Object sensor element mounting structure

Abstract

To provide an object sensor mounting structure which simultaneously meets requirements of minimizing functional loss of an object sensor and of increasing the design flexibility of an exterior member.SOLUTION: A mounting structure 10 for mounting an object sensor 11 arranged on the outer side of a vehicle body 2 and on a cabin side of an exterior member 3 to the vehicle body is provided, the mounting structure comprising a bracket 12 for accommodating the object sensor and a coupling member 13 for coupling the bracket to the vehicle body. The coupling member comprises a support member 38 for supporting the bracket in such a way that the bracket can move toward the inside and outside of the vehicle, and a pressing member 39 for pressing the bracket toward the outside of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting structure for an object sensor. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, efforts to provide access to sustainable transportation systems that take into consideration vulnerable transport participants have been gaining momentum. To achieve this, efforts are being made to further improve traffic safety and convenience through research and development of preventive safety technology. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mounting structure in which an object detection device (object sensor) that detects the presence or absence of an object ahead of the vehicle and the relative distance, etc., is attached to the vehicle body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4331152 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object sensor may be disposed on the exterior side of the vehicle body and on the interior side of an exterior member such as a bumper. In this case, it is preferable to place the object sensor away from the exterior member in order to prevent loss of function of the object sensor due to an external impact (i.e., it is preferable to place the object sensor as close to the vehicle body as possible).

[0005] However, when the object sensor is moved away from the exterior member, the area of ​​the portion of the exterior member through which the radio waves from the object sensor pass (hereinafter referred to as the "sensor field of view") increases. In recent years, the field of view (FoV) of the object sensor may be expanded in order to expand the area in which objects are detected. As the FoV of the object sensor expands, the area of ​​the sensor field of view portion of the exterior member also increases. Since the sensor field of view portion of the exterior member has design constraints (e.g., curvature constraints) in consideration of the function of the object sensor, as the area of ​​the sensor field of view portion of the exterior member increases, the design constraints of the exterior member also increase.

[0006] In this way, there is a trade-off between the need to suppress loss of function of the object sensor and the need to increase the degree of freedom in the design of the exterior member, and it is difficult to satisfy both at the same time.

[0007] In view of the above background, the present invention aims to provide an object sensor mounting structure that simultaneously satisfies the demands for suppressing loss of function of the object sensor and the demands for increasing the degree of freedom in the design of the exterior member, and ultimately contributes to the development of a sustainable transportation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a mounting structure (10) for mounting an object sensor (11) arranged on the exterior side of a vehicle body (2) and the interior side of an exterior member (3) to the vehicle body, the mounting structure (10) including a bracket (12) that receives the object sensor and connecting members (13A-13C) that connect the bracket to the vehicle body, the connecting member having a support member (38) that supports the bracket movably in and out of the vehicle, and a biasing member (39) that biases the bracket toward the exterior side of the vehicle.

[0009] According to this aspect, the biasing member biases the object sensor toward the exterior of the vehicle via the bracket, so that the object sensor can be brought closer to the exterior member. This makes it possible to reduce the area of ​​the sensor's field of view of the exterior member, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in designing the exterior member. When the exterior member receives an impact from the outside, the object sensor and the bracket are displaced from the exterior to the interior of the vehicle against the biasing force of the biasing member. This reduces the impact applied to the object sensor, thereby suppressing damage to the object sensor, i.e., loss of function of the object sensor. As described above, it is possible to simultaneously satisfy the demands of suppressing loss of function of the object sensor and increasing the degree of freedom in designing the exterior member.

[0010] In the above aspect, the support member may have an axis portion (41) extending in the vehicle interior / exterior direction, and the biasing member may be a coil spring arranged around the axis portion and capable of expanding and contracting in the vehicle interior / exterior direction.

[0011] According to this aspect, the support member and the biasing member can be arranged compactly.

