Sensor support member

Abstract

Even when the sensor device is supported at a location away from the vehicle body structure, displacement of the sensor device is suppressed. [Solution] The sensor support member 10 comprises a base portion 1 that is positioned on the outside of the vehicle body structural member and extends in the vertical direction, and a sensor support portion 2 that is positioned in one direction (vertically or vertically) relative to the base portion 1 and on the outside of the vehicle, and supports the sensor device S. The base portion 1 is positioned outward in the width direction relative to the sensor support portion 2 and has a vehicle body fixing portion 11A that is fixed to the vehicle body structural member. The sensor support portion 2 is provided with a sensor fixing portion 21A on its side portion 22 in the width direction to which the sensor device S is fixed. The sensor support member 10 further comprises an outer connecting portion 3 that extends outward in the width direction from the side portion 22 and connects the side portion 22 and the vehicle body fixing portion 11A.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor support member for supporting a sensor device that detects the external environment of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Sensor devices for detecting the external environment of a vehicle such as an automobile are provided at the front and rear of the vehicle. Examples of sensor devices include a millimeter-wave radar that uses electromagnetic waves in the millimeter-wave band as detection waves, a sound wave sensor (ultrasonic sensor / sonar) that uses sound waves as detection waves, a camera (imaging device), and the like. The sensor device is disposed on the back side of an exterior panel such as a bumper, grille, or emblem that constitutes the exterior design surface of the vehicle.

[0003] As an example of a conventional vehicle structure having a structure for disposing a sensor device on the back side of an exterior panel, the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a first absorption mechanism that holds a sensor bracket for holding a sensor device so as to be retractable along the front-rear direction, and a second absorption mechanism that holds the sensor bracket so as to be swingable. The sensor bracket is fixed to the back side of the emblem while being suspended from an upper beam, which is a vehicle body structural member, via the first absorption mechanism and the second absorption mechanism.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] To maintain the desired detection accuracy of a sensor device, it is necessary for the sensor device to be maintained in the intended position relative to the vehicle body structural member. In Patent Document 1, the sensor device is supported at a position away from the vehicle body structural member via a sensor bracket. In such cases, the further the sensor device is from the vehicle body structural member, the longer the portion of the sensor bracket between the sensor device and the vehicle body structural member becomes, and the sensor device tends to be more susceptible to displacement, such as oscillating in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the rigidity of the exterior panel is often lower than that of the vehicle body structural member. Therefore, even if the sensor bracket is connected to the exterior panel, there is a risk that the sensor device may be displaced from the intended position due to vibrations during driving or minor collisions. Accordingly, the structure of Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of suppressing displacement of the sensor position.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a sensor support member that can suppress the displacement of a sensor device even when the sensor device is supported at a position away from the vehicle body structural member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a sensor support member comprising: a base portion that is disposed on the outside of a vehicle body structural member and extends in the vertical direction; and a sensor support portion that is disposed on the outside of the vehicle in one direction in the vertical direction relative to the base portion and supports a sensor device for detecting the external environment of the vehicle. In the sensor support member, the base portion has a vehicle body fixing portion that is disposed on the outside of the sensor support portion in the width direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and is fixed to the vehicle body structural member, and the sensor support portion is provided with a sensor fixing portion on its side in the width direction to which the sensor device is fixed. The sensor support member further comprises an outer connecting portion that extends outward in the width direction from the side portion and connects the side portion and the vehicle body fixing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a sensor support member can be provided that can suppress the displacement of a sensor device even when the sensor device is supported at a position away from the vehicle body structural member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is an exploded perspective view of the front of a vehicle to which a sensor support according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] This is a front view of the sensor support member as seen from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 3] This is a partial perspective view of the sensor support member as seen from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 4] This is a partial perspective view of the sensor support member as seen from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 5] This is a partial rear view of the sensor support member and the on-board components connected thereto, as seen from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 6] This is a partial rear view of the sensor support member as seen from the rear of the vehicle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the direction of arrow Fr indicates the front of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction. The direction of arrow L indicates the left side in the vehicle width direction when the vehicle is viewed from the rear towards the front, and the direction of arrow R indicates the right side in the vehicle width direction when the vehicle is viewed from the rear towards the front. The direction of arrow U indicates the top of the vehicle in the vertical direction. In the following description, "front" and "rear" correspond to the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, respectively, and "up" and "down" correspond to the top and bottom in the vertical direction of the vehicle, respectively. "Left" and "right" correspond to the left and right in the vehicle width direction when the vehicle is viewed from the rear towards the front.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the sensor support member 10 according to this embodiment is positioned at the front of the vehicle and is a member for supporting a sensor device S, which detects the external environment of the vehicle, in a predetermined position relative to the vehicle body structural member 20. The vehicle body structural member 20 is a highly rigid member that constitutes the structure of the vehicle, and is made of steel plates or the like. The sensor support member 10 is fixed to the vehicle body structural member 20 and is supported by the vehicle body structural member 20 from the rear side (inside of the vehicle).

[0012] The vehicle body structural members 20 include first, second, and third cross members 20a, 20b, and 20c, left and right column members 20d, and left and right side members 20e, etc. In the illustrated example, the first, second, and third cross members 20a, 20b, and 20c each extend in the vehicle width direction and are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. The second cross member 20b is located below the first cross member 20a, and the third cross member 20c is located below the second cross member 20b. Both ends of each cross member 20a, 20b, and 20c in the vehicle width direction are joined to the left and right column members 20d which extend in the vertical direction. The left and right side members 20e are joined to the left and right column members 20d, respectively, and extend towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0013] In the illustrated example, the sensor support member 10 is positioned adjacent to the rear side (inside of the vehicle) of the exterior panel 30, which constitutes the exterior design surface of the vehicle at the front of the vehicle, and is connected to the exterior panel 30. The exterior panel 30 is, for example, a front grille or a front bumper. The exterior panel 30 has a detection wave passing section 30a in the region facing the sensor device S in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, through which detection waves transmitted and received by the sensor device S can pass. As shown in the illustration, the exterior panel 30 may have a first exterior panel 301 and a second exterior panel 302 that overlap each other in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, in which case the detection wave passing section 30a is provided on the first exterior panel 301 on the front side (outside of the vehicle).

