Rear body structure

Abstract

To protect a sensor system including a sensor and a harness connected to the sensor.SOLUTION: A vehicle body rear structure 100 includes: a rear bumper 10 disposed at the vehicle rear relative to rear wheels T; object sensors S' each attached to a portion at the inner side as seen in a vehicle width direction relative to the rear wheel T and at the vehicle front side in the rear bumper 10; a harness H connected with at least the object sensors S'; and cover members 20 each fixed to a portion, which is located at the inner side as seen in the vehicle width direction relative to the rear wheel T, of a bumper rear surface 10a formed as a vehicle front surface in the rear bumper 10. Each cover member 20 has: a cover body part 20A which extends to the vehicle front and encloses the object sensor' from below the object sensor S' and the outer side as seen in the vehicle width direction; and an upper fixing part 25 provided at an upper end of the cover body part 20A and fixed to the rear bumper 10. The harness H is fixed to at least the cover members 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rear vehicle body structure including a rear bumper. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a rear bumper is provided at the rear of a vehicle such as an automobile. A sensor such as a back sonar that uses electromagnetic waves to detect obstacles behind the vehicle is attached to the front portion of the rear bumper, and a harness connecting to the sensor is sometimes laid inside the rear bumper.

[0003] One example of a vehicle rear structure including a rear bumper with such a sensor mounted thereon is the vehicle rear structure disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this vehicle rear structure, the rear bumper has a main body portion extending across the entire width of the vehicle and a protruding portion protruding from the main body portion toward the front of the vehicle, and the sensor is mounted above the protruding portion of the rear bumper. The protruding portion of the rear bumper is molded integrally with a portion of the main body portion of the rear bumper consisting of horizontal and vertical walls formed in a shape that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle. The protruding portion molded integrally with the rear bumper prevents rainwater, mud, and the like kicked up by the rear wheels from reaching the sensor, thereby protecting the sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-37854 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the vehicle rear body structure of Patent Document 1, foreign objects such as mud may accumulate on the protruding portion, so the protruding portion must be rigid enough to withstand the load of the foreign object. In this regard, the vehicle rear body structure of Patent Document 1 provides sufficient irregularities in the portion of the rear bumper where the protruding portion is provided, thereby providing the protruding portion with sufficient rigidity to withstand the load of the foreign object and reducing the occurrence of issues that may affect the sensor. However, in compact cars and other vehicles, it may not be possible to provide sufficient irregularities in the rear bumper itself due to vehicle design requirements, etc., and therefore the vehicle rear body structure for such vehicles may require some ingenuity to protect the sensor. Furthermore, the harness may be pulled during rear bumper assembly to improve workability, etc.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a rear vehicle body structure that has the rigidity to withstand the load of foreign objects, etc., even when it is difficult to create sufficient unevenness in the rear bumper, and has a structure that can protect sensors, including sensors and harnesses connected to the sensors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle rear structure including a rear bumper disposed rearward of a rear wheel, a target sensor attached to a portion of the rear bumper that is inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear wheel and toward the front of the vehicle, and a harness connected to at least the target sensor. The vehicle rear structure also includes a cover member fixed to a portion of the rear bumper back surface that is the front surface of the rear bumper and is inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear wheel. In the vehicle rear structure, the cover member has a cover main body portion that extends toward the front of the vehicle and surrounds the target sensor from below and outside the target sensor in the vehicle width direction, and an upper fixing portion that is provided at an upper end of the cover main body portion and fixed to the rear bumper, and the harness is fixed to at least the cover member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In one aspect of the rear vehicle body structure of the present invention, the cover main body portion extending forward of the vehicle can surround the target sensor from below and from the vehicle widthwise outer side. This prevents rainwater, mud, and other impurities from reaching the target sensor, such as rainwater or mud kicked up by the rear wheels and splashed toward the target sensor from the vehicle widthwise outer side. This effectively prevents the target sensor from being exposed to water and protects the sensor. Furthermore, the accumulation of mud and other impurities in the cover main body portion below the target sensor is also effectively reduced. Furthermore, because the upper fixing portion fixed to the rear bumper is provided at the upper end of the cover main body portion, the portion of the cover main body below the target sensor is supported by the upper fixing portion. Therefore, even if mud or other impurities accumulate in the portion of the cover main body below the target sensor, the load acting on this portion can be borne by the upper fixing portion, thereby preventing deformation of the cover member. The cover body, which is formed to surround the target sensor, has higher rigidity than a member that simply extends in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, since the rigidity of the cover body is improved near the target sensor, even if the harness fixed to the cover body is pulled during bumper assembly, the high-rigidity cover body can withstand this tensile load, making it possible to prevent the target sensor from being pulled, thereby improving workability while protecting the target sensor.

