Mounting structure for radar

Abstract

This mounting structure for a radar (2) comprises a bracket (1) that is provided at a front end or a rear end of a vehicle and that is fixed by connecting two vehicle body members placed at different heights. The bracket (1) has: a first portion (10) that is formed in a hat shape as viewed from a lateral side of the vehicle; and a second portion (20) that is formed in a hat shape as viewed from above the vehicle. The first portion (10) includes: a first top plate (11) which is separated, in the front-rear direction, from a first fixed surface (1A) with respect to the vehicle body member, and to which the radar (2) is fixed; and an upper vertical wall (12) and a lower vertical wall (13) that respectively extend from an upper edge and a lower edge of the first top plate (11) toward the first fixed surface (1A) side. The second portion (20) includes: a second top plate (21) which is separated, in the front-rear direction, from a second fixed surface (1B) with respect to the vehicle body member, and which is provided to an upper edge of the upper vertical wall (12) and / or a lower edge of the lower vertical wall (13); and a left vertical wall (22) and a right vertical wall (23) that respectively extend from a left edge and a right edge of the second top plate (21) toward the second fixed surface (1B) side.

Description

Radar mounting structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting structure for a radar that is provided at the front or rear end of a vehicle and emits radar waves.

[0002] In recent vehicles, radar (millimeter-wave radar, laser radar, etc.) installed at the front or rear end of the vehicle detects information ahead of or behind the vehicle. The radar is fixed to the vehicle body via a mounting member (bracket) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The radar emits radar waves (radio waves, laser beams, etc.) toward the front or rear of the vehicle, and detects, for example, the presence or absence of an object within the irradiation range and the distance to the object. Detection by the radar must be performed with high accuracy. Therefore, the radar can be firmly fixed to the vehicle body to prevent the radar from vibrating due to shaking while the vehicle is traveling.

[0003] However, because radars are located at the front or rear end of a vehicle, if the bracket that secures the radar is too strong, the load (impact) applied to the pedestrian will be large when the vehicle comes into contact with the pedestrian. To address this issue, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which the bracket that secures the radar is provided with deformation portions (first deformation portion, second deformation portion, etc.) formed, for example, by notches. With this configuration, when a load is applied, the deformation portions easily deform, causing the radar located in front of the vehicle to move backward, thereby reducing the impact on the object being hit.

[0004] JP 2009-287950 A JP 2016-94151 A

[0005] However, as in Patent Document 2, when a portion that becomes the starting point of deformation when a load is applied is configured with a notch, there is a problem that stress is likely to concentrate at the notch. When a vehicle comes into contact with a pedestrian, the pedestrian may collide with the radar directly (head-on), or the pedestrian may collide with a position that is not directly facing the radar. Therefore, in either case, a configuration that can reduce the load (impact) on the pedestrian is desirable.

[0006] The radar mounting structure of the present invention was devised in consideration of these problems, and one of its objectives is to improve pedestrian protection performance in the event of a vehicle collision. However, in addition to this objective, another objective of the present invention is to achieve operational effects derived from the configurations shown in the "Mode for Carrying Out the Invention" described below, which are not obtainable with conventional technologies.

[0007] The disclosed vehicle body structure can be realized as the following disclosed embodiments (application examples), which solve at least part of the above-mentioned problems. Each of the embodiments from embodiment 2 onwards is an embodiment that can be selected as an additional option, and each of the embodiments can be omitted. None of the embodiments from embodiment 2 onwards discloses an embodiment or configuration that is essential to the present invention.

[0008] Aspect 1. The disclosed radar mounting structure includes a radar that emits radar waves and a bracket that is provided at the front or rear end of a vehicle, vertically connecting and fixing two vehicle body members at different heights, and to which the radar is fixed. The bracket includes a first top plate that is spaced from a first fixing surface relative to the vehicle body member in the fore-and-aft direction and to which the radar is fixed, and upper and lower vertical walls that extend from the upper and lower edges of the first top plate toward the first fixing surface, respectively, and has a first portion that is hat-shaped when viewed from the side of the vehicle. Furthermore, the bracket includes a second top plate that is spaced from a second fixing surface relative to the vehicle body member in the fore-and-aft direction and is provided on at least one of the upper edge of the upper vertical wall and the lower edge of the lower vertical wall, and left and right vertical walls that extend from the left and right edges of the second top plate toward the second fixing surface, respectively, and has a second portion that is hat-shaped when viewed from above the vehicle.

