Holding structure for external sensor

Abstract

To prevent, in a holding structure for an external sensor, axial deviation of the external sensor caused by an impact from outside.SOLUTION: A holding structure 11 for holding an external sensor 12 on a vehicle body 2 includes: a cover member 13 disposed on an outer periphery of the external sensor; and a bracket 14 fixed to the vehicle body and holding the external sensor and the cover member. The bracket has: a first member 29 holding the external sensor; and a second member 31 fixed to the first member and holding the cover member. The rigidity of the second member is lower than the rigidity of the first member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding structure for holding an external sensor on a vehicle body.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, efforts have been actively made to provide access to a sustainable transportation system that takes into account people in vulnerable positions among traffic participants. In order to achieve this, research and development on preventive safety technologies have been focused on further improving traffic safety and convenience.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle body structure having an external sensor disposed inside a bumper face (inside the vehicle). The vehicle body structure described in Patent Document 1 includes a radar device (external sensor), a radar bracket for holding the radar device, and a cover member attached to the radar bracket and disposed between the radar device and the bumper face.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the vehicle body structure described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the radar bracket may be deformed when an external impact is transmitted to the radar bracket through the cover member. Due to the deformation of the radar bracket, there is a risk that the axis misalignment of the radar device (misalignment in the direction that the radar device should detect) may occur.

[0006] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to suppress axial displacement of an external sensor caused by an external impact in a holding structure of the external sensor. And, it contributes to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is a holding structure (11) for holding an external sensor (12) on a vehicle body (2), which includes a cover member (13) disposed on the outer periphery of the external sensor, and a bracket (14) fixed to the vehicle body and holding the external sensor and the cover member. The bracket has a first member (29) for holding the external sensor and a second member (31) fixed to the first member and holding the cover member, and the rigidity of the second member is lower than that of the first member.

[0008] According to this aspect, an external impact is transmitted through the cover member to the second member of the bracket that holds the cover member. Since the second member has a lower rigidity than the first member of the bracket that holds the external sensor, it is more easily deformed by an external impact than the first member. When the second member is deformed, it becomes difficult for the external impact to be transmitted to the first member. That is, deformation of the first member is suppressed. Thereby, axial displacement of the external sensor caused by an external impact can be suppressed.

[0009] In the above aspect, the first member and the second member may be welded to each other.

[0010] According to this aspect, the first member and the second member can be joined with a simple configuration without requiring fasteners such as bolts.

[0011] In the above aspect, the first member has a first main body portion (33) that overlaps the external sensor when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior direction, and a plurality of leg portions (34) extending from the first main body portion toward the vehicle interior side, and each leg portion may be fixed to the vehicle body.

[0012] According to this aspect, the first member is fixed to the vehicle body with a simple configuration.

[0013] In the above aspect, the second member has a second main body portion (45) that overlaps the first main body portion when viewed in the vehicle interior-exterior direction, and a plurality of protruding portions (46A, 46B, 46C) that protrude outward from the second main body portion when viewed in the vehicle interior-exterior direction, and the cover member may be attached to each of the protruding portions.

[0014] According to this aspect, the cover member is attached to the second member with a simple configuration.

[0015] In the above aspect, the plurality of protruding portions may not overlap the first member when viewed in the vehicle interior-exterior direction.

[0016] According to this aspect, when the protruding portions are deformed due to an external impact, contact between the protruding portions and the first member is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the transmission of an external impact to the first member via the protruding portions.

[0017] In the above aspect, a through hole (38) penetrating in the vehicle interior-exterior direction may be provided in the first main body portion, and one of the plurality of protruding portions may be exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the through hole.

[0018] According to this aspect, the cover member can be stably held by the second member.

[0019] In the above aspect, the second main body portion may be disposed on the vehicle interior side of the first main body portion.

[0020] An external impact acts in a direction from the outside of the vehicle toward the inside of the vehicle. According to this aspect, the external impact acts in a direction to separate the second main body portion from the first main body portion. Therefore, the external impact is less likely to be transmitted to the first member.

[0021] In the above aspect, the surface on the vehicle interior side of the first main body portion and the surface on the vehicle exterior side of the second main body portion may be spot-welded to each other.

[0022] According to this aspect, with respect to an external impact, the second main body part becomes more likely to separate from the first main body part. Therefore, the external impact becomes less likely to be transmitted to the first member.

