Object detection device

Abstract

The present invention stably detects an obstacle.　An object detection device 200 is mounted to a vehicle V having a front door portion 100 as a door for opening and closing an opening portion of a vehicle body, and detects an obstacle OB present outside the vehicle V. The object detection device 200 comprises: an ultrasonic sensor portion 210 which is provided on a door outer panel 110 constituting an outer side in the vehicle width direction of the front door portion 100, and is capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; and a fixing holder portion 300 which includes a first opening OP1 as a first opening portion on the side facing the door outer panel 110 and a sensor housing portion SH for housing the ultrasonic sensor portion 210, and which fixes the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 to the door outer panel 110. The fixing holder portion 300 is provided with a pressing spring 340 as a biasing member for biasing the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 toward 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, for example, false detection of waves reflected by the road surface by adjusting the direction of ultrasonic radiation without providing a hole for an ultrasonic sensor in the door, which is an exterior panel part.

[0008] However, in the technology shown in Patent Document 1, the gap that occurs between the emitting surface of the ultrasonic sensor and the mounting surface having the mounting portion is not taken into consideration, which may result in uneven intensity in the transmitted signal from the ultrasonic sensor and the reflected wave from the obstacle, making it difficult to stably detect the obstacle.

[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 that exist outside the vehicle, the object detection device comprising an ultrasonic sensor unit that is capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and is arranged on an outer door member that forms the outer side of the door, and a fixed holder unit that houses the ultrasonic sensor and fixes the ultrasonic sensor to the outer door member, the fixed holder unit being provided with a biasing member that biases the ultrasonic sensor toward the outer door member.

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

[0012] 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an object detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a side view of the configuration of the object detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction with the door trim and door inner panel removed from the front door section; FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the object detection device, with part A in FIG. 2 enlarged; FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a fixed holder part in the object detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a front view seen from the vehicle traveling direction side, (b) is a side view seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction, and (c) is a plan view seen from above the vehicle; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the details of the object detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, taken along line B-B as seen from the direction of the arrows in FIG. 3; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the object detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, taken along line C-C as seen from the direction of the arrows in FIG. 2, showing a case where a signal is transmitted and received from an ultrasonic sensor; and FIG. 9 is a side view of the configuration of an object detection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction with the door trim and door inner panel removed from the front door section. 11 is a detailed view of the object detection device with an enlarged view of portion C in FIG. 7, where (a) is a front view seen from the vehicle traveling direction, (b) is a side view seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction, and (c) is a plan view seen from above the vehicle. It is an exploded view showing the configuration of the sensor housing section of the object detection device in portion C of FIG. 7. It is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D seen from the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7, showing the behavior of a transmission wave when a signal is transmitted from an ultrasonic sensor toward an obstacle in an object detection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the configuration of an object detection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction with the door trim and door inner panel removed from the front door section. It is an enlarged perspective view of the object detection device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, seen from below inside the vehicle. It is a detailed view of the object detection device with an enlarged view of portion E in FIG. 11, where (a) is a front view seen from the vehicle traveling direction, (b) is a side view seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction, and (c) is a plan view seen from above the vehicle. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an ultrasonic sensor unit and a slider unit of an object detection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above outside the vehicle, with a holder lid removed;13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 11 , showing the behavior of a transmission wave when a signal is transmitted from an ultrasonic sensor toward an obstacle in an object detection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is an exploded view showing the configuration of a sensor housing section of the object detection device in part E in Fig. 11. It is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 13 , where (a) shows a state in which the object detection device is mounted, and (b) shows a state in which the object detection device is pressed toward the outside of the vehicle.

[0013] 1 to 18 , an object detection device 200, an object detection device 200A, and an object detection device 200B according to this embodiment will be described. Note that the arrow FR, which is appropriately shown in the drawings, indicates the vehicle traveling 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 traveling 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 traveling direction, the front / rear direction with the vehicle traveling direction as the front, and the left / right direction when facing the vehicle traveling direction, unless otherwise specified.

[0014] First Embodiment An object detection device 200 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle V is provided with a driver's seat S1 and a passenger seat S2, in which an occupant P sits, 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.

[0016] (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.

[0017] (Regarding the Front Door Section 100) The front door section 100 is provided as a swing door that is fixed at the base of the door on the front side by a hinge HG and that opens and closes in a fan shape as indicated by the arrow AR1. As shown in Fig. 2, the front door section 100 is configured to include a door outer panel 110 as an exterior door member that forms the outer side of the door (outside in the vehicle width direction), a door trim 120, a door inner panel 130, and an object detection device 200. A door window glass DW and a door frame DF are provided above the front door section 100, and a door mirror DM is provided in front of the front door section 100.

[0018] The door outer panel 110 is provided as an exterior of the front door portion 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 fixing surface FS (fixing surface FSa, fixing surface FSb) is formed on the inside of the door outer panel 110 in the vehicle width direction as a fixing location for the object detection device 200. The fixing surface FS is formed as a flat surface that allows the object detection device 200 and the door outer panel 110 to come into close contact with each other.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] (Regarding the object detection device 200) 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 device 200 may be provided in multiple locations, and in this embodiment, two object detection devices 200 (object detection device 200a and object detection device 200b) are provided in the front door section 100.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the object detection device 200 is configured to include an ultrasonic sensor unit 210 (ultrasonic sensor unit 210a and ultrasonic sensor unit 210b), a fixed holder unit 300 (fixed holder unit 300a and fixed holder unit 300b), and an adhesive member 400.

[0023] The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and is provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the door outer panel 110 that constitutes the vehicle inner side of the door. The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 transmits a transmission wave Tx toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction (the outer side 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 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the front door unit 100, and detects the obstacle OB or the like.

[0024] (Regarding fixed holder portion 300) As shown in Figures 4 and 5, fixed holder portion 300 (fixed holder portion 300a, fixed holder portion 300b) is configured to include holder exterior portion 310 (holder exterior portion 310a, holder exterior portion 310b), adhesive surface 320 to which adhesive member 400 is fixed, pressure plate 330 (pressure plate 330a, pressure plate 330b), and pressure spring 340 (pressure spring 340a, pressure spring 340b) as a biasing member.