[0014] The sensor device S includes a sensor body Sa (see Figures 2 and 4) that transmits and receives detection waves, and a sensor bracket Sb that supports the sensor body Sa. The sensor bracket Sb has flanges that are fixed to sensor fixing parts 21A and 21B, respectively (see Figure 4). By fixing the flanges to the sensor fixing parts 21A and 21B, the sensor device S is supported by the sensor support member 10 such that the sensor body Sa faces the detection wave passage part 30a in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0015] The sensor body Sa is, for example, a millimeter-wave radar that uses millimeter-wave electromagnetic waves as detection waves, and the detection wave passing section 30a is formed from a material having properties that allow detection waves to pass through, such as synthetic resin. The detection wave electromagnetic wave may also be a microwave. The sensor body Sa may also be an ultrasonic sensor (sonar) that uses sound waves as detection waves, or a camera (imaging device) that uses electromagnetic waves in the visible light band or infrared band as detection waves, in which case the detection wave passing section 30a may have a through hole (opening). The detection wave may be sunlight, or it may be transmitted from a detection wave transmitting device provided separately from the sensor device S, in which case the sensor body Sa does not have to transmit the detection wave.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sensor support member 10 comprises a base portion 1 fixed to the vehicle body structural member 20 and a sensor support portion 2 that supports the sensor device S. Furthermore, the sensor support member 10 includes an outer connecting portion 3. The sensor support member 10 is, for example, an injection-molded resin product, and the base portion 1, the sensor support portion 2, and the outer connecting portion 3 are integrally formed.

[0017] The base portion 1 extends in the vertical direction and the width direction, and is arranged so as to generally face the front of the vehicle (outside the vehicle). The width direction is a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and in this embodiment, it coincides with the vehicle width direction. In the illustrated example, the base portion 1 has a generally rectangular shape that is long in the width direction in a plan view seen from one of the longitudinal directions of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle corresponds to the "vehicle inside-outside direction" according to the present invention. The vehicle inside-outside direction is the direction connecting the inside of the vehicle and the outside of the vehicle of the sensor support member 10. In other words, it is the normal direction of the sensor surface of the sensor body Sa that faces the outside of the vehicle and faces the detection wave passing portion 30a.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base portion 1 has a first vehicle body fixing portion 11A and a second vehicle body fixing portion 11B that are respectively fixed to the vehicle body structure member 20. Further, as will be described in detail later, the base portion 1 further has a vertical connection portion 12A, a width direction connection portion 12B, an adjacent portion 13, a recess portion 14, a bulge portion 15, and the like.

[0019] The first vehicle body fixing portion 11A is arranged outside the sensor support portion 2 in the width direction, and is fixed to the second cross member 20b of the vehicle body structure member 20 using a connecting member such as a bolt or a clip. The second vehicle body fixing portion 11B is arranged above the base portion 1, and is fixed to the first cross member 20a of the vehicle body structure member 20 using a connecting member. In this embodiment, the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A corresponds to the "vehicle body fixing portion" according to the present invention, and the second vehicle body fixing portion 11B corresponds to the "other vehicle body fixing portion" according to the present invention.

[0020] In this embodiment, the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A is arranged on both outer sides of the sensor support portion 2 in the width direction. Further, the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A is arranged at the lower side (lower end portion) of the base portion 1. The second vehicle body fixing portion 11B will be described in detail later.

[0021] The sensor support portion 2 is disposed below and in front of the vehicle (outside the vehicle) with respect to the base portion 1. Specifically, the sensor support portion 2 projects downward from the central portion in the width direction of the lower edge of the base portion 1 and bulges forward of the vehicle with respect to the base portion 1. More specifically, the sensor support portion 2 has a front wall extending in the vertical and width directions and facing the front of the vehicle, and an outer peripheral wall protruding rearward of the vehicle from the outer peripheral edge of the front wall. The upper portion of the front wall is connected in the vehicle front-rear direction to the base portion 1 (specifically, an adjacent portion 13 described later) by the outer peripheral wall, whereby the front wall is disposed at a position offset forward of the vehicle with respect to the base portion 1 (specifically, the adjacent portion 13).

[0022] The sensor support portion 2 has a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the sensor body Sa and is a frame shape (ring shape) surrounding the sensor body Sa. The sensor support portion 2 has an outer sensor fixing portion 21A and an upper sensor fixing portion 21B to which the sensor device S is respectively fixed. The outer sensor fixing portion 21A is provided at the side portion 22 in the width direction of the sensor support portion 2 and is disposed outward in the width direction (left or right) with respect to the sensor body Sa. The upper sensor fixing portion 21B is provided on the upper side of the sensor support portion 2 (that is, on the side of the base portion 1 in the sensor support portion 2) and is disposed above the sensor body Sa. A flange of the sensor bracket Sb of the sensor device S is fixed to each of the sensor fixing portions 21A, 21B using a connecting member such as a bolt.

