Sensor Bracket

Abstract

To provide a sensor bracket that can support a sensor with high accuracy.SOLUTION: A sensor bracket 1 for attaching a sensor 2 on a vehicle body has a base portion 10 that opposes the back of a sensor, at least one first positioning portion 25 that protrudes into the base portion and contacts a side of the sensor in a first direction along the base portion, at least one first pressing portion 26 that protrudes into the base portion and presses the sensor toward the first positioning portion side in the first direction, and at least one first engaging portion 27 that protrudes into the base portion and restricts the movement of the sensor in a direction away from the base portion by engaging the sensor. One of the first engaging portions is provided between one of the first positioning portions and one of the first pressing portions in the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor bracket for mounting a sensor on a vehicle body. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a bracket for mounting a radar on a vehicle body. The bracket has a positioning portion that contacts one side edge of the radar, a pressing portion that presses the other side edge of the radar toward the positioning portion, and a plurality of locking portions that lock the one and other edges of the radar to prevent the radar from detaching. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-91259 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the bracket of Patent Document 1, multiple locking portions are arranged on the sides of the positioning portion and the pressing portion, so there is a risk that the relative position of the portion of the bracket between the positioning portion and the pressing portion and the radar will change.

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor bracket that can support a sensor with high precision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a sensor bracket (1) for attaching a sensor (2) to a vehicle body, comprising a base portion (10) facing the back surface of the sensor, at least one first positioning portion (25) protruding from the base portion and abutting against a side surface of the sensor in a first direction along the base portion, at least one first pressing portion (26) protruding from the base portion and pressing the sensor toward the first positioning portion in the first direction, and at least one first locking portion (27) protruding from the base portion and locking the sensor to restrict movement of the sensor in a direction away from the base portion, one of the first locking portions being located between one of the first positioning portions and one of the first pressing portions in the first direction.

[0007] According to this aspect, the first locking portion locks the sensor between the first positioning portion and the first pressing portion in the first direction, so that the sensor can be supported with high precision on the bracket.

[0008] In the above aspect, the sensor may have a sensor body and a first connecting piece (5) protruding from a side of the sensor body, and the first connecting piece may be positioned between one of the first pressing portions and one of the first engaging portions in the first direction.

[0009] According to this aspect, the first locking portion can be disposed between the first positioning portion and the first pressing portion in the first direction.

[0010] In the above aspect, the sensor may have a second connecting piece (6) protruding from a side of the sensor body, and the second connecting piece may be positioned between one of the first positioning portions and one of the first locking portions in the first direction.

[0011] According to this aspect, the first locking portion can be disposed between the first positioning portion and the first pressing portion in the first direction.

[0012] In the above aspect, each of the first locking portions may be provided on a straight line (L) connecting one of the first positioning portions and one of the first pressing portions.

[0013] According to this aspect, the sensor can be supported on the bracket with high precision.

[0014] In the above aspect, the first locking portion has a pillar portion (34) protruding from the base portion and a claw portion (35) protruding from the tip of the pillar portion in the first direction, and the claw portion has a locking surface (35A) facing the base portion and a guide surface (35B) extending from the end of the locking surface to the tip of the pillar portion, and the guide surface may be formed as a curved surface that is convex toward the first direction.

[0015] According to this aspect, the sensor can be easily locked to the first locking portion. When an operator locks the sensor to the first locking claw, the sensor pushes against the guide surface, bending the post portion and passing through the claw portion. Because the guide surface is formed as a curved surface that is convex in the first direction, the amount of bending of the post portion required for the sensor to pass through can be reduced. This allows the operator to attach the sensor to the bracket with less force.

[0016] In the above aspect, the sensor may have a third connecting piece (7) that protrudes from the side of the sensor body in a second direction that is along the base portion and perpendicular to the first direction, and the base portion may have a second locking portion (42) that has a locking hole (41) that receives the third connecting piece, and at least one third locking portion (45) that is arranged at a distance from the second locking portion in the second direction and that locks the sensor, thereby restricting movement of the sensor in a direction away from the base portion.

[0017] According to this aspect, it is possible to further prevent the bracket from falling off the sensor.

[0018] In the above aspect, the base portion may have at least one second positioning portion (51) protruding therefrom that abuts against the sensor in the second direction, and at least one second pressing portion (52) that presses the sensor toward the second positioning portion along the second direction.

[0019] According to this aspect, the position of the sensor relative to the bracket is determined in the second direction.

[0020] In the above aspect, the base portion may be provided with at least one third pressing portion (57) that presses the sensor in a direction away from the base portion.

