Vehicle structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle structure which can maintain a relative position relationship between a sensor device and a transmission part of an exterior member with high accuracy while inhibiting deterioration of the appearance quality around the transmission part.SOLUTION: A vehicle structure 1 includes: an exterior member 2 forming a design surface on a vehicle outer side; and a sensor supporting member 3 provided on a vehicle inner side of the exterior member 2 and supporting a sensor device S for detecting a vehicle external environment. The exterior member 2 includes a transmission part 22 having a transmission surface 221 which transmits a detection wave of the sensor device S and an inward-facing wall 222 extending from a peripheral edge of the transmission surface 221 to the vehicle inner side. The sensor supporting member 3 is connected to the exterior member 2 in a state that at least one portion of a frame-like sensor support part 31 supporting the sensor device S is placed in contact with a vehicle inner end of the inward-facing wall 222 of the transmission part 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle structure including a structure for arranging a sensor device for detecting an external environment of a vehicle on an exterior member. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, the front and rear of vehicles such as automobiles are provided with exterior components such as bumpers and grilles that form the exterior design of the vehicle. A sensor device that detects the environment outside the vehicle may be provided on the back of the exterior component. Examples of sensor devices include radar that uses radio waves such as millimeter waves and microwaves as detection waves, LiDAR (light detection and ranging) that uses laser light as detection waves, sonic sensors (ultrasonic sensors / sonar) that use sound waves such as ultrasound as detection waves, and cameras (imaging devices) that detect the environment outside the vehicle by capturing images. When the detection waves used in such sensor devices have high linearity, such as millimeter waves, high accuracy is required for the relative positional relationship (relative distance and relative angle) between the sensor device and the part of the exterior component facing the sensor device in order to improve detection accuracy.

[0003] As an example of a conventional vehicle structure having a structure for disposing a sensor device in an exterior member, Patent Document 1 discloses an assembly installed at the front of an automobile, which includes a radar support, a radome, and a shield. In this assembly, the windshield has a first transverse portion and a second transverse portion, and a ventilation grid is connected to the first transverse portion, and the radar support is fixed to the first transverse portion and the second transverse portion so that the radar is located behind the mounting space for the radome on the ventilation grid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 175045 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the area of ​​an exterior member, such as the windshield disclosed in Patent Document 1, facing the sensor device (radar) must be formed as a transparent portion made of a material or shape that allows the desired detection wave to pass through. Such a detection wave transparent portion is likely to be made of a material or have a shape different from that of the other parts of the exterior member. Therefore, in terms of vehicle exterior design, it is necessary to make the detection wave transparent portion of the exterior member as small as possible to make it less noticeable. However, making the transparent portion small limits the range through which the detection wave can pass, which poses a challenge in that the relative positional relationship between the sensor device and the transparent portion must be maintained with greater precision in order to improve detection accuracy.

[0006] The present invention has been made with the above points in mind, and aims to provide a vehicle structure that can accurately maintain the relative positional relationship between the sensor device and the transmission part while suppressing deterioration in the appearance quality around the transmission part of the detection wave in the exterior member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle structure including an exterior member that forms a design surface on the exterior of the vehicle, and a sensor support member that is provided on the interior side of the exterior member and supports a sensor device that detects the environment outside the vehicle. In this vehicle structure, the exterior member includes a transparent portion having a transparent surface through which detection waves transmitted and received by the sensor device pass and an inward wall extending from a periphery of the transparent surface toward the interior of the vehicle, and the sensor support member includes a frame-shaped sensor support portion that supports the sensor device, and the sensor support member is connected to the exterior member with at least a portion of the sensor support portion abutting against a vehicle-inward end of the inward wall of the transparent portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the vehicle structure of the present invention, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the appearance quality around the detection wave transmitting portion of the exterior member, while accurately maintaining the relative positional relationship between the sensor device and the transmitting portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed obliquely from the front side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle structure of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle structure including a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 1, as seen obliquely from the rear side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of a transmission portion and a ventilation portion of the exterior member in the embodiment, as viewed obliquely from the rear side. [Figure 5] 5 is a perspective view of the periphery of the transmission section in FIG. 4, seen obliquely from below and in front. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the sensor support member in the embodiment, as viewed obliquely from the rear side. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of a ventilation portion in a modified example of the vehicle structure related to the above embodiment, viewed obliquely from above and behind. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 3 are diagrams illustrating a vehicle structure 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle structure 1 as seen from an oblique front side, and Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle structure 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle structure 1 as seen from an oblique rear side, including a cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 1. In each of the drawings described below, the arrow F direction indicates the front in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, the arrow U direction indicates the upward direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the arrow R direction and the arrow L direction indicate the right and left when looking at the front of the vehicle from inside the vehicle cabin.

