On-vehicle radar device mounting structure

Abstract

To obtain an on-vehicle radar device mounting structure which can improve an output of radar waves and prevent reduction of flexibility of a design surface.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle radar device mounting structure 10 includes: a bumper cover 14 provided with a recessed part 14B having a recessed inner side; a bracket part 30 disposed in the recessed part 14B and capable of attaching an on-vehicle radar device 20 for transmitting and receiving radar waves to the bumper cover 14; and a cover part 40 having a ridge line 40A which overlaps a central axis D of the radar waves and covers the recessed part 14B and the on-vehicle radar device 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting structure for an on-vehicle radar device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a structure in which an in-vehicle laser device is attached to the rear surface of a bumper cover via a bracket. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-37139 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the structure described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to attach an on-board laser device to ridges such as corners of a vehicle's design, which may limit the freedom of the design. On the other hand, the closer the distance from the central axis of the radar wave to the design surface, the better the radio wave permeability of the radar wave that passes through the bumper cover, and the more symmetric the design surface is about the central axis, the higher the output value of the radar wave from transmission to reception, so there is room for improvement in the shape of the bumper cover.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle radar device mounting structure that can improve the output of radar waves and prevent restriction of freedom of design. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The mounting structure for an on-vehicle radar device according to the present invention described in claim 1 includes a bumper cover provided with a recessed portion with an inward recess, a bracket portion disposed in the recessed portion and capable of mounting an on-vehicle radar device that transmits and receives radar waves to the bumper cover, and a cover portion having a ridge line overlapping with the central axis of the radar waves and covering the recessed portion and the on-vehicle radar device.

[0007] In the vehicle-mounted radar device mounting structure according to the first aspect of the present invention, the vehicle-mounted radar device is mounted in a recess provided in a bumper cover via a bracket, and a cover portion having a ridge line overlapping the central axis of radar waves transmitted and received by the vehicle-mounted radar device covers the recess and the vehicle-mounted radar device. Therefore, by providing the recess at a ridge line portion, such as a corner of the bumper cover, the vehicle-mounted radar device can be mounted at a design corner of the vehicle, thereby preventing restriction of design flexibility. Furthermore, since the cover portion covers the recess and the vehicle-mounted radar device such that the ridge line of the cover portion overlaps the central axis of radar waves transmitted and received by the vehicle-mounted radar device, the design surfaces located on both sides of the ridge line can be positioned on both sides of the central axis of the radar waves. As a result, the design surfaces of the cover portion having a ridge line overlapping the central axis of the radar waves can be formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the radar waves, compared to a cover portion not having a ridge line overlapping the central axis of the radar waves, thereby improving the output of the radar waves.

[0008] The in-vehicle radar device mounting structure according to the present invention as set forth in claim 2 is the configuration as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ridge line extends along the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0009] In the vehicle-mounted radar device mounting structure according to the second aspect of the present invention, the ridge line of the cover portion extends along the vehicle vertical direction, so that the design of the vehicle's decorative corners can be maintained.

[0010] The vehicle-mounted radar device mounting structure according to the present invention as set forth in claim 3 is the configuration as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the ridgeline is a straight line that is symmetrical with the design surfaces located on both sides of the ridgeline.

[0011] In the vehicle-mounted radar device mounting structure of the present invention described in claim 3, the ridge line that overlaps with the central axis of the radar wave is symmetrical with the design surfaces located on both sides of the ridge line, thereby further improving the output of the radar wave.

[0012] The in-vehicle radar device mounting structure according to the present invention, as set forth in claim 4, is the configuration set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bumper cover is a rear bumper cover mounted on the rear side of the vehicle.

[0013] In the vehicle-mounted radar device mounting structure of the present invention described in claim 4, the bumper cover is a rear bumper cover attached to the rear side of the vehicle, which improves the output of radar waves transmitted and received at the rear side of the vehicle and prevents restriction of the design freedom of the rear of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] As described above, the vehicle-mounted radar device mounting structure according to the present invention has the excellent effect of improving the output of radar waves and preventing restriction of freedom of design. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a lower right rear portion of a vehicle to which a sensor mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic perspective view of a main part at the lower right rear of the vehicle in FIG. 1 with a cover removed, as seen from the rear side of the vehicle. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of the lower right rear portion of the vehicle in FIG. 1 with a cover attached, as viewed from the rear side of the vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state cut along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining radio wave transmittance of the surrounding information detection sensor. FIG. [Figure 6]1 is a graph showing the relationship between the direction from the center of a radar wave and signal strength. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, a sensor mounting structure 10 as an on-vehicle radar device mounting structure according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the arrow RR shown as appropriate in each drawing indicates the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction. Furthermore, the arrow RH indicates the right side (outside) in the vehicle width direction. Hereinafter, when the directions of front-rear, up-down, and left-right are simply used in the description, they refer to front-rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, up-down in the vehicle vertical direction, and left-right in the vehicle horizontal direction (vehicle width direction), unless otherwise specified.

