JP6225380B2 - Sensor arrangement structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor arrangement structure.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a radar device mounted on a vehicle, a waterproof structure is provided in which a rubber member is provided at the tip of a cover member that covers the periphery of the radar device, and the space between the cover member and the rear surface of the front grille is liquid-tightly sealed by the rubber member Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-300390 A

  By the way, according to the waterproof structure according to the above prior art, when the radar device and the front grille are assembled to the vehicle body, the rubber member is deformed so as to fall inward and interfere with the detection range of the radar device. There is a possibility that the sensitivity is lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a sensor arrangement structure capable of preventing the expansion / contraction member from interfering with the detection range of the sensor while facilitating the assembly of the sensor by the expansion / contraction member. It is aimed.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention employs the following aspects.
(1) A sensor arrangement structure according to one aspect of the present invention is installed in a vehicle, and is installed in a vehicle surroundings detection unit (for example, the radar device 11 in the embodiment) that detects the surroundings of the vehicle, A facing member (for example, the emblem 14 in the embodiment) disposed so as to face the detection direction of the vehicle surroundings detection unit and the vehicle surroundings detection unit with a predetermined interval on the detection range of the vehicle surroundings detection unit. The vehicle periphery detection unit is sandwiched between a housing member (for example, the radome 16 in the embodiment) that holds the vehicle periphery detection unit and the facing member, and the vehicle periphery detection unit is sealed between the housing member and the facing member. And a stretchable member (for example, the stretchable cover 12 in the embodiment) that forms a sealed structure (for example, the sealed structure 17 in the embodiment). The stretchable member includes the housing member and the front Fixed to either of the facing member, and the other said sealed space formed by elastic contact with, toward protrudes to the one inside the space from the other of said closed structure, said resilient contact The protrusion part (for example, protrusion part 15 in embodiment) which prevents the deformation | transformation of the said expansion-contraction member accompanying with is provided.

(2) In the sensor arrangement structure according to the above (1), the expandable member has a shape in which the cross-sectional area of the internal space of the sealed structure tends to increase as it goes from the housing member to the facing member. The one is the housing member and the other is the facing member.

(3) In the sensor arrangement structure according to the above (1) or (2), the expandable member has a bellows structure part (for example, the bellows structure part 12c in the embodiment) at least on the other side part, The bellows structure part expands and contracts.

(4) In the sensor arrangement structure according to any one of (1) to (3), the protrusion is arranged at a position that does not interfere with the detection range in the internal space of the sealed structure.

(5) In the sensor arrangement structure according to any one of (1) to (4), the protruding portion is arranged at a position separated from the elastic member in the internal space of the sealed structure.

(6) In the sensor arrangement structure according to the above (3), the protruding portion has a protruding length equal to or shorter than the length corresponding to the bellows structure portion.

(7) In the sensor arrangement structure according to (3), the protruding portion has a protruding length that is equal to or longer than the length of one peak portion of the bellows structure portion.

  According to the sensor arrangement structure according to the aspect described in (1) above, the elastic member is elastically pressed against either the housing member or the facing member, or the other elastically pressed against the elastic member. Thus, a sealed structure can be easily formed. As a result, the housing member and the facing member can be easily assembled to the vehicle body, and water or the like can be prevented from entering the internal space of the sealed structure from the outside. Furthermore, the projecting portion of the internal space of the sealed structure can prevent the elastic member from being deformed so as to fall into the inside of the internal space on the other side or restrict the degree of the fall. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the expansion / contraction member from interfering with the detection range of the vehicle periphery detection unit by deforming the expansion / contraction member so as to fall into the inner space, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in detection sensitivity.

  Furthermore, in the case of (2) above, even when the detection range of the vehicle surrounding detection unit changes in an expanding tendency as the distance increases, the telescopic member is prevented from interfering with the detection range of the vehicle surrounding detection unit. can do. Furthermore, since the elastic member elastically contacts the facing member on the facing member side having a larger shape than the housing member side, the expanding and contracting member and the facing member can be easily brought into contact with each other in a predetermined arrangement relationship. Thereby, the assembly | attachment to the vehicle body of a housing member and a facing member can be made easy.

