Mounting structure for vehicle module on vehicle cabin ceiling

Abstract

To provide an in-car sensor used for detection in a passenger compartment of a vehicle in a manner that enables wide detection in the passenger compartment.SOLUTION: An attachment structure attaches a module, such as an in-car sensor 40, which is used for detection in a passenger compartment 3 of a vehicle 1 to a ceiling of the passenger compartment 3 with a design member 63. The attachment structure includes: a fixing part 71 fixed to a vehicle body ceiling member 3 or an interior ceiling member 62 of the vehicle 1; a lower protrusion part 72 protruding downward from the fixing part 71; and a design formation part 73 which extends from the lower protrusion part 72 and covers the fixing part 71. The in-car sensor 40 is supported by the design formation part 73 so that a gap remains between the in-car sensor 40 and an upper partition plate 65 of a housing space 75 in the housing space 75 defined between the lower protrusion part 72 and the design formation part 73.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting structure for a vehicle module to a vehicle compartment ceiling. [Background technology]

[0002] In a vehicle such as an automobile, various modules, such as members operated by an occupant and user interface members for the occupant, are laid out around the occupant seated in a seat in the vehicle interior. For example, modules such as a map lamp, a room lamp, a storage box, etc. are provided on the ceiling of the vehicle cabin. These modules provided on the ceiling of the vehicle cabin are basically embedded in the ceiling of the vehicle cabin. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-181225 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in order to improve safety and the like, automobiles have recently begun to be equipped with image sensors for capturing images of passengers in the vehicle cabin. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting an occupant in a vehicle cabin by transmitting radio waves (electromagnetic waves) toward the vehicle cabin and receiving the reflected waves. By using information about the passenger compartment detected by these in-vehicle sensors, it is believed that the vehicle's control unit will be able to determine whether or not there are occupants, as well as the biological condition of the occupants.

[0005] In order to detect occupants in the vehicle cabin, these interior sensors must be arranged to face the occupants in the vehicle cabin, for example, the occupants sitting in the seats. For this reason, in Patent Document 1, an interior sensor that transmits and receives radio waves is provided on the upper part of the A-pillar on the front side of the vehicle cabin. This allows the range in which the interior sensor transmits radio waves to include multiple occupants in the vehicle cabin, making it possible to detect multiple occupants in the vehicle cabin with a single interior sensor. However, when an in-vehicle sensor is provided on the upper part of the A-pillar as in Patent Document 1, a wide range of the vehicle interior is covered by the blind spot of the in-vehicle sensor, such as a child hanging at the feet of the rear row seat, a child in a seat behind the rear row seat, or a child in the luggage compartment. It is difficult for an in-vehicle sensor provided on the upper part of the A-pillar to detect a wide range of the vehicle interior. In order to eliminate the blind spot, another in-vehicle sensor must be added.

[0006] Thus, in a vehicle, there is a demand for in-vehicle sensors used for detecting the vehicle interior to be provided so as to be capable of detecting the vehicle interior in a wide range. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The mounting structure for a vehicle module to a passenger compartment ceiling of the present invention is a mounting structure for mounting a module such as an interior sensor used for detecting the passenger compartment of a vehicle to the ceiling of the passenger compartment by a design member, the design member having a fixing part fixed to a body ceiling member of the vehicle or an interior ceiling member provided on the passenger compartment side of the body ceiling member, a lower protrusion protruding downward from the fixing part, and a design component part extending from the lower protrusion and covering the fixing part to constitute a design of the design member, the lower protrusion is configured by a peripheral wall portion that extends so as to protrude downward along an outer periphery of the fixed portion and surrounds the fixed portion, the design component is folded upward from a lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion serving as the lower protrusion and extends so as to surround the peripheral wall portion, and the outer edge portion of the design component that is folded upward abuts against the vehicle body ceiling member or the interior ceiling member from below around a portion of the vehicle body ceiling member or the interior ceiling member to which the fixed portion is fixed, The in-vehicle sensor is placed and supported on the design component in the storage space defined between the lower protrusion and the design component so that a gap remains between the vehicle ceiling member or the interior ceiling member above the storage space.

[0009] The mounting structure for a vehicle module to a passenger compartment ceiling of the present invention is a mounting structure for mounting a module such as an interior sensor used for detecting the passenger compartment of a vehicle to the ceiling of the passenger compartment by a design member, the design member having a fixing part fixed to a body ceiling member of the vehicle or an interior ceiling member provided on the passenger compartment side of the body ceiling member, a lower protrusion protruding downward from the fixing part, and a design component part extending from the lower protrusion and covering the fixing part to constitute a design of the design member,The interior sensor includes a flat sensor member capable of detecting an object within an angular range centered on a detection direction normal to a detection surface, the flat sensor member being configured as: In the storage space defined between the lower protrusion and the design component, The detection direction is tilted downward. , so that a gap is left between the vehicle body ceiling member or the interior ceiling member above the storage space, A design component is placed on the design component and supported by the design component. do.

[0010] Preferably, the vehicle body ceiling member or the interior ceiling member is disposed above the upper end portion of the flat plate sensor member in the inclined posture. Under It is preferable that the end portion is provided so as to be in close proximity to or in contact with the end portion.

[0011] Preferably, the board connector provided on the flat sensor member of the in-vehicle sensor is arranged so that a cable connector or a flexible printed circuit board connected to the board connector can be inserted and removed in a direction along the detection surface of the flat sensor member.

[0012] Preferably, the in-vehicle sensor is provided on the decorative component at a position rearward of the fixed portion in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body.

[0013] The mounting structure for a vehicle module to a passenger compartment ceiling of the present invention is a mounting structure for mounting a module such as an interior sensor used for detecting the passenger compartment of a vehicle to the ceiling of the passenger compartment by a design member, the design member having a fixing part fixed to a body ceiling member of the vehicle or an interior ceiling member provided on the passenger compartment side of the body ceiling member, a lower protrusion protruding downward from the fixing part, and a design component part extending from the lower protrusion and covering the fixing part to constitute a design of the design member, The design member is provided with a plurality of modules including the in-vehicle sensor, and the in-vehicle sensor is In an accommodation space defined between the lower protrusion and the design component, the lower protrusion is supported by the design component so as to leave a gap between the accommodation space and the vehicle body ceiling member or the interior ceiling member above the accommodation space, Among the multiple modules provided on the decorative component, it is provided at the rearmost position in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body.

[0014] Preferably, the in-vehicle sensor is provided in the decorative element at least forward of the rear end of the seat cushion of the front row seat so as to detect the surface of the chest of an occupant sitting in the front row seat provided in the vehicle compartment.

[0015] Preferably, the board connector provided on the interior sensor is provided on a side surface of the interior sensor other than the rear side.