[0009] Aspect 2. In the above-mentioned Aspect 1, it is preferable that the bracket extends from the first tabletop to the left vertical wall and the right vertical wall and has a convex or concave bead. Aspect 3. In the above-mentioned Aspect 1 or 2, it is preferable that the upper vertical wall and the lower vertical wall extend obliquely with respect to the first tabletop, and the left vertical wall and the right vertical wall extend obliquely with respect to the second tabletop.

[0010] Aspect 4. In any of Aspects 1 to 3 above, it is preferable that the second portion has the second top plate formed continuously from the lower edge of the lower vertical wall and fixed to the bumper beam as the lower vehicle body member. Aspect 5. In any of Aspects 1 to 3 above, it is preferable that the second top plate is formed continuously from each of the upper edge of the upper vertical wall and the lower edge of the lower vertical wall.

[0011] Aspect 6. In any of Aspects 1 to 5 above, it is preferable that the bracket has a third portion that protrudes in a direction away from the first fixing surface in the front-to-rear direction beyond the radar fixed to the first top plate. Aspect 7. In Aspect 6 above, it is preferable that the third portion is a surface portion that extends in the up-down direction and the front-to-rear direction along each of the left and right edges of the first top plate. Aspect 8. In any of Aspects 1 to 7 above, it is preferable that the first portion and the second portion of the bracket are formed integrally.

[0012] According to the disclosed radar mounting structure, the bracket deforms to allow the radar to escape appropriately regardless of the position at which the pedestrian collides with the radar, thereby improving pedestrian protection performance in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0013] 3(a)-3(b) are schematic left side views illustrating the operation of a vehicle having the mounting structure of FIG. 1 when a pedestrian directly faces the radar and collides with the vehicle having the mounting structure of FIG. 1; (a) is a perspective view illustrating the operation of a vehicle having the mounting structure of FIG. 1 when a pedestrian does not directly face the radar and collides with the vehicle having the mounting structure of FIG. 1; (b) is a schematic top view illustrating the operation of a vehicle having the mounting structure of FIG. 1 when a pedestrian does not directly face the radar and collides with the vehicle having the mounting structure of FIG. 1; (a) is a schematic top view illustrating the operation of a vehicle having the mounting structure of FIG. 1 when a pedestrian does not directly face the radar and collides with the vehicle having the mounting structure of FIG. 1; (a) is a schematic top view illustrating the operation of a vehicle having the mounting structure of FIG. 1 when a pedestrian does not directly face the radar and collides with the vehicle having the mounting structure of FIG. 1; (b ...b) is a schematic top view illustrating the operation of a vehicle having the mounting structure of FIG. 1 when a pedestrian does not directly face the radar and collides with the vehicle having the mounting structure of FIG. 1; (b) is a schematic top view illustrating the operation of a vehicle having the mounting structure of FIG. 1 when a pedestrian does not directly face the radar and collides

[0014] A radar mounting structure according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is merely an example, and is not intended to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly described in the following embodiment. The configurations of the embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the embodiments. Furthermore, they can be selected or combined as needed.

[0015] Regarding the definition of directions in this embodiment, the longitudinal direction (vehicle length direction) is defined based on the forward and backward direction of the vehicle, and the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) is defined based on the longitudinal direction. The up-down direction is defined based on the state in which the vehicle is stopped on a flat road surface.

[0016] This mounting structure can be applied to either the front or rear of a vehicle. When applied to the front of a vehicle, this mounting structure is a structure for fixing a radar that irradiates radar waves toward the front of the vehicle to the front end of the vehicle using a bracket. When applied to the rear of a vehicle, this mounting structure is a structure for fixing a radar that irradiates radar waves toward the rear of the vehicle to the rear end of the vehicle using a bracket. The following description will discuss in detail the mounting structure applied to the front of a vehicle.

[0017] [1. Configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining a mounting structure applied to the front side of a vehicle, and is a perspective view of the front end of the vehicle as viewed from a slightly left direction. As shown in Fig. 1, the mounting structure of this embodiment includes a radar 2 that radiates radar waves and a bracket 1 to which the radar 2 is fixed. One mounting structure is provided approximately in the center of the vehicle width direction.

