JP2005238990A - Acceleration sensor mounting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an acceleration sensor mounting structure capable of compatibly realizing the early collision detection and the operational reliability of an acceleration sensor, and high in collision detection capacity. <P>SOLUTION: A mounting structure 1 of an acceleration sensor 2a arranged between a cabin inner panel 70a and a cabin outer panel 71a comprises the acceleration sensor 2a, a mounting bracket which is fixed to the cabin inner panel 70a to support the acceleration sensor 2a in a projecting manner from the cabin inner panel 70a in the outward direction of the cabin, and a sensor protective means 60 to protect the acceleration sensor 2a from an impact from the outside of the cabin. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an acceleration sensor mounting structure for detecting a vehicle collision.

An automobile is equipped with an occupant protection device such as an air bag device or a seat belt pretensioner device. For example, when a vehicle collides, the acceleration sensor detects the collision, and the airbag ECU (electronic control unit) determines whether or not to deploy the airbag based on the detection signal (for example, Patent Documents). 1 and 2). In order to reliably protect the occupant, it is required to detect the collision faster. In particular, in the case of a side collision, since the space between the passenger and the vehicle is small, it is necessary to detect the collision in a very short time and deploy the airbag.
JP 2003-63445 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-240418

  In order to accelerate the detection of the collision, it is better to arrange the acceleration sensor as close as possible to the outer shell of the vehicle body so that the impact due to the collision is transmitted promptly. However, if the acceleration sensor is arranged near the outer shell of the vehicle body, the impact on the acceleration sensor is increased accordingly. For this reason, there is a high possibility that the acceleration sensor itself is damaged by the impact. For example, consider a case where two consecutive collisions have occurred and the impact of the first collision was not large enough to deploy the airbag. In this case, if a failure occurs in the acceleration sensor in the first collision, the signal may not be normally transmitted from the acceleration sensor to the airbag ECU even if an impact is required to deploy the airbag in the second collision. is there.

  In order to improve the impact resistance of the acceleration sensor, for example, a method of increasing the housing strength of the acceleration sensor is conceivable. However, in order to increase the housing strength, it is necessary to employ an expensive material as the housing material. Therefore, this method is expensive and not practical.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an acceleration sensor mounting structure with high collision detection capability that achieves both early detection of collision detection and operation reliability of the acceleration sensor. And

  (1) The acceleration sensor mounting structure of the present invention is an acceleration sensor mounting structure disposed between a vehicle interior side panel and a vehicle interior side panel, and is fixed to the acceleration sensor and the vehicle interior side panel. A mounting bracket for supporting the acceleration sensor by projecting it from the vehicle interior side panel toward the outside of the vehicle compartment, and sensor protection means for protecting the acceleration sensor from an impact from outside the vehicle compartment.

  In the acceleration sensor mounting structure of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the mounting structure of the present invention” as appropriate), the acceleration sensor is mounted between the vehicle interior side panel and the vehicle interior side panel by a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket supports the acceleration sensor in a state of being separated from the vehicle interior side panel and protruding outward from the vehicle interior. That is, the acceleration sensor is disposed near the outer shell of the vehicle body. For this reason, at the time of a collision, an impact is quickly transmitted to the acceleration sensor, and the collision can be detected early. On the other hand, the acceleration sensor is protected by sensor protection means. Thus, even if the acceleration sensor is arranged near the outer shell of the vehicle body, it is not easily damaged. Therefore, if the mounting structure of the present invention is employed, collision detection can be accelerated, and damage to the acceleration sensor can be avoided to reliably perform collision detection. As a result, an occupant protection device such as an airbag device can be driven more quickly, and the safety of the occupant is improved.

