Vehicle horn protection structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle horn protection structure that can prevent a harness connected to a harness connection portion from being cut by a malicious person with a blade and a horn from being disabled.SOLUTION: A vehicle horn protection structure 100 includes: a horn 110 arranged behind a grille on a vehicle front face or behind an opening of a front bumper; and a bumper member 130 extending in a vehicle width direction behind the front bumper, the vehicle horn protection structure protecting the horn 110. The horn 110 includes a harness connection portion 112 to which a harness 300 is connected, and a portion of the harness connection portion 112 of the horn 110 is arranged behind the bumper member 130 when viewed from the front.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a horn protection structure for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a horn protection structure for a vehicle that includes a flat, disk-shaped horn and a lid that forms an opening around the horn. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5976512 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the connection of the harness is visible from the front between the opening in the cover and the horn. Therefore, with this configuration, a malicious person could cut the harness connected to the horn to disable the horn, and then proceed to pick the vehicle door.

[0005] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a horn protection structure for a vehicle that can prevent a malicious person from cutting the harness connected to the harness connection part with a blade and disabling the horn. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a typical configuration of the present invention is a horn protection structure for a vehicle, which includes a horn arranged behind the grille on the front of the vehicle or behind the opening in the front bumper, and a bumper member extending in the vehicle width direction behind the front bumper, and which protects the horn, and is characterized in that the horn has a harness connection portion to which a harness is connected, and all or part of the harness connection portion of the horn is arranged behind the bumper member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a malicious person from cutting the harness connected to the harness connection portion with a blade and disabling the horn. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle including a vehicle horn protection structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear configuration of the front bumper of the vehicle of FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle horn protection structure of FIG. 2 as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the vehicle horn protection structure of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle horn protection structure of FIG. 1 as viewed from the front side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the horn opening of FIG. 5, seen from the front side. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle horn protection structure of FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a vehicle horn protective structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention is a horn protection structure for a vehicle, which includes a horn positioned behind a grille on the front of the vehicle or behind an opening in the front bumper, and a bumper member extending in the vehicle width direction behind the front bumper, and which protects the horn, and is characterized in that the horn has a harness connection portion to which a harness is connected, and all or part of the harness connection portion of the horn is positioned behind the bumper member when viewed from the front.

[0010] According to the present invention, all or part of the harness connection portion of the horn is disposed behind the bumper member in a front view and is concealed and protected by the bumper member, thereby preventing a malicious person from cutting the harness connected to the harness connection portion with a bladed tool and disabling the horn.

[0011] The vehicle horn protection structure may further include a bumper support bracket extending vertically from the rear of the bumper member when viewed from the front and supporting the front bumper near the center of the vehicle width, and the horn may be positioned at a corner portion formed by the bumper member and the bumper support bracket.

[0012] With this configuration, the horn is located at a corner formed by the bumper member extending in the vehicle width direction and the bumper support bracket extending in the vertical direction. In this way, the horn, which is surrounded by not only the bumper member but also the bumper support bracket, is more difficult for a blade to approach. Furthermore, because the horn is located around the bumper support bracket near the center of the vehicle width, the difference in horn volume between the left and right sides of the vehicle can be reduced compared to when the horn is located in a biased position closer to the edge than the center of the vehicle width.

[0013] The vehicle horn protection structure further includes a horn bracket that extends from the rear of the bumper support bracket when viewed from the front, is fixed to the back surface of the horn, and supports the horn near the center of the vehicle width, and the horn bracket preferably has a leg that extends to the bumper member and is fixed to the bumper member near the harness connection portion of the horn.

[0014] With this configuration, first, because the legs are located near the horn's harness connection, the legs also prevent bladed objects from entering, further preventing the harness from being cut. Second, because the horn bracket is fixed to the back of the horn, sound transmission from the horn is not impeded. Third, the horn bracket that supports the horn is supported not only by the bumper support bracket but also by the bumper member via the legs, so it is supported by two highly rigid elements. Therefore, when the horn generates sound, the horn bracket and horn are less likely to vibrate, and the horn's posture is stable. As a result, the horn's sound transmission function is stable.

[0015] The vehicle horn protection structure further includes a front bumper reinforcement positioned between the front and rear of the grille and the horn or between the front and rear of the opening in the front bumper and the horn, and supported by a bumper support bracket, and the front bumper reinforcement may have a horn opening that exposes the horn forward, and a vertical wall portion that protrudes upward from the lower edge of the horn opening or protrudes downward from the upper edge.

[0016] According to this configuration, the vertical wall portion prevents a blade from entering the harness connection portion, making it difficult for the blade to reach the harness connection portion. As a result, cutting of the harness is more effectively prevented. In the absence of the vertical wall portion, a blade can easily enter the horn opening even if it is not positioned nearly vertically. However, in the presence of the vertical wall portion, a blade cannot easily enter the horn opening unless it is positioned nearly vertically.