[0016] Preferably, the interior sensor is provided in a central portion of the design component in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body. Effect of the Invention

[0017] In the present invention, the interior sensor used for detecting the interior of the vehicle is attached to the ceiling of the interior by a design member. Therefore, the interior sensor can detect the interior of the vehicle widely. For example, even if a child is hanging down at the feet of the rear row seat, or even if a child is in a seat behind the rear row seat or in the luggage compartment, the interior sensor can detect the child. Moreover, in the present invention, the design component used to attach a module such as an interior sensor used to detect the interior of a vehicle to the ceiling of the interior of the vehicle has a fixing part fixed to the vehicle body ceiling member or the interior ceiling member provided on the interior side of the vehicle body ceiling member, a lower protrusion protruding downward from the fixing part, and a design component extending from the lower protrusion to cover the fixing part and constitute the design of the design component. The interior sensor is supported by the design component in the design component, and is provided in the storage space defined between the lower protrusion and the design component so that a gap remains between the interior ceiling member or the interior ceiling member above the storage space. The interior sensor is supported by the design component of the design component without being in full contact with the vehicle body ceiling member or the interior ceiling member above it. As a result, in the present invention, when an upward force acts on the design component attached to the ceiling of the vehicle cabin so that it is above the head of the occupant using the vehicle cabin, the design component can buckle so that the fixation to the fixing part is less likely to break, and can deform upward. In particular, even if an upward force acts on the part of the design component where the interior sensor is installed, the design component can deform upward. Even if the head of the occupant, for example, hits the design component attached to the ceiling of the vehicle cabin, the design component supporting the interior sensor deforms, and the magnitude of the force acting on the part of the occupant that hits the design component can be reduced. It is expected that the impact acting on the occupant will be reduced to the same level as if the design component were not attached to the ceiling of the vehicle cabin. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the automobile of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a control system of the automobile of FIG. 1 having a millimeter wave interior sensor. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a flat sensor member on which the millimeter wave interior sensor of the vehicle interior monitoring device of FIG. 3 is formed, viewed from the detection surface side. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the flat plate sensor member of FIG. 4, viewed from behind the detection surface. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of a plurality of modules including flat sensor members of the vehicle interior monitoring device of FIG. 3 in an overhead console provided at the front center of the ceiling of the vehicle interior of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a structure in which a plurality of modules shown in FIG. 6 are attached to the ceiling of a vehicle cabin using an overhead console. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the contact state of the overhead console provided to protrude downward from the front center part of the ceiling of the vehicle compartment in FIG. 7 before deformation at the timing when the head of the passenger starts to contact it. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the head of an occupant pushes the overhead console of FIG. 8 in an upward and forward direction, causing the overhead console to begin to deform. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the passenger's head pushes the overhead console further upward and forward compared to FIG. 9, causing the overhead console to be significantly deformed. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a first detection state for explaining the principle of detection of an object inside the vehicle, such as an occupant, by the millimeter wave interior sensor of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a second detection state in which an occupant is seated in the seat of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a three-dimensional vehicle interior detection map that can be generated based on the detection of reflected waves by the millimeter wave interior sensor in the second detection state of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of millimeter wave detection control by the CPU of the vehicle interior monitoring device of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the control of determining an object in the vehicle by the CPU of the vehicle interior monitoring device of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an automobile 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the automobile 1 of Fig. 1. The longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 2 is taken along a central position Y0 of the automobile 1 in the vehicle width direction of the automobile 1 of Fig. 1. The automobile 1 is an example of a vehicle body 2. The power source of the automobile 1 may be an internal combustion engine that burns gasoline or ethanol, an electric motor that uses stored power or the like, a power source that uses hydrogen, or a combination of these.

[0021] An automobile 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 has a vehicle body 2. The vehicle body 2 has a passenger compartment 3 capable of accommodating multiple passengers. The passenger compartment 3 is provided with multiple rows of seats 4-5 aligned in the fore-aft direction of the automobile 1. A rear row of seats 5 is provided behind the multiple front row of seats 4. A luggage compartment 6 is provided behind the rear row of seats 5.

[0022] The driver 11 opens and closes a right front door (not shown), enters the vehicle interior 3, sits in the driver's seat 4 in the front row, and then opens and closes the right front door to exit the vehicle interior 3. For example, the passenger 12 opens and closes a left front door (not shown), enters the vehicle interior 3, sits in a front passenger seat 4, and exits the vehicle interior 3 by opening and closing the left front door. The child 13 enters the vehicle interior 3 by opening and closing the right or left rear door (not shown), sits in the rear row seat 5, and leaves the vehicle interior 3 by opening and closing the right or left rear door. For example, if assistance is required, such as for an infant, an adult such as the driver 11 or the passenger 12 opens and closes the right or left rear door, attaches a child seat 14 to the rear row seat 5, and places the infant in the child seat 14. The child seat 14 and the child 13 can also be seated in the front passenger seat 4. The passenger 12 can also be seated in the rear row seat 5. Adults and children 13 seated directly on the seats 4 to 5 wear seat belts (not shown). As a result, the occupants sit on the seats 4 to 5 with their upper bodies leaning against the backs of the seats 4 to 5. The seating positions of the occupants seated on the seats 4 to 5 are basically within a certain range in the vehicle interior 3.

[0023] The automobile 1 travels with occupants including a driver 11 and a passenger 12 seated in seats 4 to 5 in the passenger compartment 3, through driving operation by the driver 11, driving assistance, or automatic driving. In such an automobile 1, it is desirable to be able to monitor the occupants in the passenger compartment 3 while the automobile 1 is traveling, and to be able to execute control of making an emergency call or making an emergency stop if an emergency occurs to an occupant.

[0024] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the control system 20 of the automobile 1 of FIG. The control system 20 in FIG. 3 is capable of detecting and determining the passengers and objects in the vehicle interior, such as luggage, in the vehicle compartment 3, and outputting an alarm according to the state of the passengers. A control system 20 in FIG. 3 includes a vehicle interior monitoring device 21, a passenger monitoring device (DMS) 22, a door opening / closing sensor 23, a wireless communication device 24, a user interface device (UI device) 25, and an in-vehicle network 26 to which these are connected.

[0025] The in-vehicle network 26 may be a wired communication network for the automobile 1, for example, compliant with the Controller Area Network (CAN) or Local Interconnect Network (LIN). The in-vehicle network 26 may be a communication network such as a LAN, or a combination of these. A wireless communication network may be included in part of the in-vehicle network 26.

[0026] The occupant monitoring device 22 has, for example, an imaging device and a light-projecting device, and is provided in a central portion (Y0 position) in the vehicle width direction of the dashboard of the vehicle body 2 as shown in Fig. 6 described later. The occupant monitoring device 22 may identify an occupant such as the driver 11 who is in the vehicle compartment 3, and execute setting control according to the occupant. Furthermore, the occupant monitoring device 22 may determine whether the driver 11 is looking away or falling asleep based on a captured image of the driver 11's head, and output an alarm.