  (2) Preferably, the sensor protection means may be a mounting bracket strength adjusting means that is provided on the mounting bracket and adjusts the strength of the mounting bracket. From the viewpoint of protecting the acceleration sensor, the strength of the mounting bracket for mounting the acceleration sensor is preferably small. That is, if the strength of the mounting bracket is small, an impact from outside the vehicle compartment is absorbed, and the acceleration sensor is not easily damaged. However, if the strength of the mounting bracket is too small, the acceleration sensor cannot detect an impact that should be detected. Also, vibrations of the vehicle may be detected excessively, leading to erroneous determination. For this reason, the mounting bracket needs not only to absorb the impact so as to avoid damage to the acceleration sensor, but also to have an appropriate strength so that the acceleration sensor can accurately detect the impact.

  In this configuration, the mounting bracket strength adjusting means for adjusting the strength of the mounting bracket is the sensor protection means. The mounting bracket strength adjusting means adjusts the strength of the mounting bracket so that the acceleration sensor is not easily damaged and the collision can be accurately detected without erroneous determination. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid damage by relaxing the impact on the acceleration sensor while ensuring the collision detection ability of the acceleration sensor.

  (3) In the configuration of (2), the mounting bracket includes a sensor mounting portion to which the acceleration sensor is mounted, a bent portion that bends and extends from the sensor mounting portion, and a vehicle interior side that is continuous with the bent portion. It is preferable that the mounting bracket strength adjusting means is a strength adjusting hole formed in the bent portion.

  By forming the strength adjusting hole in the bent portion provided in the mounting bracket, the strength of the mounting bracket is lowered. As a result, the impact from outside the passenger compartment is easily absorbed by the mounting bracket. On the other hand, the size, number, and arrangement of the strength adjustment holes to be formed should be adjusted as appropriate according to the material of the mounting bracket and the vehicle exterior panel, the mounting location of the acceleration sensor, etc. so that the mounting bracket has the required strength. That's fine. According to this configuration, the strength of the mounting bracket can be adjusted by a simple method of forming the strength adjustment hole.

  (4) In the configuration of (2), the mounting bracket includes a sensor mounting portion to which the acceleration sensor is mounted, a bent portion that bends and extends from the sensor mounting portion, and the vehicle connected to the bent portion. It is desirable that the mounting bracket strength adjusting means is a strength adjusting corrugated plate portion formed in the bent portion.

  By forming the strength adjusting corrugated plate portion at the bent portion provided on the mounting bracket, the impact from the outside of the passenger compartment is easily absorbed by the mounting bracket as in the configuration (3). On the other hand, the aspect of the strength adjusting corrugated plate portion may be appropriately adjusted according to the material of the mounting bracket and the vehicle compartment outer panel, the mounting location of the acceleration sensor, and the like so that the mounting bracket has the required strength. According to this configuration, the strength of the mounting bracket can be adjusted by a simple method of forming the strength adjusting corrugated plate portion in the bent portion.

  (5) Preferably, the sensor protection means may be a sensor protection plate interposed between the acceleration sensor and the vehicle interior panel. By interposing the sensor protection plate between the acceleration sensor and the vehicle compartment outer panel, the impact from outside the vehicle compartment is mitigated and the acceleration sensor can be protected. Further, the impact at the time of collision is transmitted to the acceleration sensor through the sensor protection plate. That is, the sensor protection plate also serves as an impact (acceleration G) transmission member. Therefore, the impact is quickly transmitted to the acceleration sensor. Thus, according to this configuration, damage to the acceleration sensor can be avoided and collision detection can be accelerated.

  According to the acceleration sensor mounting structure of the present invention, the acceleration sensor is disposed near the outer shell of the vehicle body, and the acceleration sensor is protected by the sensor protection means. For this reason, the acceleration sensor can detect an impact caused by a collision in a very short time, but is not easily damaged even if the impact is received. Therefore, if the acceleration sensor mounting structure of the present invention is employed, collision detection can be accelerated and collision detection can be performed reliably.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an acceleration sensor mounting structure of the present invention will be described.

<First embodiment>
First, the configuration of the acceleration sensor mounting structure of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle to which the acceleration sensor mounting structure of the present embodiment is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a right side G sensor 2 a is disposed on the right side center pillar 7 a of the vehicle body 9. A left side G sensor 2b is disposed in the left side center pillar 7b. The right side G sensor 2a and the left side G sensor 2b are each included in an acceleration sensor constituting the present invention. The airbag ECU 3 is disposed below the center cluster 91 and on the floor tunnel. A right side airbag device 4a is disposed on the right shoulder of the driver seat 92a. On the other hand, the left side airbag device 4b is disposed on the left shoulder portion of the passenger seat 92b.