[0017] The harness connection portion is located below the horn, and the vehicle horn protection structure further includes a protective wall which is a substantially horizontal wall fixed to the back side of the bumper member when viewed from the front and is positioned on the opposite side of the horn in the vehicle width direction from the bumper support bracket, and the protective wall has an inclined surface which slopes downward as it approaches the harness connection portion, and the harness connection portion may be inclined toward the protective wall as it goes downward.

[0018] The horn harness can be severed by inserting a blade not only from the bumper support bracket side, but also from the opposite side of the horn in the vehicle width direction from the bumper support bracket. However, with the above configuration, first, the protective wall is located on the opposite side of the horn in the vehicle width direction from the bumper support bracket, further preventing the harness from being severed. Second, the protective wall has an inclined surface that slopes downward as it approaches the harness connection portion, thereby narrowing the gap between the horn and the protective wall and making it more difficult for a blade to reach the harness connected to the harness connection portion. This further prevents the harness from being severed. [Example]

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in these embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0020] (First Example) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle 200 including a vehicle horn protective structure 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front side. In Fig. 1 and all other drawings, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Backward), the left and right in the vehicle width direction are indicated by arrows L (Leftward) and R (Rightward), and the up and down directions are indicated by arrows U (Upward) and D (Downward).

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, vehicle 200 includes front bumper 201. Front bumper 201 has grille 202 at the front of the vehicle. Vehicle horn protective structure 100 is arranged behind grille 202 at the front of the vehicle. Vehicle horn protective structure 100 includes horn 110 and is a structure that protects horn 110. Note that, depending on the vehicle model, vehicle horn protective structure 100 may be arranged behind a different front bumper opening from grille 202.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration behind front bumper 201 of vehicle 200 in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, vehicle horn protective structure 100 has a flat horn as horn 110. However, horn 110 may also have a spiral horn.

[0023] The vehicle horn protection structure 100 also includes a front bumper reinforcement member 115. The front bumper reinforcement member 115 is a member that supports and reinforces the front bumper 201. The front bumper reinforcement member 115 is disposed between the grille 202 and the horn 110 in the front and rear directions.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle horn protective structure 100 of Fig. 2 as seen from the rear side. Fig. 4 is a rear view of the vehicle horn protective structure 100 of Fig. 2. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, horn 110 has harness connection portion 112 at the bottom of back surface 111. Harness 300 is connected to harness connection portion 112.

[0025] The vehicle horn protection structure 100 also includes a bumper member 130 extending in the vehicle width direction behind the front bumper 201. The bumper member 130 is also called a (front) bumper beam. The bumper member 130 is made of steel.

[0026] A portion of the harness connection portion 112 is disposed behind the bumper member 130 in a front view. The portion of the harness connection portion 112 referred to here includes, for example, an end surface portion 112a of the harness connection portion 112 on the harness 300 side. This is to prevent the harness 300 extending from this end surface portion 112a from being cut.

[0027] If the entire harness connection portion 112 is located behind the bumper member 130 in a front view, the harness connection portion 112 is further protected, which is good for protecting the horn 110. Furthermore, if a portion of the harness 300 within a predetermined range from the end face portion 112a of the harness connection portion 112 is also located behind the bumper member 130 in a front view, the harness 300 is prevented from being cut, which is good for protecting the horn 110.

[0028] 3 and 4, the vehicle horn protection structure 100 includes a bumper support bracket 150. The bumper support bracket 150 is located behind the bumper member 130 and near the center in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front, and is fixed by spot welding or the like. The bumper support bracket 150 extends vertically from the rear of the bumper member 130, and supports the front bumper reinforcement 115, thereby supporting the front bumper 201. The horn 110 is located at a corner formed by the bumper member 130 and the bumper support bracket 150.

[0029] Since bumper support bracket 150 is disposed near the center in the vehicle width direction, horn 110, which is indirectly supported by bumper support bracket 150, is also disposed near the center in the vehicle width direction. "Near the center" means that horn 110 is closer to the center of vehicle 200 than to an end of vehicle 200 in the vehicle width direction. Note that it is more desirable to position horn 110 as close to the center in the vehicle width direction as possible.

[0030] A base end 162 of horn bracket 160 is fixed to the back surface of bumper support bracket 150 by spot welding or the like. A tip end 161 of horn bracket 160 is fixed to the back surface 111 of horn 110 by welding or the like. Horn bracket 160 directly supports horn 110 from the side. For this reason, it can be said that the bumper support bracket 150 supports horn 110 from the side in an articulated manner via horn bracket 160.