[0023] Specifically, the sensor support section 2 has a pair of left and right side sections 22 spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and an upper section 23 and a lower section 24 spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. Each side section 22 extends in the vertical direction. The upper section 23 connects the upper ends of the pair of side sections 22 in the width direction, and the lower section 24 connects the lower ends of the pair of side sections 22 in the width direction. In the illustrated example, in a plan view from the front of the vehicle, the sensor body Sa has a rectangular shape. The upper section 23 extends generally straight in the width direction. The lower section 24 has a downwardly convex shape to secure space for a camera (not shown) below the sensor body Sa. The outer sensor fixing section 21A is provided on each of the left and right side sections 22. Below each outer sensor fixing section 21A, there is a sensor positioning section 21C (in the illustrated example, a positioning projection that protrudes to the rear of the vehicle) on which the sensor device S is positioned (see Figures 4 and 5). The upper sensor fixing portion 21B is provided on the upper part 23. The shape of the sensor support portion 2 is not limited to the shape described above, and may be other shapes such as a circle or a roughly inverted U-shape with the lower part 24 omitted.

[0024] In this embodiment, the lower side corresponds to "one of the vertical directions" according to the present invention, the upper side corresponds to "the other of the vertical directions" according to the present invention, and the front of the vehicle corresponds to "outside the vehicle" according to the present invention. Also, in this embodiment, the upper side of the sensor support portion 2 corresponds to "the other side in the vertical direction of the sensor support portion" according to the present invention. Note that "the other side in the vertical direction of the sensor support portion" can also be said to be the base portion side of the sensor support portion. Also, in this embodiment, the outer sensor fixing portion 21A corresponds to "sensor fixing portion" according to the present invention, and the upper sensor fixing portion 21B corresponds to "other sensor fixing portion" according to the present invention.

[0025] The outer connection portion 3 extends outward in the width direction from the side portion 22 and connects the side portion 22 to the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A. Specifically, the outer connection portion 3 extends in the width direction along the lower edge of the base portion 1 and is positioned adjacent to the lower side of the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A. The inner side of the outer connection portion 3 in the width direction is connected to the side portion 22, and the upper side of the outer connection portion 3 is connected to the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A. In this embodiment, the outer connection portions 3 are provided on both sides (left and right) in the width direction relative to the sensor support portion 2. The left outer connection portion 3 extends to the left from the left side portion 22, and the right outer connection portion 3 extends to the right from the right side portion 22.

[0026] With the sensor support member 10 configured as described above, the outer sensor fixing portion 21A is positioned away from the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A, and the sensor device S is supported at a position away from the vehicle body structural member 20 via the sensor support member 10. Since the side portion 22 on which the outer sensor fixing portion 21A is provided is connected to the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A by the outer connection portion 3, the rigidity of the outer sensor fixing portion 21A and its surroundings, especially in the width direction, is increased, thereby increasing the support rigidity of the sensor device S. Therefore, even when the sensor support portion 2 is supported at a position away from the vehicle body structural member 20, displacement of the sensor device S due to external loads and vibrations acting on the sensor support member 10 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the detection accuracy of the sensor device S can be maintained.

[0027] In the illustrated example, the lower part 24 of the sensor support portion 2 is offset towards the rear (inside the vehicle) relative to the other parts (22, 23) of the sensor support portion 2, and a step in the vehicle longitudinal direction is formed between the lower part 24 and each side portion 22. The sensor support portion 2 has a connecting wall 28 that connects the lower part 24 and each side portion 22 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a reinforcing rib 29 that extends upward from the connecting wall 28 (see Figure 4). The reinforcing rib 29 protrudes from the rear surface of the side portion 22 toward the rear of the vehicle. With this structure, the rigidity in the vehicle longitudinal direction and vertical direction, and consequently the torsional rigidity, is increased around the outer sensor fixing portion 21A.

[0028] Next, the sensor support member 10 of this embodiment will be described in more detail. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A has a concave shape that is recessed toward the rear of the vehicle (inward towards the vehicle), and the outer connecting portion 3 is continuous with the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (inward and outward direction of the vehicle).

[0029] Specifically, the concave first vehicle body fixing portion 11A has a cylindrical peripheral wall 11A1 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a bottom wall 11A2 provided at the rear end of the peripheral wall 11A1. In the illustrated example, the peripheral wall 11A1 has a rectangular tubular portion on the front side of the vehicle and a cylindrical portion on the rear side of the vehicle. The bottom wall 11A2 has an insertion hole into which a connecting member such as a bolt or clip is inserted. The bottom wall 11A2 abuts against the second cross member 20b from the front side of the vehicle and is fixed to the second cross member 20b using a connecting member.

[0030] The outer connection portion 3 has a front wall 3a that extends in the vehicle width direction and faces the front of the vehicle, and an upper wall 3b that extends from the upper edge of the front wall 3a toward the rear of the vehicle. In the illustrated example, the front wall 3a is a roughly rectangular shape that is long in the width direction when viewed from the front of the vehicle in a plan view. The front wall 3a and the upper wall 3b each extend outward in the width direction, continuously from the side portion 22. The upper wall 3b and the lower portion of the circumferential wall 11A1 are continuous with each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the upper surface of the upper wall 3b that faces above the vehicle (i.e., the upper surface of the outer connection portion 3) and the inner surface of the circumferential wall 11A1 (i.e., the inner circumferential surface of the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A) are continuous with each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0031] With this structure, the first vehicle body fixing part 11A can be made lighter by forming it in a concave shape. In addition, the rigidity of the first vehicle body fixing part 11A is increased, which further increases the support rigidity of the sensor device S, and thus the displacement of the sensor device S can be suppressed more reliably. Furthermore, because the outer connection part 3 is continuous with the first vehicle body fixing part 11A, external loads and vibrations are efficiently transmitted from the outer connection part 3 to the vehicle body structural member 20 via the first vehicle body fixing part 11A. In particular, because the outer connection part 3 is continuous with the first vehicle body fixing part 11A in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, external loads from the front of the vehicle are transmitted to the vehicle body structural member 20 more efficiently. As a result, the displacement of the sensor device S can be suppressed more reliably.