[0023] In the above aspect, the first member and the second member may be made of the same material, and the thickness of the second member may be smaller than the thickness of the first member.

[0024] According to this aspect, while the first member and the second member are made of the same material, the rigidity of the second member can be made lower than the rigidity of the first member.

Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to the above configuration, in the holding structure of the external sensor, it is possible to suppress the axial displacement of the external sensor caused by an external impact.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of a vehicle 1 provided with a holding structure for an external sensor (hereinafter referred to as "sensor holding structure 11") according to the present invention will be described.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 is, for example, a four-wheel automobile. The vehicle 1 has a vehicle body 2 forming a skeleton and a plurality of wheels 3 supported by the vehicle body 2. A rear bumper 6 (an example of an exterior member) is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2. The rear bumper 6 extends in the left-right direction and covers the rear of a bumper beam (not shown).

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor holding structure 11 is a structure for holding the external sensor 12 to the vehicle body 2. The sensor holding structure 11 has a cover member 13 disposed on the outer periphery of the external sensor 12 and a bracket 14 fixed to the vehicle body 2 for holding the external sensor 12 and the cover member 13.

[0030] The external sensor 12 detects obstacles around the vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the external sensor 12 is a millimeter-wave radar. The millimeter-wave radar includes, for example, a sensor main body portion (not shown) including a circuit board, an irradiation antenna for irradiating millimeter waves (radio waves), and a reception antenna for receiving reflected waves (millimeter waves reflected by hitting an obstacle), a casing 16 for housing the sensor main body portion, and a connector portion 18 for housing a sensor-side terminal (not shown) connected to the circuit board.

[0031] The external sensor 12 irradiates millimeter waves (radio waves) over a predetermined angular range about a predetermined axis (see the two-dot chain line X in FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, the external sensor 12 is held to the vehicle body 2 via the bracket 14 so as to detect obstacles behind and to the left and right outer sides of the vehicle 1. The external sensor 12 is disposed, for example, at a corner portion on the rear side of the vehicle body 2. In other embodiments, the external sensor 12 may be disposed at a corner portion on the front side of the vehicle body 2, or may be disposed at a portion other than the corner portion of the vehicle body 2 (for example, the front end portion, the rear end portion, or the left and right side portions).

[0032] The external sensor 12 is disposed between the vehicle body 2 and the rear bumper 6. More specifically, the external sensor 12 is disposed in a space on the rear side (outside the vehicle) of the vehicle body 2 and the front side (inside the vehicle) of the rear bumper 6. Hereinafter, with reference to the state where the external sensor 12 is attached to the vehicle body 2, among the directions parallel to a predetermined axis of the external sensor 12, the direction toward the vehicle body 2 side is defined as the in-vehicle direction, and the direction toward the rear bumper 6 side among the directions parallel to the predetermined axis of the external sensor 12 is defined as the out-of-vehicle direction for description. Also, the in-vehicle direction and the out-of-vehicle direction are collectively referred to as the in-out vehicle direction.

[0033] The casing 16 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A plurality of projecting pieces 19A, 19B, 19C projecting outward to the left and right are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the casing 16. In the present embodiment, the plurality of projecting pieces 19A, 19B, 19C include a first projecting piece 19A provided at the upper part of one of the left and right side surfaces of the casing 16, a second projecting piece 19B provided at the upper part of the other of the left and right side surfaces of the casing 16, and a third projecting piece 19C provided at the lower part of the other of the left and right side surfaces of the casing 16. Each of the projecting pieces 19A, 19B, 19C is provided with a through hole (not shown) penetrating in the in-out vehicle direction (the direction parallel to the predetermined axis of the external sensor 12).

[0034] The connector portion 18 has a flat cylindrical shape. The connector portion 18 extends outward to the left and right from one of the left and right side surfaces of the casing 16.

[0035] The cover member 13 is a drip-proof cover arranged around the external sensor 12 in order to improve the weather resistance strength of the external sensor 12. For example, the cover member 13 suppresses rainwater, muddy water, or dust that is splashed from the road surface and enters the vehicle interior side of the rear bumper 6 from adhering to the external sensor 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover member 13 covers the periphery of the external sensor 12 and extends from the external sensor 12 toward the rear bumper 6 (outside the vehicle). In the present embodiment, the cover member 13 includes a base portion 22 whose main surface faces the vehicle interior and exterior directions, an upper wall 23 extending outward from the upper end of the base portion 22, a pair of protruding walls 24 protruding outward to the left and right from both left and right ends of the base portion 22, and a lower wall 25 extending outward from the lower end of the base portion 22 and connecting the lower ends of the respective protruding walls 24.