[0025] The fixed holder part 300 has a first opening OP1 as a first opening on the side facing the door outer panel 110. The fixed holder part 300 has a sensor housing part SH therein, with the first opening OP1 in the holder exterior part 310 serving as an insertion opening. The ultrasonic sensor part 210 is housed in the sensor housing part SH. With the ultrasonic sensor part 210 housed in the sensor housing part SH, the fixed holder part 300 is fixed to the door outer panel 110 with the ultrasonic sensor part 210 in close contact with a fixing surface FS of the door outer panel 110. An adhesive member 400 is affixed to an adhesive surface 320 formed on the lower bottom surface of the truncated cone of the fixed holder part 300, thereby fixing the door outer panel 110 and the fixed holder part 300 together.

[0026] The holder exterior part 310 is formed in a generally truncated cone shape using a material such as resin. A generally circular first opening OP1, for example, is provided in the approximate center of the lower bottom surface of the truncated cone provided on the door outer panel 110 side of the holder exterior part 310. The holder exterior part 310 further includes a sensor accommodating part SH as a generally cylindrical space with the first opening OP1 as its cylindrical bottom surface. The side of the sensor accommodating part SH facing the first opening OP1 is closed with a material such as resin.

[0027] 4 and 5, a substantially flat adhesive surface 320 is provided on the truncated cone lower bottom surface of the holder exterior part 310. The adhesive surface 320 is provided so as to have a larger area than the first opening OP1, with the first opening OP1 at the center. Specifically, for example, when viewed from the truncated cone lower bottom surface side of the holder exterior part 310, the adhesive surface 320 has a circular ring shape with the first opening OP1 open. An adhesive member 400, which will be described later, is affixed to the adhesive surface 320.

[0028] The pressure plate 330 is formed as a substantially circular flat plate from a material such as resin. The pressure plate 330 is housed inside the sensor housing SH and is provided slidably between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the pressure spring 340. One side of the pressure plate 330 abuts against the ultrasonic sensor unit 210, and the other side of the pressure plate 330 abuts against the pressure spring 340.

[0029] The pressure spring 340 is made of a material such as metal or resin. The pressure spring 340 is provided inside the sensor housing SH. The pressure spring 340 biases the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 toward the door outer panel 110 via the pressure plate 330.

[0030] (Regarding the adhesive member 400) The adhesive member 400 is provided between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110. The adhesive member 400 fixes the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 to the door outer panel 110, and also fixes the fixed holder unit 300 to the door outer panel 110. The adhesive member 400 is formed into a circle having approximately the same diameter as the adhesive surface 320 of the fixed holder unit 300, using an adhesive member such as double-sided tape or silicone bond, for example.

[0031] The adhesive member 400 fills gaps that occur between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110, thereby tightly bonding the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110. The gaps referred to here may be, for example, gaps that occur due to surface distortions such as scratches or warping present on the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 or the door outer panel 110.

[0032] As described above, the object detection device 200 is configured by accommodating the pressure spring 340, the pressure plate 330, and the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 in the sensor accommodating portion SH of the fixed holder portion 300. An adhesive member 400 is disposed between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110, and the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is biased toward the door outer panel 110 by the pressure spring 340. The object detection device 200 is fixed to the door outer panel 110 by the adhesive member 400 affixed to the adhesive surface 320 provided on the fixed holder portion 300.

[0033] (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 FIG.

[0034] For example, when an 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. As shown in FIG. 6 , the object detection device 200 transmits a transmission wave Tx from the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 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 210 and is received by the ultrasonic sensor unit 210. As a result, the object detection device 200 detects that an obstacle OB is present within the operation range of the front door 100. At this time, the object detection device 200 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.

[0035] When the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 transmits the transmission wave Tx outward in the vehicle width direction, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 vibrates the door outer panel 110 to propagate the transmission wave Tx as a larger signal.

[0036] At this time, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is housed in the sensor housing portion SH of the fixed holder portion 300, and is urged toward the door outer panel 110 by the pressure spring 340 via the pressure plate 330. In other words, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is urged by the pressure spring 340, and is reliably in close contact with the door outer panel 110. The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 reliably vibrates the door outer panel 110, and the object detection device 200 propagates the transmission wave Tx without attenuation of its transmission strength, and transmits the transmission wave Tx toward a wider range outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0037] Furthermore, when a reflected wave Rx is generated as a result of the transmitted wave Tx being reflected by an obstacle OB, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 receives the reflected wave Rx via the door outer panel 110. Because the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is securely in close contact with the door outer panel 110, the reflected wave Rx is propagated to the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 without being lost in the door outer panel 110. When the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 receives the reflected wave Rx propagated from the door outer panel 110, the object detection device 200 detects an obstacle OB present on the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] An adhesive surface 320 is formed on the lower bottom surface of the truncated cone of the fixed holder portion 300, and an adhesive member 400 is attached to the adhesive surface 320, thereby stably fixing the fixed holder portion 300 to the door outer panel 110. The ultrasonic sensor portion 210 is accommodated in the sensor accommodation portion SH of the fixed holder portion 300 and fixed to the door outer panel 110, so that the fixed holder portion 300 limits vibration of the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 due to vibrations or the like. This reduces unevenness in the intensity of the transmission waves Tx transmitted from the ultrasonic sensor portion 210, and the transmission waves Tx are stably transmitted toward the outside of the vehicle via the door outer panel 110 with the transmission intensity maintained constant.

[0039] Furthermore, an adhesive member 400 is provided between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the adhesive surface 320 of the fixed holder unit 300 and the door outer panel 110. The adhesive member 400 not only fixes the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 to the door outer panel 110 but also fills any gaps between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110. This close contact between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110 prevents attenuation of the intensity of transmitted and received waves due to the gap. In other words, the adhesive member 400 transmits the transmitted waves Tx from the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 toward the outside of the vehicle via the door outer panel 110 while reliably maintaining the transmission intensity without attenuation. Furthermore, the adhesive member 400 allows the reflected waves Rx from the obstacle OB to propagate to the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 via the door outer panel 110 without loss.