[0032] In this embodiment, the base portion 1 has a recessed portion 14 adjacent to the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A that is recessed toward the rear (inward) of the vehicle. The recessed portion 14 has a bottom portion 14a on the rear side of the vehicle that faces toward the front of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 4, the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A is recessed toward the rear (inward) of the vehicle from the bottom portion 14a of the recessed portion 14. With this structure, the amount of the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A protruding toward the rear of the vehicle from the back surface (rear surface) of the base portion 1 is reduced by the depth of the recessed portion 14, so that deformation of the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A and its surroundings can be suppressed. In addition, the work of connecting connecting members such as bolts to the vehicle body structural member 20 from the front side of the vehicle via insertion holes in the bottom wall 11A2 in order to support the sensor support member 10 on the vehicle body structural member 20 becomes easier.

[0033] In the illustrated example, with respect to the left first vehicle body fixing part 11A, the recessed part 14 is adjacent to the upper side and the upper left half of the first vehicle body fixing part 11A. With respect to the right first vehicle body fixing part 11A, the recessed part 14 is adjacent to the right side of the first vehicle body fixing part 11A. The amount of protrusion of the portion of the first vehicle body fixing part 11A adjacent to the recessed part 14 is reduced.

[0034] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the first vehicle body fixing part 11A and the second vehicle body fixing part 11B are connected to each other via a recessed part 14. Specifically, the base part 1 is provided with an upper recessed part 18 adjacent to the upper side of the recessed part 14 and extending from the bottom 14a of the recessed part 14 toward the rear of the vehicle, and the upper recessed part 18 is connected to the second vehicle body fixing part 11B (specifically, the outer vehicle body fixing part 11B2, which will be described later). In this way, the first vehicle body fixing part 11A and the second vehicle body fixing part 11B are connected by two recessed parts 14 and 18 with increased rigidity, thereby increasing the rigidity of the first vehicle body fixing part 11A and the second vehicle body fixing part 11B, and as a result, the support rigidity of the sensor device S is increased.

[0035] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, in this embodiment, the outer connection portion 3 extends outward in the width direction beyond the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A and is connected to the lower edge portion 16 of the base portion 1. With this structure, the rigidity of the outer connection portion 3 is increased, and external loads and vibrations are transmitted more efficiently from the outer connection portion 3 to the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A. As a result, the support rigidity of the sensor device S is increased, and the displacement of the sensor device S can be suppressed more reliably. In this embodiment, the lower edge portion 16 corresponds to "one of the vertical edges of the base portion" according to the present invention.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the base portion 1 has a base side portion 17 that extends outward in the width direction relative to the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A, including the outer end of the base portion 1 in the width direction, and the outer connecting portion 3 is connected to the lower edge portion 16, which is the lower edge of the base side portion 17. The outer connecting portion 3 has a horizontal portion 31 that extends in the width direction continuously from the side portion 22 and has the aforementioned upper wall 3b, and a vertical portion 32 that extends upward from the outer end of the horizontal portion 31 in the width direction (see Figure 2). The horizontal portion 31 extends outward in the width direction to a position beyond the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A in the width direction, and the upper end of the vertical portion 32 is connected to the lower edge portion 16. The lower edge portion 16 is provided with a lower end wall that extends in the width direction along the lower edge of the base side portion 17 and protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle from the back surface (rear surface) of the base side portion 17 (see Figure 4), thereby increasing the rigidity of the lower edge portion 16. Therefore, the connection with the lower edge portion 16 effectively increases the rigidity of the outer connection portion 3.

[0037] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the lower edge portion 16 is connected to the outer body fixing portion 11B2 (described later) of the second body fixing portion 11B by the base side portion 17. This further increases the rigidity of the outer connection portion 3, and as a result, the displacement of the sensor device S can be suppressed even more reliably.

[0038] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in this embodiment, the outer connection portion 3 has a component connection portion 33 to which the on-board component 40 is connected. The on-board component 40 is a component arranged around the sensor support member 10. In the illustrated example, the left and right outer connection portions 3 each have one component connection portion 33. For example, the component connection portion 33 has an engaging claw 33a that protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle, and the on-board component 40 has an engaging hole 41a at a position corresponding to the engaging claw 33a. The on-board component 40 is connected to the component connection portion 33 when the engaging claw 33a engages with the engaging hole 41a of the on-board component 40. With this structure, the rigidity of the outer connection portion 3 is increased when the on-board component 40 is connected to the outer connection portion 3, so the support rigidity of the sensor device S is increased and the displacement of the sensor device S can be suppressed more reliably. In addition, the support rigidity of the on-board component 40 can also be increased. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the left and right component connecting parts 33 (engaging claws 33a) and the left and right outer sensor fixing parts 21A are arranged linearly in the vehicle width direction (see the dashed line in Figure 5). This increases the support rigidity of the sensor device S, and the displacement of the sensor device S is suppressed even more reliably.

[0039] The on-board component 40 is positioned at the rear (inward) of the vehicle relative to the sensor support member 10, and preferably has high rigidity. In the illustrated example, the on-board component 40 is an air guide member such as a shroud that forms an intake path, and the sensor support portion 2 and the lower edge portion 16 also have component connecting portions 25 and 16a to which the on-board component 40 is connected, respectively, and the on-board component 40 has engagement holes 41b and 41c at positions corresponding to the engagement claws 25a and 16a1 of the component connecting portions 25 and 16a, respectively (see Figure 4). Air that has passed through multiple ventilation holes in the exterior panel 30, which is a grille, is guided to a radiator (not shown) via the on-board component 40, which is an air guide member.