  Furthermore, in the case of the above (3), by providing the bellows structure portion, the stretchability and the sealing performance of the stretchable member can be improved.

Furthermore, in the case of (4) above, it is possible to prevent a decrease in detection sensitivity due to the protruding portion.
Furthermore, in the case of (5) above, deformation of the elastic member due to the protruding portion can be prevented.
Furthermore, in the case of the above (6), since the projecting portion is provided at a portion where the elastic member is easily deformed so as to fall into the inner space on the other side, it is possible to prevent the cost required for arranging the projecting portion from increasing. In addition, it is possible to effectively prevent or regulate the collapse of the elastic member.
Furthermore, in the case of (7) above, it is possible to prevent or regulate the collapse of the elastic member to the minimum necessary extent.

The perspective view of the vehicle carrying the sensor arrangement structure concerning the embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing perpendicular | vertical to the perpendicular direction of the sensor arrangement structure which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The perspective view of the sensor arrangement structure which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The exploded perspective view of the sensor arrangement structure concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which looked at the facing member of the sensor arrangement structure concerning the embodiment of the present invention from the back side. The perspective view which looked at the facing member of the sensor arrangement structure concerning the 1st modification of an embodiment of the present invention from the back side.

  Hereinafter, a sensor arrangement structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The sensor arrangement structure 10 of this embodiment is provided in the front part of the vehicle 1 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor arrangement structure 10 includes a radar device 11, an extendable cover 12, an emblem 14 formed integrally with the front grill 13, and a protrusion that protrudes rearward from the rear surface 14 </ b> A of the emblem 14. Part 15.

  The radar device 11 is a millimeter wave radar or the like in which a detection range is set in the external environment in front of the vehicle 1. The radar device 11 transmits a radar wave of an electromagnetic wave to the detection range, and receives a reflected wave generated by each transmission wave being reflected by an object outside the vehicle 1. The radar apparatus 11 is based on the transmitted wave and the reflected wave, for example, the distance from the radar apparatus 11 to an external object, the relative speed of the external object due to the Doppler effect, and the relative position of the external object with respect to the radar apparatus 11. Alternatively, a detection signal related to the direction or the like is output. The radar device 11 is arranged so as to face the back surface 14A of the emblem 14 formed integrally with the front grill 13 on the detection range.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the extendable cover 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a rectangular shape in cross section having a bellows structure made of a material such as rubber. The base end 12a of the telescopic cover 12 is fixed in a sealed state to the peripheral edge portion 16a of the radome 16 that covers the apparatus main body 11a of the radar apparatus 11 by an appropriate fixing member (not shown) such as a bolt. The extendable cover 12 is arranged so that the tip 12 b protrudes forward of the radar device 11 so as not to interfere with the detection range A of the radar device 11.
The extendable cover 12 includes a bellows structure portion 12 c that elastically expands and contracts in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. The bellows structure part 12c has an expanded shape that changes the internal space of the extendable cover 12 in an expanding tendency as it moves forward from the radar device 11. The distal end 12b of the extendable cover 12 can contact the back surface 14A of the emblem 14 disposed so as to face the radar device 11 in a sealed state. As a result, the elastic cover 12 is brought into elastic and sealed contact with the tip 12b against the back surface 14A of the emblem 14 by elastic expansion and contraction of the bellows structure portion 12c.

  The emblem 14 formed integrally with the front grill 13 is provided so that the front surface 14B is exposed to the outside in front of the vehicle 1 and the front end 12b of the extendable cover 12 is supported in a sealed state by the back surface 14A. . As a result, the extendable cover 12 is sandwiched from both sides in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1 by the back surface 14A of the emblem 14 and the radome 16 of the radar device 11 to form a sealed structure 17 that seals the radar device 11.