[0040] As described above, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is accommodated in the sensor accommodating portion SH of the fixed holder portion 300, and the pressure spring 340 biases the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 toward the door outer panel 110 via the pressure plate 330, thereby ensuring close contact between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110. Furthermore, because the fixed holder portion 300 is fixed to the door outer panel 110 via the adhesive surface 320, the fixed holder portion 300 limits vibration of the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 due to vibrations of the vehicle V, etc. Furthermore, any gap between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110 is filled by the adhesive member 400. The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 reliably vibrates the door outer panel 110 without attenuation, so that the object detection device 200 transmits the transmission waves Tx from the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction while maintaining a constant transmission intensity, and transmits the transmission waves Tx toward a wider range toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0041] Furthermore, when a reflected wave Rx is generated by reflection from an obstacle OB, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is securely in close contact with the door outer panel 110, so that vibrations caused by the reflected wave Rx are efficiently transmitted to the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 via the door outer panel 110 without loss. The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 receives the reflected wave Rx via the door outer panel 110, so that the object detection device 200 reliably detects an obstacle OB that exists on the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0042] 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 outside the vehicle V, and is configured to include 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 outer side of the front door section 100 in the vehicle width direction, and a fixed holder section 300 that has a first opening OP1 as a first opening on the side facing the door outer panel 110, has a sensor accommodating section SH that accommodates the ultrasonic sensor section 210 inside, and fixes the ultrasonic sensor section 210 to the door outer panel 110, and the fixed holder section 300 is provided with a pressure spring 340 that serves as a biasing member that biases the ultrasonic sensor section 210 toward the door outer panel 110. That is, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is accommodated in the sensor accommodating portion SH of the fixed holder portion 300, and is biased toward the door outer panel 110 by the pressing spring 340 via the pressing plate 330, so that the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is reliably in close contact with the door outer panel 110. Therefore, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 reliably vibrates the door outer panel 110, so that the object detection device 200 can propagate the transmission wave Tx transmitted from the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction without attenuation of the transmission intensity, and can transmit the transmission wave Tx toward a wider range toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] Furthermore, when a reflected wave Rx is generated by reflection from an obstacle OB, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is securely in close contact with the door outer panel 110, so that the vibrations caused by the reflected wave Rx are efficiently propagated without loss even in the door outer panel 110. Therefore, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 receives the reflected wave Rx propagated from the door outer panel 110, and the object detection device 200 can reliably detect an obstacle OB that exists on the outside in the vehicle width direction. This allows the object detection device 200 to stably detect obstacles.

[0044] The fixed holder portion 300 in the object detection device 200 has an adhesive surface 320 formed at the center of the first opening OP1, the adhesive surface 320 having a larger area than the first opening OP1. In other words, because the fixed holder portion 300 has the adhesive surface 320 having a larger area than the first opening OP1, the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 is stably fixed to the door outer panel 110 via the fixed holder portion 300 having the adhesive surface 320. Therefore, by configuring the adhesive surface 320 to have a larger area than the first opening OP1 described below, the object detection device 200 can stably fix the fixed holder portion 300 to the door outer panel 110. Furthermore, because the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 is stably fixed to the door outer panel 110, the object detection device 200 can limit shaking of the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 due to vibrations of the vehicle V, etc. The object detection device 200 can stably transmit the transmission waves Tx toward the outside of the vehicle while maintaining a constant transmission strength, and can reliably receive the reflected waves Rx from the obstacle OB without loss. As a result, the object detection device 200 can stably detect obstacles.

[0045] In the object detection device 200, an adhesive member 400 is provided between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110. By providing the adhesive member 400 between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110 are fixed together, and by filling the gap between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110, the adhesive member 400 brings the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110 into close contact with each other, preventing attenuation of the intensity of the transmitted and received waves that would otherwise occur due to the gap. Therefore, the object detection device 200 can transmit the transmitted waves Tx from the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 toward the outside of the vehicle without attenuation and while reliably maintaining the transmission intensity, and can reliably receive the reflected waves Rx from the obstacle OB without loss. This allows the object detection device 200 to stably detect obstacles.

[0046] Second Embodiment An object detection device 200A according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0047] 7, the front door 100A is a swing door that opens and closes in a fan-like manner, with the base of the door fixed by a hinge HG at the front of the vehicle. The front door 100A includes a door outer panel 110, a door trim 120, a door inner panel 130, and an object detection device 200A.

[0048] (Regarding the object detection device 200A)

[0049] The object detection device 200A (object detection device 200Aa and object detection device 200Ab) includes an ultrasonic sensor unit 210 (ultrasonic sensor unit 210a and ultrasonic sensor unit 210b) and a fixed holder unit 300A (fixed holder unit 300Aa and fixed holder unit 300Ab). In the object detection device 200A, the fixed holder unit 300A is fixed to a fixing surface FS provided on the door outer panel 110, with the pressure spring 340, pressure plate 330, and ultrasonic sensor unit 210 inserted through the first opening OP1 housed in the sensor housing unit SH.

[0050] (Regarding the fixed holder unit 300A) As shown in Fig. 8, the sensor housing unit SHA of the fixed holder unit 300A further includes a second opening OP2 as a second opening provided on the side opposite the first opening OP1, and a holder lid unit 350 that covers the second opening OP2. The ultrasonic sensor unit 210, a pressure plate 330, and a pressure spring 340 as a biasing member are housed in the sensor housing unit SHA, and the holder lid unit 350 covers the second opening OP2. The fixed holder unit 300A is configured to include a holder exterior unit 310A, the pressure plate 330, the pressure spring 340, and the holder lid unit 350 (holder lid unit 350a, holder lid unit 350b).

[0051] The holder exterior part 310A is formed in a generally truncated cone shape using a material such as resin. A sensor accommodating portion SHA is formed as a generally cylindrical space penetrating the holder exterior part 310 in the generally central portion of the truncated cone's lower bottom surface, which is provided on the door outer panel 110 side of the holder exterior part 310. Specifically, for example, a first opening OP1 is provided on the truncated cone's lower bottom surface side of the holder exterior part 310A that faces the door outer panel 110, and a second opening OP2 is provided on the truncated cone's upper bottom surface side of the holder exterior part 310A that faces the first opening OP1. The sensor accommodating portion SHA is formed as a generally cylindrical space penetrating from the second opening OP2 on the truncated cone's upper bottom surface to the first opening OP1 on the truncated cone's lower bottom surface of the holder exterior part 310A.