[0040] The air guide member (40) has a rectangular frame portion 42 that forms a ventilation space and a partition portion 43 that partitions the inside of the frame portion 42. The partition portion 43 is located in the middle of the frame portion 42 in the vertical direction, extends in the vehicle width direction, and both ends of the partition portion 43 are fixed to the frame portion 42. The rigidity of the frame portion 42 is increased by the provision of such a partition portion 43, and as a result, the support rigidity of the sensor device S is further increased.

[0041] The component connecting portion 25 of the sensor support portion 2 is positioned adjacent to the upper sensor fixing portion 21B. In the illustrated example, the component connecting portion 25 is positioned adjacent to the upper left side of the upper sensor fixing portion 21B. This increases the rigidity of the upper sensor fixing portion 21B and its surrounding area, thereby increasing the support rigidity of the sensor device S by the sensor support portion 2. The component connecting portion 33 of the outer connection portion 3 is positioned inward in the width direction from the outer end of the outer connection portion 3 in the width direction, and in the illustrated example, it is positioned in the width direction center of the outer connection portion 3. By positioning the component connecting portion 33 closer to the outer sensor fixing portion 21A in the width direction, the support rigidity of the sensor device S is further increased. In addition, by connecting the vehicle component 40 to the component connecting portion 16a of the lower edge portion 16 to which the outer connection portion 3 is connected, the rigidity of the outer connection portion 3 is increased, thereby further increasing the support rigidity of the sensor device S. Furthermore, the rigidity of the vehicle component 40 is increased by connecting it not only to the outer connection portion 3 but also to the sensor support portion 2 and the lower edge portion 16.

[0042] The base portion 1 is provided with a recessed portion 27 that is recessed toward the rear of the vehicle, adjacent to the component connecting portion 25 and the upper sensor fixing portion 21B, which are arranged in the vertical direction. This increases the rigidity of the upper sensor fixing portion 21B and its surrounding area, thereby increasing the support rigidity of the sensor device S. The portion of the air guide member (40) corresponding to the recessed portion 27 is provided with a recess 44 that is recessed toward the rear of the vehicle (inward of the vehicle) to receive the recessed portion 27. The air guide member (40) is also provided with a recess 45a that is recessed toward the rear of the vehicle to receive the left first vehicle body fixing portion 11A. The recess 45a is formed to follow the peripheral wall 11A1 of the left first vehicle body fixing portion 11A, thereby suppressing the displacement of the air guide member (40). In the illustrated example, the recess 45a is arranged adjacent to the lower surface and side surface of the left first vehicle body fixing portion 11A, but instead, it may be arranged adjacent to only one of the lower surface and side surface. Furthermore, the recess 45a may be recessed upward so as to be positioned adjacent to the upper surface of the left first vehicle body fixing portion 11A.

[0043] The air guide member (40) is also provided with a recess 45b corresponding to the right first vehicle body fixing portion 11A. The recess 45b is notched to receive the right first vehicle body fixing portion 11A and suppresses the displacement of the air guide member (40). The portion of the air guide member (40) sandwiched in the vehicle width direction by the two recesses 45a and 45b has its movement restricted in the vehicle width direction and vertical direction by the left and right first vehicle body fixing portions 11A. Therefore, the displacement of the air guide member (40), and consequently the displacement around the engagement hole 41b and engagement claw 25a of the sandwiched portion, can be suppressed. Around the right first vehicle body fixing portion 11A, a plurality of recesses 111 are provided that are recessed toward the rear (inward) of the vehicle, as a structure to increase the rigidity around the right first vehicle body fixing portion 11A (see Figure 5). In the illustrated example, in a plan view from the rear of the vehicle, the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A is rectangular in shape, and the three recesses 111 are arranged in a staggered pattern relative to the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A, on the virtual extensions of the diagonals of the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A. This increases the surface rigidity, particularly at the base end side of the right first vehicle body fixing portion 11A.

[0044] Furthermore, the component connecting parts 16a, 25, and 33 may have engagement holes instead of engagement claws 16a1, 25a, and 33a, and the on-board component 40 may have engagement claws instead of engagement holes 41a, 41b, and 41c. The method of connecting the on-board component 40, such as the air guide member, to the sensor support member 10 is not limited to engagement between engagement claws and engagement holes, but may be by other methods. For example, the connection method may be fastening with fastening members such as bolts or clips, or welding, in which case the connection rigidity between the sensor support member 10 and the on-board component 40 will be increased.

[0045] In this embodiment, as described above, the sensor support portion 2 has an upper sensor fixing portion 21B on the upper side of the sensor support portion 2. The outer sensor fixing portion 21A and the upper sensor fixing portion 21B are positioned offset from each other in the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, the upper sensor fixing portion 21B is located in the middle of the width direction of the upper part 23 of the sensor support portion 2, and the outer sensor fixing portion 21A is located in the middle of the vertical direction of the side portion 22. The outer connection portion 3 extends outward in the width direction from the portion of the side portion 22 between the outer sensor fixing portion 21A and the upper sensor fixing portion 21B in the vertical direction.

[0046] With this structure, the rigidity around the outer sensor fixing part 21A and the upper sensor fixing part 21B is increased, thereby increasing the support rigidity of the sensor device S by each sensor fixing part 21A and 21B. Therefore, the displacement of the sensor device S can be suppressed more reliably.

[0047] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, in this embodiment, the base portion 1 has a second vehicle body fixing portion 11B and a vertical connection portion 12A. The second vehicle body fixing portion 11B is located on the upper side of the base portion 1 and is fixed to the vehicle body structural member 20. The vertical connection portion 12A extends vertically upward, continuously from the sensor support portion 2. Specifically, the vertical connection portion 12A extends upward from the widthwise central portion of the upper part 23 of the sensor support portion 2, which includes the upper sensor fixing portion 21B, and the lower end of the vertical connection portion 12A is connected to the upper sensor fixing portion 21B.