  The emblem 14 includes a protrusion 15 that protrudes integrally from the back surface 14 </ b> A toward the radar device 11 in the internal space 17 a of the sealed structure 17. As shown in FIG. 5, the protruding portion 15 is formed in a rectangular frame rib shape protruding from the back surface 14 </ b> A of the emblem 14 along the shape of the tip 12 b of the extendable cover 12. The protruding portion 15 is disposed at a position where it does not interfere with the detection range A of the radar device 11 in the internal space 17 a and at a position separated from the extendable cover 12. The projecting portion 15 has a projecting length equal to or shorter than the length corresponding to the bellows structure portion 12c and not less than the length of one peak portion of the bellows structure portion 12c in the direction from the back surface 14A of the emblem 14 to the radar device 11. ing. The protruding portion 15 is provided within a predetermined position range from the expansion / contraction cover 12 that is necessary for preventing the expansion / contraction cover 12 from being deformed so as to fall into the inner space 17a, or for regulating the degree of the collapse. .

  Note that, on the detection range of the radar apparatus 11, the front grill 13 and the emblem 14 are made of a material in which transmission attenuation of electromagnetic waves (for example, millimeter waves) that are transmitted waves and reflected waves of the radar apparatus 11 is suppressed. Yes.

  As described above, according to the sensor arrangement structure 10 of the present embodiment, the sealing structure 17 can be easily formed by pressing the extendable cover 12 fixed to the radar device 11 against the back surface 14A of the emblem 14. As a result, water or the like can be prevented from entering the internal space 17a of the sealed structure 17 from the outside. Further, the protruding portion 15 of the internal space 17a of the sealing structure 17 can prevent the extendable cover 12 from being deformed so as to fall into the inner space 17a, or can regulate the degree of the fall. As a result, the expansion cover 12 can be prevented from interfering with the detection range A of the radar apparatus 11 by deforming the expansion cover 12 so as to fall inside the internal space 17a, thereby preventing a decrease in detection sensitivity. .

Further, since the extendable cover 12 has an expanded shape, even if the detection range A of the radar apparatus 11 changes to an expansion tendency as the distance increases, the extendable cover 12 is detected by the radar apparatus 11. Interference with A can be prevented. Further, since the elastic cover 12 is elastically in contact with the back surface 14A of the emblem 14 on the distal end 12b side having a larger shape than the base end 12a side, the elastic cover 12 and the emblem 14 can be easily placed in a predetermined arrangement relationship. Can be contacted. Thereby, the radar apparatus 11 and the expansion / contraction cover 12 can be easily assembled to the vehicle body.
Furthermore, since the extendable cover 12 includes the bellows structure portion 12c that elastically expands and contracts in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1, the stretchability and the sealing performance of the extendable cover 12 can be improved.

Furthermore, since the protrusion 15 is disposed at a position in the internal space 17a that does not interfere with the detection range A of the radar apparatus 11, it is possible to prevent the detection sensitivity of the radar apparatus 11 from being lowered by the protrusion 15.
Furthermore, since the protrusion part 15 is arrange | positioned in the position spaced apart from the elastic cover 12, the deformation | transformation of the elastic cover 12 by the protrusion part 15 can be prevented.
Further, the projecting portion 15 has a projecting length equal to or shorter than the length corresponding to the bellows structure portion 12c and the length of one peak portion of the bellows structure portion 12c. It is possible to effectively prevent or regulate the fall-down at a portion that is easily deformed so as to fall inside. In addition, it is possible to prevent the cost required for the arrangement of the protrusions 15 from increasing.

(First modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the projecting portion 15 has a frame shape along the shape of the tip 12b of the stretchable cover 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least one of the shapes of the tip 12b of the stretchable cover 12 is used. You may arrange | position in the position corresponding to a part.
For example, in the first modification shown in FIG. 6, four protrusions 15 are arranged at four positions corresponding to the center of each side of the rectangle with respect to the tip 12b of the rectangular annular stretchable cover 12. Yes.
For example, two protrusions 15 may be arranged at two positions corresponding to the central portions of the two long sides of the rectangle with respect to the tip 12b of the rectangular annular stretchable cover 12.
Further, for example, one protrusion 15 is arranged at one position corresponding to the central portion of the long side on the upper side in the vertical direction among the two long sides of the rectangle with respect to the tip 12b of the rectangular annular stretchable cover 12. May be.
According to these first modifications, it is possible to prevent or regulate the expansion / contraction cover 12 from falling into the inner space 17a to the minimum necessary extent.