  For example, when another vehicle collides from the right side of the vehicle body 9, an acceleration waveform is transmitted from the right side G sensor 2a to the airbag ECU 3. The airbag ECU 3 determines whether to drive the right side airbag device 4a based on the transmitted signal. When the drive determination is made, a drive signal is transmitted from the airbag ECU 3 to the right side airbag device 4a, and the bag body (airbag) of the right side airbag device 4a is deployed.

  In this embodiment, the mounting structure of the right side G sensor 2a and the mounting structure of the left side G sensor 2b are the same. For this reason, hereinafter, the mounting structure of the right side G sensor 2a will be described as the mounting structure of the acceleration sensor of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the acceleration sensor mounting structure of the present embodiment. 2A is a cross-sectional view in the front-rear direction, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the mounting structure of the acceleration sensor. FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the mounting structure of the acceleration sensor. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the right side G sensor 2a is disposed between a pillar inner panel 70a and a pillar outer panel 71a constituting the right side center pillar 7a. The pillar inner panel 70a is included in the vehicle interior side panel constituting the present invention, and the pillar outer panel 71a is included in the vehicle interior outer panel constituting the present invention. The right side center pillar 7 a is disposed in a space between the front door inner panel 80 and the rear door inner panel 82. A front door outer panel 81 is arranged outside the passenger compartment of the front door inner panel 80. A rear door outer panel 83 is disposed outside the passenger compartment of the rear door inner panel 82. The rear door inner panel 82 is connected to the pillar outer panel 71 a via a door side hinge 86 and a pillar side hinge 85. A weather strip 84 is interposed between the rear door outer panel 83 and the front door outer panel 81.

  The acceleration sensor mounting structure 1 includes a right side G sensor 2 a, a mounting bracket 5, and a sensor protection plate 60. The mounting bracket 5 is made of iron and has a sensor mounting portion 50, a bent portion 51, and a fixing portion 52. The sensor mounting part 50 presents a flat surface parallel to the pillar inner panel 70a. The right side G sensor 2 a is attached to the sensor attachment portion 50. The bent portion 51 extends from the upper and lower ends of the sensor mounting portion 50 by bending in the vehicle interior direction. The fixing portion 52 is continuous with the bent portion 51 and is fixed to the pillar inner panel 70a with a bolt from the vehicle interior side. The sensor mounting part 50 protrudes in the vehicle exterior direction with respect to the fixed part 52. That is, the right side G sensor 2a attached to the sensor attachment portion 50 is arranged in a state of protruding from the pillar inner panel 70a toward the outside of the passenger compartment.

  The sensor protection plate 60 is made of iron, and the side surface in the front-rear direction has a U shape. The sensor protection plate 60 is interposed between the right side G sensor 2a and the pillar outer panel 71a. The sensor protection plate 60 covers the right side G sensor 2a from the three sides of the vertical direction and the vehicle exterior direction, and protects the right side G sensor 2a from an impact from outside the vehicle compartment. The upper and lower ends of the sensor protection plate 60 are fixed to the pillar inner panel 70a with bolts from the outside of the passenger compartment.

  Next, the effect of the acceleration sensor mounting structure of this embodiment will be described. In the acceleration sensor mounting structure 1 of the present embodiment, the right side G sensor 2a is disposed in a state of protruding from the pillar inner panel 70a toward the outside of the passenger compartment. That is, the right side G sensor 2 a is disposed near the outer shell of the vehicle body 9. For this reason, when another vehicle collides from the right side, the impact is quickly transmitted to the right side G sensor 2a. Therefore, the right side G sensor 2a can detect a collision in a short time.