[0048] With this structure, the provision of a second vehicle body fixing part 11B in addition to the first vehicle body fixing part 11A increases the support rigidity of the sensor support member 10 by the vehicle body structural member 20, thereby further increasing the support rigidity of the sensor device S. Furthermore, the provision of a vertical connection part 12A extending upward from the upper sensor fixing part 21B toward the upper side where the second vehicle body fixing part 11B is located increases the support rigidity of the upper sensor fixing part 21B by the vehicle body structural member 20, thereby increasing the support rigidity of the sensor device S, particularly in the vertical direction. Therefore, the displacement of the sensor device S can be suppressed more reliably.

[0049] In the illustrated example, a second vehicle body fixing portion 11B, which protrudes from the widthwise connecting portion 12B (described later) toward the rear of the vehicle (inward towards the vehicle), is provided on the upper edge of the base portion 1. The second vehicle body fixing portion 11B has a bottom wall that protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle and faces upward, and a peripheral wall that protrudes upward from the periphery of the bottom wall and extends along the periphery. Insertion holes are formed in the bottom wall into which connecting members such as bolts are inserted. The second vehicle body fixing portion 11B is connected (fixed) to the first cross member 20a using connecting members.

[0050] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the vertical connection portion 12A bulges outward towards the front of the vehicle (outward from the vehicle) and has a convex shape that protrudes forward. This increases the rigidity of the vertical connection portion 12A, further increasing the support rigidity of the sensor device S. Therefore, the displacement of the sensor device S can be suppressed even more reliably.

[0051] Specifically, the vertical connection section 12A has a front wall that generally faces forward of the vehicle and extends vertically, and a pair of side walls that protrude from the outer edges on both sides in the width direction of the front wall toward the rear of the vehicle and extend vertically along the outer edges. The front wall is continuous with the front wall of the sensor support section 2, and the rear ends of the side walls are connected to the adjacent section 13. The adjacent section 13 is the part of the base section 1 adjacent to the outer side of the vertical connection section 12A in the width direction, and extends vertically along the vertical connection section 12A to connect the sensor support section 2 and the width direction connection section 12B in the vertical direction. As a result, the front wall of the vertical connection section 12A is positioned offset forward of the vehicle relative to the adjacent section 13.

[0052] In this embodiment, the lower end portion 12A1 of the vertical connection portion 12A extends in the width direction so as to overlap with the side portion 22 in the width direction. With this structure, the rigidity of the outer sensor fixing portion 21A and its surrounding area is increased, thereby further increasing the support rigidity of the sensor device S.

[0053] In the illustrated example, the lower part of the vertical connection portion 12A is trapezoidal in a plan view from one side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and its width increases towards the bottom. The lower end portion 12A1 of the lower part extends outward beyond the inner end of the side portion 22 in the width direction, and in the illustrated example, it extends to approximately the same position as the outer sensor fixing portion 21A in the width direction. The lower end portion 12A1 may further extend outward beyond the outer sensor fixing portion 21A in the width direction.

[0054] In this embodiment, the second vehicle body fixing portion 11B is provided on both outer sides (left and right) of the vertical connecting portion 12A in the width direction. The base portion 1 has a width direction connecting portion 12B that connects the vertical connecting portion 12A to the two outer (left and right) second vehicle body fixing portions 11B. In the illustrated example, the width direction connecting portion 12B extends upward from the upper end of the vertical connecting portion 12A to the upper edge of the base portion 1, and then extends in the width direction outward (right and left) along the upper edge. Therefore, the width direction connecting portion 12B constitutes the upper edge of the base portion 1. The width direction connecting portion 12B is connected to the front end of the second vehicle body fixing portion 11B.

[0055] With this structure, the vertical connection portion 12A is connected to the second vehicle body fixing portions 11B on both sides via the widthwise connection portion 12B, thereby increasing the support rigidity of the upper sensor fixing portion 21B by the vehicle body structural member 20. As a result, the support rigidity of the sensor device S is further increased, and the displacement of the sensor device S can be suppressed even more reliably.

[0056] In this embodiment, the second vehicle body fixing portion 11B includes an inner vehicle body fixing portion 11B1 and an outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2 arranged in the width direction. The inner vehicle body fixing portion 11B1 is positioned between the vertical connecting portion 12A and the outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2 in the width direction. The inner vehicle body fixing portion 11B1 and the outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2 are each fixed to the first cross member 20a using connecting members. The width direction connecting portion 12B extends in the width direction and connects the vertical connecting portion 12A to both the inner vehicle body fixing portion 11B1 and the outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2. Specifically, the width direction connecting portion 12B extends to a position that overlaps with at least a portion of the outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2 in the width direction, and in the illustrated example, it extends to a position that overlaps with the entire outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2 in the width direction.

[0057] With this structure, on each side in the width direction, the vertical connection portion 12A is connected to the first cross member 20a via both the inner vehicle body fixing portion 11B1 and the outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2, further increasing the support rigidity of the upper sensor fixing portion 21B by the vehicle body structural member 20. As a result, the support rigidity of the sensor device S is further increased, and the displacement of the sensor device S can be suppressed even more reliably.

[0058] Below the right second vehicle body fixing portion 11B, a ventilation hole V is formed that penetrates the base portion 1 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The ventilation hole V is located between the inner vehicle body fixing portion 11B1 and the outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2 in the vehicle width direction. This increases the rigidity around the ventilation hole V and suppresses deformation around the ventilation hole. Furthermore, a raised portion 19 is provided next to the ventilation hole V, which rises toward the ventilation hole V, thereby more reliably suppressing deformation around the ventilation hole V.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A is positioned between the inner vehicle body fixing portion 11B1 and the outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2 in the width direction. With this structure, the support rigidity of the sensor support member 10 by the vehicle body structural member 20, particularly in the width direction, is further increased, thereby increasing the support rigidity of the sensor device S, especially in the width direction. As a result, the displacement of the sensor device S can be suppressed even more reliably, especially in the width direction.