[0009] The cover member is fixed to a portion of the rear bumper underside, which is the surface of the rear bumper facing forward of the vehicle, that is, a portion inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the rear wheels. Therefore, even if it is difficult to provide sufficient unevenness on the underside of the bumper, the target sensor can be protected by fixing the cover member, which is a separate member from the rear bumper, to the rear bumper. Furthermore, because the harness is fixed to at least the cover member, even if rainwater, mud, or the like contacts the harness, at least a portion of the load due to this contact can be transmitted to the cover member. As a result, damage to the joints of the harness (specifically, the connection portion of the harness to the target sensor and the branch portion branching to the target sensor, etc.) can be suppressed, thereby protecting the target sensor and sensors, including the harness. Furthermore, if the harness is connected to sensors other than the target sensor, damage to the connection portion of the harness to the sensors other than the target sensor and the branch portion branching to the sensors can also be suppressed. In other words, the rear vehicle body structure according to one aspect of the present invention can protect sensors including the target sensor and the harnesses connected to these sensors, and can provide a structure that can maintain normal operation of the sensors even if a load is input to the cover member.

[0010] In this way, the present invention aims to provide a rear vehicle body structure that has the rigidity to withstand the load of foreign objects, etc., even when it is difficult to create sufficient unevenness in the rear bumper, and has a structure that can protect sensors, including sensors and harnesses connected to the sensors. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of a vehicle rear body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle rear structure as viewed from the front side of the vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged plan view of the vehicle rear body structure as viewed from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a cover member of the vehicle rear body structure. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the vehicle rear body structure as viewed from above the vehicle. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partial bottom view of the vehicle rear body structure as viewed from below the vehicle. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figs. 1 to 3 are diagrams for explaining a vehicle rear structure 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a plan view of the vehicle rear structure 100 as seen from the rear of the vehicle, Fig. 2 is a perspective view as seen from the front of the vehicle, and Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged plan view as seen from the front of the vehicle. In the drawings, the arrow Fr direction indicates the front of the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the arrow O direction indicates the outward direction of the vehicle (outside the vehicle width direction) in the vehicle width direction (vehicle width direction), and the arrow U direction indicates the upward direction of the vehicle in the vehicle vertical direction. In the following description, "front" and "rear" correspond to the front and rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and "up" and "down" correspond to the up and down in the vehicle vertical direction. Furthermore, "left" and "right" correspond to the left and right in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0013] [Overview of rear body structure] As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle rear structure 100 is applied as a structure for the rear of the body of a vehicle such as an automobile. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the vehicle rear structure 100 includes a rear bumper 10, a plurality of (here, four) sensors S, a harness H, and a cover member 20. Here, it is assumed that the vehicle to which the vehicle rear structure 100 is applied is a small automobile.

[0014] The rear bumper 10 is disposed rearward of the rear wheels T of the vehicle and is attached to a rear panel (not shown) that constitutes part of the vehicle body. The rear bumper 10 is designed with a shape that is relatively less irregular than the rear bumpers of medium-sized and large automobiles, and the rear bumper surface 10a, which is the surface of the rear bumper 10 facing the front of the vehicle, has a wide area with relatively less irregularities.

[0015] The rear bumper 10 has, for example, an intermediate surface portion 11, an upper edge portion 12, a lower edge portion 13, a right curved portion 14, a left curved portion 15, and a license plate mounting portion 16.

[0016] The intermediate surface portion 11 extends in the vehicle width direction at the vertical center position of the rear bumper 10 and constitutes a main portion of the rear bumper 10. The intermediate surface portion 11 is a roughly rectangular region that is long in the vehicle width direction in a plan view seen from the rear of the vehicle, and is formed so as to bulge slightly toward the rear of the vehicle. The portion of the bumper back surface 10a that is the intermediate surface portion 11 is formed as a surface with few irregularities.

[0017] The upper edge portion 12 extends continuously from the upper edge of the intermediate surface portion 11 generally toward the upper side of the vehicle, and forms the lower edge of a back door opening provided at the rear of the vehicle body.

[0018] The lower edge portion 13 extends continuously from the lower edge of the intermediate surface portion 11 and curves forward as it extends downward. Brackets 17 are provided on both ends of the lower edge portion 13 on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction for fastening the rear bumper 10 to the vehicle body (e.g., the rear panel). The brackets 17 may be made of, for example, resin or a composite material of resin and metal.

[0019] The right curved portion 14 and the left curved portion 15 each constitute the end portions of the rear bumper 10 in the vehicle width direction in a plan view seen from the front of the vehicle. The right curved portion 14 extends continuously from the right edge of the intermediate surface portion 11 and curves so as to bend toward the front of the vehicle as it moves toward the right side in the vehicle width direction. The left curved portion 15 extends continuously from the left edge of the intermediate surface portion 11 and curves so as to bend toward the front of the vehicle as it moves toward the left side in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] License plate mounting portion 16 is provided in the center of rear bumper 10 in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, license plate mounting portion 16 is formed so as to protrude toward the front of the vehicle in a range extending from mid-surface portion 11 to lower edge portion 13 of rear bumper 10. License plate mounting portion 16 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape that is long in the vehicle width direction in a plan view seen from the vehicle front-rear direction, with its upper side located at the middle position of mid-surface portion 11 in the vehicle up-down direction and its lower side located at the middle position of lower edge portion 13 in the vehicle up-down direction. License plate 16a is attached to the surface of license plate mounting portion 16 facing rearward of the vehicle (see FIG. 1).