[0027] The door opening / closing sensor 23 detects the opening / closing of a plurality of doors (not shown) provided on the automobile 1. The door opening / closing sensor 23 may be provided for each door to be opened / closed, for example, the above-mentioned right front door, left front door, right rear door, left rear door, and hatchback door at the rear of the vehicle body 2. When the door opening / closing sensor 23 detects the opening / closing of a door provided on the automobile 1, it supplies the detection data to each part of the automobile 1 via the in-vehicle network 26.

[0028] The wireless communication device 24 establishes a wireless communication path with a wireless communication base station (not shown) provided outside the automobile 1, and transmits and receives data between the server device and the user terminal 29 connected to the base station. Examples of wireless communication base stations include a base station for commercial mobile communication and a base station for transmitting and receiving traffic information. The wireless communication device 24 may be compliant with high-speed communication standards such as IMT-2020 (International Mobile Telecommunications-2020) and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11ax. When the wireless communication device 24 acquires transmission data from each part of the automobile 1 through the in-vehicle network 26, it transmits the data to the server device or the user terminal 29 through the base station. When the wireless communication device 24 receives data from the server device or the user terminal 29 through the base station, it outputs the received data to each part of the automobile 1 through the in-vehicle network 26.

[0029] The user interface device 25 is connected to, for example, a liquid crystal device, a touch panel device, various switches, a speaker 27, and a microphone 28, which are provided in the passenger compartment 3 of the automobile 1. When the user interface device 25 acquires output data from each part of the automobile 1 through the in-vehicle network 26, it outputs the data from the liquid crystal device and the speaker 27. This allows the passenger to know information about the automobile 1, such as the contents of an alarm, through the user interface device 25. Also, when an operation input is made to the touch panel device or a switch, or a predetermined voice input is made to the microphone 28, the user interface device 25 outputs the input data to each part of the automobile 1 through the in-vehicle network 26.

[0030] The vehicle interior monitoring device 21 monitors passengers and objects in the vehicle interior 3. The vehicle interior monitoring device 21 has a millimeter wave interior sensor 40, a CPU 41, a memory 42, a timer 43, an input / output unit 44, and an internal bus 45 to which these are connected. Each unit of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 can input and output data via the internal bus 45.

[0031] The millimeter-wave in-vehicle sensor 40 has an output control unit 37 to which a first output antenna 31 and a second output antenna 32 for outputting millimeter waves are connected, an input control unit 38 to which a first input antenna 33, a second input antenna 34, a third input antenna 35, and a fourth input antenna 36 are connected to which reflected millimeter waves are input, and a detection control unit 39 that controls the operation of these elements.

[0032] The output control unit 37 individually controls the output of the detection radio wave of the millimeter wave frequency from the first output antenna 31 and the output of the detection radio wave of the millimeter wave frequency from the second output antenna 32. The two channels of millimeter wave detection radio waves may be output with a shift in output timing, or may be output simultaneously. The millimeter wave detection radio waves may be continuous in time or intermittent. Different coded data may be superimposed on the millimeter wave detection radio wave for the first output antenna 31 and the second output antenna 32.

[0033] The input control unit 38 monitors the input of the reflected wave at the first input antenna 33, the input of the reflected wave at the second input antenna 34, the input of the reflected wave at the third input antenna 35, and the input of the reflected wave at the fourth input antenna 36. The millimeter wave detection radio wave outputted in the two channels can be inputted in eight channels by four antennas. The input timing of the reflected wave at each input antenna depends on the distance from the output antenna from which the wave is outputted to the reflector and the distance from the reflector to the input antenna. The distance and direction of the reflector based on these antennas can basically be uniquely identified in three dimensions by inputting the reflected wave from the same reflector to at least two or more input antennas. However, there is a possibility that multiple reflected waves from multiple reflectors in multiple directions are simultaneously inputted to one input antenna. For example, by combining the output of two channels and the input of four channels, it is possible to separate the reflected wave components in each direction from a composite wave in which multiple reflected waves are mixed, and calculate the distance to the reflector for each direction. The spatial resolution required to detect multiple occupants in the vehicle cabin 3 can be ensured by, for example, coding data superimposed on the detection radio wave, timing control, or other ingenuity.

[0034] The detection control unit 39 controls the output of the two-channel millimeter-wave detection radio waves by the output control unit 37 and the input of the four-channel reflected waves by the input control unit 38. The detection control unit 39 may set the frequency of the millimeter-wave detection radio waves output by the first output antenna 31 and the second output antenna 32 under the control of the output control unit 37, as well as the timing control between the output control unit 37 and the input control unit 38. Not only low-frequency millimeter-waves, such as 24 GHz, but also high-frequency millimeter-waves, such as 60 GHz or higher, are being put into practical use. The detection control unit 39 may select one of a plurality of frequencies, such as 24 GHz, 60 GHz, and 74 GHz, and set it in the output control unit 37. When the frequency is set, the output control unit 37 executes control to output the millimeter-wave detection radio waves of the set frequency from the first output antenna 31 and the second output antenna 32. In this way, the output control unit 37, the first output antenna 31, the second output antenna 32, the input control unit 38, the first input antenna 33, the second input antenna 34, the third input antenna 35, the fourth input antenna 36, ​​and the detection control unit 39 can function as a millimeter wave interior sensor 40 that outputs radio waves toward the passenger compartment 3 of the automobile 1 and detects reflected waves by occupants in the passenger compartment 3 of the automobile 1.

[0035] The input / output unit 44 is connected to the in-vehicle network 26. The input / output unit 44 transmits and receives data to and from each part of the automobile 1 through the in-vehicle network 26.

[0036] The timer 43 measures time and hour. The timer 43 may measure, for example, the periodic timing at which the detection radio wave is output, and the elapsed time from each output timing of the detection radio wave.

[0037] The memory 42 records the programs executed by the CPU 41, data used in executing the programs, and data generated by executing the programs. The memory 42 may be composed of a non-volatile memory such as a RAM, and a non-volatile memory such as an SSD or HDD.

[0038] The CPU 41 reads and executes a program from the memory 42. In this way, a control unit that controls the overall operation of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 is realized. The CPU 41 as a control unit may, for example, determine the type of passengers or objects present in the vehicle compartment 3 and monitor them based on the detection of reflected millimeter waves by the millimeter wave interior sensor 40, for example. At this time, the CPU 41 as a control unit may select the frequency of the millimeter wave detection radio wave from a plurality of preset frequencies, and instruct the detection control unit 39 to set the frequency. The radio wave frequencies that the CPU 41 can instruct to set may be a plurality of frequencies including a first frequency of, for example, 60 GHz, and a second radio wave frequency that is lower than the first frequency of, for example, 24 GHz. In this case, the detection control unit 39 executes the setting instructed by the CPU 41, and switches the frequency of the millimeter wave detection radio wave. The CPU 41 as a control unit may also monitor, for example, the boarding, sitting, disembarking, and leaving of passengers and luggage whose types have been determined.