[0036] The base portion 22 is provided with an opening 26 penetrating in the vehicle interior and exterior directions and a plurality of through grooves 27A, 27B, 27C. The external sensor 12 is disposed in the opening 26. The plurality of through grooves 27A, 27B, 27C are continuous with the opening 26. In the present embodiment, the plurality of through grooves 27A, 27B, 27C include a first through groove 27A provided in the upper part on one side of the left and right of the base portion 22, a second through groove 27B provided in the central part on the other side of the left and right of the base portion 22, and two third through grooves 27C provided in the lower part of the base portion 22.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bracket 14 includes a first member 29 that holds the external sensor 12 and a second member 31 that is fixed to the first member 29 and holds the cover member 13. The rigidity of the second member 31 is lower than the rigidity of the first member 29. The second member 31 may be formed of a material having a lower Young's modulus than the first member 29, for example. Alternatively, the second member 31 may be formed of a more brittle material than the first member 29.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first member 29 is a plate-like member constituted by a single plate material. The first member 29 includes a first main body portion 33 that overlaps the external sensor 12 when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior directions and a plurality of leg portions 34 extending from the first main body portion 33 toward the vehicle interior side.

[0039] The first main body portion 33 has a flat plate shape along a plane orthogonal to the vehicle interior-exterior direction. The two main surfaces of the first main body portion 33 face the vehicle interior direction and the vehicle exterior direction, respectively. The first main body portion 33 is disposed on the vehicle interior side of the external sensor 12. A plurality of fastening holes 36A, 36B, 36C and a through hole 38 penetrating in the vehicle interior-exterior direction are provided in the first main body portion 33. In the present embodiment, the plurality of fastening holes 36A, 36B, 36C include a first fastening hole 36A provided at the upper part on one side (left or right) of the first main body portion 33, a second fastening hole 36B provided at the upper part on the other side (left or right) of the first main body portion 33, and a third fastening hole 36C provided at the lower part on the other side (left or right) of the first main body portion 33. The central axes of the respective fastening holes 36A, 36B, 36C are aligned with the central axes of through holes (not shown) provided in the protruding pieces 19A, 19B, 19C of the corresponding casing 16.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the through hole 38 is provided on the other side (left or right) of the first main body portion 33, more specifically, between the second fastening hole 36B and the third fastening hole 36C.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the external sensor 12 is attached to the first main body portion 33. The external sensor 12 is fastened to the first main body portion 33 by bolts 39 passing through through holes (not shown) provided in the respective protruding pieces 19A, 19B, 19C of the casing 16 and the corresponding fastening holes 36A, 36B, 36C and nuts (not shown) screwed onto the bolts 39. Thereby, the external sensor 12 is held by the first member 29.

[0042] Each leg portion 34 is fixed to the vehicle body 2. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the portion on the tip end (the end portion on the vehicle interior side) side of each leg portion 34 is bent so as to contact the outer surface of the vehicle body 2. As shown in FIG. 5, a fastening hole 41 penetrating in a direction orthogonal to the outer surface of the vehicle body 2 is provided in the portion on the tip end (the end portion on the vehicle interior side) side of each leg portion 34. For example, the first member 29 is fixed to the vehicle body 2 by a bolt 42 (see FIG. 3) penetrating the fastening hole 41 and a nut (not shown) screwed onto the bolt 42. Note that the nut screwed onto the bolt 42 may be a weld nut fixed to the tip end side portion of each leg portion 34.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the second member 31 is a plate-shaped member formed of a single plate material. The second member 31 has a second main body portion 45 that overlaps the first main body portion 33 when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior direction, and a plurality of protruding portions 46A, 46B, 46C that protrude outward from the second main body portion 45 when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior direction.

[0044] The second main body portion 45 has a flat plate shape along a plane orthogonal to the vehicle interior and exterior direction. The second main body portion 45 is arranged in parallel with the first main body portion 33. The two main surfaces of the second main body portion 45 face the vehicle interior direction and the vehicle exterior direction, respectively. The second main body portion 45 is arranged on the vehicle interior side of the first main body portion 33.