[0021] The rear panel (not shown) is provided with rectangular ventilator mounting holes 30 that are elongated in the vehicle width direction and to which a ventilator for ventilating the air inside the vehicle compartment is attached. As shown by dotted lines in Figures 1 and 3, the ventilator mounting holes 30 are located at two locations in the vehicle vertical direction, near the upper right corner and near the upper left corner of the license plate 16a, between the upper edge of the mid-surface portion 11 and the upper edge (upper side) of the license plate 16a, in a plan view seen from the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0022] The multiple sensors S are attached to the rear bumper 10 at a portion on the front side of the vehicle. The sensors S, for example, use electromagnetic waves to detect obstacles and the like behind the vehicle. Although not particularly limited, a total of four sensors S, two on each side, are attached to the rear bumper 10 from the rear surface 10a side of the bumper.

[0023] Two of the four sensors S are attached to the middle surface portion 11 of the rear bumper 10 at a distance from each other in the vehicle width direction, and the remaining sensors S are attached to the right curved portion 14 and the left curved portion 15. Here, the two sensors S on the middle surface portion 11 are located inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear wheels T, and hereinafter, each of these sensors S will be appropriately referred to as a target sensor S'. In other words, the target sensor S' is attached to a portion of the rear bumper 10 inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear wheels T and on the vehicle front side, and is a sensor that is directly protected by the cover member 20 as described below. The target sensor S' is located above an extension portion 21 of the cover member 20, which will be described later.

[0024] The harness H is a wiring member connected to at least the target sensor S'. Here, the harness H is a wiring member connected to the above-mentioned multiple (four) sensors S, including the target sensor S' and sensors S other than the target sensor S'. The harness H is laid inside the rear bumper 10 from the vehicle body side through a harness insertion hole (not shown) provided in the rear panel and a hole in a rear panel side cap 31 attached to this harness insertion hole. The components and laying route of the harness H will be described in detail later.

[0025] The cover member 20 is a member for protecting sensors including the sensor S and the harness H. In this embodiment, two cover members 20 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction.

[0026] [Details of the rear body structure] The following describes in detail mainly the cover member 20 and the harness H in the vehicle body rear structure 100. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the cover member 20, Fig. 5 is a partial top view of the vehicle body rear structure 100 as seen from above the vehicle, Fig. 6 is a partial bottom view of the vehicle body rear structure 100 as seen from below the vehicle, Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in Fig. 3.

[0027] [Cover material] As described above, the cover member 20 is a member for protecting sensors including the sensor S and the harness H. The cover member 20 is fixed to a portion of the rear bumper back surface 10a of the rear bumper 10 that is more inward in the vehicle width direction than the rear wheel T, and is formed as a separate member from the rear bumper 10.

[0028] In this embodiment, the cover members 20 are arranged corresponding to the right-side target sensor S' and the left-side target sensor S', respectively, of the two sensors S located inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear wheel T, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. In other words, the vehicle body rear structure 100 has a plurality (two) of cover members 20 that are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. Below, the structure of the cover member 20 will be described using the cover member 20 on the right side as viewed from the front of the vehicle as an example. The left-side cover member 20 has the same elements as the right-side cover member 20 and has a structure that is generally symmetrical to the right-side cover member 20, so a description of the structure of the left-side cover member 20 will be omitted.

[0029] 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the cover member 20 (the right cover member 20) has a cover main body 20A having an extension portion 21 and an upward extension portion 22, a vertical wall portion 23, a reinforcing portion 24, an upper fixing portion 25, an inner fixing portion 26, a lower fixing portion 27, and a protruding portion 28. The cover member 20 is made of, for example, a resin material, and the respective elements (21 to 28) are integrally molded by injection molding or the like.

[0030] The cover main body 20A is formed to extend forward of the vehicle and surround the target sensor S' from below and outside the target sensor S' in the vehicle width direction. The cover main body 20A has an extension portion 21 and an upward extension portion 22, and extends with a predetermined thickness below and outside the target sensor S' in the vehicle width direction so that these elements (extension portion 21 and upward extension portion 22) mainly directly protect the target sensor S'.

[0031] The extension portion 21 is a portion that is located below the target sensor S' and extends toward the front of the vehicle with a predetermined width in the vehicle width direction. The extension portion 21 is a portion of the cover main body portion 20A that extends longitudinally in the vehicle width direction. One end of the extension portion 21 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is located inward of the target sensor S' in the vehicle width direction, and the other end of the extension portion 21 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is located outward of the target sensor S' in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, one end of the extension portion 21 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is located on the mounting wall 16b (part of the bumper back surface 10a) of the license plate mounting portion 16 that faces the rear panel at the front of the vehicle, and the other end of the extension portion 21 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is located between the target sensor S' and the rear wheel T in the vehicle width direction. The front end of the extension portion 21 in the vehicle front-rear direction is located forward of the mounting wall 16b.