[0017] First, a sensor mounting structure 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted, as an example, on left and right design corners on the rear side of a vehicle 12. Examples of the vehicle 12 include an electric vehicle (BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)) that runs on power generated by a power unit, a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle)), a hybrid vehicle (HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)), and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)).

[0018] In this embodiment, the following describes the sensor mounting structure 10 applied to the lower rear right side of the vehicle 12. However, a sensor mounting structure applied to the lower rear left side of the vehicle 12 has a configuration symmetrical to the configuration of this embodiment, so the present invention can be applied by setting the left side in the vehicle width direction as the outer side in the vehicle width direction and the right side of the vehicle as the center side in the vehicle width direction.

[0019] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the lower right rear part of a vehicle 12 to which a sensor mounting structure 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 schematically shows the main parts of the lower right rear part of the vehicle 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor mounting structure 10 according to this embodiment is applied to the rear part of the vehicle 12. Specifically, it is applied to corners on both sides of the rear part of the vehicle 12 in the vehicle width direction. The sensor mounting structure 10 includes a rear bumper cover 14, a bracket part 30 that can mount a surrounding information detection sensor 20 to the rear bumper cover 14, and a cover part 40.

[0020] The rear bumper cover 14 is disposed at the rear end of the vehicle 12 and extends in the vehicle width direction below a back door (not shown) that opens and closes a luggage compartment (not shown), for example. The rear bumper cover 14 is attached to the body that forms the framework of the vehicle 12 via a bracket (not shown) or the like. In this embodiment, the rear bumper cover 14 has a first recess 14A that is substantially triangular with its apex pointing downward at a design corner on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and a second recess 14B that is a substantially pentagonal recess further provided in the first recess 14A.

[0021] The first recess 14A and the second recess 14B are provided in the rear bumper cover 14 so that the inner side (left side) in the vehicle width direction is recessed. As an example, the first recess 14A and the second recess 14B are formed on an extension line of a bumper ridge 14C that transitions from the rear side of the vehicle to the right side of the vehicle, at a design corner of the rear bumper cover 14. As an example, four mounting holes 14E are provided in a bottom 14D of the second recess 14B.

[0022] The bracket portion 30 includes a bracket main body 30A to which the surrounding information detection sensor 20 is attached, and four extension portions 30D extending outward from the bracket main body 30A and each having a hole 30C corresponding to the four attachment holes 14E of the second recess 14B. The bracket main body 30A also includes two sensor attachment holes 30B, as an example, for attaching the surrounding information detection sensor 20, at the upper portion in the vehicle vertical direction when attached to the second recess 14B.

[0023] The surrounding information detection sensor 20 is a sensor that detects information about the surroundings of the vehicle 12. The surrounding information detection sensor 20 is disposed at a corner at the rear end of the vehicle 12 and detects objects such as pedestrians, other vehicles, and structures present behind the vehicle. The surrounding information detection sensor 20 detects vehicles behind the vehicle using, for example, a millimeter-wave radar. Specifically, the surrounding information detection sensor 20 is configured to emit millimeter-wave radio waves, receive radio waves reflected by objects present within the emission range, and calculate the position of the object based on, for example, the time from when the radio waves are emitted to when they are received. That is, the surrounding information detection sensor 20 of this embodiment is a laser radar (LIDAR: Light Detection and Ranging) that emits electromagnetic waves that function as radar waves. In this embodiment, as an example, a blind spot monitor (BSM) is used as the surrounding information detection sensor 20.

[0024] The surrounding information detection sensor 20 has two holes 20B that correspond to the two sensor mounting holes 30B provided in the bracket portion 30, respectively, at an upper portion in the vehicle vertical direction when attached to the recess 14A.