[0011] 1 to 3, a vehicle structure 1 of this embodiment is provided, for example, on a vehicle such as an automobile, and includes an exterior member 2 that forms a design surface on the exterior of the vehicle, and a sensor support member 3 that is provided on the interior side of the exterior member 2 and supports a sensor device S that detects the environment outside the vehicle. The sensor device S (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 3) in this embodiment is, for example, a radar that uses millimeter waves as detection waves (millimeter-wave radar). However, the sensor device S is not limited to millimeter-wave radar, and may be various types of radar that use radio waves other than millimeter waves (such as microwaves) as detection waves, LiDAR that uses laser light as detection waves, an acoustic wave sensor (ultrasonic sensor / sonar) that uses sound waves such as ultrasound as detection waves, a camera (imaging device) that captures images to detect the environment outside the vehicle, or the like.

[0012] The exterior member 2 is, for example, a front bumper disposed at the lower front of the vehicle and extending in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the exterior member 2 (front bumper) is connected to and supported by a bumper beam (not shown), which is a highly rigid vehicle body structural member that constitutes the vehicle's framework. The exterior member 2 is not limited to a front bumper, but may be a front grille disposed at the front of the vehicle, or a rear bumper or rear grille disposed at the rear of the vehicle. When the exterior member 2 is disposed at the front of the vehicle and forms a design surface facing the front of the vehicle, the sensor support member 3 is disposed on the rear side of the exterior member 2. On the other hand, when the exterior member 2 is disposed at the rear of the vehicle and forms a design surface facing the rear of the vehicle, the sensor support member 3 is disposed on the front side of the exterior member 2. Alternatively, the exterior member 2 may be a member that forms a design surface facing the vehicle width direction. When the design surface of the exterior member 2 faces the vehicle width direction, the sensor support member 3 is disposed on the inner side of the exterior member 2 in the vehicle width direction.

[0013] Both side portions of the exterior member 2 in the vehicle width direction extend at an incline toward the rear of the vehicle as they move outward in the vehicle width direction. The design surface of the exterior member 2 on the vehicle exterior side has a front portion 2F, an upper portion 2T, and a lower portion 2B. Therefore, the right portion 2FR of the front portion 2F of the exterior member 2 faces diagonally forward to the right, the left portion 2FL faces diagonally forward to the left, and the middle portion 2FI in the vehicle width direction faces forward (front). The upper portion 2T of the exterior member 2 extends toward the rear of the vehicle from the upper end portion of the front portion 2F. The lower portion 2B of the exterior member 2 extends while curving rearward as the portion located in the middle in the vehicle width direction points downward.

[0014] In the middle portion 2FI of the front surface portion 2F of the exterior member 2, a plate attachment portion 21, a transmission portion 22, a ventilation portion 23, and an extension portion 24 are integrally formed (FIG. 2). The plate mounting portion 21 is configured so that a plate support member 4 that supports a vehicle license plate (not shown) can be attached from the outside (front) of the vehicle. The plate support member 4 has a substantially rectangular shape in a front view that corresponds to the outline of a license plate. A license plate is a plate-like member that displays information used to identify a vehicle and its owner. In Japan, license plates are called "automobile registration plates" or "vehicle number plates" depending on the vehicle classification, and in the United States and other countries, they are called "license plates." A pair of plate fixing portions 41 for fixing the license plate are provided on the upper portion of the plate support member 4, spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. Note that this embodiment illustrates an example in which the plate support member 4, which is separate from the exterior member 2, is attached to the plate mounting portion 21 of the exterior member 2; however, the exterior member 2 and the plate support member 4 may be integrally formed.

[0015] The transparent portion 22 of the exterior member 2 has a transparent surface 221 through which detection waves (millimeter waves) transmitted and received by the sensor device S (millimeter wave radar) supported at a predetermined position by the sensor support member 3 pass, an inward wall 222 extending from the periphery of the transparent surface 221 toward the inside of the vehicle, and an outward wall 223 extending from the periphery of the transparent surface 221 toward the outside of the vehicle (FIGS. 1 and 2). Note that, in this embodiment, an example in which the transparent portion 22 is integrally formed with the exterior member 2 will be described, but the transparent portion 22 may also be formed separately from the exterior member 2 and connected to the exterior member 2 by a connector or the like.

[0016] The transmission surface 221 is formed using a material (e.g., synthetic resin) that allows the detection wave to pass through, and has a substantially rectangular shape in a front view seen from the front of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the transmission surface 221 is an inclined surface that extends slightly rearward as it extends downward. In other words, the transmission surface 221 for the detection wave faces generally forward (front) although it is slightly inclined forward and downward. The lower part of the transmission surface 221 is formed to protrude inward (lower side) of the ventilation section 23. The inward walls 222 extend from the lower and lower edges of both side edges in the vehicle width direction at the periphery of the transmission surface 221 toward the rear of the vehicle. The outward walls 223 extend from the upper edges of both side edges in the vehicle width direction at the periphery of the transmission surface 221 toward the front of the vehicle.

