Object detection device

Abstract

The present invention stably detects an obstacle.　An object detection device 200 is mounted on a vehicle V having a front door part 100 as a door for opening and closing an opening of a vehicle body, and detects an obstacle OB that exists outside the vehicle V in a vehicle width direction. The object detection device 200 comprises: an ultrasonic sensor part 210 that is capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and is disposed on a door outer panel 110 constituting an outer side of the front door part 100 in the vehicle width direction; a first vibration control part 220 as a first vibration control member disposed on the door outer panel 110 so as to surround the ultrasonic sensor part 210; and a second vibration control part 230 as a second vibration control member disposed between the first vibration control part 220 and a door end surface part DE, which is an end surface of the door outer panel 110.

Description

Object detection device

[0001] The present invention relates to an object detection device.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, some vehicles have been equipped with an automatic opening and closing device that automatically opens and closes swing doors, which are hinged at the base of the doors and open and close in a fan-like manner.

[0003] When a swing door is automatically opened and closed, the swing door is opened and closed toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, so the automatic opening and closing device needs to detect obstacles within the swing door's operating range to prevent collision between the swing door and the obstacles.

[0004] A known technique for detecting an obstacle is, for example, a technique for detecting an obstacle by transmitting ultrasonic waves toward the obstacle and receiving the ultrasonic waves reflected from the obstacle using an ultrasonic sensor.

[0005] As a technology for detecting obstacles using ultrasonic waves as described above, a technology has been disclosed that includes an ultrasonic sensor having an emission surface, a mounting surface having an attachment portion to which the emission surface of the ultrasonic sensor is attached, and a wall member that has a rigidity-changing portion that is provided on the mounting surface and is provided in an area sandwiched between two directions extending from the attachment portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0006] WO 2017 / 141402 Publication A1

[0007] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a technology that prevents false detection of waves reflected by the road surface, for example, by adjusting the direction of ultrasonic radiation without providing a hole for the ultrasonic sensor in the door, which is an exterior panel part. At this time, vibrations caused by the radiated ultrasonic waves are also transmitted to the exterior panel part of the door.

[0008] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration ultrasonic waves transmitted to the exterior panel parts of the door, which means that there is a risk that the ultrasonic sensor will erroneously detect vibrations caused by ultrasonic waves generated in the exterior panel parts.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide an object detection device that can stably detect obstacles.

[0010] One or more embodiments of the present invention are an object detection device that is mounted on a vehicle having a door that opens and closes an opening in the vehicle body and detects obstacles located on the vehicle width outside of the vehicle, the object detection device comprising: an ultrasonic sensor unit that is arranged on an outer door member that forms the outer side of the door in the vehicle width direction and is capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a first vibration damping member that is arranged on the outer door member so as to surround the ultrasonic sensor unit; and a second vibration damping member that is arranged between an end face of the outer door member and the first vibration damping member.

[0011] According to the object detection device having the above configuration, it is possible to stably detect obstacles.

[0012] 3(c) is a cross-sectional view of the object detection device in FIG. 3(a), taken along line A-A in FIG. 3(a), viewed from the direction of the arrows, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the object detection device in FIG. 3(b), taken along line B-B in FIG. 3(b), taken along line C-C in FIG. 3(c), and taken along line D-D in FIG. 3(d). 3(c) is a cross-sectional view of the object detection device in FIG. 2(a), taken along line E-E in FIG. 2(b), viewed from the direction of the arrows, showing the behavior of a transmitted wave when a signal is transmitted from an ultrasonic sensor toward an obstacle. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the behavior of a vibration wave propagated to an outer door member when a signal is transmitted and received from an ultrasonic sensor, with (a) showing the behavior of the vibration wave due to the transmitted signal, and (b) showing the behavior of a vibration reflected wave generated by the vibration wave. This is a side view of the configuration of an object detection device according to a modified example of the present invention, as seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction with the door trim and door inner panel removed from the front door. This is a cross-sectional view of the object detection device in FIG. 7, with (a) being a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G as viewed from the direction of the arrows, (b) being a cross-sectional view taken along line H-H as viewed from the direction of the arrows, (c) being a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I as viewed from the direction of the arrows, and (d) being a cross-sectional view taken along line J-J as viewed from the direction of the arrows.