[0025] The cover portion 40 has a cover ridgeline 40A that extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle when attached to the rear bumper cover 14. The cover portion 40 has substantially the same shape as the first recess 14A of the rear bumper cover 14 described above, and is formed from a substantially triangular plate member with an apex at the bottom. The cover ridgeline 40A is a straight line that is substantially symmetrical with the design surfaces located on both sides of the cover ridgeline 40A, i.e., the right design surface 40B and the rear design surface 40C.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the main part of the lower right rear part of the vehicle 12 in Fig. 1 with the cover part 40 removed, as seen from the rear side of the vehicle, and Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the main part of the lower right rear part of the vehicle 12 in Fig. 1 with the cover part 40 attached, as seen from the rear side of the vehicle. Also, Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state cut along line IV-IV in Fig. 3.

[0027] 2, the bracket portion 30 to which the surrounding information detection sensor 20 is attached is attached to the second recess 14B of the rear bumper cover 14. The surrounding information detection sensor 20 is attached to the bracket portion 30 by, for example, screwing screw members 50 in a state in which two hole portions 20B (see FIG. 1) provided in the surrounding information detection sensor 20 overlap with two sensor mounting holes 30B (see FIG. 1) provided in the bracket portion 30.

[0028] 2 and 4, the bracket portion 30 is attached to the rear bumper cover 14 by, for example, screwing a screw member 50 into a hole 30C formed in the extension portion 30D while the hole 30C is aligned with a mounting hole 14E formed in the bottom portion 14D of the second recess 14B. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the bracket portion 30 is attached to the rear bumper cover 14 so that the central axis D of the radar wave emitted from the surrounding information detection sensor 20 and the bumper ridge line C of the rear bumper cover 14 overlap when viewed from above the vehicle.

[0029] 3, with the surrounding information detection sensor 20 disposed therein, the cover portion 40 is attached to the first recess 14A of the rear bumper cover 14. Specifically, the cover portion 40 is attached so that the cover ridge line 40A and the bumper ridge line 14C are positioned substantially on the same line. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when viewed from above the vehicle, the bumper ridge line 14C, the cover ridge line 40A, and the central axis D of the radar wave are all overlapping. The cover portion 40 is fastened by screws, bolts, or the like via a bracket 42, for example.

[0030] (Action and effect) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0031] In the sensor mounting structure 10 of this embodiment, the surrounding information detection sensor 20 is mounted via a bracket portion 30 to a second recess 14B provided in the rear bumper cover 14. A cover portion 40 having a cover ridge 40A that overlaps with the central axis D of the radar waves transmitted and received by the surrounding information detection sensor 20 covers the second recess 14B and the surrounding information detection sensor 20. Therefore, by providing the second recess 14B at a bumper ridge 14C portion such as a corner of the rear bumper cover 14, the surrounding information detection sensor 20 can be mounted at a design corner of the vehicle 12, thereby preventing restriction of design freedom. Furthermore, the cover portion 40 covers the second recess 14B and the surrounding information detection sensor 20 so that the cover ridge 40A of the cover portion 40 overlaps with the central axis D of the radar wave transmitted and received by the surrounding information detection sensor 20, and therefore the design surfaces 40B and 40C located on both sides of the cover ridge 40A can be positioned on both sides of the central axis D of the radar wave.

[0032] Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the radio wave transmittance of the surrounding information detection sensor 20. As shown in Fig. 5, the cover part 40 of this embodiment has design surfaces 40B and 40C that are symmetrical with respect to the central axis D of the radar wave, whereas the cover part 60 indicated by the two-dot chain line has a design surface that is asymmetric with respect to the central axis D of the radar wave. In other words, the cover part 60 does not have a cover ridge line 40A that overlaps with the central axis D of the radar wave.