[0060] In this embodiment, the base portion 1 has an adjacent portion 13 as described above, and further has a bulging portion 15 adjacent to the widthwise outer side of the adjacent portion 13 and bulging forward (outside the vehicle) relative to the adjacent portion 13. The bulging portion 15 connects the adjacent portion 13 and the outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2. In other words, a part of the bulging portion 15 is connected to the adjacent portion 13, and another part of the bulging portion 15 is connected to the outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2. In the illustrated example, in a plan view from the front of the vehicle, the bulging portion 15 is roughly inverted trapezoidal in shape, with its width increasing as it goes upwards. The upper edge of the bulging portion 15 is connected to the outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2, and the inner edge of the bulging portion 15 in the widthwise direction is connected to the adjacent portion 13.

[0061] With this structure, the sensor support portion 2 is connected to the outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2 via the adjacent portion 13 and the bulging portion 15, and is supported by the vehicle body structural member 20 via the outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2 which is located widthwise outward from the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A. This further increases the support rigidity of the sensor device S and makes it possible to suppress the displacement of the sensor device S even more reliably. In particular, since the bulging portion 15 is formed in a convex shape that bulges outward toward the front of the vehicle, the rigidity of the bulging portion 15 is increased, so the support rigidity of the sensor device S is effectively increased.

[0062] As shown in the figure, it is preferable that the bulge portion 15 extends in the width direction so as to straddle the inner vehicle body fixing portion 11B1 and the outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2 in the width direction. Specifically, the inner portion of the upper edge of the bulge portion 15 in the width direction overlaps with the inner vehicle body fixing portion 11B1 in the width direction, and the outer portion of the upper edge of the bulge portion 15 in the width direction overlaps with the outer vehicle body fixing portion 11B2 in the width direction. With such a structure, the support rigidity of the sensor device S by the vehicle body structural member 20 via the second vehicle body fixing portion 11B is further increased, and the displacement of the sensor device S can be suppressed even more reliably.

[0063] The left recessed portion 14 is connected to the left inner body fixing portion 11B1 via the side wall 15a of the bulging portion 15 and the rib 11B1a that supports the inner body fixing portion 11B1 from below (see Figure 4). With this structure, the rigidity of the left first body fixing portion 11A and the left inner body fixing portion 11B1 is further increased.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, the sensor support portion 2 has one or more panel connecting portions 26A that are superimposed and connected to the exterior panel 30, and one or more panel positioning portions 26B that are positioned relative to the exterior panel 30. Figure 6 is a rear view of the sensor support member 10 connected to the exterior panel 30 from the rear side of the vehicle, as seen from the rear side of the vehicle. In the illustrated example, three panel connecting portions 26A and two panel positioning portions 26B are provided.

[0065] The panel connecting portion 26A and the panel positioning portion 26B are provided at positions corresponding to the periphery of the detection wave passing portion 30a, so as to surround the detection wave passing portion 30a. This effectively supports the detection wave passing portion 30a by the sensor support member 10, and suppresses displacement of the detection wave passing portion 30a due to external loads, vibrations, etc. Each panel connecting portion 26A is connected to the exterior panel 30, for example, using connecting members such as bolts or clips, or by engagement of engagement holes and engagement claws. Each panel positioning portion 26B is positioned relative to the exterior panel 30, for example, by a combination of positioning projections and positioning holes.

[0066] In a plan view looking in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the virtual line A connecting the three panel connecting portions 26A forms a virtual triangle. In this plan view, the center of the virtual triangle is located approximately in the center of the detection wave passing portion 30a. With this arrangement, the support rigidity of the detection wave passing portion 30a by the sensor support member 10 can be increased, and the displacement of the detection wave passing portion 30a can be suppressed more reliably.

[0067] As shown in Figure 1, when the exterior panel 30 has a first exterior panel 301 and a second exterior panel 302 that supports the first exterior panel 301 from the rear side (inside the vehicle), each panel connecting portion 26A may be connected in overlapping manner to both the first exterior panel 301 and the second exterior panel 302, and each panel positioning portion 26B may be positioned relative to both the first exterior panel 301 and the second exterior panel 302. With such a structure, the rigidity around each panel connecting portion 26A and each panel positioning portion 26B is increased, and as a result, the displacement of the detection wave passing portion 30a can be suppressed even more reliably.

[0068] The first exterior panel 301 has a detection wave passing section 30a, and the second exterior panel 302 has a sensor opening 30b through which the detection wave passes in the portion corresponding to the detection wave passing section 30a (see Figure 1). The second exterior panel 302 is, for example, a grille panel having a plurality of ventilation holes penetrating in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the sensor opening 30b is located in front of the sensor device S of the vehicle. The first exterior panel 301 is a sensor cover that covers the sensor device S from the front of the vehicle, and is, for example, a decorative panel.

[0069] In a plan view in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (inside-out direction), the two panel connecting parts 26A and the two panel positioning parts 26B are positioned near the four corners of the rectangular (inverted trapezoidal in the illustrated example) detection wave passing section 30a. Therefore, the virtual line B connecting the two panel connecting parts 26A and the two panel positioning parts 26B forms a virtual quadrilateral (virtual rectangle in the illustrated example). This arrangement allows for more reliable suppression of displacement of the detection wave passing section 30a. Furthermore, in the plan view, the three panel positioning parts 26B are positioned at the three vertices of an upwardly convex virtual triangle C. The two lower panel positioning parts 26B are positioned near the two upper corners of the rectangular detection wave passing section 30a.

