JP5949197B2 - Sensor mounting structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor mounting structure for a collision detection sensor for detecting a vehicle collision and operating an occupant protection device such as an airbag.

  In order to deploy an airbag at the time of a vehicle collision, it is common to provide a collision detection sensor that detects an impact at the time of the vehicle collision. At this time, there is a structure in which a generally rectangular member is used as viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and a collision detection sensor is attached to the center of the upper member extending in the vehicle width direction and extending in the vehicle width direction. It is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

  As a result, at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, not only the collision mode in which the central part in the vehicle width direction is impacted by a pole-shaped obstacle such as a power pole (pole collision), but also one end in the vehicle width direction is obstructed by the obstacle Even in a collision mode (offset collision) that receives an impact, the collision detection sensor can detect the collision of the vehicle via a quadrangular member.

JP 2003-63445 A

  However, the above-described conventional sensor mounting structure requires a quadrangular member, which increases the structure and causes an increase in vehicle weight. In order to avoid this, in order to be able to cope with an offset collision without using a rectangular member, for example, a collision detection sensor is provided on each of the pair of left and right side members extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction on both sides in the vehicle width direction. It is possible to install. However, in this case, collision detection at the center in the vehicle width direction becomes insufficient, and two collision detection sensors are required on the left and right, resulting in an increase in cost.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a simpler mounting structure without providing two collision detection sensors on the left and right sides, as well as a mode in which an obstacle collides with the center in the vehicle width direction, and at one end in the vehicle width direction. The object is to make it possible to detect a collision with higher sensitivity even in a form in which an obstacle collides.

  The present invention provides a first sensor mounting member for connecting a bumper reinforcement and a vehicle body panel member positioned above the bumper reinforcement on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and the first sensor mounting members are connected to each other in the vehicle width direction. The second sensor mounting member is extended and connected, and a collision detection sensor is mounted at the center of the second sensor mounting member in the vehicle width direction.

  According to the present invention, as a member for attaching the collision detection sensor, a pair of left and right first sensor attachment members and a second sensor attachment member for connecting the first sensor attachment members to each other may be provided. Compared with the case where a collision detection sensor is attached using a quadrangular member, a simpler sensor attachment structure can be achieved. In addition, according to the present invention, both ends in the vehicle width direction of the second sensor mounting member for mounting the collision detection sensor are connected to the pair of left and right first sensor mounting members, so that there is an obstacle at the center in the vehicle width direction. In addition to a collision mode in which an object collides, a vehicle collision can be detected with higher sensitivity not only in a collision mode in which an obstacle collides with one end in the vehicle width direction.

  That is, according to the present invention, without providing two collision detection sensors on the left and right, as a simpler mounting structure, not only a form in which an obstacle collides with the center in the vehicle width direction but also one end in the vehicle width direction. Even when the obstacle collides with the part, the collision can be detected more reliably and with high sensitivity.

It is a perspective view of the front part of a car showing the sensor attachment structure concerning one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1. It is a side view of the sensor attachment structure of FIG. It is a perspective view of a motor vehicle front part provided with the sensor attachment structure of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  4 is a cab-over type, for example, a one-box car, and a front panel 5 as a vehicle body panel material is provided on an upper portion of the front bumper 3, and the front bumper 3 A front grill 9 is mounted in an opening formed between the front panel 5 and the left and right headlamps 7.

  Above the front panel 5, a front window opening 11 formed between the upper portions of the left and right front pillars 16 (see FIG. 3) and the front edge of the roof panel (not shown) is set. . A vehicle compartment 13 is formed behind the opening 11, and an engine (not shown) is disposed below the front seat (not shown) in the vehicle compartment 13 with a floor panel 15 therebetween as shown in FIG.

  The front bumper 3 is provided with a bumper reinforcement 19 extending in the vehicle width direction shown in FIG. 1 inside a bumper fascia 17 constituting the outer shell. On the other hand, a pair of left and right side members 21 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction are provided at both sides in the vehicle width direction at the lower part of the vehicle, and the bumper reinforcement 19 is mounted on the mounting flange 23 at the front end of the pair of left and right side members 21. The rear surfaces on both sides in the width direction are connected and fixed using bolts. A front cross member 27 extending in the vehicle width direction is connected to a position behind the mounting flange 23 of the pair of left and right side members 21.

  In this embodiment, the collision detection sensor 29 is attached to the vehicle body 1 via a pair of left and right sensor attachment stays 31 and a sensor attachment bar 33 that couples the pair of left and right sensor attachment stays 31 to each other. The collision detection sensor 29 detects the magnitude of the movement acceleration at the time of the vehicle collision, and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the movement acceleration to the control unit when the magnitude of the movement acceleration exceeds a specified value. The control unit deploys an airbag (not shown) to protect the occupant.