[0052] A holder lid 350 is provided in the second opening OP2 on the upper bottom surface side of the truncated cone of the sensor housing SHA. As shown in FIG. 9 , the ultrasonic sensor unit 210, the pressure plate 330, and the pressure spring 340 are housed in the sensor housing SHA, and the holder lid 350 covers the second opening OP2. The holder lid 350 is configured to press the pressure spring 340 from the second opening OP2 side toward the first opening OP1 side. An adhesive member 400 is attached to an adhesive surface 320 formed on the lower bottom surface of the truncated cone of the fixed holder 300A, thereby fixing the door outer panel 110 and the fixed holder 300A.

[0053] (Operation and Effect) The operation of the object detection device 200A according to this embodiment configured as described above when the object detection device 200A is operated will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG.

[0054] For example, when an occupant P requests that the front door 100 be opened by operating a switch, the object detection device 200A activates the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 to detect whether or not an obstacle OB is present within the front door 100A's operating range. As shown in FIG. 10 , the object detection device 200A transmits a transmission wave Tx from the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. If an obstacle OB is present within the operating range, the transmission wave Tx is reflected by the obstacle OB and propagates as a reflected wave Rx toward the ultrasonic sensor unit 210. If no obstacle OB is present within the operating 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 210 and is received by the ultrasonic sensor unit 210. When the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 receives the reflected wave Rx, the object detection device 200A detects that an obstacle OB is present within the operating range of the front door 100. At this time, the object detection device 200A, for example, transmits information to the automatic opening and closing device 10 that an obstacle OB is within the operating range of the front door section 100A, causing the automatic opening and closing device 10 to stop the operation of opening the front door section 100.

[0055] When the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 transmits the transmission wave Tx outward in the vehicle width direction, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 vibrates the door outer panel 110 to propagate the transmission wave Tx as a larger signal.

[0056] The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is housed in a sensor housing portion SHA in the fixed holder portion 300A, and is biased toward the door outer panel 110 by a pressure spring 340 via a pressure plate 330. In other words, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is biased by the pressure spring 340, and is thereby in close contact with the door outer panel 110.

[0057] The object detection device 200A is provided with a holder lid 350 that presses the pressure spring 340 from the second opening OP2 toward the first opening OP1. When the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the pressure spring 340 are housed in the sensor housing SHA, the holder lid 350 covers the second opening OP2. Therefore, the biasing force of the pressure spring 340 is changed depending on the amount of pressure applied by the holder lid 350, thereby optimizing the pressure applied when the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 comes into close contact with the door outer panel 110. The holder lid 350 and the sensor housing SHA may be screwed together to adjust the pressure applied when the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 comes into close contact with the door outer panel 110.

[0058] Furthermore, the holder lid portion 350 provided in the second opening OP2 facilitates assembly of the object detection device 200A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 , the object detection device 200A is assembled, for example, by first fixing the fixed holder portion 300A to the door outer panel 110 with an adhesive member 400. Then, the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 is inserted into the sensor housing portion SHA provided in the fixed holder portion 300A. After that, the pressure plate 330 and the pressure spring 340 are inserted into the sensor housing portion SHA, and the holder lid portion 350 covers the second opening OP2. At this time, the assembly procedure may include adjusting the close contact between the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 and the door outer panel 110 by pushing the holder lid portion 350 toward the door outer panel 110.

[0059] As shown in Figure 10, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 reliably vibrates the door outer panel 110, so that the object detection device 200A propagates the transmission wave Tx without attenuating the transmission strength and transmits the transmission wave Tx toward a wider range outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0060] Furthermore, when a reflected wave Rx is generated by reflection from an obstacle OB, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is securely in close contact with the door outer panel 110, so that the reflected wave Rx is propagated to the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 without being lost in the door outer panel 110. The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 receives the reflected wave Rx propagated from the door outer panel 110, and the object detection device 200A detects an obstacle OB that is present on the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0061] An adhesive surface 320 is formed on the lower bottom surface of the truncated cone of the fixed holder portion 300A, and an adhesive member 400 is attached to the adhesive surface 320, thereby stably fixing the fixed holder portion 300A to the door outer panel 110. The ultrasonic sensor portion 210 is accommodated in the sensor accommodating portion SH of the fixed holder portion 300A and fixed to the door outer panel 110, so that the fixed holder portion 300A limits vibration of the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 due to vibrations and the like. This reduces unevenness in the intensity of the transmission waves Tx transmitted from the ultrasonic sensor portion 210, and the transmission waves Tx are stably transmitted toward the outside of the vehicle through the door outer panel 110 with the transmission intensity maintained constant.

[0062] Furthermore, an adhesive member 400 is provided between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110. The adhesive member 400 not only secures the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 to the door outer panel 110 but also fills any gaps that may exist between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110. This tightly contacts the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110, preventing attenuation of the intensity of transmitted and received waves that may occur due to the gap. This allows the adhesive member 400 to transmit the transmitted waves Tx from the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 toward the outside of the vehicle via the door outer panel 110 while reliably maintaining the transmission intensity without attenuation. Furthermore, the adhesive member 400 allows the reflected waves Rx from the obstacle OB to propagate to the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 via the door outer panel 110 without loss.

[0063] As described above, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is accommodated in the sensor accommodation portion SHA of the fixed holder portion 300A, and the holder lid portion 350 is provided to press the pressure spring 340 from the second opening OP2 toward the first opening OP1. The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is biased toward the door outer panel 110 by the pressure spring 340 from the holder lid portion 350 via the pressure plate 330, thereby ensuring that the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is in close contact with the door outer panel 110. The biasing force of the pressure spring 340 is changed depending on the amount of pressure applied by the holder lid portion 350, thereby optimally adjusting the pressure applied when the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is in close contact with the door outer panel 110. Furthermore, the adhesive member 400 fills any gaps that may exist between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110. The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 reliably vibrates the door outer panel 110 without attenuation, so that the object detection device 200A propagates the transmission wave Tx transmitted from the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction without attenuation of the transmission intensity, and transmits the transmission wave Tx toward a wider range toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. When a reflected wave Rx is generated by reflection from an obstacle OB, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is reliably in close contact with the door outer panel 110, so that the vibration caused by the reflected wave Rx is efficiently propagated to the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 without loss even in the door outer panel 110. The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 receives the reflected wave Rx propagated from the door outer panel 110, so that the object detection device 200A reliably detects the obstacle OB present on the outside in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, since the holder lid 350 is provided at the second opening OP2, the assembly procedure is such that the fixed holder 300A is fixed to the door outer panel 110 with the adhesive member 400, and then the ultrasonic sensor 210 is inserted into the sensor housing SHA. This facilitates assembly of the object detection device 200A.