[0039] Next, a flat plate sensor member 50 on which the millimeter wave interior sensor 40 of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 of FIG. 3 is formed will be described. The flat sensor member 50 may be, for example, a printed circuit board having a flat shape the size of a business card. The printed circuit board has wiring layers on both sides and inside. The flat sensor member 50 in FIG. 3 has a detection surface 51 in FIG. 4 and a back surface 52 of the detection surface 51 in FIG. 5.

[0040] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a flat plate sensor member 50 on which the millimeter wave interior sensor 40 of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 of FIG. 3 is formed, viewed from the detection surface 51 side. The first output antenna 31, the second output antenna 32, the first input antenna 33, the second input antenna 34, the third input antenna 35, and the fourth input antenna 36 of the millimeter-wave in-vehicle sensor 40 are formed on the detection surface 51 of the flat sensor member 50 in Figure 4 using the wiring layer of a printed circuit board. The first output antenna 31 and the second output antenna 32 are formed in the center of the rectangular detection surface 51 so as to be aligned in the vehicle width direction when attached to the vehicle body 2. The first input antenna 33, the second input antenna 34, the third input antenna 35, and the fourth input antenna 36 are formed at the four corners of the rectangular detection surface 51. With such a symmetrically distributed antenna layout, the millimeter waves output from each output antenna are reflected by objects in the vehicle interior 3 and are easily received by each input antenna. Basically, the millimeter wave interior sensor 40 has a detection direction that is the normal direction of the detection surface 51, and can detect objects within an angular range centered on this detection direction.

[0041] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the flat plate sensor member 50 of FIG. A microcontroller 53 is mounted on the back surface 52 in Fig. 5. The microcontroller 53 has a memory, a CPU, an internal bus interface, etc., and the CPU executes a program stored in the memory to realize a control unit of the millimeter-wave in-vehicle sensor 40. The microcontroller 53 may also be provided with a timer, etc. The CPU as the control unit of the millimeter-wave in-vehicle sensor 40 may execute control of the output control unit 37, the input control unit 38, and the detection control unit 39 described above.

[0042] A board connector 54 is provided protruding laterally from one side surface of the rectangular plate-shaped flat sensor member 50. A cable connector 56 of a flat cable 55 made of a flexible printed board that is connected to the internal bus 45 of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 of Fig. 3 is connected to the board connector 54. The microcontroller 53 of the flat sensor member 50 can input and output data to and from other components connected to the internal bus 45 of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 of Fig. 3 through the board connector 54, the cable connector 56, and the flat cable 55. In this way, the board connector 54 and the cable connector 56 can be provided on the side of the flat sensor member 50 so as not to increase the thickness of the flat sensor member 50. The board connector 54 is provided so that the cable connector 56 connected to the board connector 54 can be inserted and removed in a direction along the detection surface 51 of the flat sensor member 50. The flat cable 55 made of a flexible printed circuit board may be sandwiched in the board connector 54 without using the cable connector 56.

[0043] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of a plurality of modules including the flat sensor member 50 of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 of FIG. 3 in an overhead console provided in the front center part of the ceiling of the vehicle interior 3 of the automobile 1 of FIG. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the front of the vehicle body 2 as viewed from the front row seat 4. A-pillars 66 are provided on the left and right of the windshield in the center of Fig. 6, and a plate-shaped interior ceiling member 62 constituting the ceiling of the passenger compartment 3 is provided above the windshield.

[0044] An overhead console design member 63 is provided in the front center portion adjacent to the windshield on the ceiling of the passenger compartment 3. The overhead console design member 63, together with the interior ceiling member 62, constitutes the design of the ceiling of the passenger compartment 3. The overhead console design member 63 is provided with a storage box 81, a map lamp 82, and a flat sensor member 50 serving as the millimeter wave interior sensor 40, in that order from the front side. In this way, multiple modules such as the storage box 81, map lamp 82, and flat sensor member 50 serving as the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 are supported by the overhead console design member 63 and attached to the ceiling of the vehicle interior 3 above the heads of occupants using the vehicle interior 3. Furthermore, the flat sensor member 50 serving as the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 that detects the vehicle interior 3 is provided at the rearmost position in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body 2 among the multiple modules provided in the overhead console design member 63. Even if other modules are provided in the overhead console design member 63, the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 is able to perform detection without being affected by the reflection of millimeter waves from the other modules. The millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 is provided in the center of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 2 in the design member 63 of the overhead console so as to be equidistant from the front row seat 4 for the driver and the front row seat 4 for the passenger. The millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 is provided in the design member 63 of the overhead console so as to reduce the difference in distance to the multiple front row seats 4 provided in the vehicle interior 3, and so that the distance to the multiple front row seats 4 provided in the vehicle interior 3 is different from the distance to the rear row seat 5 provided in the vehicle interior 3. This makes it easier to obtain biological information of the occupant in the front row seat 4, as described later. Even if there are multiple occupants in the rear row seats 5, it is possible to easily detect them by suppressing an increase in distance while distinguishing them from the occupants in the front row seats 4.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a structure in which a plurality of modules 81, 82, and 40 shown in FIG. 6 are attached to the ceiling of the vehicle interior 3 by using a design member 63 of the overhead console.

[0046] In FIG. 7, a roof panel 61, a roof cross member 64, and a partition plate 65 are provided as vehicle ceiling members that form the ceiling of the vehicle body 2. The roof cross member 64 extends in the vehicle width direction in the ceiling portion of the vehicle body 2. The roof panel 61 is welded onto the roof cross member 64 to form the exterior design surface of the vehicle body 2. The partition plate 65 is provided behind the roof cross member 64, between the roof panel 61 and the overhead console. The partition plate 65 separates, for example, a sunroof device (not shown) provided on the roof panel 61 from the overhead console so that they do not interfere with each other. 7, a plate-shaped interior ceiling member 62 is provided which constitutes the ceiling of the vehicle compartment 3. The plate-shaped interior ceiling member 62 is provided on the underside of the vehicle body ceiling member which constitutes the ceiling of the vehicle body 2, that is, on the vehicle compartment 3 side of the vehicle body ceiling member, and is supported at the ceiling position of the vehicle compartment 3 by being fixed to, for example, a roof cross member 64 or the like.

[0047] The overhead console decorative member 63 is formed from a flexible resin material, and has a substantially flat fixing portion 71, a peripheral wall portion 72, and a decorative component portion 73.

[0048] The substantially flat fixing portion 71 is fixed to a roof cross member 64, which is a vehicle body ceiling member of the vehicle body 2, by using, for example, a rubber bushing 74. The fixing portion 71 may be fixed to an interior ceiling member 62.

[0049] The peripheral wall portion 72 is provided in a generally cylindrical shape so as to completely surround the generally flat fixed portion 71. The generally cylindrical peripheral wall portion 72 extends so as to protrude downward along the outer periphery of the fixed portion 71, thereby completely surrounding the fixed portion 71. Such peripheral wall portion 72 functions as a lower protrusion that protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the fixed portion 71.