[0021] According to this aspect, the position of the sensor relative to the bracket is determined in the direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a sensor bracket that can support a sensor with high precision. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the sensor and the sensor bracket seen from the front [Figure 2] A perspective view of the sensor and sensor bracket seen from the rear [Figure 3] Rear perspective view of the sensor [Figure 4] Front perspective view of the sensor bracket [Figure 5] Front view of the sensor bracket [Figure 6] Front view of the sensor and sensor bracket [Figure 7] Cross section of Figure 6 taken along the line VII-VII [Figure 8] Cross section VIII-VIII of Figure 6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sensor bracket according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sensor bracket 1 is a member for attaching the sensor 2 to the vehicle body. The sensor 2 may be any of a radar, a camera, a LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), and a sonar. The radar may be a millimeter wave radar, a microwave radar, or a submillimeter wave radar. In this embodiment, the sensor 2 is a radar.

[0026] The sensor 2, which is a radar, emits radio waves and measures the reflected waves to detect objects present around the vehicle and measure the distance and direction to the objects, i.e., the position of the objects relative to the sensor 2. The radio waves emitted by the radar may include millimeter waves and microwaves.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the sensor 2 has a sensor body 4 and a first connecting piece 5, a second connecting piece 6, and a third connecting piece 7 protruding from the sides of the sensor body 4. The sensor body 4 is formed in the shape of a flat rectangular parallelepiped. Radio waves are emitted forward through the front surface of the sensor body 4. Similarly, reflected waves are incident through the front surface of the sensor body 4.

[0028] The first connecting piece 5 and the second connecting piece 6 extend downward from the lower surface of the sensor body 4. The first connecting piece 5 and the second connecting piece 6 are arranged with a gap between them on the left and right sides. The first connecting piece 5 is provided at the right end of the sensor body 4, and the second connecting piece 6 is provided at the left end of the sensor body 4. The third connecting piece 7 extends upward from the upper surface of the sensor body 4. Each of the first connecting piece 5, the second connecting piece 6, and the third connecting piece 7 is formed in a plate shape with its surface facing forward and backward. Each of the first connecting piece 5, the second connecting piece 6, and the third connecting piece 7 is arranged in the middle of the sensor body 4 in the forward and backward direction.

[0029] A connector part 8 is provided on the right part of the rear surface of the sensor main body 4, protruding rearward.

[0030] The vehicle body to which the sensor bracket 1 is attached includes a frame that forms the skeleton of the vehicle, stays attached to the frame, and exterior materials supported by the frame. The frame includes, for example, a front bulkhead provided at the front of the vehicle. The exterior materials include a front grille, a front bumper face, a rear bumper face, etc. In this embodiment, the sensor bracket 1 is attached to the back surface of the front grille.

[0031] The sensor bracket 1 is made of resin. The resin may be, for example, polybutylene terephthalate resin. The polybutylene terephthalate resin may contain glass fiber.

[0032] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the sensor bracket 1 has a plate-shaped base portion 10 with its faces facing forward and backward, and an edge wall portion 11 that protrudes forward from the edge of the base portion 10 and extends along the edge. The base portion 10 and the edge wall portion 11 cooperate to form an accommodating recess 12 for receiving the sensor 2. The base portion 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The front surface of the base portion 10 faces the back surface of the sensor 2. A connector opening 14 that penetrates from front to back is formed to the left of the right edge wall 17 of the base portion 10. The connector portion 8 of the sensor 2 passes through the connector opening 14 and extends rearward of the base portion 10.

[0033] The edge wall portion 11 has a left edge wall 16 and a right edge wall 17 that extend vertically along the left and right side edges of the base portion 10, an upper edge wall 18 that extends horizontally along the upper edge of the base portion 10 and is joined to the upper end of the left edge wall 16 and the upper end of the right edge wall 17, and a lower edge wall 19 that extends horizontally along the lower edge of the base portion 10 and is joined to the lower end of the left edge wall 16 and the lower end of the right edge wall 17.

[0034] A lower connecting piece 21 that protrudes downward is provided at the lower end of the base portion 10. A pair of upper connecting pieces 22 that protrude upward is provided at the upper end of the base portion 10. The sensor bracket 1 is attached to the vehicle body by the lower connecting piece 21 and the pair of upper connecting pieces 22. In this embodiment, the lower connecting piece 21 is inserted into an attachment hole formed in the rear part of the front grille, and the pair of upper connecting pieces 22 are fastened to the rear part of the front grille with screws.