[0064] As described above, in the object detection device 200A according to this embodiment, the sensor housing SHA in the fixed holder portion 300A further includes a second opening OP2 provided on the side opposite the first opening OP1 and a holder lid portion 350 covering the second opening OP2. The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the pressure spring 340 serving as a biasing member are housed in the sensor housing SHA, and the holder lid portion 350 covers the second opening OP2. In other words, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is biased toward the door outer panel 110 by the pressure spring 340 from the holder lid portion 350 via the pressure plate 330, thereby ensuring that the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is in close contact with the door outer panel 110. At this time, the biasing force of the pressure spring 340 is changed depending on the amount of depression of the holder lid portion 350, thereby optimally adjusting the pressure when the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is in close contact with the door outer panel 110. Therefore, the pressing force of the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 when it comes into close contact with the door outer panel 110 is optimally adjusted, and the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 effectively receives the reflected wave Rx propagated from the door outer panel 110, allowing the object detection device 200 to reliably detect an obstacle OB located on the outside in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the holder lid 350 is provided in the second opening OP2. The ultrasonic sensor unit 210, the pressing plate 330, and the pressing spring 340 are inserted into the sensor housing SHA through the second opening OP2, and finally the holder lid 350 is attached to the sensor housing SHA. Therefore, the object detection device 200A can be easily assembled. Therefore, the object detection device 200 can stably detect obstacles and can be easily assembled.

[0065] Third Embodiment An object detection device 200B according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0066] 11, the front door 100B is a swing door that opens and closes in a fan-like manner, with the base of the door fixed by a hinge HG at the front of the vehicle. The front door 100B includes a door outer panel 110, a door trim 120, a door inner panel 130, and an object detection device 200B.

[0067] 12 and 13, the object detection device 200B (object detection device 200Ba and object detection device 200Bb) includes an ultrasonic sensor unit section 250, a fixed holder section 300B, and a second vibration-damping member 510. As shown in FIGS. 13(a) to 13(c), the object detection device 200B has the fixed holder section 300B fixed to a fixing surface FS provided on the door outer panel 110, with the pressure spring 340, the slider section 360, and the ultrasonic sensor section 210 housed in a sensor housing section SHB of the fixed holder section 300B and aligned in the axial direction.

[0068] 14, the ultrasonic sensor unit 250 includes an ultrasonic sensor 210 and a sensor case 211. An adhesive member 400B1 for adhesively fixing the oscillation surface 213 to the door outer panel 110 is adhered to an oscillation surface 213 (hereinafter referred to as oscillation surface 213) that also serves as a receiving surface on the outer side of the ultrasonic sensor 210 in the vehicle width direction.

[0069] The sensor case 211 has a generally hollow cylindrical shape that penetrates in the axial direction and is made of a material such as resin, and is provided to surround the ultrasonic sensor 210. The sensor case 211 has an opening on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The ultrasonic sensor 210 is housed inside the sensor case 211. An oscillation surface 213 of the ultrasonic sensor 210 is exposed from the opening of the sensor case 211. A connection connector 212 for extracting a signal from the ultrasonic sensor 210 is provided on the vehicle rear side of the sensor case 211 and protrudes toward the vehicle rear. The connection connector 212 has a hollow interior and is provided with a wiring cord or terminal (not shown).

[0070] (Regarding the Fixed Holder Part 300B) As shown in FIG. 12 and FIGS. 13(a) to (c), the fixed holder part 300B is configured to include a holder exterior part 310B and fixed leg parts 370.

[0071] 13(a) to 13(c), in the sensor housing portion SHB of the fixed holder portion 300B, a slider portion 360 is provided between the ultrasonic sensor unit portion 250 and the pressure spring 340 so as to be slidable in the axial direction (vehicle width direction). A first vibration damping member 500 and a vibration damping member 501 are provided between the ultrasonic sensor unit portion 250 and the slider portion 360 as first vibration damping members.

[0072] The first vibration-damping member 500 is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape using a flexible material such as synthetic rubber. As shown in FIG. 14 , the first vibration-damping members 500 are housed inside four recesses provided on the outer side of the slider portion 360 in the vehicle width direction, each recess opening toward the outer side and the radially inward side of the vehicle width direction. The first vibration-damping members 500 are arranged radially outside the ultrasonic sensor unit portion 250 at predetermined intervals (approximately 90°) in the circumferential direction, and each abuts radially on the outer periphery of the ultrasonic sensor unit portion 250. The vibration-damping member 501 is formed, for example, into a substantially rectangular flat plate shape using a flexible material such as synthetic rubber, with its longitudinal direction extending downward from the vehicle. The vibration-damping member 501 is fixed, for example, with an adhesive or the like, to the outer flat surface of the slider portion 360 in the vehicle width direction, i.e., the surface axially facing the ultrasonic sensor unit portion 250, and abuts axially on the inner end of the ultrasonic sensor unit portion 250 in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the first vibration damping member 500 and the vibration damping member 501 are provided between the ultrasonic sensor unit section 250 and the slider section 360 so that the ultrasonic sensor unit section 250 and the slider section 360 do not come into direct contact with each other.

[0073] A holder lid portion 350B is fitted to the outside of the holder exterior portion 310B on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the holder exterior portion 310B so as to cover the sensor housing portion SHB.