[0032] In this embodiment, the extension portion 21 is inclined downward toward the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction and inclined downward toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the extension portion 21 is located above the rotational center axis X of the rear wheel T in the vehicle vertical direction. Specifically, in this embodiment, the extension portion 21 is located above the upper end of the rear wheel T in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0033] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the extension portion 21 has a first extension piece 21a and a second extension piece 21b. The first extension piece 21a is a portion that crosses directly below the target sensor S', and the second extension piece 21b is a portion that is continuous with the first extension piece 21a and extends inward in the vehicle width direction of the first extension piece 21a. The front end of the first extension piece 21a is located further forward in the vehicle than the front end of the second extension piece 21b. In other words, the portion of the extension portion 21 located directly below the target sensor S' (first extension piece 21a) protrudes further forward in the vehicle than the portion (second extension piece 21b) that is more inward in the vehicle width direction than the first extension piece 21a (first extension piece 21a). The extension portion 21 has a width greater at the first extension piece 21a in the front-rear direction of the vehicle than at the second extension piece 21b. The second extending piece 21b extends from the first extending piece 21a beyond the side wall 16c of the license plate mounting portion 16 to the mounting wall 16b.

[0034] A large cutout, first cutout 21c, is formed in a corner of extension portion 21 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction and on the vehicle rear side, and the outer corner of license plate mounting portion 16 in the vehicle width direction is located within first cutout 21c. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of second extension piece 21b of extension portion 21 is located in front of mounting wall 16b, and this portion is formed with second cutout 21d, which is cut out so as to retreat to the rear of the vehicle.

[0035] The upward extension portion 22 is a portion that extends continuously from the end of the extension portion 21 that is located outside the target sensor S' in the vehicle width direction to a predetermined position above the target sensor S'. In other words, the cover main body portion 20A made up of the extension portion 21 and the upward extension portion 22 extends from the inside toward the outside in the vehicle width direction and then bends upward toward the vehicle at a position outside the target sensor S' in the vehicle width direction. Note that even if the cover main body portion 20A has a shape that retreats toward the rear of the vehicle, such as the second notch 21d, as long as the extension portion 21 and the upward extension portion 22 both extend a certain width toward the front of the vehicle beyond the vertical wall portion 23, the extension portion 21 and the upward extension portion 22 can be said to extend continuously.

[0036] The upper extension portion 22 is formed in a crank shape in a plan view seen from the front of the vehicle, for example. Specifically, the upper extension portion 22 is composed of a lower vertical wall portion 22a extending upward from the outer end of the extension portion 21 in the vehicle width direction, an intermediate horizontal wall portion 22b extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the lower vertical wall portion 22a, and an upper vertical wall portion 22c extending upward from the outer end of the intermediate horizontal wall portion 22b in the vehicle width direction. The lower vertical wall portion 22a and the upper vertical wall portion 22c are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction, and a step portion between these elements is connected by the intermediate horizontal wall portion 22b. Similarly to the extension portion 21, the intermediate horizontal wall portion 22b is inclined downward toward the front in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction and inward in the vehicle width direction. The first extending piece 21a of the extending portion 21 and the intermediate horizontal wall portion 22b of the upper extending portion 22 are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle up-down direction, and a step between these elements is connected by the lower vertical wall portion 22a. The height position of the intermediate horizontal wall portion 22b in the vehicle up-down direction is aligned with the height position of the target sensor S' in the vehicle up-down direction. Therefore, the target sensor S' is disposed so as to be surrounded by the cover main body 20A in the vicinity of the bent portion at the boundary between the extending portion 21 and the upper extending portion 22 in the cover main body 20A (in other words, inside the lower step portion).

[0037] 7 and 8, the vertical wall portion 23 extends downward from the extension portion 21 and faces the bumper back surface 10a. In the vehicle longitudinal direction, the rear end of the extension portion 21 is located near the bumper back surface 10a, and the front end of the extension portion 21 is located further forward of the mounting wall 16b of the license plate mounting portion 16. The vertical wall portion 23 has a first vertical wall portion 23a and a second vertical wall portion 23b that is located more inward in the vehicle width direction than the first vertical wall portion 23a.

[0038] For example, the first vertical wall portion 23a extends downward from a middle portion in the vehicle front-rear direction on the underside of the first extending piece 21a (see FIG. 7). The second vertical wall portion 23b is continuous with the first vertical wall portion 23a and extends to a position in front of the mounting wall 16b. The second vertical wall portion 23b extends downward from the rear end of the second extending piece 21b at the front of the mounting wall 16b (see FIG. 8). The first vertical wall portion 23a extends inward in the vehicle width direction to a position near the side wall 16c of the license plate mounting portion 16, and also extends outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the extending portion 21 to the upper extending portion 22. The mounting wall 16b of the license plate mounting portion 16 is slightly inclined so that the license plate 16a faces diagonally upward at the rear of the vehicle. The first vertical wall portion 23a and the second vertical wall portion 23b are slightly inclined, similar to the mounting wall 16b. A sufficient gap is provided between the first vertical wall portion 23a and the bumper rear surface 10a (see FIG. 7), and a small gap is provided between the second vertical wall portion 23b and the surface of the mounting wall 16b, which is part of the bumper rear surface 10a, facing the front of the vehicle (see FIG. 8).