  The pair of left and right sensor mounting stays 31 constitutes a first sensor mounting member, and the sensor mounting bar 33 connecting the pair of left and right sensor mounting stays 31 constitutes a second sensor mounting member.

  The pair of left and right sensor mounting stays 31 is formed by bending a long metal plate-like member, and includes a lower connecting portion 31a extending in the vertical direction at the lower portion and substantially parallel to the lower connecting portion 31a at the upper portion. And an upper connecting portion 31b extending in the vertical direction. The lower connecting portion 31a and the upper connecting portion 31b are provided with mounting surfaces facing in the vehicle front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lower connecting portion 31 a is disposed between the bumper reinforcement 19 and the side member 21, and is fastened together when the bumper reinforcement 19 is fastened and fixed to the side member 21. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower connecting portion 31 a is provided with two connecting holes 31 a 1 and 31 a 2 on the upper and lower sides, and a portion corresponding to the lower connecting hole 31 a 2 is defined by the bumper reinforcement 19 and the side member 21. In this state, the clamped bolts 35 are clamped together. For the upper connecting hole 31 a 1, the peripheral portion of the connecting hole 31 a 1 is fastened and fixed to the mounting flange 23 using bolts 37.

  The bumper reinforcement 19 and the side member 21 are fastened and fixed using two bolts in addition to the above-described joint fastening bolt 35.

  The upper connecting portion 31b of the sensor mounting stay 31 is connected and fixed to the rear position of the front grill 9 shown in FIG. Specifically, a front panel bracket 39 as a reinforcing portion is attached to the connecting portion of the upper connecting portion 31 b in the front panel 5, and the rigidity is higher than that of the sensor mounting stay 31.

  The front panel bracket 39 has a peripheral flange portion 39a joined and fixed to the front surface of the front panel 5 by welding, for example, and includes a bulging portion 39b that bulges out in a bag shape from the flange portion 39a to the front of the vehicle. The front surface of the bulging portion 39b forms a substantially rectangular plane and is substantially parallel to the upper connecting portion 31b.

  Two stud bolts 41 are protruded toward the front of the vehicle on the front surface of the bulging portion 39b. On the other hand, two bolt insertion holes 31b1 are formed in the upper connection portion 31b, and the nut is inserted in the state where the upper connection portion 31b is in contact with the front surface of the bulging portion 39b while the stud bolt 41 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 31b1. 43 is fastened. Accordingly, the upper connecting portion 31 b of the sensor mounting stay 31 is connected and fixed to the front panel bracket 39 of the front panel 5.

  Between the lower connecting portion 31a and the upper connecting portion 31b of the sensor mounting stay 31, there is provided a bar connecting portion 31c as a second sensor mounting member connecting portion extending in the vertical direction in parallel therewith. Both ends of the sensor mounting bar 33 are connected and fixed to the bar connecting portion 31c.

  The sensor mounting bar 33 includes a bar main body 45 made of a metal pipe material that is a hollow member, and a metal mounting tool 47 that is welded and fixed to the left and right ends of the bar main body 45. The fixture 47 includes a flange 47b that bends forward from the upper and lower ends of the attachment surface 47a facing the bar connecting portion 31c, and forms two connection holes 47a1 along the vehicle width direction on the attachment surface 47a.

  On the other hand, two stud bolts 49 are protruded toward the front of the vehicle along the vehicle width direction at the upper portion of the bar connecting portion 31c. The nut 51 is fastened in a state where the mounting surface 47a is in contact with the bar connecting portion 31c while the stud bolt 49 is inserted into the connecting hole 47a1 of the mounting tool 47. Thereby, the left and right end portions of the sensor mounting bar 33 are connected and fixed to the bar connecting portion 31 c of the sensor mounting stay 31.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor mounting bar 33 has a flat shape that is crushed in the vehicle front-rear direction over a region A along the vehicle width direction at the center of the vehicle width direction of the bar main body 45 made of a circular pipe material. Yes. A portion that is a flat surface on the front surface of the flat portion corresponding to this region A is a sensor attachment portion 45a, and the collision detection sensor 29 is attached to the center portion of the sensor attachment portion 45a in the vehicle width direction.