[0050] The design component 73 is formed to extend outward from the lower end of the generally cylindrical peripheral wall 72. The outer peripheral edge of the design component 73 extending in the direction away from the fixed part 71 is folded back upward from the lower end of the peripheral wall 72 and curved to the same height as the peripheral wall 72. The outer peripheral edge portion of the design component 73, which is folded back so as to curve upward, abuts against the interior ceiling member 62 from below, around the area where the fixing portion 71 is fixed. The outer peripheral edge portion of the design component 73 is not fixed to the interior ceiling member 62 or the vehicle ceiling member. The overhead console design member 63, which is made of a flexible resin material, is basically fixed to the vehicle body 2 only at the fixing portion 71. As a result, the design component 73 is formed to extend so as to surround the periphery of the generally cylindrical peripheral wall portion 72. As shown in Fig. 6, only the design surface defined by the design component 73 is exposed on the ceiling of the passenger compartment 3. With regard to the design member 63 of the overhead console, only the design component 73 constitutes the design as the design member 63.

[0051] The generally cylindrical peripheral wall portion 72 is used as a storage box 81 . Further, a map lamp 82 is disposed at a portion of the design component 73 adjacent to the peripheral wall portion 72. A flat sensor member 50 serving as the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 is disposed at a portion of the design component 73 rearward of the map lamp 82. The flat sensor member 50 serving as the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 is provided in an accommodation space 75 defined between the peripheral wall portion 72, the design component 73, and the partition plate 65. The flat sensor member 50 is placed on the design component 73 and supported by the design component 73 such that a gap remains between the flat sensor member 50 and the upper partition plate 65 of the accommodation space 75. As a result, the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 is provided in the design member 63 at a position rearward of the fixing part 71 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body 2. In addition, the underside of the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 is covered by the design component 73. The design member 63 of the overhead console is preferably formed from a resin material with transmission characteristics that allow good transmission of radio waves in the frequency band used by the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40. Furthermore, the design member 63 of the overhead console may be formed from a resin material with characteristics that allow transmission detection by thermography.

[0052] In addition, the flat sensor member 50 as the millimeter wave interior sensor 40 is supported by the design component 73 in an inclined position tilted rearward with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle body 2. The flat sensor member 50 is not parallel to the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body 2, nor is it parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle body 2. As a result, the detection direction of the flat sensor member 50 is not directly below the flat sensor member 50 but is obliquely downward and rearward. In this way, the flat sensor member 50 as the millimeter wave interior sensor 40 is supported in an inclined position so that the detection direction of its detection surface 51 is not directly below the flat sensor member 50 but is obliquely downward and rearward, and therefore can detect a wide range in the vehicle interior 3. As shown in Fig. 1, the flat sensor member 50 can have a detection range that is a wide range from the front row seats 4 to the luggage compartment 6 behind the rear row seats 5 in the vehicle interior 3. Furthermore, the flat sensor member 50 serving as the millimeter wave interior sensor 40 is provided at the center of the vehicle body 2 in the vehicle width direction, enabling symmetrical detection on the left and right. Although not specifically shown, the board connector 54 in FIG. 3 is provided so as to protrude from the front side surface or either the left or right side surface of the flat plate sensor member 50 in FIG.

[0053] Next, a method of deformation when the head of the driver 11 as an occupant hits the decorative member 63 of the overhead console that is provided to protrude downward in the front center part of the ceiling of the passenger compartment 3 in FIG. 7 will be described. The overhead console's decorative member 63 is provided so as to protrude downward from the plate-shaped interior ceiling member 62. There is a possibility that the passenger's head may easily hit the overhead console's decorative member 63. The overhead console's decorative member 63 is configured so as to be easily deformed when the passenger's head hits it, and absorbs the impact acting on the passenger's head.

[0054] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the contact state before deformation of the overhead console design member 63, which protrudes downward from the front center of the ceiling of the passenger compartment 3 in Figure 7, at the time when the head of the driver 11 begins to hit it. In FIG. 8, the head of the driver 11 moves from a lower-rear direction to an upper-front direction, and hits the design component 73 of the design member 63 of the overhead console from a diagonally lower-rear direction. In the pre-deformation state of Figure 8, the flat sensor member 50 is arranged in an inclined position in the storage space 75, and gaps remain not only between the lower end portion and the partition plate 65, but also between the upper end portion and the partition plate 65. A partition plate 65 serving as a vehicle body ceiling member is provided above the upper end portion of the inclined flat plate sensor member 50 so as to be closer to the lower end portion of the flat plate sensor member 50 than to the lower end portion of the flat plate sensor member 50 . In addition, the flat sensor member 50, which is arranged in an inclined position in the storage space 75, may be arranged so that its upper end portion is in contact with the partition plate 65 and a gap is left between at least its lower end portion and the partition plate 65.

[0055] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the head of the driver 11 pushes the decorative member 63 of the overhead console in FIG. 8 in an upward and forward direction, causing the decorative member 63 of the overhead console to begin to deform. When the head of the driver 11 that has come into contact with the design component 73 moves further in the upward forward direction from the contact state shown in Fig. 8, the design component 73 is pushed by the head of the driver 11 and deforms further in the upward forward direction. At this time, since the outer peripheral edge of the design component 73 is not fixed, the outer peripheral edge spreads outward and deformation can begin with a relatively small force. This reduces the impact acting on the head of the driver 11. In addition, as a result of the design component 73 deforming in an upwardly forward direction, the upper end portion of the flat sensor member 50 as the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40, which is supported in an inclined position so as to be placed on the design component 73, comes into contact from below with the partition plate 65 located above the accommodation space 75 of the flat sensor member 50. In this state, a gap remains between the lower end portion of the flat sensor member 50 and the partition plate 65.

[0056] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the head of the driver 11 pushes the overhead console further upward and forward compared to FIG. 9, causing a design member 63 of the overhead console to be significantly deformed. When the head of the driver 11, who is pushing up the design component 73, tries to move further in the obliquely upward direction from the pushed-up state in FIG. 9, the design component 73 is pushed by the head of the driver 11 and tries to deform further in the obliquely upward direction. The flat sensor member 50 as the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 has its upper end portion abutting the partition plate 65 from below, and rotates around the contact portion with the contact portion as the rotation axis. The flat sensor member 50 is finally pressed against the partition plate 65 and assumes a posture in the front-rear direction substantially parallel to the partition plate 65 so as to follow the ceiling. In addition, the board connector 54 in FIG. 3 protrudes from the front side surface or either the left or right side surface of the flat sensor member 50 in FIG. 7, and does not narrow the rotation range of the flat sensor member 50. In addition, the design component 73, whose outer peripheral edge portion is not fixed, can deform so as to spread the outer peripheral edge portion outward. Therefore, the design component 73 pressed by the head of the driver 11 is not restricted in its upward deformation by the flat plate sensor member 50 that is initially set in an inclined position, and can ultimately be deformed by a relatively small force to the extent that it forms a surface that generally conforms to the interior ceiling member 62. The design component 73 can be deformed to buckle upward as easily as when there is no millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 thereon. As a result, even if the driver 11 causes a large deformation of the overhead console design component 73 with his or her head as shown in FIG. 10, the impact acting on the head of the driver 11 is kept relatively low. 3 protrudes from the front side or either the left or right side of the flat sensor member 50 in FIG. 7, the connector can maintain its communication function even after the overhead console's design component 73 is significantly deformed as shown in FIG. 10. Even if an upward force acts on the design component 73, the design member 63 can buckle and deform so that the fixation to the fixing portion 71 is not broken. The flat sensor member 50 as the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 can continue to detect the vehicle interior 3 without falling off from the ceiling of the vehicle interior 3, even after the design component 73 is significantly deformed as shown in FIG. 10.