[0074] The holder exterior portion 310B is made of a material such as resin and has a generally hollow cylindrical shape. A sensor accommodating portion SHB is formed in the approximate center of the lower bottom surface of the holder exterior portion 310B, which is provided on the door outer panel 110 side, as a generally cylindrical space penetrating the holder exterior portion 310B in the axial direction. Specifically, for example, a first opening OP1 is provided on the lower bottom surface side of the holder exterior portion 310B on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and a second opening OP2 is provided on the upper bottom surface side of the holder exterior portion 310B on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, facing the first opening OP1. The sensor accommodating portion SHB is formed as a generally cylindrical space penetrating from the second opening OP2 in the upper bottom surface of the holder exterior portion 310B toward the first opening OP1 in the lower bottom surface of the holder exterior portion 310B. The sensor housing portion SHB houses the ultrasonic sensor unit portion 250, the slider portion 360, and the pressure spring 340. A plurality of claw portions 311B that fit into the claw receiving portions NH of the holder lid portion 350B are provided on the outer peripheral wall of the holder exterior portion 310B so as to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral wall.

[0075] At least one (three in this embodiment) fixing leg 370 is provided on the outer side of the holder exterior 310B in the vehicle width direction to fix the object detection device 200B to the door outer panel 110, which serves as a door exterior member. As shown in FIG. 12 , the fixing leg 370 is integrally provided with the holder exterior 310B on the outer peripheral surface of the outer end of the holder exterior 310B in the vehicle width direction at a predetermined circumferential interval (approximately 120°) and has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the vehicle width direction. A flat adhesive surface 320 is formed on the outer side of each fixing leg 370 in the vehicle width direction. An adhesive member 400B2 is attached to the adhesive surface 320 to fix the fixing leg 370 to the door outer panel 110. An annular adhesive member 400B3 having a through-hole in the center corresponding to the first opening OP1 is attached to the opening edge of the first opening OP1 of the holder exterior 310B. The outer adhesive surface of the adhesive member 400B3 in the width direction is located closer to the vehicle inner side than the outer adhesive surface of the adhesive member 400B2 in the vehicle width direction by the thickness of the second vibration damping member 510.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the holder lid 350B is fitted to the holder exterior 310B so as to compress the ultrasonic sensor unit 250, the slider 360, and the pressure spring 340 from the second opening OP2 toward the first opening OP1. The holder lid 350B is made of a resin or other material and has a hollow cylindrical shape with an opening on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. A recess DP1 for accommodating the slider 360 is provided inside the holder lid 350B. Furthermore, a recess DP2 for accommodating the vehicle-inboard end of the pressure spring 340 is provided in the center of the inner side of the holder lid 350B. A claw receiving portion NH having a substantially rectangular through-hole that fits with the claw portion 311B of the holder exterior 310B is provided inside the outer wall of the holder lid 350B. When the holder lid portion 350B and the holder exterior portion 310B are fitted together, as shown in FIG. 12, a gap SP is secured between the claw portion 311B and the claw receiving portion NH.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 and 17 , a slider portion 360 is slidably provided in the sensor housing portion SHB of the fixed holder portion 300B between the ultrasonic sensor unit portion 250 and a pressure spring 340 serving as a biasing member. The slider portion 360 is housed in the sensor housing portion SHB of the holder exterior portion 310B using a member such as resin. A recess DP3 is provided on the outer side of the slider portion 360 in the vehicle width direction, into which the vehicle-inside end of the ultrasonic sensor unit portion 250 fits. A rib RB is provided on the inner side of the slider portion 360 in the vehicle width direction, and the surface shown cross-hatched in FIG. 15 abuts against the bottom wall of the recess DP1 of the holder lid portion 350B when the holder lid portion 350B is pressed. A recess DP4 is provided on the inner side of the slider portion 360 in the vehicle width direction, into which the pressure spring 340 fits.

[0078] 13, the second vibration-damping member 510 is provided with through-holes TH1 to TH3 through which the respective fixing legs 370 pass, and a through-hole TH4 through which the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 passes. The second vibration-damping member 510 has a generally rectangular sheet shape that is larger than the fixing holder unit 300B and is made of a flexible material such as synthetic rubber. The outer surface of the second vibration-damping member 510 in the vehicle width direction, on which no through-holes are provided, is adhered to the door outer panel 110 with an adhesive.

[0079] (Operation and Effect) The operation of the object detection device 200B according to this embodiment configured as described above when the object detection device 200B is operated will be described with reference to FIG. 12 and FIGS. 16 to 18. FIG.

[0080] For example, when an occupant P requests the front door unit 100 to be opened by operating a switch, the object detection device 200B activates the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 to detect whether or not an obstacle OB is present within the movement range of the front door unit 100B. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16 , the object detection device 200B causes the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 to transmit a transmission wave Tx toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. If an obstacle OB is present within the movement range, the transmission wave Tx is reflected by the obstacle OB and propagates toward the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 as a reflected wave Rx. If no obstacle OB is present within the movement 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 210 and is received by the ultrasonic sensor unit 210. When the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 receives the reflected wave Rx, the object detection device 200B detects that an obstacle OB is present within the movement range of the front door unit 100. At this time, the object detection device 200B, for example, transmits information to the automatic opening and closing device 10 that an obstacle OB is within the operating range of the front door section 100B, causing the automatic opening and closing device 10 to stop the operation of opening the front door section 100B.

[0081] The ultrasonic sensor unit 250 is housed in the sensor housing portion SHB in the fixed holder portion 300B, and is biased toward the door outer panel 110 by the pressure spring 340 via the slider portion 360. In other words, the ultrasonic sensor unit 250 is biased by the pressure spring 340 via the slider portion 360, and is thereby in close contact with the door outer panel 110.

[0082] In the object detection device 200B, the ultrasonic sensor unit 250, the slider 360, and the pressure spring 340 are housed in the sensor housing SHB, and the holder lid 350B covers the second opening OP2. The holder lid 350B is configured to press the ultrasonic sensor unit 250 axially from the second opening OP2 toward the first opening OP1 via the slider 360. Therefore, by pressing the holder lid 350B, the ultrasonic sensor unit 250 is reliably adhesively fixed to the door outer panel 110.