[0017] The ventilation section 23 penetrates the exterior member 2 in the vehicle interior / exterior direction (front / rear direction) and forms a ventilation area VA through which air flows in the vehicle interior / exterior direction. In this embodiment, the ventilation section 23 has a generally rectangular shape that is long in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front. A plate attachment section 21 is arranged below the ventilation section 23 in the exterior member 2. Furthermore, an upper portion of the transmission section 22 is arranged above the ventilation section 23 in the exterior member 2, and a lower portion of the transmission section 22 protrudes inside the ventilation section 23 (toward the ventilation area VA). In other words, the plate attachment section 21 and the transmission section 22 in the exterior member 2 are arranged at a distance in the vertical direction, with the ventilation area VA sandwiched between them. An extension section 24 is formed on the periphery of the ventilation section 23.

[0018] The extension portion 24 extends from the periphery of the ventilation portion 23 toward the inside (rear) of the vehicle. The extension portion 24 extends along the periphery of the ventilation portion 23 excluding the portion where the permeable portion 22 protrudes. The inward wall 222 and the outward wall 223 of the permeable portion 22 are connected to the portion of the extension portion 24 adjacent to the permeable portion 22.

[0019] Here, the specific structures of the transmission portion 22, ventilation portion 23, and extension portion 24 in the exterior member 2 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the transmission portion 22 and ventilation portion 23 (extension portion 24) of the exterior member 2, as seen obliquely from the rear side. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the transmission portion 22 in Fig. 4, as seen obliquely from the front below.

[0020] The transmitting surface 221 of the transmitting portion 22 extends downward from the upper center end in the vehicle width direction of the middle portion 2FI of the front surface 2F of the exterior member 2, tilting slightly rearward as it extends downward (FIGS. 4 and 5). In other words, the transmitting surface 221 is a flat surface that is tilted slightly forward and downward with respect to a vertical plane facing the front of the vehicle. The transmitting surface 221 is disposed opposite the transmitting and receiving surface of the sensor device S for detecting waves when the sensor support member 3 that supports the sensor device S is connected to the exterior member 2.

[0021] The inward wall 222 of the transmission section 22 has a pair of side wall portions 222A extending from the lower portions of both side edges in the vehicle width direction at the periphery of the transmission surface 221 toward the rear of the vehicle, and a bottom wall portion 222B extending from the lower edge of the periphery of the transmission surface 221 toward the rear of the vehicle (FIG. 4). The bottom end portions of the side wall portions 222A are connected by the bottom wall portion 222B, and the inward wall 222 has a generally U-shaped shape that opens upward in a rear view from the rear of the vehicle. The top end portions of the side wall portions 222A are connected to the extension portion 24, respectively. In other words, the inward wall 222 is formed continuously with the transmission surface 221 and the extension portion 24, respectively.

[0022] The lower wall portion 222B of the inward wall 222 has a sloped portion 222B1 that extends rearward from the lower edge of the transmission surface 221 at a larger inclination angle than the transmission surface 221 as it moves downwards, and an extending portion 222B2 that extends from the lower end of the sloped portion 222B1 toward the rear of the vehicle. The vertical length (height) of the sloped portion 222B1 is sufficiently shorter than the vertical length (height) of the transmission surface 221. Furthermore, like the transmission surface 221, at least the sloped portion 222B1 of the inward wall 222 is preferably formed using a material that has properties that allow the detection wave transmitted and received by the sensor device S to pass through. By using such an inward wall 222, when the detection wave includes a component that spreads downwards, the component passes through the sloped portion 222B1 of the inward wall 222 and is transmitted and received by the sensor device S. Note that the portions of the inward wall 222 excluding the sloped portions 222B1 (the side wall portions 222A and the extending portions 222B2 of the lower wall portion 222B) may either have a property that allows the detection wave to pass through or a property that prevents the detection wave from passing through. Furthermore, a plurality of (here, two) notches 25 are formed at the rear end of the extending portions 222B2 of the lower wall portion 222B at intervals in the vehicle width direction. Each notch 25 abuts against a partition wall 32A (described later) of the sensor support member 3.

[0023] A pair of left and right first connecting portions 26 to which the sensor support member 3 is connected are provided on the sloped portion 222B1 of the lower wall portion 222B of the inward wall 222 (FIG. 4). Each first connecting portion 26 protrudes toward the inside (rear) of the vehicle from both ends in the vehicle width direction of the sloped portion 222B1 of the lower wall portion 222B as base ends. A screw hole is formed at the tip of each first connecting portion 26, and each first connected portion 33 (described later) of the sensor support member 3 is fastened using a screw or the like.

[0024] In this embodiment, each first connecting portion 26 is provided on the inclined surface 222B1 of the lower wall portion 222B of the inward wall 222, rather than on the transmitting surface 221 of the transmitting portion 22. This increases the connection area between the base end portion of each first connecting portion 26 and the transmitting portion 22, thereby increasing the rigidity of each first connecting portion 26. Furthermore, each first connecting portion 26 is disposed around a corner portion of the inward wall 222 where the side wall portion 222A and the lower wall portion 222B connect, which has high rigidity. This increases the support rigidity of the sensor support member 3 connected to each first connecting portion 26.