  In addition, the flat portion (sensor mounting portion 45a) in the above-described region A is bent at the bent portion 45b so as to be positioned at the rear of the vehicle with respect to the circular portions 45c on both sides in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the circular portion 45 c is located at the vehicle width direction inner side end on the flat shape portion side with respect to the vehicle width direction outer side end portion provided with the attachment 47 and located at the vehicle rear side. At least the sensor mounting surface on the vehicle front side of the flat shape portion (sensor mounting portion 45a) faces the vehicle front-rear direction.

  The sensor mounting bracket 53 is welded and fixed to the sensor mounting surface facing the vehicle longitudinal direction described above, and the collision detection sensor 29 is mounted on the front surface of the sensor mounting bracket 53. The collision detection sensor 29 houses a sensor body having a sensor function in the sensor case 29a, and penetrates a stud bolt 55 (FIG. 3) protruding from the sensor mounting bracket 53 toward the front of the vehicle in the flange 29b of the sensor case 29a. Then, the nut 57 is fastened and fixed.

  The left and right sensor mounting stay 31 includes a lower inclined portion 31d between the bar connecting portion 31c and the lower connecting portion 31a, and an upper inclined portion 31e between the bar connecting portion 31c and the upper connecting portion 31b. ing. The lower inclined portion 31d constitutes a first shock absorbing portion, and the upper inclined portion 31e constitutes a second shock absorbing portion.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lower inclined portion 31 d is bent at an obtuse angle at the lower first bent portion 31 f from the upper end of the lower connecting portion 31 a toward the rear of the vehicle and extends rearward. The second bent portion 31g is bent at an obtuse angle with the bar connecting portion 31c. That is, the lower first bent portion 31f is positioned lower in the vehicle vertical direction than the lower second bent portion 31g, and the lower inclined portion 31d is inclined so that the vehicle rear side is upward in the vehicle vertical direction with respect to the front side.

  On the other hand, the upper inclined portion 31e is bent at an obtuse angle at the upper first bent portion 31h from the upper end of the bar connecting portion 31c toward the rear of the vehicle and extends backward, and the upper second bent portion 31i at the end on the rear side of the vehicle. Is bent at an obtuse angle with the upper connecting portion 31b. That is, the upper first bent portion 31h is located below the upper second bent portion 31i in the vehicle vertical direction, and the upper inclined portion 31e is inclined such that the vehicle rear side is above the vehicle vertical direction.

At this time, the inner angle of the lower first bent portion 31f is larger than the inner angle of the upper first bent portion 31h,
The inner angle of the lower second bent portion 31g is also larger than the inner angle of the upper second bent portion 31i. That is, the lower inclined portion 31d has a larger inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane than the upper inclined portion 31e.

  Next, the operation will be described. When the automobile collides with the front, the impact load input to the bumper reinforcement 19 of the front bumper 3 is transmitted to the side member 21, and the side member 21 is crushed and deformed toward the rear of the vehicle.

  At this time, when a pole-shaped obstacle such as a utility pole collides near the center in the vehicle width direction (pole collision), the impact load described above is applied from the bumper reinforcement 19 to the pair of left and right sensors as sensor mounting members. The information is sequentially input to the mounting stay 31 and the sensor mounting bar 33.

  When the impact load input to the sensor mounting bar 33 via the sensor mounting stay 31 reaches the collision detection sensor 29, the collision detection sensor 29 moves backward to detect the backward movement acceleration. When the magnitude of the reverse movement acceleration exceeds a preset value, an electric signal corresponding to the reverse movement acceleration is output to the control section, and the control section deploys an airbag (not shown). To protect the occupant.

  On the other hand, when an obstacle collides with one end in the vehicle width direction when an automobile collides with the front (offset collision), one side member 21 of the pair of left and right side members 21 from the bumper reinforcement 19. Crushed and deformed mainly toward the rear of the vehicle. Correspondingly, the impact load is mainly transmitted to one of the left and right sensor mounting stays 31.

  The impact load transmitted to the one sensor mounting stay 31 reaches the collision detection sensor 29 via the sensor mounting bar 33, so that the collision detection sensor 29 moves backward and detects the backward movement acceleration. When the magnitude of the backward movement acceleration exceeds a preset value, an electrical signal corresponding to the backward movement acceleration is output to the control unit so that the control unit deploys an airbag (not shown). To protect the crew.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, not only the form in which the obstacle collides with the center part in the vehicle width direction but also the form in which the obstacle collides with one end part in the vehicle width direction, the sensitivity of the vehicle collision is more reliably detected. It can be detected well, and a highly reliable sensor mounting structure can be obtained.