  A sensor protection plate 60 is interposed between the right side G sensor 2a and the pillar outer panel 71a. For this reason, the impact received by the right side G sensor 2a due to the collision is reduced. Therefore, the right side G sensor 2a is not easily damaged. Therefore, according to the acceleration sensor mounting structure 1 of the present embodiment, collision detection can be accelerated, and damage to the right side G sensor 2a can be avoided, and collision detection can be performed reliably. As a result, the side airbag device 4a can be driven faster, and the safety of the driver is improved. In addition, since the right side G sensor 2a is not easily damaged, even when two or more collisions occur continuously, the collision detection can be reliably performed.

  In the acceleration sensor mounting structure 1 of the present embodiment, the impact of the right side G sensor 2a is reduced by the sensor protection plate 60. Since the right side G sensor 2a can be protected with such a simple configuration, it is practical at low cost. Furthermore, the sensor protection plate 60 also functions as an acceleration transmission member. For this reason, the impact due to the collision is quickly transmitted to the right side G sensor 2a. Therefore, according to the acceleration sensor mounting structure 1 of the present embodiment, collision detection can be accelerated. The mounting bracket 5 and the sensor protection plate 60 are fixed to the pillar inner panel 70a with two upper and lower bolts. For this reason, the number of parts is small and the mounting work is easy.

<Second embodiment>
The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that a strength adjusting hole is formed in the bent portion of the mounting bracket. Therefore, only the differences will be described here.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket in the present embodiment. In addition, about the site | part corresponding to FIG. 4, it shows with the same code | symbol. As shown in FIG. 5, a strength adjusting hole 61 is formed at a substantially central portion of the bent portion 51 of the mounting bracket 5. The strength adjustment hole 61 adjusts the strength of the mounting bracket 5. That is, the strength of the mounting bracket 5 is reduced by forming the strength adjusting hole 61 in the bent portion 51. As a result, the impact due to the collision is absorbed by the deformation of the mounting bracket 5. On the other hand, the mounting bracket 5 has a strength necessary for the right side G sensor 2a to accurately detect an impact. Thus, by forming the strength adjusting hole 61, it is possible to reduce the impact on the right side G sensor 2a while ensuring the collision detection ability of the right side G sensor 2a. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, collision detection can be accelerated, and damage to the right side G sensor 2a can be avoided to reliably perform collision detection.

<Third embodiment>
The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that a strength adjusting corrugated plate portion is formed at the bent portion of the mounting bracket. Therefore, only the differences will be described here.

  FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the mounting bracket in the present embodiment. In addition, about the site | part corresponding to FIG. 4, it shows with the same code | symbol. As shown in FIG. 6, the bending portion 51 of the mounting bracket 5 is formed with an intensity adjusting corrugated plate portion 62 over the entire length. The strength adjustment corrugated plate portion 62 adjusts the strength of the mounting bracket 5. That is, the strength adjustment corrugated plate portion 62 is formed on the entire bent portion 51, whereby the strength of the mounting bracket 5 is lowered. As a result, the impact due to the collision is absorbed by the contraction deformation of the strength adjusting wave plate portion 62. On the other hand, the mounting bracket 5 has a strength necessary for the right side G sensor 2a to accurately detect an impact. Thus, by forming the strength adjusting corrugated plate portion 62, it is possible to reduce the impact on the right side G sensor 2a while ensuring the collision detection ability of the right side G sensor 2a. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, collision detection can be accelerated, and damage to the right side G sensor 2a can be avoided to reliably perform collision detection.

<Others>
The embodiment of the acceleration sensor mounting structure of the present invention has been described above. However, the mounting structure of the acceleration sensor of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The acceleration sensor mounting structure of the present invention can be implemented in various forms with modifications and improvements that can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the acceleration sensors to be attached are the right side G sensor 2a and the left side G sensor 2b for side collision. However, the acceleration sensor to which the mounting structure of the present invention is applied is not limited to a side collision sensor. You may apply the attachment structure of this invention to the attachment of the sensor for front collisions.