[0045] The bracket 14 is formed by welding the first member 29 and the second member 31 to each other. In the present embodiment, the bracket 14 is formed by spot-welding the inner surface of the first main body portion 33 and the outer surface of the second main body portion 45 to each other.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the plurality of protruding portions 46A, 46B, 46C include a first protruding portion 46A protruding from one side portion on the left and right of the second main body portion 45, a second protruding portion 46B protruding from the other side portion on the left and right of the second main body portion 45, and a third protruding portion 46C protruding downward from the lower end portion of the second main body portion 45.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 4, each of the projecting portions 46A, 46B, and 46C is provided at a position that does not overlap with the first member 29 when viewed in the vehicle interior-exterior direction. Specifically, each of the projecting portions 46A, 46B, and 46C is provided at a position outside the first main body portion 33 and avoiding each leg portion 34 when viewed in the vehicle interior-exterior direction. One of the plurality of projecting portions 46A, 46B, and 46C is exposed to the outside of the vehicle through a through hole 38 provided in the first main body portion 33 of the first member 29. In the present embodiment, the second projecting portion 46B is exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the through hole 38 provided in the first main body portion 33 of the first member 29.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, each of the projecting portions 46A, 46B, and 46C is provided with fastening holes 49A, 49B, and 49C penetrating in the vehicle interior-exterior direction. In the present embodiment, the fastening holes 49A, 49B, and 49C include one first fastening hole 49A provided in the first projecting portion 46A, one second fastening hole 49B provided in the second projecting portion 46B, and two third fastening holes 49C provided in the third projecting portion 46C.

[0049] The central axis of the first fastening hole 49A is aligned with the central axis of the first through groove 27A (see Fig. 3) provided in the base portion 22 of the cover member 13. The central axis of the second fastening hole 49B is aligned with the central axis of the second through groove 27B (see Fig. 3) provided in the base portion 22 of the cover member 13. The central axis of each third fastening hole 49C is aligned with the central axis of the corresponding third through groove 27C (see Fig. 3) provided in the base portion 22 of the cover member 13.

[0050] The cover member 13 is attached to each of the projecting portions 46A, 46B, and 46C. The cover member 13 is fastened to each of the projecting portions 46A, 46B, and 46C by bolts (not shown) passing through the respective through grooves 27A, 27B, 27C provided in the base portion 22 and the corresponding fastening holes 49A, 49B, 49C and nuts (not shown) screwed onto these bolts. Thereby, the cover member 13 is held by the second member 31.

[0051] In the sensor holding structure 11 configured as described above, an external impact is transmitted to the second member 31 of the bracket 14 that holds the cover member 13 via the rear bumper 6 and the cover member 13. Since the second member 31 has lower rigidity than the first member 29 of the bracket 14 that holds the external sensor 12, it is more likely to deform due to an external impact compared to the first member 29. When the second member 31 deforms, it becomes difficult for the external impact to be transmitted to the first member 29. That is, the deformation of the first member 29 is suppressed. As a result, the axial displacement of the external sensor 12 caused by an external impact can be suppressed.

[0052] Also, since axial displacement of the external sensor 12 is less likely to occur even when it receives an external impact, it is possible to arrange the external sensor 12 at a position that is likely to receive an external impact (for example, a corner portion of the vehicle body 2). Therefore, the degree of freedom in the layout of the external sensor 12 can be increased. In addition, axial displacement of the external sensor 12 can be suppressed without forming the cover member 13 from a special material. Therefore, it is possible to form the cover member 13 from an inexpensive material.

[0053] The first member 29 has a first main body portion 33 and a plurality of leg portions 34 extending inward from the first main body portion 33 toward the interior of the vehicle, and each leg portion 34 is fixed to the vehicle body 2. As a result, the first member 29 is fixed to the vehicle body 2 with a simple configuration.

[0054] The second member 31 has a second main body portion 45 and a plurality of projecting portions 46A, 46B, 46C that project outward from the second main body portion 45 when viewed in the vehicle interior-outside direction. The cover member 13 is attached to each of the projecting portions 46A, 46B, 46C. As a result, the cover member 13 is attached to the second member 31 with a simple configuration.