[0039] In the present embodiment, a through hole 23c is opened in the vertical wall portion 23. The through hole 23c is opened, for example, in the first vertical wall portion 23a and the second vertical wall portion 23b on the front side of the mounting wall 16b. The through hole 23c in the first vertical wall portion 23a is opened in a portion of the first vertical wall portion 23a below the first extending piece 21a, and the through hole 23c in the second vertical wall portion 23b is opened in a portion of the second vertical wall portion 23b below the second cutout portion 21d.

[0040] The reinforcing portions 24 are portions that connect the vertical wall portion 23 and the extending portion 21 (see FIGS. 3, 6, and 7). Here, the reinforcing portions 24 are provided at a plurality of locations (five locations in the figures) spaced apart in the vehicle width direction on the underside of the extending portion 21. Each reinforcing portion 24 is formed, for example, in the shape of a thin right-angled triangle plate in a plan view seen from the vehicle width direction.

[0041] The upper fixing portion 25 is provided at the upper end of the cover main body portion 20A and is fixed to the rear bumper 10. Here, the upper fixing portion 25 is provided at the upper end of the upper extension portion 22 so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction. In FIG. 5, the upper fixing portion 25 is hidden below the upper edge portion 12 of the rear bumper 10 and is not shown. The upper fixing portion 25 is located near the upper edge (near the upper edge portion 12) of the middle surface portion 11 of the rear bumper 10 and between the side wall 16c and the rear wheel T in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the upper fixing portion 25 is located at approximately the same height as the ventilator mounting hole 30 in the vehicle up-down direction and between the upper edge portion 12 of the rear bumper 10, which forms the lower edge of the tailgate opening, and the license plate mounting portion 16.

[0042] The inner fixing portion 26 is a portion that is fixed to the license plate mounting portion 16. Here, the inner fixing portion 26 is provided at a position toward the front of the vehicle of the mounting wall 16b of the license plate mounting portion 16 and closer to the side wall 16c. Specifically, the inner fixing portion 26 is provided below the inner end of the extension portion 21 (second extension piece 21b) in the vehicle width direction and at the upper end portion of the front-of-vehicle surface of the second vertical wall portion 23b.

[0043] The lower fixing portion 27 is provided on the lower end portion of the vertical wall portion 23 and is fixed to the rear bumper 10. Here, the lower fixing portion 27 is disposed along the side wall 16c at a position on the lower end side of the vehicle front surface of the first vertical wall portion 23a and on the side wall 16c side.

[0044] Each of the fixing portions (25-27) has a fixing hole formed therein for fixing the cover member 20 to the rear bumper 10. Then, boss portions having fasteners such as clips that can be inserted into the fixing holes and thereby lock the corresponding fixing portions (25-27) are provided on the bumper back surface 10a of the rear bumper 10 at positions corresponding to each of the fixing portions (25-27). Then, the cover member 20 is fixed to the rear bumper 10 via the fasteners by inserting the fasteners into the fixing holes of each of the fixing portions (25-27).

[0045] The lower fixing portion 27 is located between the upper fixing portion 25 and the inner fixing portion 26 in the vehicle width direction, and is located lower than the inner fixing portion 26 in the vehicle up-down direction. The inner fixing portion 26 is located between the upper fixing portion 25 and the lower fixing portion 27 in the vehicle up-down direction. As described above, in this embodiment, fixing portions for fixing the cover member 20 to the rear bumper 10 are provided at three locations on the cover member 20 that are spaced apart from one another in the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle width direction. In other words, the cover member 20 is stably and reliably fixed to the rear bumper 10 by three-point support by the three fixing portions (25-27) that are spaced apart from one another in the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle width direction.

[0046] The protruding portion 28 is a portion that is located below the extending portion 21 and protrudes forward of the vehicle, and extends outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the inner fixing portion 26. In other words, the protruding portion 28 extends below the extending portion 21 so as to overlap with the extending portion 21 in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the protruding portion 28 extends in the vehicle width direction along the lower end of the vertical wall portion 23 and extends forward of the vehicle.

[0047] Here, the overhanging portion 28 extends across the entire width of the cover member 20 in the vehicle width direction. Like the extending portion 21, the overhanging portion 28 is inclined downward toward the front in the vehicle front-rear direction. The overhanging portion 28 is composed of an outer overhanging portion 28a on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, an inner overhanging portion 28b on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and an intermediate overhanging portion 28c connecting the outer overhanging portion 28a and the inner overhanging portion 28b. The outer overhanging portion 28a is positioned higher on the vehicle than the inner overhanging portion 28b, and the outer overhanging portion 28a and the inner overhanging portion 28b each extend linearly in the vehicle width direction. The intermediate overhanging portion 28c is inclined downward toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. A third cutout portion 28d is formed in the middle of the vehicle width direction at the front end of the overhanging portion 28 in the vehicle front-rear direction, as shown in FIG. 6 . The third cutout portion 28d is cut out so as to recede toward the rear of the vehicle. Specifically, the third cutout portion 28d is formed in the protruding portion 28 at the boundary between the inner protruding portion 28b and the middle protruding portion 28c.

