between the seat surface 11a1 of the first protruding leg part 11a and the reinforcing member 40. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the circular tip end part of the first protruding leg part 11a fits into the fitting hole 30A1 of the vehicle body abutting wall 34, and with the front surface of the vehicle body abutting wall 34 abutting against the seat surface 11a1, the tip surface of the first protruding leg part 11a is located within the fitting hole 30A1. Then, the screw 12 inserted from the back side of the reinforcing member 40 into the screw insertion hole 40a opened in the lower part of the reinforcing member 40 is screwed into the female thread of the first protruding leg 11a, so that the vehicle body abutting wall 34 (right panel side fixing part 30B) and the reinforcing member 40 are sandwiched between the head of the screw 12 and the seat surface 11a1 of the first protruding leg 11a, and the sensor holding member 30 is fixed to the outer panel 10 and the reinforcing member 40. At this time, the vehicle body abutting surface 34a of the vehicle body abutting wall 34 abuts against the reinforcing member 40, the front surface of the vehicle body abutting wall 34 abuts against the seat surface 11a1, and the right panel side fixing part 30B, which also serves as the vehicle body abutting wall 34, is sandwiched between the seat surface 11a1 and the reinforcing member 40.

[0042] In this embodiment, the left panel side fixing part 30B is sandwiched between the seat surface 11b1 of the second protruding leg 11b and (the sensor left flange 225 of) the main body support part 22. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the circular tip end of the second protruding leg 11b fits into the fitting hole 30B1 of the left sensor abutment wall 36, and with the front surface of the sensor abutment wall 36 abutting against the seat surface 11b1, the tip surface of the second protruding leg 11b is located within the fitting hole 30B1. Then, the screw 12 inserted from the back side of the sensor left flange 225 into the screw insertion hole 225a opened in the sensor left flange 225 of the sensor device 20 is screwed into the female thread of the second protruding leg 11b, so that the left panel side fixing part 30B (sensor abutment wall 36) and the sensor left flange 225 are sandwiched between the head of the screw 12 and the seat surface 11b1 of the second protruding leg 11b of the outer panel 10, and the sensor holding member 30 is fixed to the outer panel 10 together with the sensor device 20. At this time, the sensor abutment surface 36a of the sensor abutment wall 36 abuts against the sensor device 20, the front surface of the sensor abutment wall 36 abuts against the seat surface 11b1, the left panel side fixing part 30B also serving as the sensor abutment wall 36 is sandwiched between the seat surface 11b1 and the main body support part 22, and the sensor device 20 (sensor left flange 225) is fixed (held) to the sensor holding member 30.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first protruding leg 11a has a guide surface 11a5 that faces the surface of the opposing wall 32 (the right opposing wall 32) of the vehicle body side fixed part 30A opposite to the sensor opposing surface 32a. The guide surface 11a5 is a side surface of the first protruding leg 11a on the opposing wall 32 side, and is mainly composed of the surface of the side wall of the base part 11a2 extending in the vertical direction on the opposing wall 32 side. The guide surface 11a5 is in contact with the opposing wall 32 or is located in the vicinity of the opposing wall 32.

[0044] In this embodiment, the sensor holding member 30 has a sensor-dedicated fixing portion 30C to which the sensor device 20 is fastened and fixed among the outer panel 10, the sensor device 20 and the reinforcing member 40, and is provided at a position separated from both the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A and the panel side fixing portion 30B.

[0045] Here, in the sensor holding member 30, basically, the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A is a portion fixed to the reinforcing member 40 (member on the vehicle body structural member 50 side), and each panel side fixing portion 30B is a portion fixed to the outer panel 10. In this embodiment, one (right) panel side fixing portion 30B of the two panel side fixing portions 30B also serves as the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A and is also a portion fixed to the reinforcing member 40, and the other (left) panel side fixing portion 30B is also a portion to which the sensor device 20 is fixed (sensor fixing portion). And, the sensor-only fixing portion 30C is a portion that is not fixed to either the outer panel 10 or the reinforcing member 40, and is a portion to which only the sensor device 20 is fixed. In other words, at the vehicle body side fixing part 30A (right side panel side fixing part 30B), the outer panel 10, the sensor holding member 30 and the reinforcing member 40 are fastened (connected) to each other, at the left side panel side fixing part 30B, the outer panel 10, the sensor holding member 30 and the sensor device 20 are fastened (connected) to each other, and at the sensor-only fixing part 30C, the sensor holding member 30 and the sensor device 20 are fastened (connected) to each other.