[0083] Furthermore, an adhesive surface 320 is formed on the bottom surface of the fixing leg 370 of the fixing holder portion 300B, and an adhesive member 400B2 is attached to the adhesive surface 320, thereby stably fixing the fixing holder portion 300B to the door outer panel 110. The provision of multiple spaced fixing legs 370 allows the fixing holder portion 300B to be easily and securely fixed to the door outer panel 110 even when the door outer panel 110 has a curved surface. Furthermore, the ultrasonic sensor unit portion 250 is held within the sensor housing portion SHB via the slider portion 360 by the first vibration damping member 500 and the vibration damping member 501 on the inner side of the sensor housing portion SHB in the vehicle width direction. This prevents vibrations generated during operation of the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 from colliding with the sensor case 220 and the slider portion 360, thereby preventing noise from being mixed in when the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 receives the reflected wave Rx.

[0084] Furthermore, by providing the second vibration damping member 510 so as to cover the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the fixed leg 370, it is possible to more quickly converge the vibration remaining in the door outer panel 110 after the transmission wave Tx is transmitted from the ultrasonic sensor unit 210, and also to suppress vibration of the door outer panel 110 due to vibration of the fixed holder part 300B. As a result, it is possible to vibrate only the part of the door outer panel 110 to which the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is bonded, which further prevents noise from being mixed in when the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 receives the reflected wave Rx.

[0085] An adhesive member 400B1 is provided between the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110. The adhesive member 400B1 secures the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110 and fills any gaps between them. This tightly contacts the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the door outer panel 110, preventing attenuation of the intensity of transmitted and received waves due to the gap. This allows the adhesive member 400B1 to transmit the transmitted waves Tx from the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 toward the outside of the vehicle via the door outer panel 110 while reliably maintaining the transmission intensity without attenuation. Furthermore, the adhesive member 400B1 allows the reflected waves Rx from the obstacle OB to propagate to the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 via the door outer panel 110 without loss.

[0086] The assembly procedure for mounting the object detection device 200B on the door outer panel 110 involves, for example, assembling the object detection device 200B and then fixing it to the door outer panel 110 using adhesive members 400B1, 400B2, and 400B3. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17 , the first vibration damping member 500 and the vibration damping member 501 are pre-assembled on the slider portion 360. Then, the sensor case portion 211 accommodating the ultrasonic sensor portion 210, the slider portion 360, and the pressure spring 340 are inserted into the sensor accommodating portion SHB of the fixed holder portion 300 in this order from the second opening OP2. The object detection device 200B is then assembled by fitting the holder lid portion 350B to the fixed holder portion 300. Then, adhesive members 400B1, 400B2, and 400B3 are adhered to the oscillation surface 213, the fixed leg 370, and the opening edge of the first opening OP1, respectively. Before the object detection device 200B is attached to the door outer panel 110, the sensor case 220 and the holder exterior part 310B are abutted against each other at the point H in FIG. 18( a) while being biased outward in the vehicle width direction. This ensures that the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is stably held inside the fixed holder part 300 without falling off the first opening OP1. In this state, the vehicle-outside surface of the adhesive member 400B1 adhered to the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 protrudes outward from the vehicle-outside surface of the adhesive member 400B2 adhered to the fixed leg 370. A second vibration-damping member 510 is attached to the fixed surface FS of the door outer panel 110. Then, the holder exterior portion 310B and the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 are attached to the door outer panel 110 via adhesive members 400B1, 400B2, and 400B3 through through holes TH1 to TH3 and through hole TH4 provided in the second vibration-damping member 510. The outer surface of the adhesive member 400B3 in the vehicle width direction is adhered to the second vibration-damping member 510.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 12 , when the holder lid portion 350B and the holder exterior portion 310B are engaged with each other, a gap SP is provided between the claw portion 311B and the claw receiving portion NH. In other words, the holder lid portion 350B can be moved in the direction of arrow P1, i.e., toward the axial outward (outward in the vehicle width direction), against the biasing force of the pressure spring 340. When the object detection device 200B is attached to the door outer panel 110, a gap is generated between the holder lid portion 350B and the slider portion 360, as shown in portion G in FIG. 18( a). When the holder lid portion 350B is pressed in the direction of arrow P1 from the initial position shown in FIG. 18( a), the holder lid portion 350B moves to the abutting position shown in FIG. 18( b) and abuts against the slider portion 360, as shown in portion G in FIG. 18( b).

[0088] Furthermore, when the holder lid portion 350B is pressed in the direction of arrow P1, the slider portion 360 presses the sensor case 220 and the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 in the direction of arrow P2 via the vibration damping member 501. As a result, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 presses the adhesive member 400B1 in the direction of arrow P3 (outward in the vehicle width direction). Therefore, the door outer panel 110 and the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 are reliably bonded together via the adhesive member 400B1. This makes it easy and reliable to assemble the object detection device 200B and attach it to the door outer panel 110.

[0089] Assembled as described above, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 reliably vibrates the door outer panel 110. As a result, the object detection device 200B propagates the transmission wave Tx without attenuation of its transmission strength and transmits the transmission wave Tx toward a wider range outside in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, when a reflected wave Rx is generated by reflection from an obstacle OB, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is reliably in close contact with the door outer panel 110, so the reflected wave Rx propagates to the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 without loss in the door outer panel 110. The ultrasonic sensor unit 210 receives the reflected wave Rx propagated from the door outer panel 110, allowing the object detection device 200B to detect the obstacle OB located outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0090] As described above, in the object detection device 200B according to this embodiment, the slider portion 360 is slidably provided in the sensor housing portion SHB of the fixed holder portion 300B between the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 and the pressure spring 340 serving as a biasing member, and the first vibration-damping member 500 and the vibration-damping member 501 serving as first vibration-damping members are provided between the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 and the slider portion 360. In other words, the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 is biased toward the door outer panel 110 by the pressure spring 340 via the first vibration-damping member 500, the vibration-damping member 501, and the slider portion 360 on the vehicle inner side of the sensor housing portion SHB. Therefore, by bringing the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 into close contact with the slider unit 360 via the first vibration damping member 500 and the vibration damping member 501, the object detection device 200B can prevent noise from being generated by a collision between the sensor case 220 and the slider unit 360 due to vibrations generated during operation of the ultrasonic sensor unit 210. As a result, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 can prevent noise from being mixed in when receiving the reflected waves Rx. Furthermore, by ensuring the pressing force when the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 comes into close contact with the door outer panel 110 and by allowing the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 to properly receive the reflected waves Rx propagated from the door outer panel 110, the object detection device 200 can reliably detect an obstacle OB located on the outside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the object detection device 200B can stably detect obstacles.