[0013] 1 to 8 , an object detection device 200 according to this embodiment will be described. Note that the arrow FR, shown as appropriate in the drawings, indicates the vehicle travel direction (front side) of a vehicle V to which the object detection device 200 is applied, the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle V, and the arrow RH indicates the right side when facing the vehicle travel direction. Furthermore, in the following description, when the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions are used, these directions will indicate the up / down direction when facing the vehicle travel direction, the front / rear direction with the vehicle travel direction as the front, and the left / right direction when facing the vehicle travel direction, unless otherwise specified.

[0014] 1, a vehicle V is provided with a driver's seat S1 and a passenger seat S2, in which an occupant P is seated, behind a front panel portion FP. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the driver's seat S1 is provided on the left side of the vehicle V and the object detection device 200 is provided in a front door portion 100 on the right side. Note that the object detection device 200 may be provided in each of the opening and closing doors provided in the vehicle V. Furthermore, for example, the object detection device 200 may be provided in the front door portion FD on the driver's seat S1 side, or may be provided only in some doors, such as a rear door RD provided at the rear seat.

[0015] (Regarding the automatic opening / closing device 10) The front door section 100 is provided with an automatic opening / closing device 10 that automatically opens and closes the front door section 100. The automatic opening / closing device 10 automatically opens and closes the front door section 100 by extending and retracting a rod provided in the automatic opening / closing device 10 in accordance with an operation request, for example, by an occupant P operating a switch.

[0016] (Regarding the Front Door 100) The front door 100 is a swing door that is fixed at the front base with a hinge HG and that opens and closes in a fan-like manner as indicated by the arrow AR1. As shown in FIG. 2, the front door 100 includes a door outer panel 110 as an exterior door member, a door trim 120, an inner door panel 130, and an object detection device 200. A door window glass DW and a door frame DF are provided above the front door 100, and a door mirror DM is provided in front of the front door 100.

[0017] The door outer panel 110 is provided as an exterior part of the front door part 100, formed by molding a metal plate using a mold or the like. A door frame DF is fixed to the door outer panel 110 by welding or the like, and a door inner panel 130 is fixed to the inside of the door outer panel 110 in the vehicle width direction by welding or the like. A door end surface DE is formed on the outer periphery of the door outer panel 110, as shown by the thick dashed line in Figure 2.

[0018] The door trim 120 is provided on the vehicle inner side of the front door portion 100 so as not to expose the door inner panel 130. The door trim 120 is fixed to the vehicle inner side of the door inner panel 130.

[0019] The door inner panel 130 is formed by molding a metal plate using a mold, etc. The door inner panel 130 is joined to the door outer panel 110 by welding, etc.

[0020] (Regarding the object detection device 200) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the object detection device 200 is provided in the front door section 100 of the vehicle V. When the front door section 100 is opened or closed by the automatic opening / closing device 10, the object detection device 200 detects an obstacle OB that exists outside the vehicle V so as to prevent the front door section 100 from colliding with the obstacle OB that exists within the operation range of the front door section 100. The object detection devices 200 may be provided in multiple locations, and in this embodiment, four object detection devices 200 (object detection devices 200a to 200d) are provided in the front door section 100.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the object detection device 200 is configured to include an ultrasonic sensor unit 210 (ultrasonic sensor unit 210a to ultrasonic sensor unit 210d), a first vibration damping unit 220 (first vibration damping unit 220a to first vibration damping unit 220d) as a first vibration damping member, and a second vibration damping unit 230 (second vibration damping unit 230b and second vibration damping unit 230d) as a second vibration damping member.

[0022] The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and is provided on the door outer panel 110. The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 transmits a transmission wave Tx toward the outside in the vehicle width direction (the outside of the door outer panel 110 of the front door unit 100). The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 also receives a reflected wave Rx that is generated when an obstacle OB or the like is present outside the front door unit 100 in the vehicle width direction, and detects the obstacle OB or the like.

[0023] The first vibration damping portion 220 is a sheet-like vibration damping member made of a flexible material such as rubber or silicone, and is formed in a shape that surrounds the ultrasonic sensor portion 210. The first vibration damping portion 220, for example, converts vibrations propagating inside the door outer panel 110 into thermal energy to attenuate the vibrations. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the first vibration damping portion 220 is formed in various shapes and disposed around the ultrasonic sensor portion 210. For example, in the object detection device 200a, the first vibration damping portion 220a is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction aligned with the vehicle front-rear direction (see FIG. 3A). In the object detection devices 200b and 200c, the first vibration damping portions 220b and 220c are formed in a substantially circular shape that surrounds the ultrasonic sensor portions 210b and 210c (see FIGS. 3B and 3C). In the object detection device 200d, a first vibration damping portion 220d is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction inclined relative to the vehicle vertical direction (see FIG. 3D).