[0046] The sensor-dedicated fixing part 30C is disposed between the left and right panel-side fixing parts 30B in the sensor device width direction (vehicle width direction) and at a position close to the right panel-side fixing part 30B (vehicle body-side fixing part 30A). Although not particularly limited, the sensor-dedicated fixing part 30C is disposed at a position below the right panel-side fixing part 30B (vehicle body-side fixing part 30A) in the up-down direction. In this way, the sensor holding member 30 has the sensor-dedicated fixing part 30C that is located around (near) the vehicle body-side fixing part 30A and to which the sensor device 20 (i.e., only the sensor device 20) of the outer panel 10, the sensor device 20, and the reinforcing member 40 is fixed.

[0047] Specifically, the sensor-dedicated fixing part 30C is formed on a base part 31e that is continuous with the right end of an extension wall 31d that extends downward from the rear end lower part of the cover main body 31a and bulges backward. The sensor-dedicated fixing part 30C has a pillar part 37 that protrudes backward from the rear surface of the base part 31e. The base part 31e has a side wall 31e1 that extends backward from the extension wall 31d and the rear end lower right part of the cover main body 31a, and a base wall 31e2 that extends from the rear end of the side wall 31e1 to the vehicle body side fixing part 30A side. The base part 31e forms a step-shaped part that is bent in a staircase shape by the side wall 31e1 and the base wall 31e2. This step-shaped part improves the strength of the base part 31e in the front-rear direction and effectively suppresses the displacement and collapse of the pillar part 37 in the front-rear direction. The pillar portion 37 has a circular cross section, and is formed with an internal thread into which the screw 12 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) screws. For example, the tip surface of the pillar portion 37 forms a seat surface 37a that abuts against the sensor right flange 224 of the sensor device 20. A screw insertion hole 224a is opened in the sensor right flange 224. The screw 12 inserted into the screw insertion hole 224a from the back surface side of the sensor right flange 224 screws into the internal thread of the pillar portion 37 of the sensor dedicated fixing part 30C, whereby the sensor right flange 224 is sandwiched between the head of the screw 12 and the seat surface 37a of the sensor dedicated fixing part 30C, and the sensor device 20 (sensor right flange 224) is fixed (held) to the sensor holding member 30.

[0048] In this embodiment, the sensor holding member 30 has a first engagement portion 38a and a second engagement portion 38b for engagement with the sensor device 20, a first connecting rib 39a, a second connecting rib 39b and a third connecting rib 39c for reinforcement, and a first panel engagement hole 31f and a second panel engagement hole 31g for engagement with the outer panel 10.

[0049] The first engagement portion 38a is located around the vehicle body side fixed portion 30A and engages with the main body support portion 22. Specifically, the first engagement portion 38a is located near the vehicle body side fixed portion 30A and is configured to engage with the sensor right flange 224. The first engagement portion 38a is formed, for example, in a columnar shape having a circular cross section, is located below the lower wall 35 of the vehicle body side fixed portion 30A, and protrudes rearward from the base wall 31e2. The sensor right flange 224 has a first engagement hole 224b opened so as to be adjacent to the screw insertion hole 224a. The first engagement portion 38a is inserted and fitted into the first engagement hole 224b, whereby the sensor right flange 224 of the sensor device 20 is positioned relative to the sensor holding member 30.