[0018] The radar 2 is a detection device such as a millimeter-wave radar or a laser radar. The radar 2 emits radar waves (radio waves, laser beams, etc.) toward the front of the vehicle, for example, and detects the presence or absence of an object within the irradiation range and the distance to the object. The irradiation range of the radar 2 expands radially the farther away from the radar 2 (the further forward the vehicle). The radar 2 of this embodiment is composed of a rectangular parallelepiped radar main body 2A and a frame 2B to which the radar main body 2A is attached and which is fixed to the bracket 1.

[0019] Bracket 1 is provided at the front end of the vehicle. Bracket 1 vertically connects two vehicle body members 3, 4 that are positioned at different heights, and is fixed to the vehicle body members 3, 4. There are no particular limitations on the type of vehicle body members 3, 4 as long as they are members that are positioned at the front end of the vehicle, specifically, behind a bumper fascia 5 (see FIG. 4(a) and other figures), and examples include a bumper beam, an upper beam, a lower beam, a bumper bracket, and a hood lock member.

[0020] In the mounting structure of this embodiment, an example is shown in which the upper vehicle body member 3 is a bumper bracket and the lower vehicle body member 4 is a bumper beam. Hereinafter, they will also be referred to as the bumper bracket 3 and the bumper beam 4. The bumper bracket 3 is a member to which the bumper fascia 5 is attached and which is fixed to the vehicle body. The bumper beam 4 is a structural member that extends in the vehicle width direction and connects a pair of left and right side members (not shown) that extend in the front-to-rear direction. The bumper beam 4 has higher strength than the bumper bracket 3. These vehicle body members 3, 4 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction. Furthermore, these vehicle body members 3, 4 may be arranged so that their front faces are slightly spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction.

[0021] The bracket 1 has an upper portion fixed to an upper vehicle body member 3 and a lower portion fixed to a lower vehicle body member 4. Hereinafter, the former fixing location, i.e., the fixing surface relative to the vehicle body member 3, will be referred to as a "first fixing surface 1A," and the latter fixing location, i.e., the fixing surface relative to the vehicle body member 4, will be referred to as a "second fixing surface 1B." The bracket 1 is mechanically fastened and fixed at these fixing surfaces 1A and 1B by, for example, bolts or screws. This suppresses shaking of the bracket 1 (and thus the radar 2) due to vehicle body vibrations during driving.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bracket 1 with the radar 2 fixed thereto, viewed from below and to the left. FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c) are a front view, a left side view, and a bottom view of the bracket 1, respectively. Note that FIG. 3(b) shows portions of the vehicle body members 3 and 4 with dashed double-dashed lines. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3(a) to 3(c), the bracket 1 has a first portion 10 that is hat-shaped when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and a second portion 20 that is hat-shaped when viewed from above (or below) the vehicle. In the bracket 1 of this embodiment, the first portion 10 and the second portion 20 are integrally formed. Note that the bracket may also have the first portion 10 and the second portion 20 formed separately and integrated (by joining, welding, etc.).

[0023] The first portion 10 is a hat-shaped portion that opens rearward when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and includes a first top plate 11, an upper vertical wall 12, a lower vertical wall 13, and an upper flange 14. The first top plate 11 is a surface portion to which the radar 2 is fixed, and extends in the up-down direction and the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 3( b ), the first top plate 11 forms the top surface portion of the hat shape, and is disposed spaced apart from the first fixing surface 1A in the front-rear direction (forward in this embodiment).

[0024] 2 and 3(a), the first top plate 11 of this embodiment has a substantially rectangular fixing surface 11a and extension portions 11b extending upward and downward from the centers of the upper and lower edges of the fixing surface 11a. The fixing surface 11a is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is the same as or slightly larger than the outer shape of the frame body 2B of the radar 2. Note that the fixing surface 11a may be provided with holes for fixing the radar 2 or openings through which the wiring of the radar 2 is inserted. The extension portions 11b are not essential and may be omitted.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3( a) and 3(b), the upper vertical wall 12 is a surface portion extending from the upper edge of the first top plate 11 toward the first fixing surface 1A and extends at least in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the upper vertical wall 12 is continuously formed rearward and slightly upward from the upper edge of the upper extension portion 11b of the first top plate 11. On the other hand, the lower vertical wall 13 is a surface portion extending from the lower edge of the first top plate 11 toward the first fixing surface 1A and extends at least in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the lower vertical wall 13 is continuously formed rearward and slightly downward from the lower edge of the lower extension portion 11b of the first top plate 11. In other words, both the upper vertical wall 12 and the lower vertical wall 13 extend obliquely with respect to the first top plate 11 so that the angle they form with the first top plate 11 is greater than 90 degrees.