  At this time, in this embodiment, as a member for attaching the collision detection sensor 29, a pair of left and right sensor attachment stays 31 and a sensor attachment bar 33 for connecting the sensor attachment stays 31 may be provided. Compared with the case where the collision detection sensor is attached using this member, a simpler sensor attachment structure can be obtained.

  That is, according to the present invention, without providing two collision detection sensors 29 on the left and right, as a simpler mounting structure, not only a form in which an obstacle collides with the center in the vehicle width direction but also one end in the vehicle width direction. Even in a form in which an obstacle collides with the part, the collision can be detected more reliably and with high sensitivity.

  Further, even when almost the entire front portion of the vehicle receives an impact from an obstacle, when the impact load input to the entire bumper reinforcement 19 is transmitted to the pair of left and right side members 21, the pair of left and right sensor mounting stays. 31 is also input to the collision detection sensor 29 via the sensor mounting bar 33.

  Here, in this embodiment, when the impact load at the time of a frontal collision is less than a specified value (at the time of a light collision), the vicinity of the front end of the side member 21 is crushed. The lower inclined portion 31d is deformed so as to be crushed in the vehicle front-rear direction. At that time, the deformation of the upper inclined portion 31e is suppressed, and therefore the movement of the sensor mounting bar 33 and the collision detection sensor 29 to the rear of the vehicle is also suppressed, and the collision detection sensor 29 is in a state of not detecting a collision. Become. Since the collision detection sensor 29 does not detect the collision, it is possible to cope with the light collision that does not require the airbag to be deployed.

  That is, the sensor mounting stay 31 deforms the upper inclined portion 31e while the lower inclined portion 31d is deformed during a light collision in which the impact received at the time of the vehicle collision is less than a specified value, which does not require deployment of the airbag. The strength and shape of each part are set so as to suppress it. For example, the lower inclined portion 31d has a larger inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane than the upper inclined portion 31e, so that the lower inclined portion 31d is more easily deformed during a light collision. On the contrary, the upper inclined portion 31e has a smaller inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane than the lower inclined portion 31d, and is inclined more parallel to the vehicle front-rear direction, so that it is less likely to be deformed during a light collision.

  The lower inclined portion 31d and the upper inclined portion 31e described above have a function of absorbing vibration when the vehicle travels, and it is possible to suppress malfunction of the collision detection sensor 29 by absorbing vibration. .

  In addition, the sensor attachment portion 45a of the sensor attachment stay 31 is bent rearward so that the attachment position of the collision detection sensor 29 is positioned rearward of the attachment 47 at both ends. Thereby, at the time of the light collision which does not need to operate an airbag, the interference to the collision detection sensor 29 of a collision object can be suppressed, and the state which does not operate an airbag can be maintained more reliably.

  On the other hand, when the impact load at the time of frontal collision exceeds a specified value (at the time of heavy collision), the vicinity of the front end portion of the side member 21 is crushed and the rear portion thereof is also crushed. Accordingly, the sensor mounting stay 31 is deformed so that the lower inclined portion 31d is crushed in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the upper inclined portion 31e is deformed so as to be crushed in the vehicle front-rear direction.

  When the upper inclined portion 31e is crushed in the vehicle front-rear direction, the sensor mounting bar 33 moves backward, and the collision detection sensor 29 moves backward accordingly, and the collision detection sensor 29 detects the backward movement acceleration. When the magnitude of the backward movement acceleration becomes equal to or larger than a preset value as described above, an electric signal corresponding to the movement acceleration is output to the control unit, and the control unit Unfold the bag to protect the occupant.

  In the present embodiment, the sensor mounting stay 31 has a lower inclined portion 31d that extends from the lower portion of the bar connecting portion 31c to the front of the vehicle on the rear side in the input direction of the impact load and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The inclined portion 31e is bent from the upper portion of the bar connecting portion 31c to the vehicle rear side in front of the input direction of the impact load and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction.

  For this reason, the lower inclined portion 31d is positioned on the vehicle front side with respect to the upper inclined portion 31e, and the lower inclined portion 31d is more reliably deformed during the light collision described above, and the upper inclined portion 31e Suppression against deformation is more reliably performed.

  In the present embodiment, the sensor mounting bar 33 is a hollow member and has a flat shape such that the sensor mounting portion 45a for mounting the collision detection sensor 29 is crushed in the vehicle front-rear direction. In this case, since the mounting surface of the sensor mounting portion 45a is a flat surface, the mounting operation of the collision detection sensor 29 is easier than in the case of a curved surface, which can contribute to improvement in workability.