[0050] The second engagement portion 38b is located around the left panel side fixing portion 30B (the panel side fixing portion 30B that does not also serve as the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A) and engages with the main body support portion 22. Specifically, the second engagement portion 38b is located near the left panel side fixing portion 30B and is configured to engage with the sensor left flange 225. The second engagement portion 38b is formed, for example, in a columnar shape having a circular cross section and protrudes rearward from the sensor abutment surface 36a of the sensor abutment wall 36. The sensor left flange 225 is provided with a second engagement hole 225b adjacent to the screw insertion hole 225a. The second engagement portion 38b is inserted and fitted into the second engagement hole 225b, whereby the sensor left flange 225 of the sensor device 20 is positioned relative to the sensor holding member 30.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first engagement hole 224b, which is located near the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A, among the two engagement holes (224b, 225b), is used as a positioning reference hole and is opened as a fitting round hole having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the corresponding first engagement portion 38a. On the other hand, the second engagement hole 225b, which is a positioning hole, is opened as an elongated hole so that it can tolerate (absorb) the manufacturing tolerance of the main body support portion 22 and the sensor holding member 30. Specifically, the first engagement hole 224b and the second engagement hole 225b are opened so that the center of the first engagement hole 224b, which is a round hole, is located on an extension line of the center line extending in the longitudinal direction of the second engagement hole 225b. In other words, the second engagement hole 225b is an elongated hole that is long in the extension direction of a virtual line C (see FIG. 11 described later) that passes through the first engagement portion 38a and the second engagement portion 38b. The second engagement hole 225b has a width slightly larger than the outer diameter of the second engagement portion 38b in the short direction of the long hole, similar to the first engagement hole 224b, and engages with the second engagement portion 38b, but has a width sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the second engagement portion 38b in the long direction of the long hole so as to accommodate the manufacturing tolerances.

[0052] Each of the connecting ribs (39a, 39b, 39c) is formed, for example, in a plate shape. The first connecting rib 39a connects the first engaging portion 38a and the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A. The first connecting rib 39a protrudes rearward from the base wall 31e2 and extends from the first engaging portion 38a to the lower wall 35 of the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A. The second connecting rib 39b connects the sensor-dedicated fixing portion 30C and the first engaging portion 38a. The second connecting rib 39b protrudes rearward from the base wall 31e2 and extends from the pillar portion 37 of the sensor-dedicated fixing portion 30C to the first engaging portion 38a. The third connecting rib 39c connects the sensor-dedicated fixing portion 30C and the opposing wall 32 of the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A. The third connecting rib 39c is mainly formed by the side wall 31e1 of the pedestal portion 31e, and extends from the pillar portion 37 to the opposing wall 32 of the sensor-dedicated fixing portion 30C.

[0053] The first panel engagement hole 31f is opened above the sensor exposure hole 31c, and the second panel engagement hole 31g is opened below the sensor exposure hole 31c. That is, the sensor exposure hole 31c is disposed between the first panel engagement hole 31f and the second panel engagement hole 31g. For example, the first panel engagement hole 31f is formed in the upper edge of the cover body 31a, and the second panel engagement hole 31g is formed in the lower edge of the extension wall 31d. Each panel engagement hole (31f, 31g) is formed as an elongated hole that is long in the vehicle width direction. Then, the back surface 10b of the outer panel 10 is formed with a plate-shaped first panel engagement piece 10d that is inserted into the first panel engagement hole 31f and a plate-shaped second panel engagement piece 10e that is inserted into the second panel engagement hole 31g. The first panel engagement piece 10d protrudes rearward from an upper edge of the opening edge of the sensor insertion hole 10a, and the second panel engagement piece 10e protrudes rearward from a lower edge of the opening edge of the sensor insertion hole 10a.

[0054] 8, in the vehicle structure 1 configured as above, the pillar portion 11a3 of the outer panel 10 is inserted into the fitting hole 30A1 of the sensor holding member 30, the pillar portion 11b3 is inserted into the fitting hole 30B1, the first panel engagement piece 10d is inserted into the first panel engagement hole 31f, and the second panel engagement piece 10e is inserted into the second panel engagement hole 31g, thereby positioning the sensor holding member 30 with respect to the outer panel 10. Then, the first engagement portion 38a of the sensor holding member 30 fits into the first engagement hole 224b of the sensor device 20, and the second engagement portion 38b is inserted into the second engagement hole 225b, thereby positioning the sensor device 20 with respect to the sensor holding member 30. 5 and 6, the sensor right flange 224 of the sensor device 20 is fastened to the sensor-dedicated fixing portion 30C of the sensor holding member 30 by the screw 12, the sensor left flange 225 of the sensor device 20 is fastened to the left panel side fixing portion 30B of the sensor holding member 30 by the screw 12, and further, the left panel side fixing portion 30B of the sensor holding member 30 is fastened to the outer panel 10 by the screw 12. In this state, the sensor device 20 is attached to the back surface 10b of the outer panel 10 via the sensor holding member 30 while being held by the sensor holding member 30. In this state, the reinforcing member 40 is fastened to the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A of the sensor holding member 30 by the screw 12, so that the right panel side fixing portion 30B, which also serves as the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A of the sensor holding member 30, is fastened to the outer panel 10 by the screw 12, as shown in FIG.