[0024] In the first vibration damping portion 220, the plate thickness PE on the door end surface portion DE side is formed to be thicker than the plate thickness PC of the central portion of the first vibration damping portion 220. Specifically, for example, as shown in Figures 4(a) to 4(d), in the first vibration damping portions 220a to 220d in the object detection devices 200a to 200d, the plate thicknesses PEa to PEd on the door end surface portion DE side are formed to be thicker than the plate thicknesses PCa to PCd of the central portion.

[0025] 4A, for example, a door end surface DE is provided on the front side of the object detection device 200a, and therefore, in the first vibration damping portion 220a of the object detection device 200a, the plate thickness PEa of the front end portion of the first vibration damping portion 220a is formed to be thicker than the plate thickness PCa of the central portion.

[0026] 4B, for example, a door end surface portion DE is provided on the lower side of the object detection device 200b. Therefore, in the first vibration damping portion 220b of the object detection device 200b, the plate thickness PEb of the lower end portion of the first vibration damping portion 220b is formed to be thicker than the plate thickness PCb of the central portion of the first vibration damping portion 220b.

[0027] 4(c), for example, a door end surface portion DE is provided on the lower side of the object detection device 200c. Therefore, in the first vibration damping portion 220c of the object detection device 200c, the plate thickness PEc of the lower end portion of the first vibration damping portion 220c is formed to be thicker than the plate thickness PCc of the central portion.

[0028] 4(d), for example, a door end surface portion DE is provided on the rear side of the object detection device 200d. Therefore, in the first vibration damping portion 220d of the object detection device 200d, the plate thickness PEd of the rear end portion of the first vibration damping portion 220d is formed to be thicker than the plate thickness PCd of the central portion of the first vibration damping portion 220d.

[0029] The thickness of the first vibration damping portion 220 may be made thicker on the side that improves the reception sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor portion 210. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the thickness of the first vibration damping portion 220 may be made thicker on the side where the door end surface portion DE is not provided.

[0030] The second vibration damping portion 230 (second vibration damping portion 230b to second vibration damping portion 230d) is disposed between the door end surface portion DE and the first vibration damping portion 220 (first vibration damping portion 220a to first vibration damping portion 220c). The second vibration damping portion 230 is formed of a sheet-like vibration damping member made of a flexible material such as rubber or silicone. The second vibration damping portion 230, for example, converts vibrations propagated inside the door outer panel 110 into thermal energy to attenuate the vibrations.

[0031] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3(b) to 3(d), the second vibration damping portion 230 (second vibration damping portion 230b to second vibration damping portion 230d) is disposed between the door end surface DE and the first vibration damping portion 220, and is formed in various shapes. For example, the second vibration damping portion 230b in the object detection device 200b is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape that surrounds the periphery of the first vibration damping portion 220b. The second vibration damping portion 230c in the object detection device 200c is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and is disposed between the door end surface DE and the first vibration damping portion 220b. The second vibration damping portion 230d in the object detection device 200d is formed in a substantially inverted U shape that opens obliquely forward and below the vehicle, and is disposed between the door end surface DE and the first vibration damping portion 220d.

[0032] The second vibration damping portion 230 may also serve as the second vibration damping portion 230 provided for another ultrasonic sensor unit 210. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the second vibration damping portion 230 in the object detection device 200a is also used as the second vibration damping portion 230b in the object detection device 200b. The second vibration damping portion 230 may be formed to improve the reception sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor unit 210. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3D, the second vibration damping portion 230 may be formed around the ultrasonic sensor with the side where the door end surface portion DE is not provided open.

[0033] The plate thickness T2 of the second vibration damping portion 230 is formed to be thicker than the plate thickness of the first vibration damping portion 220. Here, as described above, the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 is disposed in the door outer panel 110. In addition to the vibration reflected wave VWr, various disturbing vibrations, such as vibrations from outside the vehicle or vibrations due to audio signals, are propagated to the door outer panel 110. Because the vibration reflected wave VWr and disturbing vibrations propagate toward the ultrasonic sensor portion 210, the various disturbing vibrations propagated from the door outer panel 110 first pass through the second vibration damping portion 230, which is disposed at a greater distance from the ultrasonic sensor portion 210. Therefore, in order to more quickly damp the vibration reflected wave VWr and disturbing vibrations, the plate thickness T2 of the second vibration damping portion 230 is formed to be thicker than the plate thickness PE or the plate thickness PC of the first vibration damping portion 220.