  Further, the sensor mounting bar 33 is formed with circular portions 45c on both sides in the vehicle width direction excluding the sensor mounting portion 45a. Therefore, the sensor mounting bar 33 is more rigid than the flat plate shape as a whole, and from the clearance of the front grill 9 during vehicle travel. Deceleration of air entering can be suppressed. Suppressing deceleration of air entering the vehicle and smoothing the air flow backwards, for example, when air is introduced in the middle of the flow and parts that require cooling are placed, etc. It is effective for.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the front portion serving as a reinforcing portion is connected to the connection portion of the front panel 5 where the upper connection portion 31 b of the sensor attachment stay 31 is connected, so that the connection portion is higher in rigidity than the sensor attachment stay 31. A panel bracket 39 is provided.

  Thereby, when the upper inclined portion 31e is deformed at the time of the heavy collision described above, deformation of the front panel 5 and the connecting portion with respect to the front panel 5 can be suppressed, and the upper inclined portion 31e is more reliably deformed. As a result, the collision detection sensor 29 is more reliably moved backward as the sensor mounting bar 33 moves backward, and the collision detection operation by the collision detection sensor 29 becomes more reliable.

  In the present embodiment, the lower connecting portion 31a of the sensor mounting stay 31 includes the bumper reinforcement 19 and the side member 21 that is positioned on the vehicle inner side in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the bumper reinforcement 19 and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Linked between.

  Thereby, for example, compared with the case where the lower connecting portion 31 a is connected and fixed to the upper surface of the side member 21, the side member 21 is easily deformed in the vehicle front-rear direction by the impact load input to the bumper reinforcement 19. As a result, the impact absorbing function of the side member 21 against the impact load can be maintained as desired.

  In addition, although the sensor attachment structure of above-described embodiment was applied to the vehicle front part provided with the front bumper 3 of a motor vehicle, it can also be applied to the vehicle rear part provided with the rear bumper of a motor vehicle.

5 Front panel (body panel material)
19 Bumper reinforcement 21 Side member 29 Collision detection sensor 31 Sensor mounting stay (first sensor mounting member)
33 Sensor mounting bar (second sensor mounting member)
31a Lower connecting portion of sensor mounting stay 31b Upper connecting portion of sensor mounting stay 31c Bar connecting portion of sensor mounting stay (second sensor mounting member connecting portion)
31d Lower inclined part (first shock absorbing part)
31e Upper inclined part (second shock absorbing part)
39 Front panel bracket (reinforcement)
45a Sensor mounting part of sensor mounting bar

Claims (6)

  A first sensor mounting member having a lower portion connected to a bumper reinforcement extending in the vehicle width direction and an upper portion connected to a vehicle body panel material above the vehicle body from the bumper reinforcement is provided on both sides of the vehicle width direction, The first sensor mounting members on both sides in the vehicle width direction are connected to each other by a second sensor mounting member extending in the vehicle width direction, and a collision detection sensor is mounted at the center in the vehicle width direction of the second sensor mounting member. A sensor mounting structure characterized by that.   The first sensor mounting member is positioned between a lower connecting part connected to the bumper reinforcement, an upper connecting part connected to the body panel member at an upper part, and the lower connecting part and the upper connecting part. A second sensor mounting member connecting portion to which the second sensor mounting member is connected, and a prescribed value at the time of a vehicle collision, located between the second sensor mounting member connecting portion and the lower connecting portion. It is located between the first shock absorbing portion that deforms in the vehicle longitudinal direction when subjected to the following impact load, the second sensor mounting member connecting portion, and the upper connecting portion, and the regulation at the time of vehicle collision And a second shock absorbing portion that is deformed in the vehicle front-rear direction so that the collision detection sensor receives a shock load exceeding a value and moves in a direction to receive the shock to detect a collision. The sensor mounting structure according to 1.   In the first sensor mounting member, the first shock absorbing portion is bent from the lower portion of the second sensor mounting member connecting portion to the rear side in the input direction of the shock load and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The second impact absorbing portion is bent from the upper part of the second sensor mounting member connecting portion to the front side in the input direction of the impact load and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. Item 3. The sensor mounting structure according to Item 2.   The second sensor mounting member is a hollow member, and has a flat shape such that a sensor mounting portion for mounting the collision detection sensor is crushed in the vehicle front-rear direction. The sensor mounting structure according to claim 1.   A reinforcing portion is provided at a connection portion of the vehicle body panel member that connects the upper part of the first sensor attachment member so that the connection portion has higher rigidity than the first sensor attachment member. The sensor mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The lower part of the first sensor mounting member is connected between the bumper reinforcement and a side member that is positioned inside the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the bumper reinforcement and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The sensor mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images