[0057] Next, the principle of detection of an object inside the vehicle, such as an occupant, by the millimeter wave interior sensor 40 in FIG. 3 is explained. As shown in FIG. 1, the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 is provided at a central position Y0 in the vehicle width direction of the automobile 1, at the front edge of the ceiling of the passenger compartment 3 of the automobile 1. The millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 is provided at a so-called overhead console position. The millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 outputs millimeter-wave detection radio waves from its installation position toward the passenger compartment 3, centered in a rear-downward direction. In this way, the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 is provided from an upper-front position forward of the back of the front row seat 4 provided in the passenger compartment 3, toward the rear-downward direction. This allows the millimeter-wave detection radio waves to be output toward the front of the chest of an occupant sitting in the front row seat 4.

[0058] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a first detection state for explaining the detection principle of the millimeter wave interior sensor 40 of FIG. 11 shows one seat 4 and a millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 provided at a position in the front-upper direction of the seat 4. The millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 is provided in front of the rear end of the seat portion of the front row seat 4 in the design member 63 so as to detect the chest surface of an occupant sitting in the front row seat 4 provided in the vehicle compartment 3. The millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 outputs millimeter-wave detection radio waves of a set frequency from an output antenna such as the first output antenna 31 or the second output antenna 32. In FIG. 11, there is no passenger or object on the seat 4. Therefore, the millimeter-wave detection radio wave output from the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 toward the rear and downward direction of the seat 4 passes through the seat 4. The seat 4 is basically a seat frame with a spring suspended across it, and the entire seat frame is covered with urethane or cloth. The seat 4 with this structure and material hardly reflects the millimeter-wave detection radio wave. As a result, the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 does not receive any reflected waves from the seat 4.

[0059] Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a second detection state in which a driver 11 is seated in the seat 4 of Fig. 11. Fig. 12 shows one seat 4, a millimeter wave interior sensor 40 provided at a position in the front upper direction of the seat 4, and the driver 11 seated in the seat 4. In this case, since the driver 11 is seated on the seat 4, the millimeter-wave detection radio waves output from an output antenna such as the first output antenna 31 or the second output antenna 32 may be reflected by the surface of the driver 11. The millimeter-wave reflected waves by the driver 11 return toward the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40. The millimeter-wave reflected waves are input to the multiple input antennas of the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40. The millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 can detect stronger reflected waves than those in FIG. 11.

[0060] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a three-dimensional vehicle interior detection map 91 that can be generated based on the detection by the millimeter wave interior sensor 40 in the second detection state of FIG. FIG. 13 shows the seat 4 and a reflection surface 93 detected for an occupant sitting on the seat 4. The CPU 41 of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 can separate reflected wave components in each direction from an input wave containing a mixture of reflected waves by using a combination of two-channel output and four-channel input of the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40, and can calculate the distance to a reflecting object in each direction. In this case, the CPU 41 of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 may change the output timing of the millimeter-wave detection signal from the multiple output antennas of the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40, or change the detection period or timing of the millimeter waves from the multiple input antennas. As a result, the CPU 41 of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 can obtain the distance for each incident direction of the reflected wave based on the installation position of the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40, and generate a vehicle interior detection map 91 including a three-dimensional reflection surface 93 along the surface of the occupant, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 13. The CPU 41 of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 can obtain biological information such as the number of breaths of the occupant from the periodic fluctuation over time of the reflecting surface 93 of the occupant's chest shown in FIG.

[0061] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of millimeter wave detection control by the CPU 41 of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 of FIG. The CPU 41 of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 repeatedly executes the process of FIG. The CPU 41 may repeatedly execute the process of FIG.

[0062] In step ST1, the CPU 41 selects the frequency of the millimeter wave detection radio wave for detecting objects inside the vehicle, such as passengers and objects, present in the vehicle compartment 3 from among multiple candidate frequencies, such as 24 GHz and 60 GHz. A low frequency millimeter wave, such as 24 GHz, is suitable for detecting objects inside the vehicle, such as the luggage compartment 6 behind the rear row seats 5 and objects at the feet of the rear row seats 5. A high frequency millimeter wave, such as 60 GHz, can detect changes in the surface of the passenger's chest with high resolution. The CPU 41 may select a high frequency of 60 GHz so as to be able to detect respiratory movement on the chest surface of an occupant present in the vehicle compartment 3 during normal times, for example while the automobile 1 is moving. Furthermore, when detecting whether a child 13 or an object has been left behind inside the vehicle, the CPU 41 may select a low frequency of 24 GHz in order to detect every corner of the vehicle interior 3.

[0063] In step ST2, the CPU 41 causes the first output antenna 31 and the second output antenna 32 to output millimeter-wave detection radio waves of the selected frequency, and detects the input of reflected millimeter-wave waves. The CPU 41 instructs the output control unit 37 to output millimeter-wave detection radio waves. The output control unit 37 outputs millimeter-wave detection radio waves of the selected frequency from the first output antenna 31 and the second output antenna 32. At this time, the output control unit 37 may scan the vehicle interior 3 by, for example, adjusting the interval between the output timing of the millimeter-wave detection radio waves from the first output antenna 31 and the output timing of the millimeter-wave detection radio waves from the second output antenna 32. The millimeter wave detection radio waves are reflected by passengers seated in the seats 4-5 in the vehicle interior 3, or by objects present in the seats 4-5 or the luggage compartment 6. The waves reflected by these objects in the vehicle are input to the first input antenna 33, the second input antenna 34, the third input antenna 35, and the fourth input antenna 36 of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21. The input control unit 38 generates information on the reflected waves input at the first input antenna 33, the second input antenna 34, the third input antenna 35, and the fourth input antenna 36, ​​and outputs the information to the CPU 41.

[0064] In step ST3, the CPU 41 generates a vehicle interior detection map 91 that indicates the positions and ranges in the vehicle interior 3 of reflection surfaces 93 of interior objects such as passengers and objects present in the vehicle interior 3, based on the detection information of the reflected waves from the input control unit 38. The vehicle interior detection map 91 may basically be the range of the vehicle interior 3 indicated by the dashed dotted line in Fig. 1, detected by the reflected millimeter wave waves. The CPU 41, as a control unit, generates the vehicle interior detection map 91 that detects the vehicle interior 3 of the vehicle 1, based on the reflected waves reflected at various parts of the vehicle interior 3 of the vehicle 1 and detected by the millimeter wave interior sensor 40.