[0031] Horn bracket 160 has a leg portion 163 that extends to bumper member 130 and is fixed to bumper member 130. Leg portion 163 has front and rear plates 163a that extend from base end portion 162 toward the front of the vehicle, and a fixing plate 163b that is fixed to bumper member 130. Leg portion 163 is fixed to bumper member 130 near harness connection portion 112 of horn 110. Leg portion 163 and harness connection portion 112 are located next to each other in the vehicle width direction.

[0032] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the vehicle horn protective structure 100 of Fig. 1, as seen from the front side. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the horn opening 115a of Fig. 5, as seen from the front side. The front bumper reinforcement 115 has the horn opening 115a. The horn opening 115a exposes the horn 110 forward.

[0033] The front bumper reinforcement 115 has a vertical wall portion 115b that protrudes upward from the lower edge of the horn opening 115a.

[0034] Vehicle horn protective structure 100 includes protective wall 170. Protective wall 170 is a substantially horizontal wall fixed to bumper member 130, and is disposed on the opposite side of horn 110 from bumper support bracket 150 in the vehicle width direction. Protective wall 170 is a wall that prevents malicious individuals from inserting a bladed object and cutting harness 300.

[0035] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the vehicle horn protective structure 100 of Fig. 1, seen from the rear side. As shown in Fig. 7, the protective wall 170 is formed with an inclined surface 170a that slopes downward as it approaches the harness connection portion 112. The harness connection portion 112 slopes downward toward the protective wall 170.

[0036] Next, we will explain what happens when a malicious person, such as a thief, attempts to cut harness 300 of vehicle horn protective structure 100. The thief inserts a blade through grill 202 in Figure 5 and points it at horn 110. If the thief aims at harness 300 from around vertical wall portion 115b, the blade must be tilted vertically behind vertical wall portion 115b; if the blade is too long, it will not be able to be tilted and will not be able to reach harness 300.

[0037] If a thief were to target harness 300 from around side wall portion 115c, it would be difficult for the thief to insert a bladed tool because horn bracket 160 is located on the right side of horn 110 in the vehicle width direction. In particular, the bladed tool would be blocked by front and rear plates 163a of leg portion 163 and would not be able to reach harness 300.

[0038] If a thief were to target harness 300 from around side wall portion 115d, it would be difficult for them to insert a bladed tool because protective wall 170 is located on the left side of horn 110 in the vehicle width direction. In particular, a bladed tool would not be able to enter the gap between inclined surface 170a and horn 110 and reach harness 300.

[0039] According to the configuration of this embodiment, a portion of harness connection portion 112 of horn 110 is disposed behind bumper member 130 in a front view and is protected by being hidden by bumper member 130. As a result, it is possible to prevent a malicious person from cutting harness 300 connected to harness connection portion 112 with a bladed tool and disabling horn 110.

[0040] Horn 110 is disposed at a corner formed by bumper member 130 extending in the vehicle width direction and bumper support bracket 150 extending in the vertical direction. In this way, horn 110, which is surrounded not only by bumper member 130 but also by bumper support bracket 150, can be made more difficult for a blade to approach. Furthermore, because horn 110 is disposed around bumper support bracket 150 near the center in the vehicle width direction, the difference in volume between horn 110 on the left and right sides of the vehicle can be reduced compared to when horn 110 is disposed in a biased position closer to the edge than the center in the vehicle width direction.

[0041] Since leg portion 163 is disposed near harness connection portion 112 of horn 110, leg portion 163 also prevents the entry of a blade, further preventing cutting of harness 300.

[0042] Since the tip 161 of the horn bracket 160 is fixed to the rear surface 111 of the horn 110, the transmission of sound from the horn 110 is not impeded.

[0043] Horn bracket 160, which supports horn 110, is supported not only by bumper support bracket 150 but also by bumper member 130 via legs 163, and is supported at both ends by two highly rigid elements. Therefore, horn bracket 160 and horn 110 are less likely to vibrate when horn 110 generates sound, stabilizing the posture of horn 110. As a result, the sound transmission function of horn 110 is stabilized. Note that, in horn bracket 160, base end 162 and fixed plate 163b are supported at different positions in the vehicle width direction as shown in FIG. 4 and also at different positions in the vehicle front-rear direction as shown in FIG. 3. This also contributes to stabilizing the posture of horn 110.

[0044] Because vertical wall portion 115b is present, the entry of a blade is blocked by vertical wall portion 115b, making it difficult for the blade to reach harness connection portion 112. As a result, cutting of harness 300 is more effectively prevented. Note that, if vertical wall portion 115b were not present, a blade could easily enter horn opening 115a even if the blade was not in a nearly vertical position, but if vertical wall portion 115b is present, it would be difficult for the blade to enter horn opening 115a unless the blade was in a nearly vertical position.