[0034] (Operation and Effect) The operation of the object detection device 200 according to this embodiment configured as described above when the object detection device 200 is operated will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG.

[0035] When the occupant P requests that the front door 100 be opened by operating a switch, the object detection device 200 activates the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 to detect whether or not an obstacle OB is present within the operation range of the front door 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the object detection device 200b causes the ultrasonic sensor unit 210b to transmit a transmission wave Tx toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. If an obstacle OB is present within the operation range, a reflected wave Rx reflected by the obstacle OB is generated. If no obstacle OB is present within the operation range, no reflected wave Rx is generated. When a reflected wave Rx is generated, the reflected wave Rx travels straight toward the ultrasonic sensor unit 210b and is received by the ultrasonic sensor unit 210b. As a result, the object detection device 200b detects that an obstacle OB is present within the operation range of the front door 100. At this time, the object detection device 200b transmits, for example, information indicating that an obstacle OB is present within the operation range of the front door 100 to the automatic opening / closing device 10. Therefore, the automatic opening and closing device 10 stops the operation of opening the front door section 100.

[0036] When the ultrasonic sensor unit 210b transmits a transmission wave Tx, an ultrasonic wave equivalent to the transmission wave Tx is also propagated as a vibration wave VW to the door outer panel 110 on which the ultrasonic sensor unit 210b is provided. The vibration wave VW propagated to the door outer panel 110 propagates radially outward from the ultrasonic sensor unit 210b inside the door outer panel 110. Specifically, for example, as shown by an arrow AR2 in FIG. 6A, the vibration wave VW propagates toward the lower door end surface DE.

[0037] At this time, the vibration wave VW passes through the first vibration damping portion 220b that is provided so as to surround the periphery of the ultrasonic sensor portion 210b, thereby attenuating the vibration wave VW propagating into the door outer panel 110 by the first vibration damping portion 220b.

[0038] Furthermore, the vibration wave VW passes through the second vibration damping portion 230b provided between the first vibration damping portion 220b and the door end surface portion DE. As a result, the second vibration damping portion 230b further attenuates the vibration wave VW propagating inside the door outer panel 110. Because the first vibration damping portion 220b and the second vibration damping portion 230b are provided around the ultrasonic sensor portion 210b, the area where the first vibration damping portion 220b and the second vibration damping portion 230b are provided is the minimum area required.

[0039] When the vibration wave VW reaches the door end surface DE, a vibration reflected wave VWr is generated at the door end surface DE.

[0040] The vibration reflected wave VWr generated at the door end surface DE is propagated inside the door outer panel 110, and a portion of the vibration reflected wave VWr is propagated toward the upper ultrasonic sensor portion 210b from the lower door end surface DE, as shown by arrow AR3 in Figure 6 (b).

[0041] Since the second vibration damping portion 230b is disposed between the door end surface DE and the first vibration damping portion 220b, the vibration reflected wave VWr first passes through the second vibration damping portion 230b, and is therefore attenuated by the second vibration damping portion 230b without being propagated a long distance inside the door outer panel 110.

[0042] In addition to the vibration reflection wave VWr, various disturbing vibrations such as vibrations caused by driving or audio signals are propagated to the door outer panel 110. The second vibration damping portion 230b, which is provided at a greater distance from the ultrasonic sensor portion 210c, is formed with a thickness greater than that of the first vibration damping portion 220c in order to more quickly damp the various disturbing vibrations propagated from the door outer panel 110. Therefore, the various disturbing vibrations propagated toward the ultrasonic sensor portion 210c are initially largely attenuated by the second vibration damping portion 230b.

[0043] The vibration reflected wave VWr attenuated by the second vibration damping portion 230b passes through the first vibration damping portion 220b, whereby the vibration reflected wave VWr is further attenuated. The thickness PEb of the first vibration damping portion 220b on the end face side of the door outer panel 110 is greater than the thickness PCb of the first vibration damping portion 220c at the center. Therefore, the vibration reflected wave VWr reaching the first vibration damping portion 220b is first significantly attenuated at the end face side of the door outer panel 110 of the first vibration damping portion 220b, and then further attenuated at the center of the first vibration damping portion 220b. By the time the vibration reflected wave VWr propagates to the ultrasonic sensor portion 210b, it is sufficiently attenuated compared to the reflected wave Rx reflected from the obstacle OB. This prevents the vibration reflected wave VWr from affecting reception of the reflected wave Rx by the ultrasonic sensor portion 210b.