[0026] The upper flange 14 is a surface portion formed continuously upward from the upper edge of the upper vertical wall 12, and constitutes the first fixing surface 1A. In other words, the upper flange 14 is a portion that is fixed to the upper vehicle body member 3. The first portion 10 does not have a lower flange corresponding to the upper flange 14, and a second top plate 21 (described later) of the second portion 20 is provided at the position of this lower flange.

[0027] The first portion 10 of this embodiment has a pair of left and right upper ribs 15 that run along the left and right edges of the upper vertical wall 12 and protrude upward and forward. Furthermore, the first portion 10 has a pair of left and right lower ribs 16 that run along the left and right edges and protrude at least forward from the lower extension 11b to the lower vertical wall 13. The upper ribs 15 and the lower ribs 16 contribute to improving the rigidity of the bracket 1. Note that these upper ribs 15 and lower ribs 16 are not essential and can be omitted.

[0028] The second portion 20 is a hat-shaped portion that opens rearward when viewed from the vertical direction of the vehicle, and includes a second top plate 21, a left vertical wall 22, a right vertical wall 23, a left flange 24, and a right flange 25. The second top plate 21 is a surface portion provided on the lower edge of the lower vertical wall 13 of the first portion 10, and is provided continuously downward from this lower edge and extends in the vertical and vehicle width directions. As shown in FIG. 3( c), the second top plate 21 forms the top surface portion of the hat shape and is disposed spaced apart from the second fixing surface 1B in the fore-and-aft direction (forward in this embodiment). In other words, the first portion 10 forms an upper hat structure in the vertical direction (vertical direction), and the second portion 20 forms a lower hat structure in the horizontal direction (vehicle width direction).

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3(a), the second top plate 21 of this embodiment has a generally rectangular shape with a left-right dimension that is longer than its up-down dimension. The left-right dimension of the second top plate 21 is at least equal to the left-right dimension of the lower edge of the lower vertical wall 13. The up-down dimension of the second top plate 21 is generally equal to the up-down dimension of the upper flange 14, and the front-to-rear position of the second top plate 21 is generally equal to the front-to-rear position of the upper flange 14. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3(b), the second top plate 21 can also be said to be a part that replaces the lower flange of the first section 10.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3(a) to 3(c), the left vertical wall 22 is a surface portion extending from the left edge of the second top panel 21 toward the second fixed surface 1B and extends at least in the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, the left vertical wall 22 is continuously formed from the entire left edge of the second top panel 21 toward the rear and left (outside the vehicle). On the other hand, the right vertical wall 23 is a surface portion extending from the right end of the second top panel 21 toward the second fixed surface 1B and extends at least in the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, the right vertical wall 23 is continuously formed from the entire right edge of the second top panel 21 toward the rear and right (outside the vehicle). In other words, both the left vertical wall 22 and the right vertical wall 23 extend obliquely with respect to the second top panel 21 so that the angle they form with the second top panel 21 is greater than 90 degrees.

[0031] The left flange 24 is a surface portion formed continuously from the entire left edge of the left vertical wall 22 to the left (outside the vehicle), and constitutes the second fixing surface 1B. The right flange 25 is a surface portion formed continuously from the entire right edge of the right vertical wall 23 to the right (outside the vehicle), and constitutes the second fixing surface 1B. In other words, both the left flange 24 and the right flange 25 are portions that are fixed to the lower vehicle body member 4.

[0032] 2 and 3(a), the bracket 1 of this embodiment has a bead 40 extending from the first top plate 11 to the left vertical wall 22 and the right vertical wall 23. The bead 40 is a portion of the plate surface that is concave or convex. Specifically, the bead 40 extends from the extension portion 11b on the lower side of the first top plate 11 to the lower vertical wall 13 and the second top plate 21, and then branches to the left and right at the second top plate 21, with the left end extending to the left vertical wall 22 and the right end extending to the right vertical wall 23. In other words, the bead 40 has an inverted T-shape when the bracket 1 is viewed from the front.