[0035] The sensor bracket 1 has at least one first positioning portion 25, at least one first pressing portion 26, and at least one first locking portion 27. The at least one first positioning portion 25 protrudes from the base portion 10 and abuts against a side surface of the sensor 2 in a first direction along the base portion 10. In this embodiment, the first direction corresponds to the left-right direction. A direction along the base portion 10 and perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction. In this embodiment, the second direction corresponds to the up-down direction.

[0036] As shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, the first positioning portion 25 has a lower first positioning portion 25A and an upper first positioning portion 25B. The lower first positioning portion 25A and the upper first positioning portion 25B are wall portions extending forward from the base portion 10. The lower first positioning portion 25A and the upper first positioning portion 25B are disposed to the right of the left edge wall 16 and are connected to the left edge wall 16. The right end of the lower first positioning portion 25A abuts against the left end of the second connecting piece 6. The right end of the upper first positioning portion 25B abuts against the left end of the sensor main body 4.

[0037] At least one first pressing portion 26 protrudes from the base portion 10 and presses the sensor 2 toward the first positioning portion 25 in the first direction. The first pressing portion 26 has a lower first pressing portion 26A and an upper first pressing portion 26B. The lower first pressing portion 26A and the upper first pressing portion 26B are disposed to the left of the right edge wall 17. The lower first pressing portion 26A and the upper first pressing portion 26B are disposed at an interval above and below each other.

[0038] Each of the lower first pressing portion 26A and the upper first pressing portion 26B has a pillar portion 31 extending forward from the base portion 10 and a protrusion 32 protruding leftward from the front end of the pillar portion 31. The pillar portion 31 is elastic and can tilt left and right. The protrusion 32 of the lower first pressing portion 26A presses the right end of the first connecting piece 5 leftward. The protrusion 32 of the upper first pressing portion 26B presses the right end of the sensor main body 4 leftward.

[0039] At least one first locking portion 27 protrudes from the base portion 10 and locks the sensor 2, thereby restricting movement of the sensor 2 in a direction away from the base portion 10. The first locking portion 27 has a right first locking portion 27A and a left first locking portion 27B. The right first locking portion 27A is arranged at a distance to the left of the lower first pressing portion 26A. The right first locking portion 27A faces the lower first pressing portion 26A at a distance in the left-right direction. The left first locking portion 27B is arranged at a distance to the right of the lower first positioning portion 25A. The left first locking portion 27B faces the lower first positioning portion 25A at a distance in the left-right direction.

[0040] Each of the right-side first locking portion 27A and the left-side first locking portion 27B has a pillar portion 34 protruding from the base portion 10 and a claw portion 35 protruding in a first direction from the tip of the pillar portion 34. The pillar portion 34 is elastic and can tilt left and right.

[0041] The claw portion 35 has a locking surface 35A facing the base portion 10, and a guide surface 35B extending from the end of the locking surface 35A to the tip of the pillar portion 34. The guide surface 35B is formed as a curved surface that is convex in the first direction. That is, the middle portion of the guide surface 35B in the front-to-rear direction protrudes most laterally, and the guide surface 35B is inclined from the center toward the pillar portion 34 from the rear end.

[0042] The claw portion 35 of the right-side first locking portion 27A protrudes from the tip of the pillar portion 34 toward the lower first pressing portion 26A, i.e., to the right. The claw portion 35 of the left-side first locking portion 27B protrudes from the tip of the pillar portion 34 toward the lower first positioning portion 25A, i.e., to the left.

[0043] One of the first locking portions 27 is provided between one of the first positioning portions 25 and one of the first pressing portions 26 in the first direction. In this embodiment, the right-side first locking portion 27A is provided between the lower first positioning portion 25A and the lower first pressing portion 26A in the first direction (left-right direction). Also, the left-side first locking portion 27B is provided between the lower first positioning portion 25A and the lower first pressing portion 26A in the first direction (left-right direction).

[0044] In the first direction, the first connecting piece 5 is disposed between one of the first pressing portions 26 and one of the first locking portions 27. In this embodiment, in the left-right direction, the first connecting piece 5 is disposed between the lower first pressing portion 26A and the right-side first locking portion 27A.

[0045] In the first direction, the second connecting piece 6 is disposed between one of the first positioning portions 25 and one of the first locking portions 27. In this embodiment, in the left-right direction, the second connecting piece 6 is disposed between the lower first positioning portion 25A and the left-side first locking portion 27B.

[0046] Each of the first locking portions 27 is provided on a straight line L connecting one of the first positioning portions 25 and one of the first pressing portions 26. In this embodiment, when viewed from the front, the right-side first locking portion 27A and the left-side first locking portion 27B are provided on the straight line L connecting the lower first positioning portion 25A and the lower first pressing portion 26A.