[0055] 8 and 9, the sensor holding member 30 has a left main body 30L that extends from the edge of the left facing wall 33 to the left and is located forward of the sensor left flange 225. The left main body 30L is formed to bulge generally rearward as a whole. A part of the rear wall of the left main body 30L facing the rear constitutes the sensor abutment wall 36, and the second engagement part 38b is formed on the rear wall. That is, the panel side fixing part 30B (sensor abutment wall 36) and the second engagement part 38b are formed on the left main body 30L. Then, on both the upper and lower surfaces of the left main body 30L, a recess 30La recessed in the vertical direction is formed in a part from the base of the left main body 30L in the vehicle width direction corresponding to the second engagement part 38b. Therefore, the rigidity of the part (support wall) of the rear wall of the left main body 30L that supports the second engagement part 38b is improved. As a result, when an external force (for example, a rotational torque when a bolt is fastened) acts on the second engagement portion 38b, deformation of the support wall supporting the second engagement portion 38b (deformation such that the rear surface of the support wall is bent) is suppressed. Furthermore, the portion of the recess 30La corresponding to the second engagement portion 38b is bent in a stepped shape having a step in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the rigidity of the peripheral portion of the recess 30La around the second engagement portion 38b is more effectively strengthened. Also, the rear wall of the left main body 30L is formed in a stepped shape bent forward from the portion near the right of the second engagement portion 38b. Therefore, the support rigidity for the second engagement portion 38b is more effectively strengthened, and interference between the rear wall of the left main body 30L and the reinforcing rib 228 is avoided.

[0056] Next, the positional relationship of each part in the vehicle structure 1 will be mainly described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a rear view of the sensor holding member 30, and is also an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship of the main elements of the vehicle structure 1.

[0057] 11, for example, the center of the fitting hole 30A1 of the vehicle body side fixing part 30A is defined as the first fastening point P1 (in other words, the first connection point P1 or the first fixed point P1), the center of the fitting hole 30B1 of the left panel side fixing part 30B is defined as the second fastening point P2 (in other words, the second connection point P2 or the second fixed point P2), and the center of the sensor-dedicated fixing part 30C is defined as the third fastening point P3 (in other words, the third connection point P3 or the third fixed point P3). In this case, the outer panel 10, the sensor holding member 30 and the reinforcing member 40 are fastened (connected / fixed) to each other at the first fastening point P1, the outer panel 10, the sensor holding member 30 and the sensor device 20 are fastened (connected / fixed) to each other at the second fastening point P2, and the sensor holding member 30 and the sensor device 20 are fastened (connected / fixed) to each other at the third fastening point P3. The first fastening point P1, the second fastening point P2, and the third fastening point P3 are arranged in a triangular shape (an inverted triangle shape in the illustrated example) with the third fastening point P3 closer to the first fastening point P1.

[0058] 11, the contact beads (32b, 33b) are aligned along a virtual line A passing through the first fastening point P1 and the second fastening point P2. As a result, displacement (misalignment) of the sensor device 20 in the extension direction of the virtual line A, which may occur due to the action of an external force due to vibration, contact, or the like, is suppressed.

[0059] Specifically, the contact beads (32b, 33b) are arranged in the horizontal direction (left-right direction / vehicle width direction in the illustrated example). As a result, the left and right gaps, which are easily noticeable from the outside, of the annular gap G (see FIG. 3) between the sensor front portion 21a and the opening edge of the sensor exposure hole 31c are easily set to be approximately equal by the contact beads (32b, 33b). In addition, since the sensor device 20 is attached to the sensor holding member 30 so as to be sandwiched between the two contact beads (32b, 33b), the sensor device 20 can be easily positioned relative to the sensor holding member 30.

[0060] The arrangement direction of each panel engagement hole (31f, 31g) intersects (orthogonal in the illustrated example) with the arrangement direction of each abutment bead (extension direction of virtual line A) of each abutment bead (32b, 33b), and both ends of the sensor holding member 30 in a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction of the abutment beads (32b, 33b) (up-down direction in the illustrated example) are engaged with the outer panel 10. As a result, displacement of the sensor holding member 30 in a direction intersecting with virtual line A and deformation of the sensor holding member 30 in said direction, which may be caused by the action of an external force, are suppressed. Therefore, the support rigidity for the sensor device 20 is improved and displacement of the sensor device 20 is suppressed.