[0025] A plurality of convex portions (or concave portions) 26A extending in a predetermined direction (here, the vehicle width direction) are formed on the design surface of the transparent portion 22 on the vehicle outer side in portions corresponding to each first connecting portion 26 (FIG. 5). By providing such convex portions (or concave portions) 26A on the design surface of the transparent portion 22, it is possible to reduce the visibility of sink marks and the like that may occur in the portions of the design surface corresponding to each first connecting portion 26, while improving the rigidity of the base end side of each first connecting portion 26. This makes it possible to further increase the support rigidity of the sensor support member 3 connected to each first connecting portion 26.

[0026] The outward walls 223 of the transmitting portion 22 extend from the upper portions of both side edges in the vehicle width direction at the periphery of the transmitting surface 221 toward the front side of the vehicle. Each outward wall 223 has a substantially triangular shape in a side view seen from the side of the vehicle, with each front end connected to the middle portion 2FI of the front surface 2F and each lower end connected to the extending portion 24. In other words, the outward walls 223 are formed continuously with the transmitting surface 221, the middle portion 2FI of the front surface 2F, which is the design surface of the exterior member 2, and the extending portion 24.

[0027] A pair of left and right second connecting portions 27 to which the sensor support member 3 is connected are formed on the outer sides of each outward wall 223 of the transmission portion 22 in the vehicle width direction (FIG. 4). The right second connecting portion 27 is spaced to the right from the right outward wall 223 and is disposed between the upper surface 2T of the exterior member 2 and the extending portion 24. The left second connecting portion 27 is spaced to the left from the left outward wall 223 and is disposed between the upper surface 2T of the exterior member 2 and the extending portion 24.

[0028] Each second connecting portion 27 has a base portion 27A and a protruding portion 27B. The base portion 27A extends from the back surface side of the middle portion 2FI of the front portion 2F of the exterior member 2 toward the vehicle interior (rear side) and then bends and extends toward the vehicle width direction interior (toward the outward wall 223). The upper end of the base portion 27A is connected to the back surface of the top surface portion 2T of the exterior member 2, and the lower end of the base portion 27A is connected to the upper surface of the upper portion of the extension portion 24. The protruding portion 27B protrudes toward the vehicle interior (rear side) from the rear wall of the base portion 27A. A screw hole is formed in the front-rear direction in the protruding portion 27B, and a second connected portion 35 (described later) of the sensor support member 3 is fastened to the protruding portion 27B using a screw or the like.

[0029] A plurality of third connecting portions 28 to which the sensor support member 3 is connected are provided at the rear end portion of the extending portion 24 of the exterior member 2 (FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the third connecting portions 28 are configured as engagement claws that protrude from the rear end portion of the extending portion 24 toward the inside (rear) of the vehicle. Of the plurality of third connecting portions 28 (engagement claws), two third connecting portions 28 adjacent to the left and right of the transmitting portion 22 at the upper portion of the extending portion 24 are respectively arranged around the left and right second connecting portions 27. Each third connecting portion 28 (engagement claw) is engageable with each of third connected portions 36 (engagement holes) of the sensor support member 3, which will be described later.

[0030] 1 to 3, the sensor support member 3 includes a frame-shaped sensor support portion 31 that supports the sensor device S and partition portions 32 that divide the ventilation area VA formed within the ventilation portion 23 of the exterior member 2 into multiple small areas. In this embodiment, the sensor support portion 31 and the partition portions 32 are integrally formed, for example, by injection molding using a resin material. In other words, the sensor support member 3 in this embodiment is configured by integrally forming a support member that supports the sensor device S on the upper part of a partition member that is called a net front bumper or the like and that divides the ventilation area VA within the ventilation portion 23 of the exterior member 2. Therefore, the sensor device S is supported around the transmission portion 22 and the ventilation portion 23 of the exterior member 2 via the sensor support portion 31 (support member) and the partition portions 32 (partition member) of the sensor support member 3. This structure enables stable support of the sensor device S and suppresses displacement of the sensor device S. The sensor support member 3 may be configured by connecting a sensor support portion 31 (support member) and a partition portion 32 (partition member) that are formed separately. The structure of each portion of the sensor support member 3 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0031] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the sensor support member 3 in this embodiment, viewed obliquely from the rear side. As shown in FIG. 6 , the sensor support portion 31 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape corresponding to the outer shape of the sensor device S (shown by the broken line) to be attached to the sensor support member 3. However, the shape of the sensor support portion 31 is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape. For example, the sensor support portion 31 may be a substantially U-shaped frame or a circular frame shape in which any of the upper, lower, left, or right walls is omitted. In this embodiment, the sensor support portion 31 has a pair of sensor fixing portions 31A to which the left and right sides of the sensor device S are fixed. Each sensor fixing portion 31A has a screw hole formed in the vertical center of the left and right side walls of the frame-shaped sensor support portion 31, and the sensor device S is fixed to each sensor fixing portion 31A from the rear side of the vehicle with a screw or the like. In other words, the sensor support portion 31 has an opening formed in a portion that overlaps in the longitudinal direction with the outer surface (front surface) of the main body of the sensor device S fixed to each sensor fixing portion 31A. The frame-like shape of the sensor support portion 31 refers to a portion where each sensor fixing portion 31A can be provided. Note that, when a portion of the frame-shaped sensor support part 31 forms a part of a partition frame 32B (described later) of the partition part 32, the frame-shaped shape of the sensor support part 31 may mean a part of the partition frame 32B. The sensor device S fixed to each sensor fixing part 31A is arranged so as to face the transmission surface 221 of the transmission part 22 of the exterior member 2 through the opening of the sensor support part 31 when the sensor support member 3 is connected to the exterior member 2 (FIGS. 1 to 3).