[0047] The base portion 10 has a second locking portion 42 with a locking hole 41 that receives the third connecting piece 7. The locking hole 41 is formed in the upper edge wall 18. The locking hole 41 penetrates the left-right central portion of the upper edge wall 18 in the up-down direction. The left-right central portion of the upper edge wall 18 constitutes the second locking portion 42.

[0048] 4, 5, 6, and 8, the base unit 10 has at least one third locking portion 45 arranged at a distance from the second locking portion 42 in the second direction (vertical direction). Each third locking portion 45 locks the sensor 2, thereby restricting movement of the sensor 2 in a direction away from the base unit 10.

[0049] In this embodiment, the third locking portion 45 is composed of the lower edge wall 19 and a right locking claw 45A and a left locking claw 45B extending upward from the front end of the lower edge wall 19. The right locking claw 45A locks the lower end of the first connecting piece 5 from the front. The left locking claw 45B locks the lower end of the second connecting piece 6 from the front.

[0050] The base portion 10 has at least one second positioning portion 51 that abuts against the side of the sensor 2 in the second direction (up and down direction), and at least one second pressing portion 52 that presses the sensor 2 toward the second positioning portion 51 along the second direction.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 8 , the second positioning portion 51 is a wall portion that protrudes upward from the lower edge wall 19. The upper end of the second positioning portion 51 abuts against the lower end of the sensor 2. In this embodiment, a pair of second positioning portions 51 is provided, one on the left and one on the right. The front end of the right second positioning portion 51 is connected to the right locking claw 45A. The front end of the left second positioning portion 51 is connected to the left locking claw 45B. The upper end of the right second positioning portion 51 abuts against the lower end of the first connecting piece 5. The upper end of the left second positioning portion 51 abuts against the lower end of the second connecting piece 6.

[0052] The second pressing portion 52 has a right second pressing portion 52A and a left second pressing portion 52B. The right second pressing portion 52A and the left second pressing portion 52B are arranged below the upper edge wall 18. The right second pressing portion 52A and the left second pressing portion 52B are arranged at a distance from each other on the left and right.

[0053] Each of the right-side second pressing portion 52A and the left-side second pressing portion 52B has a pillar portion 54 extending forward from the base portion 10 and a protrusion 55 protruding downward from the front end of the pillar portion 54. The pillar portion 54 is elastic and functions as a spring piece. The protrusion 55 of the right-side second pressing portion 52A and the protrusion 55 of the left-side second pressing portion 52B press the upper end of the sensor main body 4 downward.

[0054] The base portion 10 is provided with at least one third pressing portion 57 that presses the sensor 2 in a direction away from the base portion 10. In this embodiment, multiple third pressing portions 57 protrude forward from the base portion 10. Each third pressing portion 57 is a flexible spring piece. Each third pressing portion 57 presses the rear surface of the sensor main body 4 forward.

[0055] The method for attaching the sensor 2 to the sensor bracket 1 will be described. First, the worker tilts the sensor main body 4 backward and inserts the third connecting piece 7 into the locking hole 41 of the second locking portion 42 from below. Next, the worker rotates the lower part of the sensor main body 4 toward the sensor bracket 1, centering on the third connecting piece 7. As a result, the first connecting piece 5 is locked with the right-side first locking portion 27A and the right-side locking claw 45A, and the second connecting piece 6 is locked with the left-side first locking portion 27B and the left-side locking claw 45B. At this time, the connector portion 8 of the sensor 2 passes through the connector opening 14 and protrudes rearward from the base portion 10. This allows the sensor 2 to be supported by the sensor bracket 1.

[0056] With the sensor 2 supported by the sensor bracket 1, the lower first pressing portion 26A presses the first connecting piece 5 to the left, and the upper first pressing portion 26B presses the sensor main body 4 to the left. As a result, the left end of the second connecting piece 6 abuts against the lower first positioning portion 25A, and the left end of the sensor main body 4 abuts against the upper first positioning portion 25B. As a result, the position of the sensor 2 relative to the sensor bracket 1 is determined in the left-right direction (first direction).

[0057] Additionally, the right-side second pressing portion 52A and the left-side second pressing portion 52B press downward the upper end of the sensor main body 4. This causes the lower ends of the first connecting piece 5 and the second connecting piece 6 to abut against the corresponding second positioning portions 51 on the left and right. As a result, the position of the sensor 2 relative to the sensor bracket 1 is determined in the up-down direction (second direction).