[0012] In the above-mentioned aspect, the bracket has a through hole (32) penetrating in the vehicle interior / exterior direction, the shaft portion is arranged to penetrate the through hole, the support member has a flange portion (42) protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion and abutting the vehicle exterior surface of the bracket around the through hole, and the vehicle exterior end (39A) of the coil spring abuts the vehicle interior surface of the bracket around the through hole.

[0013] According to this aspect, in a normal state where no external impact is being applied to the object sensor or the bracket, the coil spring biases the object sensor toward the exterior of the vehicle, while the flange abuts against the exterior surface of the bracket, thereby preventing the bracket and the object sensor from coming off the shaft due to the biasing force of the coil spring.

[0014] In the above aspect, the vehicle body may have an insertion hole (47) penetrating in the vehicle interior-exterior direction, and the shaft portion may be fixed to the vehicle body by fitting into the insertion hole.

[0015] According to this aspect, the shaft portion is not displaced toward the inside of the vehicle, so that the bracket and the object sensor can be attached to the vehicle body more stably.

[0016] In the above aspect, the vehicle body may have an insertion hole (47) penetrating in the vehicle interior / exterior direction, and the support member may pass through the insertion hole and be supported by the vehicle body so as to be movable in the vehicle interior / exterior direction together with the bracket.

[0017] According to this aspect, when the exterior member receives an external impact, the shaft portion, in addition to the object sensor and the bracket, is displaced from the exterior side to the interior side of the vehicle against the biasing force of the biasing member, thereby further mitigating the impact applied to the object sensor.

[0018] In the above aspect, an end (39B) of the coil spring on the vehicle interior side may abut against the vehicle body.

[0019] According to this aspect, since no new member is required for fixing the coil spring, the object sensor can be attached to the vehicle body with a simpler configuration.

[0020] In the above-mentioned aspect, the support member may further have a base portion (65) protruding radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion, on the vehicle interior side of the flange portion, and the vehicle interior end portion (39B) of the coil spring may abut against the base portion.

[0021] According to this aspect, even if the distance between the vehicle body and the exterior member in the vehicle interior / exterior direction becomes long, the urging force can be reliably transmitted to the bracket.

[0022] In the above aspect, the bracket has a receiving portion (18) that receives the object sensor and a pair of protrusions (19) that protrude on both sides from the receiving portion, and at least three connecting members may be provided, including a first connecting member (13A) that engages with the upper part of one of the protrusions and a second connecting member (13B) that engages with the lower part of the other protrusion.

[0023] According to this aspect, the bracket can be stably attached to the vehicle body.

[0024] In the above aspect, the object sensor may be disposed at a position closer to the exterior member than to the vehicle body.

[0025] According to this aspect, the area of ​​the sensor field of view of the exterior member can be reduced, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in designing the exterior member. Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the above configuration, in the mounting structure for the object sensor, it is possible to simultaneously satisfy the demand for suppressing loss of function of the object sensor and the demand for increasing the degree of freedom in the design of the exterior member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle provided with an object sensor mounting structure according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an attachment structure of an object sensor according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of an object sensor mounting structure according to a first embodiment, seen from the vehicle exterior side; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a mounting structure for an object sensor according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure in which a shaft portion of the mounting structure for an object sensor according to a first embodiment is supported by a vehicle body; [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a modification of the mounting structure for the object sensor according to the first embodiment; [Figure 7]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure in which a shaft portion of the mounting structure for an object sensor according to a second embodiment is supported by a vehicle body. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure in which a shaft portion of the mounting structure for an object sensor according to a third embodiment is supported by a vehicle body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle 1 provided with a mounting structure for an object sensor 11 according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as a "sensor mounting structure 10") will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] (First embodiment) As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 1 is, for example, a four-wheeled automobile. The vehicle 1 has a vehicle body 2 that is long in the front-rear direction. A rear bumper 3 (an example of an exterior member) is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2. The rear bumper 3 extends in the left-right direction and covers the rear of a bumper beam (not shown).