[0045] There is a possibility that a blade may be inserted into harness 300 of horn 110 not only from the bumper support bracket 150 side, but also from the opposite side of horn 110 in the vehicle width direction from bumper support bracket 150, thereby cutting harness 300. Protective wall 170 is provided on the opposite side of horn 110 in the vehicle width direction from bumper support bracket 150, which further prevents harness 300 from being cut.

[0046] Protective wall 170 is formed with inclined surface 170a that slopes downward as it approaches harness connection portion 112, thereby narrowing the gap between horn 110 and protective wall 170 and making it difficult for a blade to reach harness 300 connected to harness connection portion 112. This further prevents harness 300 from being cut.

[0047] Harness connection part 112 is disposed below horn 110, and horn bracket 160 supports horn 110 from the side. This makes it possible to prevent the position of harness connection part 112 from overlapping with the support position of horn 110.

[0048] (Second Example) FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle horn protection structure 500 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the same components as those already described in the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and thus the description of these components will be omitted. In the following description, components with the same names as those already described will have the same functions, even if designated by different reference numerals, unless otherwise specified. The configuration of the vehicle horn protection structure 500 in FIG. 8 corresponds to the upside-down configuration of the vehicle horn protection structure 100 in FIG. 3. However, the front bumper reinforcement 115 of the second embodiment extends below the bumper member 130, and in this sense, it is not completely upside-down from the front bumper reinforcement 115 of the first embodiment.

[0049] In the vehicle horn protection structure 500, a front bumper reinforcement 115 is disposed below a bumper member 130. A horn 110 is disposed in a horn opening 115a of the front bumper reinforcement 115. A harness connection portion 112 of the horn 110 is disposed so as to be hidden behind the bumper member 130 in a front view. In this embodiment, the vertical wall portion 115b protrudes downward from the upper edge of the horn opening 115a.

[0050] Vehicle horn protective structure 500 includes protective wall 170. Protective wall 170 is a substantially horizontal wall fixed to bumper member 130 and is disposed on the opposite side of horn 110 from bumper support bracket 150 in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Fig. 8, protective wall 170 is formed with inclined surface 170a that slopes upward as it approaches harness connection portion 112. Harness connection portion 112 slopes upward toward protective wall 170.

[0051] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0052] Furthermore, the present invention can be practiced by freely combining inventions described in claims and examples, regardless of the dependent relationships of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0053] The present invention can be used in a horn protection structure for a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 100...vehicle horn protection structure, 110...horn, 111...back surface, 112...harness connection portion, 112a...end surface portion, 115...front bumper reinforcement, 115a...horn opening, 115b...vertical wall portion, 115c...horizontal wall portion, 115d...horizontal wall portion, 130...bumper member, 150...bumper support bracket, 160...horn bracket, 161...tip portion, 162...base end portion, 163...leg portion, 170...protective wall, 170a...inclined surface, 200...vehicle, 201...front bumper, 202...grille, 300...harness

Claims

1. A horn protection structure for a vehicle includes a horn disposed behind a grille on a front side of a vehicle or behind an opening in a front bumper, and a bumper member extending in a vehicle width direction behind the front bumper, the horn protection structure comprising: the horn has a harness connection portion to which a harness is connected, A vehicle horn protection structure, characterized in that all or part of the harness connection portion of the horn is disposed behind the bumper member.

2. The vehicle horn protection structure further includes: a bumper support bracket extending vertically from the bumper member and supporting the front bumper near a center in a vehicle width direction; 2. The vehicle horn protection structure according to claim 1, wherein the horn is disposed at a corner portion formed by the bumper member and the bumper support bracket.

3. The vehicle horn protection structure further includes: a horn bracket extending from the bumper support bracket and fixed to a rear surface of the horn to support the horn; 3. The vehicle horn protection structure according to claim 2, wherein the horn bracket has a leg portion that extends to the bumper member and is fixed to the bumper member near a harness connection portion of the horn.

4. The vehicle horn protection structure further includes: a front bumper reinforcement member positioned between the grille and the horn or between the opening of the front bumper and the horn and supported by the bumper support bracket; The front bumper reinforcement is a horn opening for exposing the horn forward; 4. The vehicle horn protection structure according to claim 2, further comprising a vertical wall portion that protrudes upward from a lower edge of the horn opening or protrudes downward from an upper edge of the horn opening.

5. The harness connection portion is located below the horn, The vehicle horn protection structure further includes: a protective wall that is a substantially horizontal wall fixed to the bumper member and is disposed on the opposite side of the horn from the bumper support bracket in the vehicle width direction; The protective wall has an inclined surface that slopes downward as it approaches the harness connection portion, 4. The vehicle horn protective structure according to claim 2, wherein the harness connection portion is inclined downwardly toward the protective wall.

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