  In the above embodiment, an iron sensor protection plate is employed as the sensor protection means. However, the material of the sensor protection plate is not particularly limited as long as the material is stronger than the acceleration sensor housing. For example, a resin plate material may be used as the sensor protection plate. Further, the shape of the sensor protection plate is not particularly limited.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the strength adjusting hole is formed in the bent portion as the sensor protection means. Here, the magnitude | size, number, arrangement | positioning, etc. of an intensity | strength adjustment hole are not limited to 2nd embodiment. These may be adjusted as appropriate according to the material of the mounting bracket and the vehicle exterior panel, the mounting location of the acceleration sensor, and the like. Moreover, in 3rd embodiment, the intensity adjustment corrugated board part was formed in the whole bending part as a sensor protection means. Here, the aspect of the intensity adjusting corrugated plate portion is not limited to the third embodiment. The number, size, and the like of the waves to be formed may be appropriately adjusted according to the material of the mounting bracket or the vehicle compartment outer panel, the mounting location of the acceleration sensor, and the like. For example, you may form an intensity adjustment corrugated board part in a part of bending part. In addition, 2nd, 3rd embodiment can also be set as the aspect which does not use a sensor protection board. That is, the sensor protection means may be only the mounting bracket strength adjusting means such as the strength adjusting hole and the strength adjusting corrugated plate portion. Further, the mounting bracket strength adjusting means is not limited to the strength adjusting hole and the strength adjusting corrugated plate portion. Other means may be adopted.

1 is a schematic view of a vehicle to which an acceleration sensor mounting structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is sectional drawing of the attachment structure of the acceleration sensor, (a) is a front-back direction sectional view, (b) is II sectional drawing of (a). It is a perspective view of the attachment structure of the same acceleration sensor. It is an exploded view of the attachment structure of the same acceleration sensor. It is a perspective view of the mounting bracket in 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the mounting bracket in 3rd embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: Accelerometer mounting structure 2a: Right side G sensor (acceleration sensor) 2b: Left side G sensor (acceleration sensor)
3: Airbag ECU
4a: Right side airbag device 4b: Left side airbag device 5: Mounting bracket 50: Sensor mounting portion 51: Bending portion 52: Fixing portion 60: Sensor protection plate 61: Strength adjustment hole 62: Strength adjustment corrugated plate portion 7a: Center pillar on the right side 7b: Center pillar on the left side 70a: Pillar inner panel (vehicle compartment side panel)
71a: Pillar outer panel (vehicle compartment outer panel)
80: Front door inner panel 81: Front door outer panel 82: Rear door inner panel 83: Rear door outer panel 84: Weather strip 85: Pillar side hinge 86: Door side hinge 9: Vehicle body 91: Center cluster 92a: Driver's seat 92b: Passenger seat

Claims (5)

An acceleration sensor mounting structure disposed between a vehicle interior side panel and a vehicle interior side panel,
An acceleration sensor;
A mounting bracket that is fixed to the vehicle interior side panel and supports the acceleration sensor by projecting from the vehicle interior side panel to the vehicle exterior direction;
Sensor protection means for protecting the acceleration sensor from an impact from outside the vehicle compartment;
An acceleration sensor mounting structure comprising:   The acceleration sensor mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the sensor protection unit is a mounting bracket strength adjusting unit that is provided on the mounting bracket and adjusts the strength of the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a sensor mounting portion to which the acceleration sensor is mounted, a bent portion that is bent and extends from the sensor mounting portion, and a fixing portion that is continuous with the bent portion and is fixed to the vehicle interior side panel. ,
The acceleration sensor mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the mounting bracket strength adjusting means is a strength adjusting hole formed in the bent portion. The mounting bracket includes a sensor mounting portion to which the acceleration sensor is mounted, a bent portion that is bent and extends from the sensor mounting portion, and a fixing portion that is continuous with the bent portion and is fixed to the vehicle interior side panel. ,
The acceleration sensor mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the mounting bracket strength adjusting means is a strength adjusting corrugated plate portion formed in the bent portion.   The acceleration sensor mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the sensor protection means is a sensor protection plate interposed between the acceleration sensor and the vehicle interior panel.

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