[0048] In this embodiment, the cover member 20 has a T-shaped cross section in a portion of the cover member 20 located below the target sensor S'. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, the T-shaped cross section is made up of the extension portion 21 and the vertical wall portion 23, and is also made up of the protruding portion 28 and the vertical wall portion 23. Therefore, here, the cover member 20 has an I-shaped cross section (in other words, an H-shaped cross section).

[0049] [Harness] As described above, the harness H is a wiring member connected to the plurality of sensors S. The harness H is laid from the vehicle body side through the rear panel side cap 31 into the rear bumper 10, and has a base end side harness portion Ha and a main harness portion Hb. In the following description, the rear panel side cap 31 is described as being disposed in a position in front of the vehicle above the right curved portion 14 as seen from the front of the vehicle, as shown in FIG.

[0050] The base-end harness portion Ha is a portion that extends from the vehicle body side through the rear panel-side cap 31 into the rear bumper 10. The base-end harness portion Ha extends generally in the vertical direction of the vehicle from the rear panel-side cap 31 to near the outer end of the cover member 20 in the vehicle width direction.

[0051] The main harness portion Hb is a portion that is connected to the base-end harness portion Ha via a connector C, and constitutes the majority of the portion of the harness H that is laid inside the rear bumper 10. The connector C is located above the protruding portion 28 of the cover member 20 and on the vehicle front side of the vertical wall portion 23, and is disposed in an area inside the cover member 20.

[0052] In this embodiment, the main harness section Hb has a transverse harness section Hb1 that is laid across the cover member 20 in the vehicle width direction in front of the vertical wall section 23, and a branch harness section Hb2 that branches off from the transverse harness section Hb1.

[0053] Here, the traversing harness portion Hb1 is laid so as to continuously traverse the entire two cover members 20 in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the traversing harness portion Hb1 traverses the entire two cover members 20 in the vehicle width direction so as to pass in front of the vehicle of each vertical wall portion 23 of the two cover members 20 and between the extension portion 21 and the protruding portion 28 (in other words, between two eaves that are spaced apart in the vehicle up-down direction). Here, one end of the traversing harness portion Hb1 is connected to the connector C, and the other end of the traversing harness portion Hb1 is connected to the sensor S at the top of the left curved portion 15.

[0054] Here, the branch harness portion Hb2 branches off from multiple locations in the longitudinal direction of the crossing harness portion Hb1. That is, the harness H has multiple branch harness portions Hb2. Specifically, the branch harness portion Hb2 branches off from the crossing harness portion Hb1 toward the sensor S at the top of the right bending portion 14, the target sensor S' on the left side, and the target sensor S' on the right side, respectively.

[0055] In this embodiment, the branch portion Sp of the branch harness portion Hb2 from the crossing harness portion Hb1 is arranged to be located within the region of the through-hole 23c of the vertical wall portion 23 in a plan view seen from the front of the vehicle. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , in a plan view seen from the front of the vehicle, the branch portion Sp of the branch harness portion Hb2 for the sensor S of the right curved portion 14 is located within the region of the through-hole 23c of the first vertical wall portion 23a of the right cover member 20, and the branch portion Sp of the branch harness portion Hb2 for the right target sensor S′ is located within the region of the through-hole 23c of the second vertical wall portion 23b of the right cover member 20. Then, as shown in FIG. 2 , the branch portion Sp of the branch harness portion Hb2 for the left target sensor S′ is located within the region of the through-hole 23c of the second vertical wall portion 23b of the left cover member 20.

[0056] The harness H is fixed at least to the cover member 20. Here, the harness H is fixed not only to the cover member 20 but also to the rear bumper surface 10a of the rear bumper 10. In this embodiment, the crossing harness portion Hb1 and the branching harness portion Hb2 of the harness H are each fixed to the cover member 20. Furthermore, the harness H is fixed to the cover member 20 and the rear bumper 10 using an appropriate fixing device 32 such as a clip with a band.

[0057] Specifically, the crossing harness portion Hb1 of the harness H is fixed to each cover member 20. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the crossing harness portion Hb1 is fixed to each cover member 20 by fasteners 32 arranged at the intermediate portion in the vehicle width direction on the front surface of each vertical wall portion 23, and is also fixed to the rear bumper 10 by fasteners 32 arranged at a portion of the intermediate surface portion 11 of the bumper back surface 10a that is more outward in the vehicle width direction than the left cover member 20.

[0058] The branch harness portion Hb2 for the right target sensor S' is laid along the upper surface of the extending portion 21 from the branch portion Sp via the second cutout portion 21d of the second extending piece 21b, and then extends to connect to the target sensor S' directly above the first extending piece 21a. The branch harness portion Hb2 for the right target sensor S' is fixed to the cover member 20 by a fastener 32 that is arranged on the upper surface of the extending portion 21 outside the second cutout portion 21d in the vehicle width direction. The branch harness portion Hb2 for the left target sensor S' is fixed to the left cover member 20 by the fastener 32 via the same laying route as the right target sensor S'.

[0059] In addition, the branch harness portion Hb2 for the sensor S of the right curved portion 14 is fixed to the cover member 20 by a fixing device 32 arranged in a portion of the vertical wall portion 23 (first vertical wall portion 23a) extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the extension portion 21, and is also fixed to the rear bumper 10 by a fixing device 32 arranged in a portion of the intermediate surface portion 11 of the bumper back surface 10a extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the cover member 20.