[0032] The sensor support part 31 has a pair of left and right arm portions 34, each of which is connected to one of the first connecting portions 26 of the exterior member 2, provided at the lower end of each of the left and right side walls (both ends of the lower wall in the vehicle width direction) (FIGS. 2, 3, and 6). Each of the first connected portions 33 has a through hole formed therein that penetrates the sensor support part 31 in the front-rear direction, and a screw or the like is inserted into the through hole. The sensor support part 31 also has a pair of left and right arm portions 34 that extend outward in the vehicle width direction from the periphery of each sensor fixing portion 31A.

[0033] The right arm 34 extends rightward from an upper portion of the right wall of the sensor support part 31 as a base end, with its tip end located midway between the right wall and the right end part of the partition part 32. The left arm 34 extends leftward from an upper portion of the left wall of the sensor support part 31 as a base end, with its tip end located midway between the left wall and the left end part of the partition part 32. The tip side of each arm 34 is provided with the aforementioned second connected part 35 which is connected to the second connecting part 27 of the exterior member 2. Each second connected part 35 is also formed with a through hole which penetrates the arm 34 in the front-to-rear direction, and a screw or the like is inserted into the through hole.

[0034] The partition section 32 of the sensor support member 3 has lattice-shaped partition walls 32A that serve as boundary walls for each small area formed within the ventilation area VA, and a partition frame 32B that supports the partition walls 32A (FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6). In this embodiment, the partition wall 32A is composed of one horizontal wall that extends in the vehicle width direction and multiple vertical walls that extend up and down and are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. The longitudinal ends of the horizontal and vertical walls of the partition wall 32A are connected to the inner surfaces of the partition frame 32B, and the horizontal and vertical walls are supported in predetermined positions by the partition frame 32B.

[0035] A lower portion of the sensor support portion 31 protrudes from the upper center in the vehicle width direction of the partition portion 32. For this reason, the partition frame 32B is formed with extension portions 32C that extend outward in the vehicle width direction from the right and left walls of the sensor support portion 31. The lower surfaces of the arms 34 provided on the sensor support portion 31 side are connected to the outer surfaces (upper surfaces) of the extension portions 32C.

[0036] The partition frame 32B of the partition section 32 is provided with the aforementioned third connected portions 36 at positions corresponding to the third connecting portions 28 (engagement claws) of the exterior member 2 (FIGS. 4 and 6). The third connected portions 36 are arranged at the top and bottom of the partition frame 32B at required intervals in the vehicle width direction, and are formed as engagement holes that penetrate the partition frame 32B in the front-to-rear direction. The third connected portions 36 (engagement holes) have a shape that allows them to engage with the third connecting portions 28 (engagement claws) of the exterior member 2 that are inserted into the respective third connected portions 36 (engagement holes).

[0037] A plurality of fourth connected portions 37 are provided at required intervals along the outer periphery of the partition frame 32B on both left and right side portions and the lower portion of the partition frame 32B. The fourth connected portions 37 are connected to the periphery of the ventilation portion 23 of the exterior member 2. Each fourth connected portion 37 extends from the partition frame 32B in the direction opposite the partition wall 32A (in the direction away from the ventilation area VA), and the forward-protruding convex portion is connected to each fourth connecting portion (not shown) provided around the periphery of the ventilation portion 23 of the exterior member 2. Flange portions 32D are formed on the rear surface of both left and right side portions and the lower portion of the partition frame 32B, protruding in the direction opposite the partition wall 32A and extending along the outer periphery of the partition frame 32B. Adjacent fourth connected portions 37 are connected to each other by the flange portions 32D.

[0038] Cushion materials 32E are provided at multiple locations on the rear surface of flange portion 32D of partition frame 32B (FIGS. 3 and 6). Each cushion material 32E is disposed in a position abutting the peripheral edge of an air inlet port in an air guide member (not shown) disposed on the rear side of sensor support member 3. The air guide member is a member that introduces air that has circulated through ventilation section 23 of exterior member 2 and partition portion 32 of sensor support member 3 toward the inside (rear side) of the vehicle into the inlet port, narrows the flow of air, and discharges it from the outlet port. Each cushion material 32E functions to absorb and reduce the load acting on partition portion 32 from the air guide member.

[0039] A plurality of cord-like body holding portions 38 for holding cord-like bodies (not shown) such as wire harnesses to be routed inside the vehicle are formed at intervals in the vehicle width direction on the upper wall of the sensor support portion 31, the upper portions of each arm portion 34, and both sides in the vehicle width direction of the upper portion of the partition portion 32 of the sensor support member 3 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 6). By holding a common cord-like body in these cord-like body holding portions 38, the rigidity of the sensor support portion 31, the left and right arm portions 34, and the partition portion 32 is increased.