[0070] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and further modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0071] For example, in the embodiment described above, the sensor support member 10 has outer connection portions 3 on both sides in the width direction relative to the sensor support portion 2, but it may also have an outer connection portion 3 on only one side in the width direction relative to the sensor support portion 2. That is, the sensor support member 10 may have only one of the left outer connection portion 3 and the right outer connection portion 3. Even in this case, it is preferable that the first vehicle body fixing portion 11A and the second vehicle body fixing portion 11B are provided on each of the outer sides of the sensor support portion 2 in the width direction.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the sensor support portion 2 is positioned below the base portion 1, but it is not limited to this and may be positioned above the base portion 1. In this case, "one of the vertical directions" according to the present invention is upward, and "the other of the vertical directions" according to the present invention is downward. The base portion 1 may be configured such that, for example, the second vehicle body fixing portion 11B is fixed to the third cross member 20c.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the sensor support member 10 is covered from the outside of the vehicle by the exterior panel 30. Alternatively, at least a portion of the sensor support member 10 may be exposed to the outside of the vehicle so as to form an exterior design surface on the vehicle.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, the sensor support member 10 is positioned in the center of the vehicle width direction facing forward, but it is not limited to this, and may be positioned in the front side diagonally to the front. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the front of the vehicle includes not only the center of the vehicle width direction facing forward, but also the front side facing diagonally to the front.

[0075] In the embodiments described above, the sensor support member 10 is located at the front of the vehicle, but is not limited to this, and may be located at the rear or side of the vehicle. When the sensor support member 10 is located at the rear of the vehicle, the "inside-outside direction of the vehicle" according to the present invention is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the "outside of the vehicle" according to the present invention is the rear of the vehicle, and the "inside of the vehicle" according to the present invention is the front of the vehicle. When the sensor support member 10 is located at the side of the vehicle such that the sensor surface of the sensor device S faces outward in the vehicle width direction, the "inside-outside direction of the vehicle" according to the present invention is the vehicle width direction, the "outside of the vehicle" according to the present invention is the left or right side of the vehicle, the "inside of the vehicle" according to the present invention is the right or left side of the vehicle, and the "width direction" according to the present invention is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1. Base section 11A First body fixing section (body fixing section) 11A1 Peripheral wall 11A2 Bottom wall 11B Second body fixing section (other body fixing sections) 11B1 Inner body fixing part 11B2 Outer body fixing part 12A Vertical connection section 12B Width-direction connection section 13 Adjacent section 14. Recessed area 14a bottom 15 Bulge 16 Lower edge (edge) 16a Component connection part 16a1 Engagement claw 17 Base side 18 Upper recess 19 Ridge 2. Recovery support section 21A External sensor fixing part (sensor fixing part) 21B Upper sensor mounting part (other sensor mounting part) 21C Sensor positioning unit 22 Side 23 Top 24 Lower 25. Parts connecting section 25a Engagement claw 26A Panel connection section 26B Panel positioning section 27 Recessed area 28 connecting walls 29 Reinforcement Ribs 3 Outer connection 3a front wall 3b Upper wall 31 Side view 32 Vertical section 33. Parts connecting section 33a Engaging claw 10 Sensor support member 20. Body structural components 20a First Cross Member 20b Second Crossmember 20c Third Crossmember 20d Column Member 20e Side Member 30 Exterior Panels 30a Detection wave passage section 30b Sensor aperture 301 First exterior panel 302 Second exterior panel 40 Automotive parts 41a,41b,41c Engagement hole 42 Frame section 43 Partition 44, 45a, 45b recesses Virtual lines A and B C Virtual Triangle S Sensor Device Sa Sensor Unit Sb Sensor Bracket V-shaped ventilation holes

Claims

1. A base portion is positioned on the outside of the vehicle's body structure and extends vertically, A sensor support portion is positioned on the upper or lower side of the base portion and on the outside of the vehicle, and supports a sensor device for detecting the external environment of the vehicle. A sensor support member comprising, The base portion has a vehicle body fixing portion that is positioned outside the sensor support portion in the width direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and is fixed to the vehicle body structural member. The sensor support portion is provided with a sensor fixing portion on its side in the width direction, to which the sensor device is fixed. The sensor support member is characterized in that it further comprises an outer connecting portion that extends outward in the width direction from the side portion and connects the side portion to the vehicle body fixing portion.

2. The vehicle body fixing portion has a concave shape that is recessed inward of the vehicle. The sensor support member according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer connection portion is continuous with the vehicle body fixing portion in the inward and outward directions of the vehicle.

3. The base portion is adjacent to the vehicle body fixing portion and has a recessed portion that is recessed inward towards the vehicle. The sensor support member according to claim 2, characterized in that the vehicle body fixing portion is recessed inward from the bottom of the recessed portion.

4. The sensor support member according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer connecting portion extends outward in the width direction beyond the vehicle body fixing portion in the width direction and is connected to one of the upper and lower edges of the base portion.

5. The sensor support member according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer connection portion has a component connection portion to which an in-vehicle component arranged around the sensor support member is connected.

6. The aforementioned sensor support portion is The sensor fixing part and, The sensor support portion is located on the other side in the vertical direction, and includes another sensor fixing portion to which the sensor device is fixed, The aforementioned sensor fixing part and the other sensor fixing part are arranged at positions offset from each other in the vertical direction. The sensor support member according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer connecting portion extends outward in the width direction from the portion of the side portion between the sensor fixing portion and the other sensor fixing portion in the vertical direction.

7. The sensor support portion has another sensor fixing portion located on the other side in the vertical direction of the sensor support portion, to which the sensor device is fixed. The base portion is Other vehicle body fixing parts are arranged on the other side of the base part and fixed to the vehicle body structural member, The sensor support member according to claim 1, further comprising a vertical connecting portion that extends vertically toward the other side, continuous with the sensor support portion, and is connected to the sensor fixing portion.

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