[0060] 3, in relation to the connector C and branch portion Sp of the harness H, the third cutout portion 28d of the overhanging portion 28 is formed in a portion other than the portion below the connector C and branch portion Sp of the overhanging portion 28. Therefore, the portion below the connector C and branch portion Sp of the overhanging portion 28 overhangs further forward of the vehicle than the other portions of the overhanging portion 28.

[0061] Next, the operation of the vehicle rear body structure 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0062] In the vehicle rear body structure 100, even if rainwater, mud, etc. is blown up from below by the rear wheels T or splashed toward the target sensor S' from the outside in the vehicle width direction, the rainwater, mud, etc. hits the cover main body 20A that surrounds the target sensor S' from below and from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, rainwater, mud, etc. blown up from below by the rear wheels T is prevented from reaching the target sensor S' (in other words, from being wetted by the target sensor), and rainwater, mud, etc. blown up by the rear wheels T and splashed toward the target sensor S' from the outside in the vehicle width direction is prevented from reaching the target sensor S'. As a result, the target sensor S' is effectively prevented from being wetted, protecting the target sensor S', and the accumulation of foreign matter such as mud in the portion of the cover main body 20A below the target sensor S' (extension 21) is also effectively reduced. Furthermore, because the upper fixing portion 25, which is fixed to the rear bumper 10, is provided at the upper end of the cover main body 20A, a portion of the cover main body 20A below the target sensor S' is supported by the upper fixing portion 25. Therefore, even if foreign matter such as mud accumulates in the portion of the cover main body 20A below the target sensor S', the load acting on this portion can be borne by the upper fixing portion 25, thereby suppressing deformation of the cover member 20. Furthermore, the cover main body 20A formed to surround the target sensor S' has higher rigidity than a member simply extending in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, because the rigidity is improved near the target sensor S', even if the harness H fixed to the cover member 20 is pulled during bumper assembly, the high-rigidity cover member 20 can withstand this tensile load. This makes it possible to suppress pulling on the target sensor S', thereby protecting the target sensor S' and improving workability.

[0063] Furthermore, since the cover member 20 is fixed to a portion of the bumper rear surface 10a that is inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear wheel T, even if it is difficult to provide sufficient unevenness on the bumper rear surface 10a, the target sensor S' can be protected by fixing the cover member 20, which is a separate member from the rear bumper 10, to the rear bumper 10. Furthermore, since the harness H is fixed to at least the cover member 20, even if rainwater, mud, or the like comes into contact with the harness H, at least a portion of the load caused by this contact can be transmitted to the cover member 20. As a result, for example, damage to joints in the harness H (specifically, a connection portion of the harness H with the target sensor S' and a branch portion Sp branching to the target sensor S', etc.) can be suppressed, thereby protecting sensors including the target sensor S' and the harness H. Furthermore, in the case where the harness H is connected to sensors S other than the target sensor S' as in the present embodiment, damage to the connection portion of the harness H with sensors S other than the target sensor S' and the branch portion Sp branching to the sensor S can also be suppressed. In other words, the vehicle rear structure 100 can protect sensors including the sensors S including the target sensor S' and the harnesses H connected to these sensors S, and can provide a structure that can maintain normal operation of the sensors even if a load is input to the cover member.

[0064] In this way, the vehicle rear structure 100 according to this embodiment has a structure that is rigid enough to withstand the load of foreign objects and can protect sensors, even when it is difficult to provide sufficient unevenness in the rear bumper.

[0065] In this embodiment, the cover main body 20A has an extension portion 21 that is located below the target sensor S' and extends toward the front of the vehicle with a predetermined width in the vehicle width direction, and an upward extension portion 22 that extends continuously from the extension portion 21 from an end of the extension portion 21 that is located outside the target sensor S' in the vehicle width direction to a predetermined position above the target sensor S'. As a result, even if a load is input to the cover member 20, the load is transmitted in the vertical and width directions by the extension portion 21 and the upward extension portion 22, so that the cover member 20 can withstand heavy objects (sludge) that may be placed on the extension portion 21, or loads that may be input from points where the harness is fixed during assembly. As a result, deformation of the cover member 20 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the extension portion 21 and the upper extension portion 22 are arranged while changing direction to surround the sensor S', and the upper extension portion 22 extends at least to the upper fixing portion 25 and is fixed to the rear bumper 10, so that the extension portion 21 and the upper extension portion 22 effectively prevent the target sensor S' from being exposed to water, etc.

[0066] In this embodiment, the cover member 20 has a vertical wall portion 23 that extends downward from the extension portion 21 and faces the bumper back surface 10a, and a reinforcing portion 24 that connects the vertical wall portion 23 and the extension portion 21. This suppresses downward deformation of the extension portion 21, and improves the rigidity of the cover main body portion 20A.