[0040] When assembling the components of the vehicle structure 1 of this embodiment as described above, first, the sensor device S is fixed to each sensor fixing portion 31A of the sensor support portion 31 of the sensor support member 3 using screws or the like. Then, in the sensor support member 3 to which the sensor device S is fixed, the first and second connected portions 33, 35 formed around the sensor support portion 31 are connected to the first and second connecting portions 26, 27 formed around the transparent portion 22 of the exterior member 2, respectively. At this time, at least a portion of the sensor support portion 31 of the sensor support member 3 abuts against the vehicle inner end (rear end) of the inward wall 222 of the transparent portion 22 of the exterior member 2. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first connected portions 33 of the sensor support portion 31 abut against the rear end portions of the first connecting portions 26 provided on the inward wall 222 of the transparent portion 22 of the exterior member 2. Furthermore, lower portions of the left and right side walls of the sensor support part 31 abut against rear end portions of each side wall part 222A of the inward wall 222 of the exterior member 2. Furthermore, the partition wall 32A adjacent to the lower wall of the sensor support part 31 (upper ends of two vertical walls located at the center in the vehicle width direction) abuts against the cutout part 25 of the lower wall part 222B of the inward wall 222 of the exterior member 2.

[0041] Additionally, third connecting portions 28 (engaging claws) formed around the extending portions 24 of the exterior member 2 engage with third connected portions 36 (engaging holes) formed in the partition frame 32B of the sensor support member 3. Furthermore, fourth connected portions 37 formed around the partition portions 32 of the sensor support member 3 are connected to fourth connecting portions formed around the ventilation portions 23 of the exterior member 2. As a result, the sensor device S supported by the sensor support member 3 is disposed opposite the transmitting surface 221 of the transmitting portion 22 in the exterior member 2.

[0042] The exterior member 2 to which the sensor support member 3 is connected is fixed to a vehicle body structural member (such as a bumper beam) together with the air guide member. Therefore, in this embodiment, the sensor support member 3 is indirectly connected to the vehicle body structural member via the exterior member 2. The air guide member fixed to the vehicle body structural member is arranged so as to cover the partition section 32 of the sensor support member 3 from the rear side. Once the exterior member 2 and the air guide member are fixed to the vehicle body structural member, the plate support member 4 is attached to the plate mounting section 21 of the exterior member 2, and then the license plate is fixed to the plate fixing section 41 of the plate support member 4. Note that the plate support member 4 may be attached to the exterior member 2 before the sensor support member 3 is connected to the exterior member 2.

[0043] As described above, in the vehicle structure 1 of this embodiment, the exterior member 2 includes a transparent portion 22 having a transparent surface 221 and an inward wall 222, and the sensor support member 3 includes a frame-shaped sensor support portion 31 that supports the sensor device S, and the sensor support member 3 is connected to the exterior member 2 with at least a portion of the sensor support portion 31 abutting against the vehicle-inner end portion of the inward wall 222 in the transparent portion 22.

[0044] When the exterior member 2 and the sensor support member 3 are connected in this manner, the relative positional relationship (relative distance and relative angle) between the transmission / reception surface of the detection wave in the sensor device S supported by the sensor support member 3 and the transmission surface 221 of the detection wave in the exterior member 2 is determined by the inward wall 222 extending from the periphery of the transmission surface 221 toward the inside of the vehicle. Therefore, even if the transmission portion 22 of the exterior member 2 is made small and the transmission range of the detection wave is limited due to the exterior design of the vehicle, the relative positional relationship between the sensor device S and the transmission portion 22 can be maintained with high precision. This makes it possible to improve the detection accuracy of the sensor device S while suppressing deterioration in the appearance quality around the transmission portion 22 of the exterior member 2.

[0045] Furthermore, in the vehicle structure 1 of this embodiment, the transparent portion 22 of the exterior member 2 protrudes from the lower wall portion 222B of the inward wall 222 toward the rear of the vehicle and has a first connecting portion 26 to which the sensor support member 3 is connected. Such first connecting portion 26 is located below the transparent surface 221 of the transparent portion 22, thereby reducing the visibility of sink marks and the like that may occur in a portion of the design surface of the transparent portion 22 that corresponds to the first connecting portion 26. Furthermore, providing the first connecting portion 26 on the lower wall portion 222B of the inward wall 222 ensures that the inward wall 222 and the sensor support member 31 abut against each other when connected, thereby making it possible to maintain the relative positional relationship between the sensor device S and the transparent portion 22 with high precision.

[0046] Furthermore, in the vehicle structure 1 of this embodiment, the lower wall portion 222B of the inward wall 222 has a sloped portion 222B1 that extends inward from the lower edge of the transmitting surface 221 toward the inside of the vehicle as it moves downwards, and the first connecting portion 26 protrudes from the sloped portion 222B1 toward the rear of the vehicle. In this structure, the connection area between the base end portion of the first connecting portion 26 and the transmitting portion 22 increases, thereby increasing the rigidity of the first connecting portion 26. This improves the support rigidity of the sensor support member 3 connected to the first connecting portion 26. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the relative positional relationship between the sensor device S and the transmitting portion 22 with higher precision.