[0065] In step ST4, the CPU 41 records the generated vehicle interior detection map 91 in the memory 42 together with information on the detection time measured by the timer 43. As a result, a plurality of vehicle interior detection maps 91 generated at different timings are recorded in the memory 42 in association with information on each detection time. The plurality of vehicle interior detection maps 91 include information on the movement of occupants and objects in the vehicle interior 3.

[0066] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the control of the CPU 41 of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 of FIG. The CPU 41 of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 repeatedly executes the process of FIG. 15 every time the millimeter wave detection control of FIG. 14 is executed. The CPU 41 may repeatedly execute the process of FIG.

[0067] In step ST11, the CPU 41 determines whether or not a new vehicle interior detection map 91 has been generated. The CPU 41 may make this determination based on whether or not a newly generated vehicle interior detection map 91 has been recorded in the memory 42. If a new vehicle interior detection map 91 has not been generated, the CPU 41 repeats this process. If a new vehicle interior detection map 91 has been generated, the CPU 41 advances the process to step ST12.

[0068] In step ST12, the CPU 41 estimates the vehicle interior object based on the new vehicle interior detection map 91. The vehicle interior detection map 91 includes components of the reflection surfaces 93 of passengers and objects that reflect the millimeter wave detection radio wave. The CPU 41 may estimate the vehicle interior object based on the difference components of the new vehicle interior detection map 91 with respect to the vehicle interior detection map 91 when there are no passengers or objects. The CPU 41 may estimate the size of the vehicle interior object from the range in which the difference components are included in the vehicle interior detection map 91. The CPU 41 may also estimate the positions of the seats 4 to 5 in which the vehicle interior object that caused the difference components is present, based on the position of the range in which the difference components are included, with the position of the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 as the reference. The CPU 41 may estimate the size and position of each of the multiple vehicle interior objects present in the vehicle interior 3.

[0069] In step ST13, the CPU 41 determines whether or not there is an object in the vehicle. If at least one object is estimated in step ST12, the CPU 41 determines that there is an object in the vehicle, and proceeds to step ST14. If no object is estimated, the CPU 41 determines that there is no object in the vehicle, and proceeds to step ST16.

[0070] In step ST14, the CPU 41 determines whether the object in the vehicle is a person (passenger) or an object. In determining whether a person is an object, the CPU 41 generates a trajectory of a position in a predetermined direction estimated as the range of an object in the vehicle interior in a plurality of vehicle interior detection maps 91, for example, from the past vehicle interior detection map 91 to the latest vehicle interior detection map 91. The CPU 41 may plot the position in the predetermined direction at each point in time on a position trajectory diagram, for example, with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing relative position. If the position in the predetermined direction is the surface of the occupant's chest, the waveform as the plotted trajectory of the position corresponds to the movement of the surface of the chest that varies in response to the breathing of the occupant. An adult normally breathes about 15 times per minute while seated in seats 4 to 5. A child 13 often breathes more than 20 times per minute even in normal circumstances. If the waveform as a position trajectory plotted over, for example, 20 seconds or more does not contain such fluctuation components occurring several times to several tens of times per minute, the CPU 41 determines that the estimated object inside the vehicle is not a person but an object. When the waveform as a trajectory of the plotted positions contains a fluctuation component that can be estimated as chest pulsation from several to several tens of times per minute, the CPU 41 determines that the estimated object inside the vehicle is a human occupant. Furthermore, if the fluctuation component is equal to or smaller than a threshold value of, for example, 20 times per minute, the CPU 41 may further determine that the determined occupant is an adult. On the other hand, if the fluctuation component is greater than the threshold value, the CPU 41 may further determine that the determined occupant is a child 13. This allows the CPU 41 to determine the presence and type of occupants present in the passenger compartment 3 of the automobile 1 based on the passenger compartment detection map 91 of the automobile 1 as a determination based on detection of reflected waves by the millimeter wave interior sensor 40.

[0071] In step ST15, the CPU 41 generates information on the determined vehicle interior objects and records it in the memory 42. In the memory 42, vehicle interior object information on occupants and objects in the automobile 1 determined based on at least the most recent detection is recorded for each vehicle interior object.

[0072] In step ST16, the CPU 41 determines the state of the occupant by using the vehicle interior object information recorded in the memory 42 in step ST15. The CPU 41 may determine whether the occupant is in an excited state based on the pulse rate of the occupant, for example.

[0073] In step ST17, the CPU 41 determines whether or not it is necessary to issue an alert to the occupant based on the result of the determination of the occupant's state in step ST16. For example, if it is determined that the occupant is in an excited state, the CPU 41 determines that it is necessary to issue an alert to the occupant and proceeds to step ST18. If there is no problem with the occupant's state, the CPU 41 determines that it is not necessary to issue an alert to the occupant and ends this control.

[0074] In step ST18, the CPU 41 outputs an alarm to the occupant. The CPU 41 outputs the alarm through the input / output unit 44 and the in-vehicle network 26. The user interface device 25 outputs an alarm sound from the connected speaker 27. After that, the CPU 41 ends this control.

[0075] As described above, in this embodiment, the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 used for detecting the passenger compartment 3 of the vehicle body 2 is attached in an inclined position to the ceiling of the passenger compartment 3 above the heads of passengers using the passenger compartment 3 by the overhead console design member 63. Therefore, the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 can perform detection widely in the passenger compartment 3. For example, even if a child 13 is hanging down at the feet of the rear row seat 5, or even if a child 13 is present in a seat behind the rear row seat 5 or in the luggage compartment 6, the child 13 can be detected by the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40. Moreover, in this embodiment, the design member 63 used to mount a module such as the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 used to detect the interior 3 of the vehicle body 2 to the ceiling of the interior 3 has a fixing portion 71 fixed to the partition plate 65 of the vehicle body 2, a peripheral wall portion (lower protrusion) 72 protruding downward from the outer periphery of the fixing portion 71, and a design component 73 extending from the lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion 72 to cover the fixing portion 71 and constitute the design of the design member 63. The millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 is supported by the design component 73 in the design member 63, and is provided in the accommodation space 75 defined between the peripheral wall portion 72 and the design component 73 such that a gap remains between the millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 and the upper partition plate 65 of the accommodation space 75. The millimeter-wave interior sensor 40 is supported by the design component 73 of the design member 63 of the overhead console without being in full contact with the upper partition plate 65. As a result, in this embodiment, when an upward force acts on the design member 63 of the overhead console attached to the ceiling of the passenger compartment 3 so as to be above the head of the passenger using the passenger compartment 3, the design member 63 can buckle so that the fixation to the fixing part 71 is not easily broken, and can deform upward. In particular, even if an upward force acts on the part of the design component 73 where the millimeter wave interior sensor 40 is provided, the design member 63 can deform upward. Even if the head of the passenger hits the design member 63 attached to the ceiling of the passenger compartment 3, for example, the design member 63 supporting the millimeter wave interior sensor 40 can deform, and the magnitude of the force acting on the part of the passenger that hits the design member 63 can be suppressed. It is expected that the impact acting on the passenger can be suppressed to the same level as when the design member 63 is not attached to the ceiling of the passenger compartment 3.

[0076] The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0077] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 uses the millimeter wave interior sensor 40 as an interior sensor that performs detection regarding the vehicle interior 3. Alternatively, for example, the vehicle interior monitoring device 21 may use an image pickup sensor that picks up an image of the interior of the vehicle as the vehicle interior sensor that performs detection regarding the vehicle interior 3.

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, the interior sensor is provided in the design component 63 so as to reduce the difference in distance to the multiple front row seats 4, 5 provided in the vehicle interior 3, and so that the distance to the multiple front row seats 4 provided in the vehicle interior 3 is different from the distance to the rear row seat 5 provided in the vehicle interior 3. The interior sensor is placed on the design component 73 so that the underside is covered by the design component 73, and is supported by the design component 73. The design component 63 is formed using a flexible resin material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1... automobile (vehicle), 2... vehicle body, 3... vehicle interior, 4, 5... seats, 6... luggage compartment, 11... driver, 12... passenger, 13... child, 14... child seat, 20... control system, 21... vehicle interior monitoring device, 22... occupant monitoring device, 23... door opening / closing sensor, 24... wireless communication device, 25... user interface device, 26... in-vehicle network, 27... speaker, 28... microphone, 29... user terminal, 31... first output antenna, 32... second output antenna, 33... first input antenna, 34... second input antenna, 35... third input antenna, 36... fourth input antenna, 37... output control unit, 38... input control unit, 39... detection Control unit, 40... millimeter wave interior sensor, 41... CPU, 42... memory, 43... timer, 44... input / output unit, 45... internal bus, 50... flat plate sensor member, 51... detection surface, 52... rear surface, 53... microcontroller, 54... board connector, 55... flat cable, 56... cable connector, 61... roof panel, 62... interior ceiling member, 63... design member, 64... roof cross member, 65... partition plate, 66... ​​A-pillar, 71... fixing portion, 72... peripheral wall portion (lower protrusion), 73... design component, 74... rubber bush, 75... storage space, 81... storage box, 82... map lamp, 91... vehicle interior detection map, 93... reflective surface

Claims

1. A mounting structure for mounting a module such as an in-vehicle sensor used for detecting a vehicle interior to a ceiling of the vehicle interior by a design member, The design member is a fixing portion that is fixed to a vehicle body ceiling member of the vehicle or an interior ceiling member that is provided on the vehicle interior side of the vehicle body ceiling member; A lower protrusion protruding downward from the fixing portion; A design component extending from the lower protrusion and covering the fixing portion to constitute a design as the design member; having the lower protrusion is formed by a peripheral wall portion extending so as to protrude downward along an outer periphery of the fixed portion and surrounding the fixed portion, the design component is folded upward from a lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion as the lower protrusion, and is formed to extend so as to surround the peripheral wall portion, and an outer edge portion of the design component folded upward abuts against the vehicle body ceiling member or the interior ceiling member from below around a portion of the vehicle body ceiling member or the interior ceiling member to which the fixing portion is fixed, The in-vehicle sensor includes: In an accommodation space defined between the lower protrusion and the design component, the vehicle is placed on and supported by the design component so as to leave a gap between the accommodation space and the vehicle ceiling member or the interior ceiling member above the accommodation space. A structure for mounting a vehicle module to the ceiling of a vehicle compartment.

2. The in-vehicle sensor is provided in the design component at a position rearward of the fixed portion in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body.

2. A mounting structure for a vehicle module to a vehicle compartment ceiling according to claim 1.

3. The interior sensor is provided in the design member at least forward of a rear end of a seat portion of the front row seat so as to detect a surface of a chest of an occupant seated in the front row seat provided in the vehicle compartment.

3. A mounting structure for a vehicle module to a vehicle compartment ceiling according to claim 1.

4. The board connector provided on the in-vehicle sensor is provided on a side other than the rear side of the in-vehicle sensor.

4. A mounting structure for a vehicle module to a passenger compartment ceiling according to claim 1.

5. The interior sensor is provided in the design member at a central portion of the vehicle body in a vehicle width direction.

5. A mounting structure for a vehicle module to a vehicle compartment ceiling according to claim 1.

6. A mounting structure for mounting a module, such as an in-vehicle sensor used for detecting a vehicle interior, to a ceiling of the vehicle interior by a design member, The design member is a fixing portion that is fixed to a vehicle body ceiling member of the vehicle or an interior ceiling member that is provided on the vehicle interior side of the vehicle body ceiling member; A lower protrusion protruding downward from the fixing portion; A design component extending from the lower protrusion and covering the fixing portion to constitute a design as the design member; having the interior sensor includes a flat sensor member capable of detecting an object within an angular range centered on a detection direction normal to a detection surface, the flat sensor member being configured to detect an object within an angular range centered on the detection direction; The flat sensor member is In a storage space defined between the lower protrusion and the design component, the sensor is placed on and supported by the design component in a tilted position such that the detection direction is obliquely downward, so that a gap is left between the sensor and the vehicle ceiling member or the interior ceiling member above the storage space. A structure for mounting a vehicle module to the ceiling of a vehicle compartment.

7. The vehicle body ceiling member or the interior ceiling member is provided above the upper end portion of the flat plate sensor member in the tilted position so as to be closer to or in contact with the lower end portion of the flat plate sensor member.

7. A mounting structure for a vehicle module to a vehicle compartment ceiling according to claim 6.

8. a board connector provided on the flat sensor member of the in-vehicle sensor is provided so that a cable connector or a flexible printed circuit board connected to the board connector can be inserted and removed in a direction along a detection surface of the flat sensor member; 8. A structure for mounting a vehicle module to a passenger compartment ceiling according to claim 6 or 7.

9. A mounting structure for mounting a module, such as an in-vehicle sensor used for detecting a vehicle interior, to a ceiling of the vehicle interior by a design member, The design member is a fixing portion that is fixed to a vehicle body ceiling member of the vehicle or an interior ceiling member that is provided on the vehicle interior side of the vehicle body ceiling member; A lower protrusion protruding downward from the fixing portion; A design component extending from the lower protrusion and covering the fixing portion to constitute a design as the design member; having The design member is provided with a plurality of modules including the in-vehicle sensor, The in-vehicle sensor includes: In an accommodation space defined between the lower protrusion and the design component, the lower protrusion is supported by the design component so as to leave a gap between the accommodation space and the vehicle body ceiling member or the interior ceiling member above the accommodation space, Among the plurality of modules provided on the design member, the module is provided at the rearmost position in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, A structure for mounting a vehicle module to the ceiling of a vehicle compartment.

Images