[0067] In this embodiment, cover main body portion 20A is located outboard of license plate mounting portion 16 in the vehicle width direction, and cover member 20 has inner fixing portion 26 that is fixed to license plate mounting portion 16. As a result, when a load from above is input to cover main body portion 20A (extension portion 21), the input load is transmitted to license plate mounting portion 16 via inner fixing portion 26. As a result, deformation and displacement of cover member 20 are suppressed, the position of harness H is maintained, and failure of sensors including sensors S, including target sensor S', and harness H can be suppressed.

[0068] In this embodiment, the cover member 20 has a protruding portion 28 that is located below the extension portion and protrudes forward of the vehicle, and that extends further outward in the vehicle width direction than the inner fixing portion 26. As a result, when a load from above is input to a portion of the cover main body 20A below the target sensor S' (the extension portion 21), the transmission of the input load to the inner fixing portion 26 is promoted by the protruding portion 28. As a result, deformation and displacement of the cover member 20 can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, the load input to the portion of the cover main body 20A below the target sensor S' is dispersed in the vehicle width direction along the cover main body 20A (the extension portion 21) and the protruding portion 28 and is easily transmitted to the rear bumper 10 via the upper fixing portion 25 and the inner fixing portion 26. As a result, deformation and displacement of the cover member 20 can be more effectively suppressed. Furthermore, since the protruding portion 28 extends below the extending portion 21 so as to overlap with the extending portion 21 in the vehicle width direction, the cover member 20 is less likely to deform in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle relative to the upper fixing portion 25 and the inner fixing portion 26, and deformation and displacement of the cover member 20 are more effectively suppressed.

[0069] In this embodiment, the cover member 20 has a T-shaped cross section at a portion of the cover member 20 located below the target sensor S'. This more effectively suppresses deformation of the cover member 20 in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle vertical direction. Furthermore, because the extension portion 21 is inclined downward toward the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction, even if a foreign object M such as mud reaches the upper surface of the extension portion 21 (see FIG. 7), the foreign object M such as rainwater or mud is likely to flow down from the front end of the extension portion 21, thereby suppressing the accumulation of rainwater, mud, or the like near the harness H.

[0070] In this embodiment, two cover members 20 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction, but this is not limiting, and an appropriate number of cover members 20 may be arranged depending on the number and positions of the target sensors S'. Furthermore, when multiple target sensors S' are provided close to each other, the extensions 21 of the cover member 20 may be arranged below the multiple target sensors S', and one cover member 20 may be configured to directly protect the multiple target sensors S'.

[0071] Furthermore, the harness H is also connected to sensors S other than the target sensor S', but may be connected only to the target sensor S'. The rear panel side cap 31, which is the entrance of the harness H into the rear bumper 10, is not limited to being located at the front of the vehicle above the right curved portion 14 when viewed from the front of the vehicle, but may be located at an appropriate position, such as a position at the front of the vehicle above the left curved portion 15.

[0072] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and further modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10... rear bumper, 10a... back surface of bumper, 16... license plate mounting portion, 20... cover member, 20A... cover main body portion, 21... extension portion, 21a... first extension piece, 21b... second extension piece, 22... upper extension portion, 23... vertical wall portion, 23c... through hole, 24... reinforcement portion, 25... upper fixing portion, 26... inner fixing portion, 27... lower fixing portion, 28... protruding portion, 100... rear body structure, H... harness, Hb1... crossing harness portion, Hb2... branch harness portion, S'... target sensor, T... rear wheel

Claims

1. A vehicle rear structure including a rear bumper disposed rearward of a vehicle relative to rear wheels, a target sensor attached to a portion of the rear bumper inward of the rear wheels in a vehicle width direction and toward a front side of the vehicle, and a harness connected to at least the target sensor, a cover member fixed to a portion of a rear bumper back surface, which is a surface of the rear bumper in front of the vehicle, that is located inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the rear wheel; the cover member has a cover main body portion that extends forward of the vehicle and surrounds the target sensor from below and from outside the target sensor in the vehicle width direction, and an upper fixing portion that is provided at an upper end of the cover main body portion and fixed to the rear bumper, The harness is fixed to at least the cover member, the cover main body has an extension portion that is located below the target sensor, has a predetermined width in the vehicle width direction, and extends toward the front of the vehicle; one end of the extension portion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is located at a license plate attachment portion provided in a center portion of the rear bumper in the vehicle width direction, and the other end of the extension portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the license plate attachment portion, The cover member has an inner fixing portion that is fixed to the license plate mounting portion.

2. 2. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 1, wherein the cover main body portion has an extension portion located below the target sensor and extending toward the front of the vehicle with a predetermined width in the vehicle width direction, and an upward extension portion extending continuously from an end of the extension portion located outside the target sensor in the vehicle width direction to a predetermined position above the target sensor.

3. 3. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 2, wherein the cover member has a vertical wall portion extending downward from the extension portion and facing the rear surface of the bumper, and a reinforcing portion connecting the vertical wall portion and the extension portion.

4. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 2 , wherein the cover member has a protruding portion that is located below the extending portion and protrudes forward of the vehicle, and that extends outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the inner fixing portion.

5. 5. The vehicle rear body structure according to claim 1, wherein the cover member has a T-shaped cross section at a portion of the cover member located below the target sensor.

Images