[0061] The right abutment bead 32b is formed on the side wall (opposing wall 32) of the vehicle body side fixing part 30A that bulges backward, and the left abutment bead 33b is formed on the side wall (opposing wall 33) of the part that connects between the left panel side fixing part 30B and the sensor cover part 31 and bulges backward. That is, each abutment bead (32b, 33b) is formed on the side wall of the bulging part of the sensor holding member 30 that is strengthened by bulging backward. As a result, even if a pressing force acts on the opposing wall (32, 33) due to the abutment of the abutment bead (32b, 33b) against the bulging part 227 of the sensor device 20, deformation of the opposing wall (32, 33) is suppressed. Therefore, the support rigidity for the sensor device 20 is improved and the displacement of the sensor device 20 is suppressed.

[0062] A virtual line B passing through the second fastening point P2 and the third fastening point P3 intersects with the virtual line A, and the three fastening points (P1, P2, P3) which are the centers of the rotational torque generated when the screw 12 is fastened are arranged in a triangular array. As a result, even if the rotational torque acts on one of the fastening points (P1, P2, P3) when the screw is fastened, the force of the rotational torque is shared and received by the other two fastening points, and displacement of the sensor device 20 due to the rotational torque (for example, a slight relative rotation of the sensor device 20 with respect to the sensor holding member 30) is suppressed.

[0063] Since the distance between the two fastening points (P2, P3) which are the fastening points of the sensor device 20 to the sensor holding member 30 is set relatively long on the sensor holding member 30, the sensor device 20 is stably supported on the sensor holding member 30. Furthermore, since the distance between the two engagement parts (38a, 38b) which are the positioning points of the sensor device 20 to the sensor holding member 30 is set to be approximately the same as the distance between the second fastening point P2 and the third fastening point P3, the accuracy of positioning of the sensor device 20 to the sensor holding member 30 is easily improved. Specifically, the imaginary line C passing through the first engagement part 38a and the second engagement part 38b extends parallel to the imaginary line B passing through the fastening points (P2, P3) of the sensor device 20 to the sensor holding member 30, and the first engagement part 38a is located near the second fastening point P2, and the second engagement part 38b is located near the third fastening point P3.

[0064] The second engagement hole 225b into which the second engagement portion 38b is inserted is formed as an elongated hole that is long in the extension direction of the imaginary lines B and C, and the short-side width of the elongated hole is set to a width that allows the second engagement portion 38b to be accurately fitted in. As a result, for example, the sensor device 20 is effectively prevented from rotating generally clockwise about the first engagement portion 38a due to a rotational torque that may be generated when the sensor device 20 is screwed into the sensor-dedicated fixing portion 30C.

[0065] The abutment bead 32b is provided on the opposing wall 32 facing the left side in rear view and is disposed directly above the third fastening point P3. As a result, even if the sensor device 20 rotates clockwise around the first engagement portion 38a during screw fastening, the rotation (misalignment) is effectively restricted. In the illustrated example, a virtual line D passing through the tip (projecting end) of the abutment bead 32b and the third fastening point P3 is perpendicular to the virtual line A.

[0066] The sensor right flange 224 protrudes along the bottom wall 35 of the vehicle body side fixing part 30A. As a result, even if a counterclockwise rotational torque acts on the sensor device 20 due to an external force such as vibration or contact, the counterclockwise rotation of the sensor device 20 is effectively restricted.

[0067] According to the vehicle structure 1 of this embodiment, the sensor holding member 30 arranged between the outer panel 10 and the sensor device 20 and holding the sensor device 20 is fixed to a reinforcing member 40 extending from a vehicle body structural member 50 of the vehicle, and the sensor device 20 is attached to the outer panel 10 via the sensor holding member 30 fixed to the reinforcing member 40. As a result, the sensor holding member 30 is firmly supported by the reinforcing member 40, and the support rigidity of the sensor device 20 by the sensor holding member 30 is improved, and even if an external force due to vibration or contact acts on the sensor device 20 attached to the outer panel 10 with low rigidity, the position of the sensor device 20 is effectively prevented from shifting from the intended position. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the sensor device 20 is maintained. Furthermore, even when the front part (sensor front part 21a) of the sensor device 20 is exposed to the outside of the vehicle, the annular gap G (see FIG. 3) between the sensor front part 21a and the opening edge of the hole for exposure to the outside of the vehicle (sensor exposure hole 31c) is effectively maintained.