[0047] Furthermore, in the vehicle structure 1 of this embodiment, the first connecting portion 26 is disposed around a corner portion of the inward wall 222 where the side wall portion 222A and the bottom wall portion 222B in the vehicle width direction are connected. The corner portion of the inward wall 222 has high rigidity, and by disposing the first connecting portion 26 around this corner portion, the support rigidity of the sensor support member 3 connected to the first connecting portion 26 can be further increased. This makes it possible to maintain the relative positional relationship between the sensor device S and the transmission portion 22 with even greater precision.

[0048] Furthermore, in the vehicle structure 1 of this embodiment, the exterior member 2 includes an extending portion 24 along the periphery of the ventilation portion 23, and the side wall portion 222A of the inward wall 222 in the transmission portion 22 is connected to the extending portion 24. With this structure, the rigidity of the inward wall 222 is increased, thereby improving the support rigidity of the sensor support member 3. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the relative positional relationship between the sensor device S and the transmission portion 22 with higher precision.

[0049] Furthermore, in the vehicle structure 1 of this embodiment, the transmitting surface 221 of the transmitting portion 22 is formed across the design surface (the middle portion 2FI of the front surface 2F) and the extending portion 24, and the outward wall 223 of the transmitting portion 22 is connected to the design surface and the extending portion 24. With this structure, the rigidity of the peripheral portion of the transmitting surface 221 is increased, thereby suppressing displacement of the transmitting surface 221. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the relative positional relationship between the sensor device S and the transmitting surface 221 with high precision.

[0050] Furthermore, in the vehicle structure 1 of this embodiment, the exterior member 2 includes a second connecting portion 27 that is disposed outward in the vehicle width direction from the outward wall 223 and to which the sensor support member 3 is connected, and the second connecting portion 27 is connected to the extension portion 24 and the design surface (the middle portion 2FI of the front surface 2F). The provision of such a second connecting portion 27 further enhances the support rigidity of the sensor support member 3 through a synergistic effect with the outward wall 223. This makes it possible to maintain the relative positional relationship between the sensor device S and the transmission surface 221 with even greater precision.

[0051] Furthermore, in the vehicle structure 1 of this embodiment, the sensor support member 3 includes a partition portion 32 that divides the ventilation area VA in the ventilation portion 23 in the exterior member 2 into a plurality of small areas, and the exterior member 2 includes a third connecting portion 28 that is disposed at the vehicle-inside end portion of the extension portion 24 and around the second connecting portion 27, and to which the partition portion 32 of the sensor support member 3 is connected. By providing such a third connecting portion 28, the support rigidity of the sensor support member 3 can be effectively increased. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the sensor device S and the transmission surface 221 can be maintained with even higher accuracy.

[0052] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0053] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been shown in which the first connecting portion 26 of the exterior member 2 is provided on the slope portion 222B1 of the lower wall portion 222B of the inward wall 222 of the transmitting portion 22, but the first connecting portion 26 may be provided on the extending portion 222B2 of the lower wall portion 222B or on the side wall portion 222A of the inward wall 222. Furthermore, although the case has been described in which the sensor support member 3 is connected to the first to fourth connecting portions 26 to 28 of the exterior member 2, the connecting points between the exterior member 2 and the sensor support member 3 can be appropriately changed depending on the shape, arrangement, etc. of the transmitting portion 22 of the exterior member 2, as long as at least a portion of the sensor support portion 31 abuts against the vehicle-inner end of the inward wall 222 of the transmitting portion 22 of the exterior member 2. In addition, although an example has been shown in which the inward wall 222 and the outward wall 223 are formed along the periphery of the transmitting surface 221 for the transmitting portion 22 of the exterior member 2, only the inward wall 222 may be formed along the periphery of the transmitting surface 221.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the transparent portion 22 is formed in the intermediate portion 2FI facing forward (front) in the front surface 2F of the exterior member 2, and an example has been described in which the detection wave transmitted and received by the sensor device S supported by the sensor support member 3 propagates in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle via the transparent portion 22. However, other than the intermediate portion 2FI of the front surface 2F, the transparent portion 22 may be formed in the right surface 2FR or left surface 2FL of the front surface 2F, or in the lower surface 2B or upper surface 2T of the exterior member 2, and the sensor device S may be supported on the vehicle inner side of the transparent portion 22. For example, if the transparent portion 22 is formed in the right surface 2FR of the front surface 2F of the exterior member 2, the detection wave transmitted from the sensor device S propagates diagonally forward and to the right after transmitting through the transparent portion 22. In this case, the sensor device S can detect other vehicles traveling in a lane to the right of the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling. Such modifications regarding the arrangement of the transmission portion 22 and the sensor device S can also be made to exterior components other than the front bumper (for example, the front grille, rear bumper, rear grille, components that form a design surface facing the vehicle width direction, etc.) in the same manner as in the case of the front bumper.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the partition portion 32 that separates the interior of the ventilation portion 23 (ventilation area VA) of the exterior member 2 is integrally formed with the sensor support portion 31. However, for example, as shown in a modified example in FIG. 7, the ventilation portion 23 and the extension portion 24 in the exterior member 2′ may be integrally formed with the partition portion 29.