(Second modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the base end 12a of the extendable cover 12 is fixed to the peripheral edge portion 16a of the radome 16. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the base end 12a of the telescopic cover 12 may be fixed to a fixing jig (not shown) that fixes the radar apparatus 11, or a vehicle body to which the radar apparatus 11 is attached.
Further, the front end 12 b may be fixed to the back surface 14 A of the emblem 14 or the back surface of the front grill 13 instead of the base end 12 a of the extendable cover 12. In this case, the base end 12a is elastically sealed so that the base end 12a is pressed against the radome 16 of the radar apparatus 11 or a fixing jig (not shown) for fixing the radar apparatus 11 by elastic expansion and contraction of the bellows structure portion 12c. The state may be contacted.

(Third Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, when the base end 12a of the expansion / contraction cover 12 is fixed on the radar device 11 side, the protrusion 15 is provided on the back surface 14 of the emblem 14 with which the distal end 12b of the expansion / contraction cover 12 comes into elastic contact. Although provided, it is not limited to this.
For example, when the distal end 12b of the extendable cover 12 is fixed on the emblem 14 or the front grille 13, the radome 16 on the radar device 11 side or the radar device 11 on which the base end 12a of the extendable cover 12 contacts elastically is fixed. A protrusion 15 may be provided on a fixing jig (not shown) or the like.

(Fourth modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the protruding portion 15 is formed integrally with the emblem 14, but is not limited thereto.
For example, the protrusion 15 may be detachably attached to the emblem 14 or the like.

(5th modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the protruding portion 15 protrudes from the back surface 14A of the emblem 14 toward the radar device 11, but is not limited to this, and further has a shape along the shape of the extendable cover 12. Also good.
For example, the protrusion 15 may be formed so as to extend in a direction along the expanded shape of the telescopic cover 12 between the emblem 14 and the radar apparatus 11.

  The above-described embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Sensor arrangement structure, 11 ... Radar apparatus, 12 ... Telescopic cover, 13 ... Front grille, 14 ... Emblem, 15 ... Projection part, 16 ... Radome, 17 ... Sealing structure

Claims (7)

A vehicle surrounding detection unit that is installed in a vehicle and detects the surroundings of the vehicle;
A facing member installed in the vehicle and arranged to face the detection direction of the vehicle periphery detection unit and the vehicle periphery detection unit with a predetermined interval on a detection range of the vehicle periphery detection unit;
A telescopic member that is sandwiched between a housing member that holds the vehicle periphery detection unit and the facing member, and forms a sealing structure that seals the vehicle periphery detection unit between the housing member and the facing member;
With
The elastic member is fixed to one of the housing member and the facing member, and elastically contacts either one to form the hermetic structure,
Toward protrudes to the one inside the space from the other of said sealing structure comprises a protrusion for preventing deformation of the elastic member due to the elastic contact,
A sensor arrangement structure characterized by that. The elastic member has a shape in which the cross-sectional area of the internal space of the sealed structure tends to expand as it goes from the housing member to the facing member;
The one is the housing member, and the other is the facing member.
The sensor arrangement structure according to claim 1. The stretchable member has a bellows structure portion at least on the other side, and is stretched and contracted by the bellows structure portion.
The sensor arrangement structure according to claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement structure is provided. The protrusion is disposed at a position that does not interfere with the detection range in the internal space of the sealed structure.
The sensor arrangement structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The protruding portion is disposed at a position separated from the elastic member in the internal space of the sealed structure.
The sensor arrangement structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensor arrangement structure is provided. The protruding portion has a protruding length equal to or shorter than the length corresponding to the bellows structure portion.
The sensor arrangement structure according to claim 3. The protruding portion has a protruding length that is equal to or longer than the length of one peak portion of the bellows structure portion.
The sensor arrangement structure according to claim 3.

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