[0044] As described above, even if the vibration reflected wave VWr is generated at the door edge surface DE when the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 transmits the transmission wave Tx, the first vibration damping unit 220 and the second vibration damping unit 230 attenuate the vibration reflected wave VWr. Therefore, the vibration reflected wave VWr does not affect reception of the reflected wave Rx by the ultrasonic sensor unit 210.

[0045] As described above, the object detection device 200 according to this embodiment is an object detection device 200 that is mounted on a vehicle V having a front door section 100 as a door that opens and closes an opening in the vehicle body, and that detects an obstacle OB that is present on the vehicle width outside of the vehicle V, and is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor section 210 that is capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and is arranged on the door outer panel 110 that forms the vehicle width outside of the front door section 100, a first vibration damping section 220 that serves as a first vibration damping member that is arranged on the door outer panel 110 so as to surround the ultrasonic sensor section 210, and a second vibration damping section 230 that serves as a second vibration damping member that is arranged between the door end face section DE that serves as an end face of the door outer panel 110 and the first vibration damping section 220.

[0046] That is, the vibration wave VW generated in the door outer panel 110 by transmitting ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 outward in the vehicle width direction reaches the door end surface DE while being attenuated by the first vibration damping unit 220 and the second vibration damping unit 230. The vibration wave VW that reaches the door end surface DE is reflected at the door end surface DE, generating a vibration reflected wave VWr.

[0047] The vibration reflected wave VWr reaches the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 while being further damped and attenuated by the first vibration damping unit 220 and the second vibration damping unit 230. As a result, the vibration reflected wave VWr does not affect the reception of the reflected wave Rx from the obstacle OB by the ultrasonic sensor unit 210. Therefore, the object detection device 200 can receive the reflected wave Rx from the obstacle OB without being affected by the vibration reflected wave VWr. Furthermore, by providing the first vibration damping unit 220c and the second vibration damping unit 230c around the ultrasonic sensor unit 210c, the area required for providing the first vibration damping unit 220c and the second vibration damping unit 230c can be reduced to the minimum necessary area. This allows the object detection device 200 to stably detect obstacles.

[0048] In the object detection device 200, the plate thickness PE of the first vibration damping portion 220 on the end face side of the door outer panel 110 is thicker than the plate thickness PC of the center portion of the first vibration damping portion 220. Here, the vibration reflected wave VWr reflected at the door end face portion DE propagates from the end face side of the door outer panel 110 on the first vibration damping portion 220 toward the center portion of the first vibration damping portion 220. The vibration reflected wave VWr that reaches the first vibration damping portion 220 is first significantly attenuated on the end face side of the door outer panel 110 on the first vibration damping portion 220 and then further attenuated at the center portion of the first vibration damping portion 220. Therefore, the object detection device 200 can receive the reflected wave Rx from the obstacle OB without being affected by the vibration reflected wave VWr. This allows the object detection device 200 to stably detect obstacles.

[0049] In the object detection device 200, the plate thickness T2 of the second vibration damping portion 230 is formed to be thicker than the plate thickness PE or the plate thickness PC of the first vibration damping portion 220. Here, in addition to the vibration reflected wave VWr, various disturbing vibrations, such as vibrations caused by driving or audio signals, propagate through the door outer panel 110. Therefore, the thick second vibration damping portion 230 can effectively attenuate the disturbing vibrations. Therefore, the object detection device 200 can receive the reflected wave Rx from the obstacle OB without being affected by the vibration reflected wave VWr. This allows the object detection device 200 to stably detect obstacles.

[0050] <Modification> An object detection device 200A as a modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.

[0051] In the object detection device 200, the plate thickness of the first vibration damping portion 220 on the end face side of the door outer panel 110 is formed to be thicker than the central portion of the first vibration damping portion 220, and the plate thickness of the second vibration damping portion 230 is formed to be thicker than the plate thickness of the first vibration damping portion 220. In the object detection device 200A, the plate thickness of the first vibration damping portion 220 or the second vibration damping portion 230, or the plate thickness of both the first vibration damping portion 220 and the second vibration damping portion 230, may be formed to be thicker closer to the end face of the door outer panel 110.