[0056] In the modified example shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the partition portion 29, the plate support member 4 in the above-described embodiment is also integrally formed with the exterior member 2', and the upper portion of the plate support member 21' protrudes into the ventilation area VA. The upper end portion of the plate support member 21' is connected to the lower end portion of the transmission portion 22, increasing the rigidity of the transmission portion 22. A sensor support member 3' consisting of the portion of the sensor support member 3 in the above-described embodiment excluding the partition portion 32 is connected to the exterior member 2' integrally formed with the partition portion 29 and plate support member 21' from the rear of the vehicle. In other words, in the modified example, the sensor support member 3' consisting of the sensor support member 31, the left and right arm portions 34, etc. is provided separately from the exterior member 2' integrally formed with the partition portion 29 and plate support member 21'. The sensor support portion 31 and the left and right arm portions 34 of the sensor support member 3' are connected in a state of contact with the transmitting portion 22, the partition portion 29 and the plate support portion 21' of the exterior member 2'. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Vehicle structure 2, 2'...Exterior member 21,21'...Plate mounting section 22…Transparent part 221…Transparent surface 222…Inward wall 222A…Side wall part 222B…Lower wall part 222B1…Slope part 222B2…extension part 223…Outward wall 23...Ventilation section 24...Extending part 25...Notch 26~28...1st~3rd connection part 29...Partition 2B…Bottom surface (design surface) 2F: Front section (design surface) 2T...Top surface (design surface) 3, 3'...sensor support member 31...Sensor support part 31A: Sensor fixing part 32...Partition 32A...Partition wall 32B...Partition frame 33,35~37...1st~4th connected part 34...Arm section 38...Cable body holding part S: Sensor device VA: Ventilation area

Claims

1. an exterior member that forms a design surface on the outside of the vehicle; a sensor support member provided on the vehicle inner side of the exterior member and supporting a sensor device that detects an outside environment, the exterior member includes a transmission surface through which the detection wave transmitted and received by the sensor device passes, and a transmission portion having an inward wall extending from a periphery of the transmission surface toward the inside of the vehicle, the sensor support member includes a frame-shaped sensor support portion that supports the sensor device, a vehicle structure characterized in that the sensor support member is connected to the exterior member with at least a portion of the sensor support portion abutting against the vehicle-inner end portion of the inward wall in the transmission portion.

2. 2. The vehicle structure according to claim 1, wherein the exterior member has a connecting portion that protrudes from a lower wall portion of the inward wall toward the inside of the vehicle and to which the sensor support member is connected.

3. the lower wall portion has a slope portion that extends from a lower edge of the transmission surface toward the inside of the vehicle as it moves toward the bottom of the vehicle, 3. The vehicle structure according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion protrudes from the inclined surface portion toward the inside of the vehicle.

4. 3. The vehicle structure according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion is disposed around a corner portion where a side wall portion in the vehicle width direction of the inward wall and the lower wall portion are connected.

5. The exterior member is a ventilation section through which air flows in and out of the vehicle; an extension portion extending from a periphery of the ventilation portion toward the inside of the vehicle and extending along the periphery, The vehicle structure according to claim 2 , wherein the transmission portion has a portion of the inward wall connected to the extension portion.

6. The vehicle structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the transparent portion has a transparent surface formed across the design surface and the extension portion, and has an outward wall extending from the periphery of the transparent surface toward the outside of the vehicle, the outward wall being connected to the design surface and the extension portion.

7. The exterior member has the following as the connecting portion: a first connecting portion that protrudes from a lower wall portion of the inward wall toward the vehicle interior and to which the sensor support member is connected; a second connecting portion that is disposed outward in the vehicle width direction from the outward wall and spaced apart from the outward wall, and to which the sensor support member is connected; 7. The vehicle structure of claim 6, comprising:

8. The vehicle structure according to claim 7 , wherein the second connecting portion is connected to the extension portion and the design surface.

9. the sensor support member includes a partition portion that divides the ventilation area in the ventilation portion into a plurality of small areas, 9. The vehicle structure according to claim 8, wherein the exterior member includes a third connecting portion that is arranged at the vehicle-inside end portion of the extension portion and around the second connecting portion, and to which the partition portion of the sensor support member is connected.

10. The exterior member is a ventilation section through which air flows in and out of the vehicle; an extension portion extending from a periphery of the ventilation portion toward the inside of the vehicle and extending along the periphery, The vehicle structure described in claim 1, characterized in that the transparent portion is formed so that a portion of the transparent surface extends inwardly of the ventilation portion, and has an outward wall extending from the periphery of the transparent surface toward the outside of the vehicle, the outward wall being connected to the decorative surface and the extension portion, and the inward wall being connected to the extension portion.

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