[0033] The received signal strength (dB) was measured when radar waves were emitted and received in a direction (angle; deg) from the central axis D of the radar waves, when the cover portion 40 of this embodiment was attached to the first recess 14A of the rear bumper cover 14 and when the cover portion 60 shown in Fig. 5 was attached. That is, the output value of the laser wave transmitted through the cover portion 40 or the cover portion 60 was measured. Fig. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the direction from the center (central axis D) of the radar waves and the signal strength.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 5, when the distance from the central axis D is short, the cover unit 60 is closer to the surrounding information detection sensor 20 than the cover unit 40. Therefore, as shown by arrow A in Fig. 6, the signal strength is higher for the cover unit 60 having a design surface asymmetric with respect to the central axis D of the radar waves than for the cover unit 40 of this embodiment having design surfaces 40B, 40C that are symmetric with respect to the central axis D of the radar waves. However, as shown by the dashed-dotted circle indicated by arrow B, when the distance from the central axis D of the radar waves increases, the signal strength is higher for the cover unit 40 of this embodiment having design surfaces 40B, 40C that are symmetric with respect to the central axis D of the radar waves than for the cover unit 60 having design surfaces that are asymmetric with respect to the central axis D of the radar waves. In other words, the higher the symmetry between the design surfaces of the cover units 40, 60 and the central axis D of the radar waves, the better the radio wave transmittance.

[0035] The cover portion 40 of this embodiment covers the second recess 14B and the surrounding information detection sensor 20 such that the cover ridge 40A of the cover portion 40 overlaps with the central axis D of the radar waves transmitted and received by the surrounding information detection sensor 20. Therefore, the design surfaces 40B, 40C located on both sides of the cover ridge 40A can be located on both sides of the central axis D of the radar waves. As a result, the cover portion 40 having the cover ridge 40A overlapping with the central axis D of the radar waves can form design surfaces symmetrical with respect to the central axis D of the radar waves, compared to a cover portion that does not have the cover ridge 40A overlapping with the central axis D of the radar waves, thereby improving the output of the radar waves.

[0036] Furthermore, in the sensor mounting structure 10 of this embodiment, the cover ridge 40A, which overlaps with the central axis D of the radar wave, is linearly symmetrical with the design surfaces 40B and 40C located on either side of the cover ridge 40A, thereby further improving the output of the radar wave.

[0037] Furthermore, in the sensor mounting structure 10 of this embodiment, the cover ridge 40A of the cover portion 40 extends along the vehicle vertical direction, so that the design of the corners of the vehicle 12 can be maintained.

[0038] Furthermore, in the sensor mounting structure 10 of this embodiment, the bumper cover on which the surrounding information detection sensor 20 is mounted is the rear bumper cover 14 mounted on the rear side of the vehicle, thereby improving the output of the radar waves transmitted and received on the rear side of the vehicle and preventing the restriction of the freedom of design of the rear of the vehicle 12.

[0039] [supplementary explanation] In the above-described embodiment, the second recess 14B and the cover portion 40 are substantially triangular, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any shape may be used as long as it allows the cover ridge line 40A to be formed.

[0040] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the sensor mounting structure 10 as an on-vehicle radar device mounting structure is mounted on a decorative corner of the rear bumper cover 14, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be mounted on a decorative corner of the front bumper cover.

[0041] In the sensor mounting structure 10 of the above-described embodiment, the rear bumper cover 14 includes the first recess 14A and the second recess 14B, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rear bumper cover 14 may include only the first recess 14A. In this case, a mounting hole 14E is provided in the bottom of the first recess 14A.

[0042] Furthermore, the sensor mounting structure 10 of the above-described embodiment can be adopted for a plurality of vehicle types by simply creating new cover portions 40 and bumper covers 14 for each vehicle type.

[0043] Furthermore, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the configuration can be changed as appropriate as long as the problem can be solved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10. Sensor mounting structure (mounting structure for on-board radar device) 14 Rear bumper cover (bumper cover) 14B Second recess (recess) 20 Surrounding information detection sensor (vehicle-mounted radar device) 30 Bracket part 40 Cover 40A Cover ridge (ridge) 40B Right side design surface (design surface) 40C Rear design surface (design surface) D center axis

Claims

1. A bumper cover having a recessed portion on the inside; a bracket portion that is disposed in the recess and that can attach an on-vehicle radar device that transmits and receives radar waves to the bumper cover; a cover portion having a ridge line overlapping with a central axis of the radar wave and covering the recess and the on-vehicle radar device; An in-vehicle radar device mounting structure comprising:

2. 2. The mounting structure for an on-vehicle radar device according to claim 1, wherein the ridge line extends along the vertical direction of the vehicle.

3. 2. The mounting structure for an on-vehicle radar device according to claim 1, wherein the ridgeline is a straight line that is symmetrical with the design surfaces located on both sides of the ridgeline.

4. 2. The vehicle-mounted radar device mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the bumper cover is a rear bumper cover mounted on the rear side of the vehicle.

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