[0068] In this manner, the vehicle structure 1 according to this embodiment is a vehicle structure having a sensor mounting structure that can increase the supporting rigidity of the sensor device 20.

[0069] In this embodiment, the sensor holding member 30 has a vehicle body side fixing part 30A fixed to a reinforcing member 40 extending from a vehicle body structural member 50 and a panel side fixing part 30B fixed to the back surface 10b of the outer panel 10, the sensor device 20 has a device outer surface 20a extending in a direction intersecting the outer panel 10 (here, the back surface 10b of the outer panel 10), and the vehicle body side fixing part 30A has an opposing wall 32 having a sensor opposing surface 32a opposing a part of the device outer surface 20a. As a result, the opposing wall 32 effectively prevents the sensor device 20 from shifting from the intended position.

[0070] In this embodiment, the vehicle body side fixing part 30A has a vehicle body abutment wall 34 having a vehicle body abutment surface 34a that is fixed in contact with the reinforcing member 40, and the opposing wall 32 of the vehicle body side fixing part 30A extends from an end of the vehicle body abutment wall 34 in a direction intersecting with the vehicle body abutment wall 34. As a result, the support rigidity of the opposing wall 32 is improved, deformation of the opposing wall 32 is suppressed, and positional deviation of the sensor device 20 is further suppressed.

[0071] In this embodiment, one of the multiple panel side fixing parts 30B also serves as the vehicle body abutting wall 34 and is sandwiched between the seat surface 11a1 of the protruding leg 11 (first protruding leg 11a) of the outer panel 10 and the reinforcing member 40, and the protruding leg 11 (first protruding leg 11a) has a guide surface 11a5 facing the surface of the opposing wall 32 opposite the sensor facing surface 32a. As a result, the vehicle body abutting wall 34 of the sensor holding member 30 is firmly held by the sandwiching structure, and deformation of the opposing wall 32 is effectively suppressed by the guide surface 11a5.

[0072] In this embodiment, the body support part 22 of the sensor device 20 has a mounting wall 221 to which the sensor body 21 is attached, and a bulging part 227 located on the reinforcing member 40 side of the mounting wall 221 and bulging outward from the mounting wall 221, the bulging part 227 having a part of the device outer surface 20a, and the opposing wall 32 has an abutment bead 32b protruding toward the bulging part 227. In other words, the abutment point of the abutment bead 32b is set to the bulging part 227 which is strengthened by bulging outward in the sensor device 20. As a result, even if a pressing force acts on the sensor device 20 due to the abutment bead 32b being in contact with the sensor device 20, deformation or displacement of the sensor device 20 is suppressed.

[0073] In this embodiment, the sensor holding member 30 has a first engagement portion 38a located around the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A and engaging with the main body support portion 22, and a first connecting rib 39a connecting the first engagement portion 38a and the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A. As a result, the support rigidity of the first engagement portion 38a is improved. Therefore, even if an external force due to vibration, contact, or the like acts on the sensor device 20, the displacement (fall) of the first engagement portion 38a is suppressed, and the positional deviation of the sensor device 20 is more effectively suppressed.

[0074] In this embodiment, the sensor holding member 30 has a sensor-dedicated fixing portion 30C located around the vehicle body side fixing portion 30A and to which only the sensor device 20 is fixed, a second connecting rib 39b connecting the sensor-dedicated fixing portion 30C and the first engagement portion 38a, and a third connecting rib 39c connecting the sensor-dedicated fixing portion 30C and the opposing wall 32. As a result, the support rigidity of the sensor-dedicated fixing portion 30C and the first engagement portion 38a is improved, and their displacement (falling) is also suppressed, positional deviation of the sensor device is significantly suppressed, and further the rigidity of the opposing wall 32 is also improved.