[0030] As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle body 2 has a main plate 2A provided at the left and right rear corners, and a sub-plate 2B fixed to the vehicle exterior side of the main plate 2A. The main plate 2A has a complex curved shape. The sub-plate 2B is a member for arranging the object sensor 11 so that millimeter waves (radio waves) from the object sensor 11, which will be described later, are emitted in an appropriate direction. The sub-plate 2B has a flat portion 5 facing a main wall portion 21 of a bracket 12 that receives the object sensor 11, which will be described later. A gap may be formed between the flat portion 5 and the main plate 2A facing it.

[0031] The sensor mounting structure 10 is a structure for mounting an object sensor 11 to a vehicle body 2. Specifically, the object sensor 11 is disposed between a sub-plate 2B of the vehicle body 2 and the rear bumper 3.

[0032] In this embodiment, the object sensor 11 is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2. Therefore, the rear side of the vehicle 1 is the exterior side of the sensor mounting structure 10, and the front side of the vehicle 1 is the interior side of the sensor mounting structure 10. The direction from the front side to the rear side is the interior / exterior direction of the sensor mounting structure 10. Below, the sensor mounting structure 10 will be described based on a state in which the object sensor 11 is mounted on the vehicle body 2.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor mounting structure 10 has an object sensor 11, a bracket 12 that receives the object sensor 11, and a plurality of connecting members 13A to 13C that connect the bracket 12 to the vehicle body 2.

[0034] The object sensor 11 detects obstacles around the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the object sensor 11 is a millimeter wave radar. The millimeter wave radar may have a known configuration having, for example, a sensor body (not shown) including a circuit board, an irradiating antenna for irradiating millimeter waves (radio waves), and a receiving antenna for receiving the reflected waves, a casing 14 that houses the sensor body, and a connector portion 16 that houses a sensor side terminal (not shown) connected to the circuit board. The casing 14 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The connector portion 16 has a flat cylindrical shape. The connector portion 16 extends downward from the bottom surface of the casing 14.

[0035] 2 and 3, the bracket 12 is made of, for example, a resin material. The bracket 12 has a receiving portion 18 that receives the object sensor 11 and a pair of protruding portions 19 that protrude outwardly to the left and right from both the left and right sides of the receiving portion 18.

[0036] The receiving portion 18 has a main wall portion 21 arranged on the vehicle interior side relative to the object sensor 11, a pair of side wall portions 22 extending from both the left and right sides of the main wall portion 21 toward the vehicle exterior side, a bottom wall portion 23 extending from a lower end of the main wall portion 21 toward the vehicle exterior side, and a connecting portion 24 connecting the vehicle exterior ends of the left and right side wall portions 22. An opening 25 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the bottom wall portion 23. When the object sensor 11 is received in the receiving portion 18, the casing 14 is disposed in a space surrounded by the main wall portion 21, the left and right side wall portions 22, the bottom wall portion 23, and the connecting portion 24, and the connector portion 16 is disposed so as to penetrate the opening 25.

[0037] Each of the overhanging portions 19 has a main body portion 28 extending outwardly to the left and right from the corresponding left and right sides of the main wall portion 21, one or more plate-shaped portions 29A to 29C arranged on the vehicle inner side of the main body portion 28, and a leg portion 30 (see FIG. 2) extending in the vehicle interior / exterior direction and connecting the main body portion 28 and the plate-shaped portions 29A to 29C. The receiving portion 18 and each of the overhanging portions 19 are integrally formed. In this embodiment, a first plate-shaped portion 29A is arranged on an upper portion of the main body portion 28 of one of the overhanging portions 19, a second plate-shaped portion 29B is arranged on a lower portion of the main body portion 28 of the other overhanging portion 19, and a third plate-shaped portion 29C is arranged on a lower portion of the main body portion 28 of the one of the overhanging portions 19. Since the multiple plate-shaped portions 29A to 29C have the same configuration, only the first plate-shaped portion 29A will be described below, and descriptions of the second plate-shaped portion 29B and the third plate-shaped portion 29C will be omitted.