[0091] In the object detection device 200B according to this embodiment, the fixed holder portion 300B is provided with a plurality of fixing legs 370 that come into contact with the door outer panel 110, which serves as an outer door member. That is, adhesive surfaces 320 are formed on the vehicle widthwise outer sides of the fixing legs 370 of the fixed holder portion 300B, and adhesive members 400B2 that fix the door outer panel 110 and the fixing legs 370 are attached to the adhesive surfaces 320. Therefore, the fixed holder portion 300B is stably fixed to the door outer panel 110 via the plurality of fixing legs 370. This reliably maintains the pressing force when the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 comes into close contact with the door outer panel 110, and the ultrasonic sensor portion 210 effectively receives the reflected waves Rx propagated from the door outer panel 110, allowing the object detection device 200 to reliably detect an obstacle OB that exists on the vehicle widthwise outer side. Furthermore, even when the door outer panel 110 has a curved surface, the fixed holder part 300B can be easily fixed to the door outer panel 110 without any gaps because the multiple fixing legs 370 are provided at intervals. This makes it easy to assemble the object detection device 200B. Therefore, the object detection device 200B can stably detect obstacles and can be easily assembled.

[0092] In the object detection device 200B according to this embodiment, a second vibration-damping member 510 is provided between the fixed holder 300B and the door outer panel 110 serving as a door exterior member. The second vibration-damping member 510 has a plurality of through-holes TH1-TH3 through which the plurality of fixing legs 370 pass and a through-hole TH4 through which the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 passes. In other words, by providing the second vibration-damping member 510 so as to cover the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the fixing legs 370, vibrations remaining in the door outer panel 110 after the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 transmits a transmission wave Tx can be more quickly converged, and vibrations of the door outer panel 110 due to vibrations of the fixed holder 300B can be suppressed. As a result, only the portion of the door outer panel 110 to which the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 is bonded can vibrate, thereby more effectively preventing noise from being mixed in when the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 receives a reflected wave Rx. Furthermore, by providing the second vibration-damping member 510 with multiple through-holes TH1-TH3 and TH4 through which the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 and the fixing leg 370 pass, the object detection device 200B limits the vibration of the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 due to vibrations transmitted through the holder exterior 310B. Therefore, the object detection device 200B can limit the vibration of the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 due to vibrations transmitted through the holder exterior 310B. This reduces the unevenness in the transmission wave intensity of the transmission wave Tx transmitted from the ultrasonic sensor unit 210, allowing the transmission wave Tx to be stably transmitted toward the outside of the vehicle through the door outer panel 110 with a constant transmission intensity. Furthermore, the ultrasonic sensor unit 210 can effectively receive the reflected wave Rx propagated from the door outer panel 110. This allows the object detection device 200 to reliably detect an obstacle OB located on the outside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the object detection device 200B can stably detect obstacles.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 10; Automatic opening / closing device 100; Front door portion 100A; Front door portion 100B; Front door portion 110; Door outer panel 120; Door trim 130; Door inner panel 200; Object detection device 200A; Object detection device 200B; Object detection device 210; Ultrasonic sensor portion 220; Sensor case 212; Connection connector 300; Fixed holder portion 300A; Fixed holder portion 300B; Fixed holder portion 310; Holder exterior portion 310A; Holder exterior portion 310B; Holder exterior portion 320; Adhesive surface 330; Pressure plate 340; Pressure spring 350; Holder lid portion 360; Slider portion 370; Fixed leg portion 400; Adhesive member 400B1; Adhesive member 400B2; Adhesive member 400B3; adhesive member 500; first vibration-damping member 510; second vibration-damping member FS; fixed surface OB; obstacle OP1; first opening OP2; second opening P; occupant Rx; reflected wave RD; rear door portion Tx; transmitted wave SH; sensor housing portion SHA; sensor housing portion SHB; sensor housing 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 outside the vehicle, comprising: an ultrasonic sensor unit that is arranged on an outer door member that constitutes the outer side of the door and is capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; and a fixed holder unit that has a first opening on the side facing the outer door member, has a sensor housing unit that houses the ultrasonic sensor unit inside, and fixes the ultrasonic sensor unit to the outer door member, and the fixed holder unit is provided with a biasing member that biases the ultrasonic sensor unit toward the outer door member.

2. An object detection device as described in claim 1, wherein the sensor accommodating section in the fixed holder section is further provided with a second opening on the side opposite the first opening, and a lid section that covers the second opening, and the lid section covers the second opening when the ultrasonic sensor section and the biasing member are accommodated in the sensor accommodating section.

3. An object detection device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fixed holder portion has an adhesive surface formed thereon that is centered on the first opening and has a larger area than the first opening.

4. The object detection device according to claim 3, wherein an adhesive member is provided between the ultrasonic sensor unit and the outer door member.

5. An object detection device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein a slider portion is slidably provided between the ultrasonic sensor portion and the biasing member in the sensor accommodating portion of the fixed holder portion, and a first vibration-damping member is provided between the ultrasonic sensor portion and the slider portion.

6. An object detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixed holder portion is provided with at least one fixed leg portion for fixing to the outer door member.

7. An object detection device as described in claim 6, wherein a second vibration-damping member is provided between the fixed holder portion and the door outer member, and the second vibration-damping member has a plurality of through holes that allow the plurality of fixed legs and the ultrasonic sensor portion to pass through.

8. An object detection device as described in claim 2, wherein an adhesive member is provided between the ultrasonic sensor unit and the exterior door member, a slider member is provided in the sensor accommodating portion of the fixed holder portion so as to be slidable in line in the axial direction between the ultrasonic sensor unit and the biasing member, the lid member is movable back and forth in the axial direction relative to the fixed holder portion, and when the lid member moves axially outward with the ultrasonic sensor unit adhered to the exterior door member via the adhesive member, the lid member compresses the biasing member and abuts against the slider member, pressing the ultrasonic sensor unit towards the exterior door member via the slider member.

Images