[0052] 7, for example, object detection device 200A (object detection device 200Aa to object detection device 200Ad) is provided. Object detection device 200A is configured to include an ultrasonic sensor unit 210 (ultrasonic sensor unit 210a to ultrasonic sensor unit 210c), a first vibration damping unit 220A (first vibration damping unit 220Aa to first vibration damping unit 220Ac) as a first vibration damping member, and a second vibration damping unit 230A (second vibration damping unit 230Ab and second vibration damping unit 230Ac) as a second vibration damping member.

[0053] 8A, for example, a door end surface DE is provided on the front side of the object detection device 200Aa, and therefore, in the first vibration damping portion 220Aa of the object detection device 200Aa, the plate thickness PEAa of the front end portion of the first vibration damping portion 220Aa is formed to be thicker than the plate thickness PCAa of the central portion.

[0054] 8B, for example, a door end surface DE is provided below the object detection device 200Ab. Therefore, in the first vibration damping portion 220Ab of the object detection device 200Ab, the plate thickness PEb at both front-rear direction ends of the first vibration damping portion 220Ab is greater than the plate thickness PCb at the center of the first vibration damping portion 220Ab. In the second vibration damping portion 230Ab, the plate thickness T2Ab on the side closer to the door end surface DE is greater than the plate thickness on the ultrasonic sensor portion 210b side.

[0055] 8(c), for example, a door edge portion DE is provided on the lower side of the object detection device 200Ac. Therefore, in the first vibration damping portion 220Ac of the object detection device 200Ac, the plate thickness PEc of the lower end portion of the first vibration damping portion 220Ac is formed thicker than the plate thickness PCc of the central portion. In the second vibration damping portion 230Ac, the plate thickness T2Ac of the portion closer to the door edge portion DE is formed thicker than the plate thickness of the ultrasonic sensor portion 210c.

[0056] 8(d), for example, a door end surface DE is provided on the rear side of the object detection device 200Ad. Therefore, in the first vibration damping portion 220Ad of the object detection device 200Ad, the plate thickness PEd at both ends in the front-rear direction of the first vibration damping portion 220Ad is formed thicker than the plate thickness PCd at the center of the first vibration damping portion 220Ad. In the second vibration damping portion 230Ad, the plate thickness T2Ad on the side closer to the door end surface DE is formed thicker than the plate thickness on the ultrasonic sensor unit 210d side.

[0057] As described above, the first vibration damping portion 220A and the second vibration damping portion 230A, which are formed with a greater thickness closer to the end face of the door outer panel 110, initially and largely attenuate the vibration reflected wave VWr approaching from the end face of the door outer panel 110. Therefore, by the first vibration damping portion 220A and the second vibration damping portion 230A initially and largely attenuating the vibration reflected wave VWr approaching from the end face, the vibration reflected wave VWr does not affect the reception of the reflected wave Rx by the ultrasonic sensor portion 210. Therefore, the object detection device 200A can stably detect obstacles.

[0058] In this embodiment, the second vibration damping portion 230 is shown as being provided on the vehicle lower side or on the vehicle widthwise inner side of the door end surface portion DE, but may be provided on the door end surface portion DE.

[0059] The above describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0060] 10; automatic opening / closing device 100; front door portion 110; door outer panel 120; door trim 130; door inner panel 200; object detection device 200A; object detection device 210; ultrasonic sensor portion 220; first vibration damping portion 220A; first vibration damping portion 230; second vibration damping portion 230A; second vibration damping portion DE; door end surface portion OB; obstacle P; occupant RD; rear door portion V; vehicle

Claims

1. An object detection device that is mounted on a vehicle having a door that opens and closes an opening in the vehicle body and detects obstacles that exist on the vehicle width outer side of the vehicle, comprising: an ultrasonic sensor unit that is arranged on an outer door member that forms the outer side of the door in the vehicle width direction and is capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a first vibration damping member that is arranged on the outer door member so as to surround the ultrasonic sensor unit; and a second vibration damping member that is arranged between an end face of the outer door member and the first vibration damping member.

2. The object detection device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the end face side of the door outer member in the first vibration-damping member is formed to be thicker than that of the central portion of the first vibration-damping member.

3. An object detection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the thickness of the second vibration-damping member is greater than the thickness of the first vibration-damping member.

4. The object detection device described in claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the first vibration-damping member or the second vibration-damping member, or the thickness of both the first vibration-damping member and the second vibration-damping member, is made thicker nearer to the end face of the door outer member.

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