[0033] The beads 40 are provided across the corner formed by the first top plate 11 and the lower vertical wall 13, the corner formed by the lower vertical wall 13 and the second top plate 21, the corner formed by the second top plate 21 and the left vertical wall 22, and the corner formed by the second top plate 21 and the right vertical wall 23. This improves the rigidity of the surface portions (corners) where the beads 40 are provided without increasing the plate thickness of the bracket 1.

[0034] 2, the bracket 1 of this embodiment has a third portion 30 that protrudes forward (in the direction away from the first fixing surface 1A in the front-rear direction) from the radar 2 fixed to the first top plate 11. That is, the front end portion of the third portion 30 is located forward of the forefront position of the radar 2. This makes it easier for a load to be input to the third portion 30 before the radar 2 in the event of a vehicle collision, and damage to the radar 2 can be suppressed.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3(a) to 3(c), the third portion 30 in this embodiment is a surface portion extending in the up-down and front-rear directions along the left and right edges of the first tabletop 11. That is, a pair of third portions 30 are provided, one on each side. More specifically, the left third portion 30 extends forward from substantially the entire left edge of the fixing surface 11a of the first tabletop 11 and is provided as a substantially rectangular planar portion in side view. The right third portion 30 similarly extends forward from substantially the entire right edge of the fixing surface 11a of the first tabletop 11 and is provided as a substantially rectangular planar portion in side view. As shown in FIG. 3(c), the bracket 1, together with the first tabletop 11 and the left and right third portions 30, forms a U-shape that opens forward. The radar 2 is disposed inside this U-shape.

[0036] [2. Actions and Effects] (1) In the above-described mounting structure, the radar 2 is fixed to the bracket 1, which is provided at the front end of the vehicle, connects two vehicle body members 3, 4 that are positioned at different heights in the vertical direction, and is fixed to these vehicle body members 3, 4. The bracket 1 has a first portion 10 that is hat-shaped when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and a second portion 20 that is hat-shaped when viewed from above (or below) the vehicle.

[0037] The first portion 10 includes a first top plate 11 spaced forward from a first fixing surface 1A relative to the vehicle body member 3 and to which the radar 2 is fixed, and an upper vertical wall 12 and a lower vertical wall 13 extending rearward (toward the first fixing surface 1A) from the upper and lower edges of the first top plate 11. The second portion 20 includes a second top plate 21 spaced forward from a second fixing surface 1B relative to the vehicle body member 4 and provided on the lower edge of the lower vertical wall 13, and a left vertical wall 22 and a right vertical wall 23 extending rearward (toward the second fixing surface 1B) from the left and right edges of the second top plate 21. In this way, the above-mentioned bracket 1 has a two-tiered hat structure consisting of a vertical upper hat structure (first portion 10) and a horizontal lower hat structure (second portion 20).

[0038] Therefore, in the above-described mounting structure, if a pedestrian collides with a vehicle in a position directly facing the radar 2 (for example, in a head-on collision with the vehicle), the pedestrian's legs L will collide with the front of the radar 2, as shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b). In this case, the hat structure of the first portion 10 will deform rearward. This allows the radar 2 to escape rearward, and the load on the pedestrian (the impact on the legs L) can be alleviated.

[0039] Furthermore, with the above-described mounting structure, if a pedestrian collides with a vehicle in a position not directly facing the radar 2 (for example, in a right frontal collision with the vehicle), the pedestrian's legs L will collide with the radar 2 at a position offset in the left-right direction from the front surface of the radar 2, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B . In this case, the hat structure of the first portion 10 is first pushed by the legs L and deforms rearward, and then the hat structure of the second portion 20 deforms laterally while undergoing rotational deformation. This allows the radar 2 to escape rearward and laterally, and the load on the pedestrian (the impact on the legs L) can be alleviated. In other words, with the above-described mounting structure, the bracket 1 can deform and appropriately allow the radar 2 to escape regardless of the position at which the pedestrian collides with the radar 2, thereby improving pedestrian protection performance in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0040] Furthermore, it is required to avoid false detection by ensuring that parts and portions of the vehicle (for example, uneven portions of the bumper fascia 5, bolts, etc.) do not fall within the irradiation range of the radar 2. Specifically, the area of ​​the bumper fascia 5 that overlaps with the irradiation range of the radar 2 needs to be a substantially flat surface without uneven portions.