[0055] The second protruding portion 46B is exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the through hole 38 provided in the first main body portion 33 of the first member 29. Thus, since the cover member 13 is held by the second member 31 by the three protruding portions 46A, 46B, and 46C, the second member 31 can hold the cover member 13 more stably. Further, each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, and 46C is provided at a position that does not overlap with the first member 29 when viewed in the vehicle interior and exterior direction. Thereby, when each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, and 46C is deformed due to an external impact, contact between each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, and 46C and the first member 29 is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the transmission of an external impact to the first member 29 through each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, and 46C.

[0056] Since the first main body portion 33 of the first member 29 and the second main body portion 45 of the second member 31 are welded to each other, the first member 29 and the second member 31 can be joined by a simple configuration without requiring a fastening tool such as a bolt.

[0057] An external impact acts in a direction from the outside of the vehicle toward the inside of the vehicle. Since the second main body portion 45 of the second member 31 is disposed inside the vehicle of the first main body portion 33 of the first member 29, an external impact acts in a direction to separate the second member 31 from the first member 29. The second main body portion 45 is spot welded to the first main body portion 33. Thereby, the second main body portion 45 becomes more likely to be detached from the first main body portion 33 against an external impact. Therefore, an external impact is less likely to be transmitted to the first member 29.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the first member 29 and the second member 31 are formed of different materials from each other. In other embodiments, the first member 29 and the second member 31 may be formed of the same material as each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the thickness of the second member 31 is smaller than the thickness of the first member 29. Thereby, while the first member 29 and the second member 31 are made of the same material, the rigidity of the second member 31 can be made lower than the rigidity of the first member 29.

[0059] Although the description of the specific embodiments has been completed above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be widely modified and implemented. For example, in the above embodiment, the second member 31 is not fixed to the vehicle body 2, but the second member 31 may be fixed to the vehicle body 2. Further, a groove portion that is recessed from the outside of the vehicle toward the inside of the vehicle may be provided at the base end portion (the end portion on the side of the second main body portion 45) of each of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, and 46C. Thereby, when an impact is applied from the outside, the base end portions of the protruding portions 46A, 46B, and 46C are deformed toward the inside of the vehicle along the corresponding groove portions, so that the impact from the outside is less likely to be transmitted to the first member 29. Furthermore, although the millimeter-wave radar is taken as an example of the external sensor 12, in other embodiments, a sensor other than the millimeter-wave radar (for example, a microwave radar, LiDAR, or ultrasonic sensor) may be taken as an example of the external sensor 12.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 2: Vehicle body 11: Sensor holding structure (holding structure for external sensor) 12: External sensor 13: Cover member 14: Bracket 29: First member 31: Second member 33: First main body portion 34: Leg portion 38: Through hole 45: Second main body portion 46A: First protruding portion (protruding portion) 46B: Second protruding portion (protruding portion) 46C: Third protruding portion (protruding portion)

Claims

1. A holding structure for holding an external sensor on a vehicle body, comprising: a cover member disposed on the outer periphery of the external sensor; and a bracket fixed to the vehicle body for holding the external sensor and the cover member. The bracket includes: a first member for holding the external sensor; and a second member fixed to the first member for holding the cover member. The external sensor holding structure, wherein the rigidity of the second member is lower than that of the first member.

2. The external sensor holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are welded to each other.

3. The first member includes: a first main body portion that overlaps the external sensor when viewed in the vehicle interior-exterior direction; and a plurality of leg portions extending from the first main body portion toward the vehicle interior. The external sensor holding structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each of the leg portions is fixed to the vehicle body.

4. The second member includes: a second main body portion that overlaps the first main body portion when viewed in the vehicle interior-exterior direction; and a plurality of protruding portions protruding outward from the second main body portion when viewed in the vehicle interior-exterior direction. The external sensor holding structure according to claim 3, wherein the cover member is attached to each of the protruding portions.

5. The external sensor holding structure according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of protruding portions do not overlap the first member when viewed in the vehicle interior-exterior direction.

6. A through hole penetrating in the vehicle interior-exterior direction is provided in the first main body portion. The external sensor holding structure according to claim 5, wherein one of the plurality of protruding portions is exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the through hole.

7. The external sensor holding structure according to claim 4, wherein the second main body portion is disposed on the vehicle interior side of the first main body portion.

8. The external sensor holding structure according to claim 7, wherein the surface on the vehicle interior side of the first main body portion and the surface on the vehicle exterior side of the second main body portion are spot welded to each other.

9. The first member and the second member are made of the same material, and the thickness of the second member is smaller than the thickness of the first member. The external sensor holding structure according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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