[0075] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and further modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0076] For example, in this embodiment, the contact beads (32b, 33b) are provided on the sensor holding member 30, but as shown in Fig. 12, they may be provided on the device outer surface 20a of the sensor device 20. In this case, the contact beads (32b, 33b) may be provided on the left and right bulges 227 of the body support part 22 of the sensor device 20, respectively.

[0077] In addition, in this embodiment, the sensor device 20 and the sensor holding member 30 are disposed on the back surface 10b side of the outer panel 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sensor device 20 and the sensor holding member 30 may be disposed in a through-hole (opening) formed in the outer panel 10 and penetrating in the front-rear direction. In addition, when a sensor accommodating section is provided on the surface of the outer panel 10 opposite the back surface 10b, the sensor device 20 and the sensor holding member 30 may be disposed on the side of the outer panel 10 opposite the back surface 10b. In this case, it is preferable that the vehicle body structure 1 sandwiches the outer panel 10 between the reinforcing member 40 and the vehicle body side fixing part 30A, and connects the reinforcing member 40, the vehicle body side fixing part 30A, and the outer panel 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1. Vehicle structure 10…Outer panel 10b…Back side 11a...First protruding leg (protruding leg) 11a1…Seat 11a5...Guide surface 20...Sensor device 20a…External surface of the device 21…Sensor body 22…Body support part 221...Mounting wall 227…bulge 30...Sensor holding member 30A…Vehicle body side fixing part 30B…Panel side fixing part 30C…Sensor dedicated fixing part 32…Facing wall 32a…Sensor facing surface 32b…Contact bead 34…Car body contact wall 34a…Vehicle body contact surface 38a...first engagement portion 39a…First connecting rib 39b…Second connecting rib 39c…Third connecting rib 40…Reinforcing member 50…Body structural members

Claims

1. A vehicle structure including a sensor mounting structure for mounting a sensor device to an outer panel constituting a design surface on an outer side of a vehicle, the sensor mounting structure comprising: The outer panel; The sensor device; a sensor holding member disposed between the outer panel and the sensor device and holding the sensor device; Including, the sensor holding member is fixed to a reinforcing member extending from a body structural member of the vehicle, A vehicle structure, characterized in that the sensor device is attached to the outer panel via the sensor holding member fixed to the reinforcing member.

2. the sensor holding member has a vehicle body side fixing portion fixed to the reinforcing member and a panel side fixing portion fixed to the outer panel, the sensor device has an outer surface extending in a direction intersecting the outer panel; The vehicle structure according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle body side fixed portion has an opposing wall having a sensor opposing surface that faces a portion of the outer surface of the device.

3. the vehicle body side fixing portion has a vehicle body abutment wall having a vehicle body abutment surface that abuts against and is fixed to the reinforcing member, The vehicle structure according to claim 2 , wherein the opposing wall extends from an end of the vehicle body abutment wall in a direction intersecting the vehicle body abutment wall.

4. the outer panel includes a protruding leg portion having a seat surface that abuts against a surface of the vehicle body abutment wall opposite to the vehicle body abutment surface, the panel side fixing portion is provided at a plurality of positions on the sensor holding member, One of the panel-side fixing portions provided at the plurality of locations also serves as the vehicle body abutment wall and is sandwiched between the seat surface and the reinforcing member, The vehicle structure according to claim 3 , wherein the protruding leg portion has a guide surface that faces a surface of the facing wall opposite the sensor facing surface.

5. The sensor device includes a sensor body and a body support portion that supports the sensor body, the body support portion has a mounting wall to which the sensor body is attached, and a bulging portion that is located on a reinforcing member side of the mounting wall and bulges outward from the mounting wall, the bulging portion having a part of an outer surface of the device, The vehicle structure according to claim 2 , wherein the opposing wall has an abutment bead that protrudes toward the bulging portion.

6. The vehicle structure according to claim 5 , wherein the sensor holding member has a first engagement portion located around the vehicle body side fixed portion and engaging with the main body support portion, and a first connecting rib connecting the first engagement portion and the vehicle body side fixed portion.

7. 7. The vehicle structure described in claim 6, wherein the sensor holding member has a sensor-dedicated fixing portion located around the vehicle body side fixing portion and to which the sensor device is fixed among the outer panel, the sensor device and the reinforcing member, a second connecting rib connecting the sensor-dedicated fixing portion to the first engagement portion, and a third connecting rib connecting the sensor-dedicated fixing portion to the opposing wall.

Images