[0041] In contrast, in the mounting structure described above, because the first portion 10 is hat-shaped, the portion to which the radar 2 is fixed (first top plate 11) can be moved forward and away from the first fixing surface 1A relative to the vehicle body member 3. In other words, the radar 2 can be disposed closer to the bumper fascia 5. This makes it possible to reduce the area of ​​the bumper fascia 5 that overlaps with the irradiation range of the radar 2, thereby narrowing the constraints on the bumper fascia 5 (the area that must be a substantially flat surface without unevenness). This increases the degree of freedom in the design of the bumper fascia 5.

[0042] (2) In the above-described mounting structure, the bracket 1 extends from the first top panel 11 to the left vertical wall 22 and the right vertical wall 23, and has a convex or concave bead 40. Under normal circumstances other than a vehicle collision, the bracket 1 needs to protect the radar 2 from vehicle vibrations to prevent false detections by the radar 2, and therefore needs to have a certain degree of rigidity. On the other hand, when a pedestrian collides with the bracket 1, the bracket 1 needs to deform to absorb the load (impact).

[0043] To address these conflicting requirements, in the bracket 1 described above, the bead 40 is provided across the connecting portion between the first portion 10 and the second portion 20, which increases the rigidity of the portion where the bead 40 is provided without excessively increasing the strength of the entire bracket 1. In this way, the rigidity of the bracket 1 can be increased and vibrations can be suppressed without affecting pedestrian protection, and false detection by the radar 2 can be suppressed.

[0044] (3) In addition, in the bracket 1 described above, the upper vertical wall 12 and the lower vertical wall 13 of the first portion 10 extend obliquely relative to the first top plate 11, and the left vertical wall 22 and the right vertical wall 23 of the second portion 20 extend obliquely relative to the second top plate 21. Because the vertical walls 12, 13, 22, and 23 are inclined rather than perpendicular to the top plates 11 and 21, the vertical walls 12, 13, 22, and 23 are easily deformed without being stiffened when a load (impact) is applied. This further improves pedestrian protection performance.

[0045] (4) In the above-described mounting structure, the second top plate 21 of the second portion 20 of the bracket 1 is formed continuously from the lower edge of the lower vertical wall 13 of the first portion 10 and is fixed to the bumper beam, which serves as the lower vehicle body member 4. The bumper beam 4 has high strength and is resistant to deformation during a collision, so fixing the second portion 20 to the bumper beam 4 facilitates absorption of reaction force. Therefore, in the event of a collision where the pedestrian and the radar 2 are not directly facing each other, the bracket 1 is more likely to deform, further improving pedestrian protection performance. Furthermore, by fixing a portion of the bracket 1 to the bumper beam 4, vibration of the radar 2 can be suppressed. Furthermore, if the second portion 20 is provided only at the lower end of the first portion 10, the bracket 1 can be made lighter than a configuration in which the second portion 20 is provided both above and below the first portion 10.

[0046] (5) Furthermore, the bracket 1 described above has a third portion 30 that protrudes forward of the radar 2 fixed to the first top plate 11. This allows a load to be input to the third portion 30 before the radar 2 during a vehicle collision, making it easier to prevent damage to the radar 2. In particular, in the case of a minor collision, there is a possibility that the load can be absorbed by deformation of only the third portion 30, thereby preventing damage to the radar 2. In this case, replacement costs in the event of a minor collision can be reduced.

[0047] (6) Furthermore, in the bracket 1 described above, the third portion 30 is provided as a surface portion extending in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction along each of the left and right edges of the first top plate 11. In this way, by providing the third portion 30 as a surface portion on each of the left and right edges of the first top plate 11 so as to sandwich the radar 2 from the left and right, the third portion 30 can bear the load before the radar 2 regardless of the angle of collision, and damage to the radar 2 in the event of a minor collision can be further prevented.

[0048] (7) In the above-described bracket 1, the first portion 10 and the second portion 20 are integrally formed, so that the bracket 1 can be inexpensive and simple.