[0038] 3, the first plate-shaped portion 29A is formed with a circular through-hole 32 penetrating in the vehicle interior / exterior direction. The first plate-shaped portion 29A is provided with a cylindrical portion 34 extending from the vehicle exterior surface of the first plate-shaped portion 29A around the through-hole 32 toward the vehicle exterior, and a plurality of reinforcing portions 36 extending radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 34. The cylindrical portion 34 is provided such that its central axis passes through the center of the through-hole 32. Some of the plurality of reinforcing portions 36 are joined to the leg portion 30.

[0039] The multiple connecting members 13A to 13C include a first connecting member 13A that engages with the first plate-shaped portion 29A, a second connecting member 13B that engages with the second plate-shaped portion 29B, and a third connecting member 13C that engages with the third plate-shaped portion 29C. Since the multiple connecting members 13A to 13C have the same configuration, only the first connecting member 13A will be described below, and descriptions of the second connecting member 13B and the third connecting member 13C will be omitted.

[0040] As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the first connecting member 13A has a support member 38 that supports the bracket 12 movably in the vehicle interior / exterior direction, and a biasing member 39 that biases the bracket 12 toward the exterior side of the vehicle.

[0041] The support member 38 has a shaft portion 41 extending in the vehicle interior / exterior direction, and a flange portion 42 protruding radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 41. The shaft portion 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The shaft portion 41 engages with the through hole 32 of the first plate-shaped portion 29A. That is, when the shaft portion 41 is inserted into the through hole 32 of the first plate-shaped portion 29A, the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 41 is in sliding contact with the edge portion of the first plate-shaped portion 29A that defines the through hole 32. The outer end of the shaft portion 41 on the vehicle exterior side is disposed on the vehicle exterior side of the through hole 32 of the first plate-shaped portion 29A. At this time, the outer end of the shaft portion 41 on the vehicle exterior side is disposed at a position closer to the rear bumper 3 than the vehicle body 2 (see FIG. 4).

[0042] 4 and 5, a protrusion 43 is provided on the end of the shaft portion 41 on the vehicle interior side, the protrusion 43 protruding toward the vehicle interior side from the end face on the vehicle interior side of the shaft portion 41. In this embodiment, the diameter of the protrusion 43 is smaller than the diameter of the portion of the shaft portion 41 other than the protrusion 43.

[0043] The flange portion 42 is provided on the end portion of the shaft portion 41 on the vehicle exterior side. The diameter of the flange portion 42 is at least larger than the diameter of the through hole 32 of the first plate-shaped portion 29A. More specifically, the diameter of the flange portion 42 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 34 of the first plate-shaped portion 29A. When the shaft portion 41 is engaged with the first plate-shaped portion 29A, the flange portion 42 is disposed on the vehicle exterior side of the cylindrical portion 34 of the first plate-shaped portion 29A.

[0044] 4 and 5, the urging member 39 is a coil spring that can expand and contract in the vehicle interior and exterior directions. For example, the urging member 39 is a compression coil spring that is arranged in a state compressed further than its natural length. However, the urging member 39 may also be a coil spring that is arranged at its natural length. The urging member 39 is arranged around the shaft portion 41. An outer end portion 39A of the urging member 39 is arranged on the vehicle interior side relative to the first plate-shaped portion 29A.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle body 2 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 47 penetrating in the vehicle interior / exterior direction. In this embodiment, each insertion hole 47 is provided in the flat surface portion 5 of the sub-plate 2B of the vehicle body 2. Each insertion hole 47 is provided in the sub-plate 2B of the vehicle body 2 so as to align with the through holes 32 of each plate-shaped portion 29A to 29C when viewed in the vehicle interior / exterior direction. Each insertion hole 47 is fitted with each of the multiple connecting members 13A to 13C. Since each insertion hole 47 has the same configuration, only the insertion hole 47 that aligns with the first plate-shaped portion 29A and fits with the first connecting member 13A will be described below.

[0046] Each insertion hole 47 has a circular shape that is approximately equal to the diameter of the protruding portion 43 of the shaft portion 41 of the first connecting member 13A. In this embodiment, a fixing member 48 is provided on the vehicle interior surface of the subplate 2B of the vehicle body 2 around each insertion hole 47. The fixing member 48 may be provided on the vehicle exterior surface of the subplate 2B of the vehicle body 2. The fixing member 48 is provided with a through hole 49 that penetrates in the vehicle interior / exterior direction and has a circular shape that is approximately equal to the diameter of the protruding portion 43 of the shaft portion 41 of the first connecting member 13A. The through hole 49 of the fixing member 48 is aligned with the insertion hole 47 of the subplate 2B of the vehicle body 2 when viewed in the vehicle interior / exterior direction.

[0047] The protrusion 43 of the shaft portion 41 of the first connecting member 13A fits into the insertion hole 47 of the subplate 2B of the vehicle body 2 and the through hole 49 of the fixing member 48. This causes the shaft portion 41 of the first connecting member 13A to be fixed to the subplate 2B of the vehicle body 2.

[0048] In another embodiment, the fixing member 48 may be, for example, a weld nut fixed to the subplate 2B of the vehicle body 2. In this case, a thread that screws into the weld nut may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the protruding portion 43 of the shaft portion 41 of the first connecting member 13A. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the shaft portion 41 of the first connecting member 13A may be fixed to the subplate 2B of the vehicle body 2 by a snap-fit ​​mechanism.

[0049] When the shaft portion 41 of the first connecting member 13A is fixed to the subplate 2B of the car body 2, the inner-side end 39B of the urging member 39 abuts against the outer-side surface of the subplate 2B of the car body 2, and the outer-side end 39A of the urging member 39 abuts against the inner-side surface of the first plate-shaped portion 29A around the through-hole 32. As a result, the urging member 39 urges the bracket 12 toward the outer side of the car. In a state where no external impact is transmitted to the object sensor 11 or the bracket 12 (hereinafter referred to as the normal state), the inner-side surface of the flange portion 42 abuts against the outer-side end surface of the cylindrical portion 34 of the first plate-shaped portion 29A.

[0050] 4, the object sensor 11 is disposed on the exterior side of the vehicle body 2 and on the interior side of the rear bumper 3. Specifically, the object sensor 11 is disposed at a position closer to the rear bumper 3 than the sub-plate 2B of the vehicle body 2 by adjusting the length of the shaft portion 41 in the interior / exterior direction of the vehicle. The object sensor 11 is preferably disposed close to the rear bumper 3 while not contacting the interior side surface of the rear bumper 3. The distance between the exterior side surface of the object sensor 11 and the interior side surface of the rear bumper 3 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, about 10 mm.

[0051] Next, an example of a method for attaching the object sensor 11 to the vehicle body 2 will be described. When the object sensor 11 is attached to the vehicle body 2, the object sensor 11 is first held by the bracket 12. Specifically, the object sensor 11 is inserted into the receiving portion 18 from an opening on the opposite side to the lower wall portion 23 of the receiving portion 18. In this way, the object sensor 11 is held by the bracket 12.

[0052] Next, the bracket 12 is attached to the sub-plate 2B of the vehicle body 2. Specifically, first, the shaft portion 41 of each of the connecting members 13A to 13C is inserted into the through hole 32 of the corresponding plate-shaped portion 29A to 29C. That is, the shaft portion 41 of the first connecting member 13A is inserted into the through hole 32 of the first plate-shaped portion 29A from the outside of the vehicle toward the inside of the vehicle. The shaft portion 41 of the second connecting member 13B is inserted into the through hole 32 of the second plate-shaped portion 29B from the outside of the vehicle toward the inside of the vehicle. The shaft portion 41 of the third connecting member 13C is inserted into the through hole 32 of the third plate-shaped portion 29C from the outside of the vehicle toward the inside of the vehicle. As a result, each shaft portion 41 engages with the protruding portion 19 of the bracket 12. At this time, the flange portion 42 of the shaft portion 41 of each of the connecting members 13A to 13C is disposed on the outside of the vehicle with respect to the cylindrical portion 34 of the corresponding plate-shaped portion 29A to 29C. Then, the corresponding biasing members 39 are placed on the outer periphery of each shaft portion 41. Then, the protruding portions 43 of the shaft portions 41 of each of the connecting members 13A to 13C are inserted from the outer side of the vehicle toward the inner side of the vehicle into the corresponding insertion holes 47 of the subplate 2B of the vehicle body 2 and the through holes 49 of the fixing members 48. In this manner, the object sensor 11 is attached to the vehicle body 2.

[0053] The operation and effects of the sensor mounting structure 10 configured as above will be described.

[0054] The biasing member 39 biases the object sensor 11 toward the outside of the vehicle via the bracket 12, so that the object sensor 11 can be brought closer to the rear bumper 3. The object sensor 11 is also disposed at a position closer to the rear bumper 3 than the sub-plate 2B of the vehicle body 2. This makes it possible to reduce the area of ​​the sensor field of view portion of the rear bumper 3 through which radio waves from the object sensor 11 pass. This makes it possible to increase the degree of freedom in the design of the rear bumper 3 (for example, the degree of freedom in setting the curvature).

[0055] The object sensor 11 and the bracket 12 are supported by the shafts 41 of the connecting members 13A to 13C so as to be movable in the vehicle interior and exterior directions. When the rear bumper 3 receives an impact from the outside, the impact is transmitted to the object sensor 11 via the rear bumper 3. At this time, the biasing members 39 are compressed in the vehicle interior and exterior directions, and the object sensor 11 and the bracket 12 are displaced from the vehicle exterior to the vehicle interior against the biasing forces of the biasing members 39. This reduces the impact applied to the object sensor 11, thereby suppressing damage to the object sensor 11, i.e., suppressing loss of function of the object sensor 11. As a result, it is possible to simultaneously satisfy the demand for suppressing loss of function of the object sensor 11 and the demand for increasing the degree of freedom in designing the rear bumper 3. This, in turn, contributes to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0056] The bracket 12 is attached to the subplate 2B of the vehicle body 2 by a first connecting member 13A that engages with the first plate-shaped portion 29A, a second connecting member 13B that engages with the second plate-shaped portion 29B, and a third connecting member 13C that engages with the third plate-shaped portion 29C. This allows the bracket 12 to be stably attached to the vehicle body 2.

[0057] Since the protruding portions 43 of the shaft portions 41 of the corresponding connecting members 13A to 13C are fitted into the insertion holes 47 of the subplate 2B of the vehicle body 2, the shaft portions 41 are not displaced toward the vehicle interior. Therefore, the bracket 12 and the object sensor 11 can be attached to the vehicle body 2 more stably.

[0058] A flange portion 42 is provided on the vehicle exterior end of the shaft portion 41 of each of the connecting members 13A to 13C, and in a normal state, the vehicle interior surface of the flange portion 42 abuts on the vehicle exterior end surface of the cylindrical portion 34 of the corresponding plate-like portion 29A to 29C. This prevents the bracket 12 and the object sensor 11 from coming off each shaft portion 41 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 39.

[0059] Since the biasing member 39 (coil spring) is disposed around the shaft portion 41 for supporting the bracket 12, the support members 38 and the biasing member 39 can be disposed compactly.

[0060] Since the inner end 39B of each biasing member 39 abuts the outer surface of the subplate 2B of the vehicle body 2, no new members are required to fix each biasing member 39, and the object sensor 11 can be attached to the vehicle body 2 with a simpler configuration.

[0061] In the first embodiment described above, the third connecting member 13C engages with the lower part of one of the protruding parts 19 of the bracket 12. In other embodiments, the position at which the third connecting member 13C engages with the bracket 12 may be changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the third connecting member 13C may engage with the upper center of the receiving part 18 of the bracket 12.

[0062] In the first embodiment, the sensor mounting structure 10 includes three connecting members 13A to 13C. In other embodiments, the sensor mounting structure 10 may include four or more connecting members, or may include only one or two connecting members. However, in order to stably connect the bracket 12 to the vehicle body 2 with the connecting members, it is preferable that the sensor mounting structure 10 includes at least three or more connecting members.

[0063] Second embodiment A sensor mounting structure 60 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The sensor mounting structure 60 according to the second embodiment differs from the sensor mounting structure 10 according to the first embodiment only in the configuration of the support member 62 of the connecting member 61. Configurations similar to those of the sensor mounting structure 10 according to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Similar to the first embodiment, a plurality of connecting members 61 are provided and engage with the corresponding plate-shaped portions 29A to 29C. Since the configurations of the plurality of connecting members 61 are similar, only the connecting member 61 that engages with the first plate-shaped portion 29A will be described, and descriptions of the connecting members 61 that engage with the second plate-shaped portion 29B and the third plate-shaped portion 29C will be omitted.

[0064] The support member 62 of the connecting member 61 has a shaft portion 63 extending in the vehicle interior / exterior direction, a flange portion 64 protruding radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 63, and a base portion 65 provided on the vehicle interior side of the flange portion 64. In this embodiment, the base portion 65 protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the end portion on the vehicle exterior side of the protruding portion 66 of the shaft portion 63. The outer diameter of the base portion 65 is larger than the diameter of the shaft portion 63.

[0065] The urging member 39 of the connecting member 61 is disposed between the flange portion 64 and the base portion 65. Specifically, an end portion 39A on the vehicle exterior side of the urging member 39 abuts against the vehicle interior side surface of the first plate-shaped portion 29A around the through-hole 32, and an end portion 39B on the vehicle interior side of the urging member 39 abuts against the vehicle exterior side surface of the base portion 65.

[0066] Since the biasing member 39 is disposed between the flange portion 64 and the base portion 65, the biasing force can be reliably transmitted to the bracket 12 even if the distance between the vehicle body 2 and the rear bumper 3 in the vehicle interior / exterior direction becomes long.

[0067] Third embodiment A sensor mounting structure 80 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In the sensor mounting structure 80 according to the third embodiment, only the configuration of the support member 82 of the connecting member 81 is different from the sensor mounting structure 10 according to the first embodiment. The same configurations as those of the sensor mounting structure 10 according to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. As in the first embodiment, a plurality of connecting members 81 are provided and engage with the corresponding plate-shaped portions 29A to 29C. Since the configurations of the plurality of connecting members 81 are the same, only the connecting member 81 that engages with the first plate-shaped portion 29A will be described, and the description of the connecting members 81 that engage with the second plate-shaped portion 29B and the third plate-shaped portion 29C will be omitted.

[0068] The support member 82 passes through the insertion hole 47 of the subplate 2B of the car body 2, and is supported by the car body 2 so as to be movable in the vehicle interior / exterior direction together with the bracket 12. Specifically, the support member 82 has a shaft portion 83 extending in the vehicle interior / exterior direction, a flange portion 84 protruding radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 83, and a ring portion 86 provided at the end of the shaft portion 83 on the vehicle interior side.

[0069] The shaft portion 83 is disposed penetrating a mounting portion 85 attached to the insertion hole 47 of the subplate 2B of the vehicle body 2. The mounting portion 85 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vehicle interior / exterior direction. The mounting portion 85 may be formed, for example, from a resin material. The outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 83 is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting portion 85. That is, the shaft portion 83 is displaceable in the vehicle interior / exterior direction relative to the mounting portion 85. The inner-side end portion 39B of the urging member 39 abuts against the outer-side end surface of the mounting portion 85.

[0070] The ring portion 86 protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 83. The outer diameter of the ring portion 86 is larger than the inner diameter of the mounting portion 85 and smaller than the diameter of the insertion hole 47 of the subplate 2B of the car body 2. In a normal state, the surface of the ring portion 86 on the outer side of the car abuts against the end surface of the mounting portion 85 on the inner side of the car.

[0071] Since the shaft portion 83 is displaceable in the vehicle interior / exterior direction relative to the mounting portion 85, the shaft portion 83, in addition to the object sensor 11 and bracket 12, is displaced from the exterior side to the interior side of the vehicle against the biasing force of the biasing member 39. This further reduces the impact applied to the object sensor 11, thereby further preventing damage to the object sensor 11, i.e., preventing the loss of function of the object sensor 11.

[0072] Although the description of the specific embodiment is finished above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be widely modified. For example, in the above embodiment, the rear bumper 3 provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2 is an example of an exterior member, but in other embodiments, the front bumper provided at the front of the vehicle body 2 may be an example of an exterior member. In this case, the object sensor 11 is provided at the front of the vehicle body 2 and is preferably disposed at a position closer to the front bumper than the vehicle body 2. Furthermore, while the millimeter wave radar is an example of the object sensor 11, in other embodiments, a sensor other than the millimeter wave radar (for example, a microwave radar) may be an example of the object sensor 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1: Vehicle 2: Body 3: Rear bumper (exterior part) 10: Sensor mounting structure 11: Object sensor 12: Bracket 13A: First connecting member 13B: Second connecting member 13C: Third connecting member 18: Receptor 19: Overhang 32:Through hole 38: Support member 39: Pressurizing member 39A: Outer end of the urging member 39B: Inner end of the urging member 41: Shaft 42: Flange part 47: Insertion hole 65: Base

Claims

1. A mounting structure for mounting an object sensor disposed on an exterior side of a vehicle body and on an interior side of an exterior member to the vehicle body, comprising: a bracket for receiving the object sensor; a connecting member that connects the bracket to the vehicle body, The connecting member is a support member for supporting the bracket so as to be movable in and out of the vehicle; and a biasing member that biases the bracket toward the outside of the vehicle.

2. The support member has a shaft portion extending in the vehicle interior / exterior direction, 2. The object sensor mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a coil spring that is disposed around the shaft portion and is expandable and contractible in the vehicle interior / exterior direction.

3. The bracket has a through hole penetrating in the vehicle interior / exterior direction, The shaft portion is disposed to pass through the through hole, the support member has a flange portion that protrudes radially outward from an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and abuts against a vehicle exterior surface of the bracket around the through hole, 3. The mounting structure for an object sensor according to claim 2, wherein an end portion of the coil spring on an outer side of the vehicle abuts against a surface of the bracket on an inner side of the vehicle around the through hole.

4. The vehicle body has an insertion hole penetrating in the vehicle interior / exterior direction, The object sensor mounting structure according to claim 3 , wherein the shaft portion is fixed to the vehicle body by fitting into the insertion hole.

5. The vehicle body has an insertion hole penetrating in the vehicle interior / exterior direction, 4. The object sensor mounting structure according to claim 3, wherein the support member passes through the insertion hole and is supported by the vehicle body so as to be movable together with the bracket in the vehicle interior / exterior direction.

6. 4. The object sensor mounting structure according to claim 3, wherein an end of the coil spring on an inner side of the vehicle abuts against the vehicle body.

7. The support member further includes a base portion protruding radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion on a vehicle inner side relative to the flange portion, 4. The object sensor mounting structure according to claim 3, wherein an end portion of the coil spring facing the vehicle interior abuts against the base portion.

8. the bracket has a receiving portion that receives the object sensor and a pair of protruding portions that protrude from both sides of the receiving portion, The mounting structure for an object sensor described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least three connecting members are provided, including a first connecting member that engages with the upper part of one of the protrusions and a second connecting member that engages with the lower part of the other protrusion.

9. The object sensor mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the object sensor is disposed at a position closer to the exterior member than to the vehicle body.

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