[0058] Additionally, the multiple third pressing portions 57 press forward against the rear surface of the sensor main body 4. As a result, the front end of the first connecting piece 5 abuts against the claw portion 35 of the right first locking portion 27A and the right locking claw 45A, the front end of the second connecting piece 6 abuts against the claw portion 35 of the left first locking portion 27B and the left locking claw 45B, and the front end of the third connecting piece 7 abuts against the front edge of the locking hole 41 of the second locking portion 42. As a result, the position of the sensor 2 relative to the sensor bracket 1 is determined in the front-to-rear direction.

[0059] According to the sensor bracket 1 of the embodiment, the first locking portion 27 locks the sensor 2 between the first positioning portion 25 and the first pressing portion 26 in the first direction, so that the sensor 2 can be supported accurately relative to the sensor bracket 1.

[0060] Since the sensor 2 has a first connecting piece 5 and a second connecting piece 6 protruding from the sensor body 4, the first locking portion 27 can be positioned between the first positioning portion 25 and the first pressing portion 26 in the first direction.

[0061] Since the right-side first locking portion 27A and the left-side first locking portion 27B are arranged on the straight line L connecting the lower first positioning portion 25A and the lower first pressing portion 26A, the sensor 2 can be supported on the sensor bracket 1 with high precision.

[0062] Because the guide surface 35B of the claw portion 35 of the right-side first locking portion 27A is formed as a curved surface that convex in one direction, the first connecting piece 5 of the sensor 2 can be easily locked onto the right-side first locking portion 27A. When an operator locks the first connecting piece 5 onto the claw portion 35 of the right-side first locking portion 27A, the first connecting piece 5 presses against the guide surface 35B, bending the pillar portion 34 and allowing the sensor 2 to pass through the claw portion 35. Because the guide surface 35B is formed as a curved surface that convex in the first direction, the amount of bending of the pillar portion 34 required for the sensor 2 to pass through can be reduced. This allows the operator to attach the sensor 2 to the sensor bracket 1 with less force. The same is true for the left-side first locking portion 27B.

[0063] Although the description of the specific embodiment has been completed above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be widely modified and implemented. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1: Sensor bracket 2: Sensor 4: Sensor body 5: 1st connecting piece 6:Second connecting piece 7:Third connecting piece 25: First positioning part 25A: Lower first positioning part 26: First pressing part 26A: Lower first pressing part 27: First locking part 27A: Right side first locking part 27B: Left side first locking part 34:Column part 35: Claw part 35A:Latching surface 35B: Guide surface 41: Locking hole 42: Second locking portion 45: Third locking part 45A: Right-side locking claw 45B: Left side locking claw 51: Second positioning part 52: Second pressing part 57: Third pressing part

Claims

1. A sensor bracket for attaching a sensor to a vehicle body, a base portion facing a rear surface of the sensor; at least one first positioning portion that protrudes from the base portion and abuts against a side surface of the sensor in a first direction along the base portion; at least one first pressing portion protruding from the base portion and pressing the sensor toward the first positioning portion in the first direction; at least one first locking portion that protrudes from the base portion and locks the sensor to restrict movement of the sensor in a direction away from the base portion; one of the first locking portions is provided between one of the first positioning portions and one of the first pressing portions in the first direction, The sensor bracket has each of the first locking portions provided on a straight line connecting one of the first positioning portions and one of the first pressing portions.

2. The sensor has a sensor body and a first coupling piece protruding from a side of the sensor body, The sensor bracket according to claim 1 , wherein one of the first pressing portions and one of the first locking portions are disposed on both sides of the first connecting piece in the first direction.

3. the sensor has a second coupling piece protruding from a side of the sensor body, The sensor bracket according to claim 2 , wherein one of the first positioning portions and one of the first locking portions are disposed on both sides of the second connecting piece in the first direction.

4. The first locking portion has a pillar portion protruding from the base portion and a claw portion protruding from a tip of the pillar portion in the first direction, The claw portion has a locking surface facing the base portion and a guide surface extending from an end of the locking surface to a tip of the column portion, 4. The sensor bracket according to claim 2, wherein the guide surface is formed as a curved surface that is convex in the first direction.

5. the sensor has a third coupling piece that protrudes from a side portion of the sensor body along the base portion and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, A sensor bracket as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the base portion has a second engaging portion having an engaging hole that receives the third connecting piece, and at least one third engaging portion that is arranged at a distance from the second engaging portion in the second direction and that engages the sensor to restrict movement of the sensor in a direction away from the base portion.

6. A sensor bracket as described in claim 5, wherein the base portion has at least one second positioning portion that abuts against the sensor in the second direction and at least one second pressing portion that presses the sensor toward the second positioning portion along the second direction.

7. 7. The sensor bracket according to claim 1, wherein the base portion is provided with at least one third pressing portion that presses the sensor in a direction away from the base portion.

Images