[0049] [3. Other] The above-described mounting structure is merely an example and is not limited to the above. In the bracket 1 of the above embodiment, the second portion 20 is provided only at the lower end of the first portion 10. However, the second portion 20 may be provided only at the upper end of the first portion 10, or at both the upper and lower ends of the first portion 10. When the second portion 20 is provided at the upper end of the first portion 10, the bracket may include a second top plate provided at the upper edge of the upper vertical wall 12 of the first portion 10 (continuously formed from the upper edge), and left and right vertical walls extending from the left and right edges of the second top plate toward the second fixing surface, respectively, and have a second portion that forms a hat shape when viewed from above (or below) the vehicle. When the second top plate is formed continuously from the upper edge of the upper vertical wall 12 and the lower edge of the lower vertical wall 13, the bracket is more likely to deform in the event of a collision where the pedestrian and the radar 2 are not directly facing each other. This further improves pedestrian protection performance.

[0050] The specific shape of the bracket 1 is not limited to the one described above. For example, the third portion 30 may be a surface portion that follows the entire outer edge of the first portion 10, or may be formed in the shape of a protrusion or pin. Alternatively, the third portion 30 may be omitted. Furthermore, the vertical walls 12, 13, 22, and 23 may be provided perpendicular to the top plates 11 and 21, and the front-to-back dimensions of the upper vertical wall 12 and the lower vertical wall 13 do not have to be equal. Furthermore, if a bead 40 is provided, its shape does not have to be an inverted T-shape. The bead 40 is not essential and can be omitted.

[0051] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the mounting structure applied to the front side of the vehicle has been described in detail, but the mounting structure may be applied only to the rear side of the vehicle, or to both the front and rear sides of the vehicle. When the mounting structure is applied to the rear side of the vehicle, the "front end portion of the vehicle" in the above-described embodiment may be read as the "rear end portion of the vehicle," and "forward of the vehicle" or "forward of the vehicle" may be read as the "rear side of the vehicle" or "rear side of the vehicle."

[0052] The present invention is applicable to the vehicle manufacturing industry where a radar mounting structure is used.

[0053] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Bracket 1A First fixing surface 1B Second fixing surface 2 Radar 3 Bumper bracket 4 Bumper beam (lower vehicle body member) 10 First portion 11 First top plate 12 Upper vertical wall 13 Lower vertical wall 14 Upper flange 20 Second portion 21 Second top plate 22 Left vertical wall 23 Right vertical wall 24 Left flange 25 Right flange 30 Third portion 40 Bead

Claims

1. a radar that emits radar waves; a bracket that is provided at a front end or a rear end of a vehicle, that vertically connects and fixes two vehicle body members that are at different height positions, and that fixes the radar; The bracket is a first portion having a hat shape when viewed from the side of the vehicle, the first portion including: a first top plate spaced from a first fixing surface relative to the vehicle body member in the front-rear direction and to which the radar is fixed; and an upper vertical wall and a lower vertical wall extending from an upper edge and a lower edge of the first top plate toward the first fixing surface, respectively; a second top plate that is spaced from a second fixing surface for the vehicle body member in the front-rear direction and is provided on at least one of an upper edge of the upper vertical wall and a lower edge of the lower vertical wall, and a left vertical wall and a right vertical wall that extend from the left edge and the right edge of the second top plate, respectively, toward the second fixing surface, and has a hat-shaped second portion when viewed from above the vehicle. A radar mounting structure comprising:

2. The bracket extends from the first top plate to the left vertical wall and the right vertical wall, and has a convex or concave bead.

2. The radar mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The upper vertical wall and the lower vertical wall extend obliquely relative to the first top plate, The left vertical wall and the right vertical wall extend obliquely relative to the second top plate.

3. The radar mounting structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

4. The second portion has the second top plate formed continuously from the lower edge of the lower vertical wall and fixed to a bumper beam as the lower vehicle body member.

3. The radar mounting structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

5. The second top plate is formed continuously from the upper edge of the upper vertical wall and the lower edge of the lower vertical wall.

3. The radar mounting structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

6. The bracket has a third portion that protrudes in a direction away from the first fixing surface in the front-rear direction beyond the radar fixed to the first top plate.

3. The radar mounting structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

7. The third portion is a surface portion extending in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction along the left edge and the right edge of the first tabletop.

7. The radar mounting structure according to claim 6, wherein:

8. The first and second portions of the bracket are integrally formed.

3. The radar mounting structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: