阅读说明：本技术 传感器安装构造及能量吸收构造 (Sensor mounting structure and energy absorbing structure ) 是由 相泽辉明 石崎达也 绿川裕之 梅泽真辉 片冈庆太 于 2020-02-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种能够防止由振动引起的传感器壳体的脱落的传感器安装构造。传感器安装构造(1A)包括：能量吸收部件(6)；传感器安装部(60),其设置于能量吸收部件(6),供收容压力传感器(5)的传感器壳体(50)安装；以及罩(70),在罩(70)与传感器安装部(60)之间构成收容传感器壳体(50)的空间,传感器壳体(50)通过卡定安装于传感器安装部(60),并在传感器壳体(50)、传感器安装部(60)及罩(70)中的至少一者上构成有脱落防止构造,该脱落防止构造防止传感器壳体(50)从由传感器安装部(60)及罩(70)构成的开口部(B1)脱落。(The invention provides a sensor mounting structure capable of preventing a sensor housing from falling off due to vibration. A sensor mounting structure (1A) is provided with: an energy-absorbing member (6); a sensor mounting section (60) which is provided to the energy absorbing member (6) and to which a sensor case (50) that houses the pressure sensor (5) is mounted; and a cover (70) that forms a space between the cover (70) and the sensor mounting portion (60) for accommodating the sensor housing (50), wherein the sensor housing (50) is mounted to the sensor mounting portion (60) by being locked thereto, and at least one of the sensor housing (50), the sensor mounting portion (60), and the cover (70) is provided with a drop-off prevention structure that prevents the sensor housing (50) from dropping off from an opening (B1) formed by the sensor mounting portion (60) and the cover (70).)

1. A sensor mounting construction, comprising:

a panel main body;

a sensor mounting portion provided on the panel body and to which a sensor housing accommodating a sensor is mounted; and

a cover which forms a space for accommodating the sensor housing between the cover and the sensor mounting portion,

the sensor case is attached to the sensor attachment portion by being engaged,

at least one of the sensor housing, the sensor mounting portion, and the cover is provided with a drop-off prevention structure for preventing the sensor housing from dropping off from an opening formed by the sensor mounting portion and the cover.

2. The sensor mounting construction according to claim 1,

the opening is formed in a shape that the sensor case cannot pass through as the falling-off prevention structure.

3. The sensor mounting construction according to claim 1 or 2,

the falling-off prevention structure includes:

a concave portion provided in the sensor mounting portion, into which the convex portion of the sensor housing is inserted; and

a wall portion of the cover that is opposed to the sensor housing on a side opposite to the convex portion,

an insertion length of the convex portion with respect to the concave portion is larger than a gap length between the sensor housing and a wall portion of the cover on a side opposite to the convex portion.

4. The sensor mounting construction according to claim 3,

the convex portion is inserted into the concave portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction,

the sensor housing is locked to the sensor mounting portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction.

5. The sensor mounting construction according to claim 4,

the sensor mounting portion includes a convex engaging portion inserted into a concave portion of the sensor housing,

the concave portion and the locking portion of the sensor housing are in contact with each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction,

the sensor mounting portion includes a protruding portion in the vicinity of the recess portion and the locking portion for reinforcing a locked state of the recess portion and the locking portion.

6. The sensor mounting construction according to claim 1 or 2,

the falling-off prevention structure includes a concave portion provided in the sensor mounting portion and into which a convex portion of the sensor housing is inserted,

the insertion direction of the convex portion into the concave portion is substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction.

7. The sensor mounting construction according to claim 1 or 2,

the sensor mounting portion includes an engaging portion that is engaged with the recess of the sensor housing,

the recess and the locking portion are covered by a wall portion of the cover opposing the recess,

the insertion length of the locking portion into the recess is longer than the gap length between the locking portion and the wall of the cover.

8. The sensor mounting construction according to claim 1 or 2,

the cover is locked to the panel body and fixed by a screw.

9. The sensor mounting construction according to claim 8,

the cover includes:

a locking portion locked to an end portion of the panel body; and

a protrusion portion inserted into the hole portion of the panel main body,

the protrusion and the hole are positioning portions when the cover and the panel body are assembled with each other,

and a falling-off preventing part for preventing the cover from moving in the direction of falling off from the panel body by taking the locking part as a fulcrum.

10. The sensor mounting construction according to claim 9,

the protrusion and the hole are rotation prevention portions that prevent the cover from rotating when the screw is screwed in.

11. An energy absorbing structure provided with the sensor mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

the energy-absorbing construction is characterized in that,

the sensor is a pressure sensor and the pressure sensor,

the panel main body includes:

a plate-shaped rear wall portion extending in the vehicle width direction; and

an extended wall portion that extends in the vehicle width direction and extends forward from a height direction intermediate portion of the rear wall portion,

the rear wall portion has a bow-like shape bulging forward in plan view,

the extending wall portion is inclined so as to be directed downward or upward from the rear end portion toward the front end portion,

the energy absorbing construction further comprises:

a reinforcing member opposed to the extending wall portion; and

a pressure generating tube connected to the pressure sensor,

the pressure generating tube is held by the rear wall portion, the extension wall portion, and the reinforcing member.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sensor mounting structure and an energy absorbing structure.

Background

Patent document 1 describes a technique of using a screw when fixing an object (panel) to a resin body.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Here, in the case of screw-fastening, particularly for resin, since the resin is easily broken and the loosening torque with respect to the fastening torque is easily reduced, the screw-fastening is easily broken off by vibration.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor mounting structure and an energy absorbing structure that can prevent a sensor case from falling off due to vibration.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problem, a sensor mounting structure according to the present invention includes: a panel main body; a sensor mounting portion provided on the panel body and to which a sensor housing accommodating a sensor is mounted; and a cover which forms a space between the cover and the sensor mounting portion for accommodating the sensor housing, the sensor housing being mounted to the sensor mounting portion by being locked, at least one of the sensor housing, the sensor mounting portion, and the cover having a drop prevention structure for preventing the sensor housing from dropping from an opening formed by the sensor mounting portion and the cover.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, since the sensor case is attached to the sensor attachment portion of the panel body by locking without using a screw, the sensor case can be prevented from falling off due to vibration. Further, since the fall-off prevention structure is provided, even when the locking portion does not function due to damage or the like, the sensor housing can be prevented from falling off from the opening portion.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a vehicle front structure of an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II schematically showing a vehicle front structure of an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a rear view schematically showing the rear wall portion.

Fig. 4 is a side view schematically showing an assembly of the energy absorbing member and the reinforcing member.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of operation of the second energy absorbing structure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of operation of the second energy absorbing structure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a sensor mounting structure of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a sensor mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a plan view schematically showing a sensor mounting structure of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a side view schematically showing a sensor mounting structure of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of fig. 7.

Description of the reference numerals

1 vehicle front structure (second energy absorption structure)

1A sensor mounting structure

5 pressure sensor (sensor)

6 energy absorber (Panel body)

50 sensor housing

50e convex part (falling off prevention structure)

60 sensor mounting part

65a concave part (falling off preventing structure)

70 cover

B1 opening (anti-falling structure)

Detailed Description

The sensor mounting structure according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a case where a pressure sensor for detecting a collision of a pedestrian is applied to a front bumper of a vehicle. In the following description, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted. The expressions of directions indicated by front, rear, up, down, left, and right are based on the occupant of the vehicle.

As shown in fig. 1, a vehicle front structure 1 of an embodiment of the invention is a structure for absorbing collision energy and detecting a collision when a collision object (e.g., a pedestrian) collides with, for example, the front of a vehicle. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, a vehicle front structure 1 includes: a pressure generating tube 4 provided between the bumper beam 2 and the bumper face 3 at the front of the vehicle and extending in the vehicle width direction; a pair of left and right pressure sensors 5, 5 connected to the pressure generating tube 4; an energy-absorbing member 6; and a reinforcing member 40. Here, the vehicle front structure 1 includes a first energy absorbing structure and a second energy absorbing structure as a structure that absorbs collision energy when a collision object (e.g., a pedestrian) collides with, for example, the front portion of the vehicle. The first energy absorbing structure includes the energy absorbing member 6 and the bumper beam 2, and prevents the positions thereof from being displaced in the vertical direction. The second energy absorbing structure includes the energy absorbing member 6 and the reinforcing member 40, and the energy absorbing amount is increased by the reinforcing member 40. The second energy absorption structure further includes a pressure generation tube 4 and pressure sensors 5 and 5 to detect a collision. The second energy absorption structure further includes a sensor mounting structure 1A described later.

< Bumper Beam >

The bumper beam 2 is a metal member that extends in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle. The bumper beam 2 has a bow shape bulging forward in plan view. That is, the bumper beam 2 has a shape in which the vehicle width direction center portion is positioned most forward and recedes rearward toward the vehicle width direction end portions. The vehicle-width-direction both end portions of the bumper beam 2 are connected to a vehicle frame member (front side member) extending in the front-rear direction on the rear side of the bumper beam 2. At the time of a vehicle collision (front collision), the bumper beam 2 transmits a collision load (energy) input thereto to the foregoing skeleton member.

As shown in fig. 2, the bumper beam 2 integrally includes an upper wall portion 2a extending in the front-rear direction in side view, a front wall portion 2b extending downward from a front end portion of the upper wall portion 2a, and an intermediate upper wall portion 2c extending rearward from a lower end portion of the front wall portion 2 b. The bumper beam 2 integrally includes an intermediate front wall portion 2d extending downward from a rear end portion of the intermediate upper wall portion 2c, an intermediate lower wall portion 2e extending forward from a lower end portion of the intermediate front wall portion 2d, a front wall portion 2f extending downward from a front end portion of the intermediate lower wall portion 2e, and a lower wall portion 2g extending rearward from a lower end portion of the front wall portion 2f in a side view.

That is, a recess portion composed of the intermediate upper wall portion 2c, the intermediate front wall portion 2d, and the intermediate lower wall portion 2e is formed on the front surface of the bumper beam 2. The pressure generating tube 4, the tube compression portion 20 of the energy absorbing member 6, and the reinforcement member 40, which will be described later, are disposed in front of the concave portion, and thus are easily assembled and disassembled. Holes 2b1 and 2f1 are formed in upper and lower front wall portions 2b and 2f, respectively.

< Bumper appearance piece >

The bumper face 3 is a resin-made member or a metal-made member that is provided in front of the bumper beam 2 and constitutes an outer surface (a face) of the vehicle. The bumper appearance 3 integrally includes an upper wall portion 3a extending in the front-rear direction in side view, a front wall portion 3b extending downward from a front end portion of the upper wall portion 3a, and a lower wall portion 3c extending rearward from a lower end portion of the front wall portion 3 b.

< pressure generating pipe >

The pressure generating tube 4 extends in the vehicle width direction between the bumper beam 2 and the bumper face 3. The pressure generating tube 4 is a flexible resin member, and generates pressure in a fluid (for example, air) therein when compressed and crushed by a load.

< pressure sensor >

As shown in fig. 1, a pair of left and right pressure sensors 5, 5 are connected to both end portions of the pressure generating tube 4. The pressure sensor 5 detects the pressure of the internal fluid generated by the crushing deformation of the pressure generation tube 4, and outputs the detection result to a control unit (not shown). The control unit executes control for protecting an impact object (e.g., a pedestrian) by raising a power compartment cover (engine hood) provided at the front of the vehicle, for example, based on the detection results of the pair of left and right pressure sensors 5, 5.

< energy absorbing Member >

The energy absorbing member 6 is a resin member (for example, PP (polypropylene) member) provided between the bumper beam 2 and the bumper face 3. The energy absorbing member 6 is formed by, for example, injection molding, and has rigidity without a collision detection delay. The energy absorbing member 6 absorbs a front collision load (energy) at the time of a vehicle collision (frontal collision), and compresses the pressure generating tube 4 to generate pressure in the fluid inside the pressure generating tube 4. As shown in fig. 2, the energy absorbing member 6 integrally includes a rear wall portion 10, a tube compression portion 20, and a hinge portion 30.

Rear wall section

The rear wall portion 10 is a long plate-like portion disposed on the rear side of the pressure generating tube 4 and extending in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (i.e., extending in the forehead surface direction). As shown in fig. 1, the rear wall portion 10 has a bow shape bulging forward in plan view so as to follow the bumper beam 2. That is, the rear wall portion 10 is shaped such that the vehicle-width-direction central portion is positioned most forward and retreats rearward as it moves toward the vehicle-width-direction end portions. As shown in fig. 3, the rear wall portion 10 is formed with a plurality of combinations of a rectangular hole portion 11, an engaging portion 12 extending downward from an upper edge portion of the hole portion 11, and a separation preventing portion 13 extending upward from a lower edge portion of the hole portion 11 in the vehicle width direction. The locking portion 12 is in the shape of a claw that can be locked to a peripheral edge portion of a hole portion 44a described later. The falling-off preventing portion 13 has a tongue shape that is provided so as to extend upward from the middle portion of the lower edge portion of the hole 11 with a space left at both end portions.

As shown in fig. 2, a plurality of upper and lower projections 14, 14 are formed on the rear wall portion 10. The protrusion 14 protrudes rearward from the rear wall 10. The upper protruding portion 14 is inserted into a hole portion 2b1 formed in the front wall portion 2b of the bumper beam 2. The lower protruding portion 14 is inserted into a hole portion 2f1 formed in the front wall portion 2f of the bumper beam 2. The combination of at least one of the vertical dimension of the upper protrusion 14 and the vertical dimension of the corresponding hole 2b1, and the vertical dimension of the lower protrusion 14 and the vertical dimension of the corresponding hole 2f1 is equal.

The combination of the protrusion 14 and the hole 2b1 (or the hole 2f1) is provided between the vehicle width direction center portion and the vehicle width direction end portion of the bumper beam 2, and functions as a vertical displacement prevention portion that prevents vertical displacement of the energy-absorbing member 6 and the bumper beam 2. The combination of the protrusions 14 and the holes 2b1 (or the holes 2f1) also functions as positioning portions that position the energy-absorbing member 6 relative to the bumper beam 2 when the energy-absorbing member 6 is assembled to the bumper beam 2.

In the present embodiment, the protrusion 14 and the hole 2b1 (or the hole 2f1) as the vertical displacement prevention portions are provided at a position P (see fig. 1) spaced apart from the vehicle width direction end by a distance of substantially 1/4 of the vehicle width direction dimension of the bumper beam 2. Since this position is a position where the bumper beam 2 does not recede even in a collision in which a load is concentrated on the center portion of the bumper beam 2, a gap in the vehicle front-rear direction is not generated between the bumper beam 1 and the energy-absorbing member 6. The bumper beam 2 and the energy absorbing member 6 are relatively largely bent in the vicinity of the point P. The first energy absorbing structure in the vehicle front structure 1 is provided with the vertical displacement prevention portions at the portions P, and thereby can appropriately prevent the vertical displacement of the energy absorbing member 6 with respect to the bumper beam 2 and appropriately absorb the collision load (energy)

A pair of upper and lower flange portions 15, 15 are formed on the rear wall portion 10. The upper flange portion 15 extends rearward from the upper edge portion of the rear wall portion 10, and is disposed above the upper wall portion 2a of the bumper beam 2. The lower flange portion 15 extends rearward from the lower edge portion of the rear wall portion 10, and is disposed below the lower wall portion 2g of the bumper beam 2.

The lower flange portion 15 abuts against a lower wall portion 2g, which is a lower surface of the bumper beam 2, between a vehicle width direction center portion and a vehicle width direction end portion of the bumper beam 2 (at least, a portion P in the present embodiment). In this way, the flange portion 15 functions as a vertical displacement prevention portion that prevents vertical displacement of the energy absorbing member 6 and the bumper beam 2. The flange portion 15 also functions as a reinforcing portion for reinforcing the rear wall portion 10.

The upper flange portion 15 and the upper wall portion 2a of the bumper beam 2 are fixed to each other by bolt fastening or the like between the vehicle width direction end portion of the bumper beam 2 and the hole portion 2b1 on the end portion side.

Similarly, the lower flange portion 15 and the lower wall portion 2g of the bumper beam 2 are fixed to each other by bolt fastening or the like between the end portion of the bumper beam 2 in the vehicle width direction and the hole portion 2f1 on the end portion side.

Section of tube compression

As shown in fig. 2, the tube compression portion 20 is a portion that is disposed on the front side of the pressure generating tube 4, does not compress the pressure generating tube 4 at all times, and compresses the pressure generating tube 4 in cooperation with the rear wall portion 10 at the time of a vehicle collision (frontal collision). The tube compressing portion 20 integrally includes an extending wall portion 21 extending in the front-rear direction, a front wall portion 22 extending downward from a front end portion of the extending wall portion 21, an opposing wall portion 23 extending downward from the vicinity of the front end portion of the extending wall portion 21 so as to face the front wall portion 22, and a compressing wall portion 24 extending downward from the vicinity of the rear end portion of the extending wall portion 21. The extended wall portion 21 extends from the rear wall portion 10 at the same height position in the vehicle width direction of the rear wall portion 10, and has a bow shape bulging forward in plan view like the rear wall portion 10. That is, the extending wall portion 21 has a shape in which the vehicle width direction center portion is positioned most forward and retreats rearward as it shifts toward the vehicle width direction end portions.

In the present embodiment, the extension wall portion 21 is a long plate-shaped portion that is inclined so as to go downward as it shifts forward. That is, the front end portion (distal end portion) of the extending wall portion 21 is located below the rear end portion (proximal end portion) of the extending wall portion 21. That is, the distal end portion of the extended wall portion 21 is offset toward the pressure generation pipe 4 in the vertical direction with respect to the proximal end portion of the extended wall portion 21. In addition, the extension wall portion 21 is formed to be curved so as to be convex downward in side view. As described above, since the extension wall portion 21 extends obliquely forward and downward from the rear wall portion 10 having a bow shape bulging forward in a plan view, the contour (highlighted by a thick frame) of the extension wall portion 21 is substantially parallelogram in a side view as shown in fig. 4.

As shown in fig. 2, a hole 22a is formed in the front wall 22. A locking portion 45 of the reinforcement member 40 described later is locked to the peripheral edge portion of the hole 22 a. The length (vertical dimension) of the opposing wall portion 23 is set shorter than the front wall portion 22. The engaging portion 45 of the reinforcement member 40 described later is abutted against the opposing wall portion 23. The compression wall portion 24 is provided at a position apart from the rear wall portion 10 by the diameter of the pressure generation tube 4.

Hinge section

The hinge portion 30 is rotatably connected to a rear end portion (base end portion) of the extending wall portion 21 of the tube compression portion 20 above the pressure generation tube 4 with respect to the rear wall portion 10. The hinge portion 30 integrally includes an upper wall portion (first wall portion) 31 extending forward from the rear wall portion 10, and a front wall portion (second wall portion) 32 extending downward from a front end portion of the upper wall portion 31. The lower end portion of the front wall portion 32 is connected to the rear end portion of the extended wall portion 21 of the tube compression portion 20.

< reinforcing Member >

The reinforcing member 40 is a resin member (for example, made of PP (polypropylene)) that is provided so as to face the extended wall portion 21 of the tube compression portion 20 and that holds the pressure generating tube 4 in cooperation with the extended wall portion 21. The reinforcing member 40 is formed by, for example, injection molding, and has rigidity without collision detection delay, as with the tube compression portion 20. The reinforcing member 40 integrally includes an extending wall portion 41 extending in the front-rear direction, an intermediate sheet portion 42 extending downward from the rear end portion of the extending wall portion 41, a lower sheet portion 43 extending rearward from the lower end portion of the intermediate sheet portion 42, a rear sheet portion 44 extending upward from the rear end portion of the lower sheet portion 43, and a locking portion 45 extending upward from the front end portion of the extending wall portion 41.

The intermediate piece portion 42 and the lower piece portion 43 have the same function as the hinge portion 30 as the hinge portion for the extended wall portion 41. A rectangular hole 44a is formed in the rear piece 44. The locking portion 12 of the rear wall portion 10 is locked to the peripheral edge portion of the hole portion 44 a. That is, the reinforcing member 40 is locked to the rear side of the rear wall portion 10 on the front side of the recess (inside the recess) of the bumper beam 2. The locking portion 45 is in the shape of a claw that can be locked to the peripheral edge of the hole 22 a.

< assembling of reinforcing Member to energy absorbing Member >

The worker assembles the reinforcement member 40 to the energy-absorbing member 6 with the pressure-generating tube 4 disposed between the rear wall 10 and the compression wall 24 of the energy-absorbing member 6. Here, the worker inserts the rear piece portion 44 of the reinforcing member 40 into the hole portion 11 of the rear wall portion 10 from the front, and engages the engaging portion 12 of the rear wall portion 10 with the hole portion 44a of the rear piece portion 44. Similarly, the operator brings the locking portion 45 of the reinforcing member 40 into contact with the opposing wall portion 23 and locks the same in the hole portion 22a of the front wall portion 22.

Here, when the rear piece portion 44 is inserted into the hole portion 11, the detachment prevention portion 13 is elastically deformed so as to escape rearward, and insertion of the rear piece portion 44 into the hole portion 11 is permitted. On the other hand, after the locking portion 12 is locked in the hole 44a, the falling-off prevention portion 13 prevents the rear piece portion 44 from falling off from the rear wall portion 10.

< Assembly of energy absorbing Member to Bumper Cross Member >

Next, the worker assembles the assembly of the pressure-generating tube 4, the energy-absorbing member 6, and the reinforcing member 40 to the bumper beam 2. Here, the worker inserts the protrusion 14 of the energy absorbing member 6 into the holes 2b1, 2f1 of the bumper beam 2 to position the energy absorbing member 6 with respect to the bumper beam 2. Next, the worker fixes the bumper beam 2 and the energy absorbing member 6 to each other after positioning by fastening with bolts or the like.

< compression of pressure-generating tube at time of collision >

As shown in fig. 5, during a vehicle collision (frontal collision), the frontal collision load F acts as a moment M that pivots downward about the hinge portion 30 (particularly, the connecting portion between the upper wall portion 31 and the front wall portion 32) with respect to the extended wall portion 21 of the tube compression portion 20. Similarly, the front collision load F acts as a moment M that rotates downward with respect to the base end portion of the extended wall portion 41 (the connecting portion between the extended wall portion 41 and the intermediate piece portion 42) of the reinforcing member 40. By the moment M, the compression wall portion 24 of the tube compression portion 20 sandwiches the pressure-generating tube 4 with the rear wall portion 10, and compresses the pressure-generating tube 4 to crush rearward. In addition, the extended wall portion 41 having a substantially parallelogram profile in side view is deformed out of plane by the frontal collision load F.

Here, the longitudinal length of the extended wall portion 41 of the reinforcing member 40 is set to be larger than the longitudinal length of the extended wall portion 21 of the tube compression portion 20. The connecting portion between the upper wall portion 31 and the front wall portion 32 serves as the rotation center of the extending wall portion 21, and the connecting portion between the extending wall portion 41 and the intermediate piece portion 42 serves as the rotation center of the extending wall portion 41. The center of rotation of the extended wall 41 is located directly below the pressure generation pipe 4 and rearward of the center of rotation of the extended wall 21. Therefore, when the extending wall portions 21 and 41 are rotated downward, the distal end portions of the extending wall portions 21 and 41 come close to each other, and release of locking of the extending wall portions 21 and 41 can be prevented. Further, since the engaging portion 45 is engaged with the front wall portion 22 from the rear side, the reinforcing member 40 has a structure that is difficult to detach from the extending wall portion 21 when the extending wall portion 21 is rotationally deformed.

When the extending wall portion 21 rotates downward, an upward force Fa acts on the rear wall portion 10. Here, the lower flange portion 15 abuts against the lower wall portion 2g of the bumper beam 2 from below, and therefore functions as a vertical displacement prevention portion that prevents vertical displacement of the energy absorbing member 6 with respect to the bumper beam 2.

As shown in fig. 6, the first energy absorbing structure in the vehicle front structure 1 may have a structure in which the energy absorbing member 6 and the reinforcing member 40 are turned upside down. In this case, when the extending wall portion 21 is rotated upward, a downward force Fa acts on the rear wall portion 10. Here, the upper flange portion 15 abuts against the upper wall portion 2a of the bumper beam 2 from above, and therefore functions as a vertical displacement prevention portion that prevents vertical displacement of the energy absorbing member 6 with respect to the bumper beam 2.

< sensor mounting Structure >

Next, a sensor mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the energy absorbing structure 1 includes a cover 70 and a sensor mounting portion 60 provided on the panel body, i.e., the energy absorbing member 6, as a sensor mounting structure 1A to which the sensor housing 50 is mounted. The energy absorbing structure 1 includes a pair of left and right sensor mounting structures 1A and 1A. Since the pair of left and right sensor mounting structures 1A, 1A are bilaterally symmetrical, the sensor mounting structure 1A on the left side of the vehicle will be described as an example in the following description.

< sensor housing >

As shown in fig. 8, the sensor case 50 is a resin frame that houses the main body of the pressure sensor 5 therein. A connection portion 51 (see fig. 9) that can be connected to an end portion of the pressure generation tube 4 is provided on the front surface of the sensor housing 50. A fitting portion 52 that can be fitted to the connector is provided on the vehicle width direction outer side surface of the sensor housing 50. The fitting portion 52 protrudes outside the space formed by the right sensor case 50 and the sensor mounting portion 60 through an opening portion B1 described later.

A recess 50a is formed in the upper surface of the sensor housing 50. A recess 50b is formed in the lower surface of the sensor housing 50 (see fig. 11). A flange portion 50c projecting upward and downward is provided on the vehicle width direction inner side surface of the sensor case 50. A recess 50d (see fig. 11) having a rectangular shape in a rear view is formed in the rear surface of the sensor housing 50, and a projection 50e (see fig. 11) projecting rearward in the recess is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 50 d. The convex portion 50e is formed so as to connect both edge portions in the vehicle width direction of the rectangular concave portion 50d, and the concave portion 50d is partitioned vertically by the convex portion 50 e.

Further, flange portions 50f protruding forward are formed at the upper and lower end portions of the front surface of the sensor case 50, and flange portions 50f protruding rearward are formed at the upper and lower end portions of the rear surface of the sensor case 50.

< sensor mounting part >

The sensor mounting portion 60 is a portion to which the pressure sensor 5, more specifically, the sensor case 50 accommodating the pressure sensor 5 is mounted, and is formed integrally with the energy absorbing member 6 from a resin material. The sensor mounting portion 60 integrally includes: a bottom wall portion 61 extending rearward from an end portion in the vehicle width direction of the upper flange portion 15 of the energy absorbing member 6; a rear wall portion 62 extending upward from a rear end portion of the bottom wall portion 61; an upper locking portion 63 extending forward from an upper end portion of the rear wall portion 62; and a lower locking portion 64 formed in the bottom wall portion 61.

As shown in fig. 11, the upper locking portion 63 integrally includes: a piece portion 63a extending forward from an upper end portion of the rear wall portion 62; and a protrusion 63b protruding downward from the tip end of the piece 63 a. The locking portion 63 is elastically deformable in the vertical direction about the base end portion of the piece portion 63 a. The lower locking portion 64 integrally includes: a piece portion 64a formed by a hole portion having an コ -shaped plan view in the bottom wall portion 61 and extending rearward from the bottom wall portion 61; and a protrusion 64b protruding upward from the rear end of the piece 64 a. The locking portion 64 is elastically deformable in the vertical direction about the base end portion of the piece portion 64 a.

The sensor mounting portion 60 includes a protruding portion 65 that protrudes forward at a height direction intermediate portion of the rear wall portion 62 and at a vehicle width direction intermediate portion. A recess (groove) 65a extending in the vehicle width direction is formed at a distal end portion (front end portion) of the protruding portion 65. The protrusion 65 is provided in the vicinity of the recess 50a and the locking portion 63. The protrusion 65 protrudes in a direction opposite to the locking direction of the locking portion 63 to restrict the sensor housing 50 from moving in a direction (the protrusion 65 side) in which the locked state of the locking portion 63 is released, thereby strengthening the locked state of the recess 50a and the locking portion 63.

< cover >

As shown in fig. 8, the cover 70 is a resin member that forms a space for accommodating the sensor housing 50 with the sensor mounting portion 60 and protects the sensor housing 50. The cover 70 integrally includes an inner wall portion 71, an outer wall portion 72, an inclined upper wall portion 73, a lower wall portion 74, a front wall portion 75, an upper wall portion 76, a flange wall portion 77, and an internal thread portion 78.

The inner wall portion 71 and the outer wall portion 72 are provided so as to face each other in the vehicle width direction, and have a triangular shape whose height increases as the vehicle goes rearward. A locking portion 71a extending downward so as to be lockable to the bottom wall portion 61 is formed at the lower end portion of the inner wall portion 71. The inclined upper wall portion 73 connects the upper end portions of the inner wall portion 71 and the outer wall portion 72.

The lower wall portion 74 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end portion of the outer wall portion 72. The lower wall 74 is formed with a protrusion 74a (see fig. 10) extending downward.

The front wall 75 extends upward from the rear end of the lower wall 74. The upper wall portion 76 extends rearward from the upper ends of the inclined upper wall portion 73 and the front wall portion 75. The flange wall portion 77 extends rearward from the vehicle width direction outer end portion of the front wall portion 75 and downward from the vehicle width direction outer end portion of the upper wall portion 76.

The female screw portion 78 extends upward from the lower wall portion 74 at the corner portion of the outer wall portion 72 and the front wall portion 75.

< Assembly of sensor housing >

As shown in fig. 9 to 11, the worker places the sensor case 50 on the bottom wall portion 61 in a state of abutting against the rear wall portion 62, and places the cover 70 on the upper portions of these components, thereby accommodating the sensor case 50 in the space formed by the sensor mounting portion 60 and the cover 70. Here, the end of the pressure generating tube 4 is accommodated in a space formed by the flange portion 15, the inner wall portion 71, the outer wall portion 72, and the inclined upper wall portion 73 of the cover 70. The sensor case 50 is accommodated in a space defined by the bottom wall 61 and the rear wall 62 of the sensor mounting portion 60, and the front wall 75 and the upper wall 76 of the cover 70.

Here, the upper locking portion 63 locks the sensor housing 50 by inserting the projection portion 63b into the recess 50a and abutting against the front side wall portion of the recess 50 a. The lower locking portion 64 locks the sensor housing 50 by inserting the projection portion 64b into the recess 50b and contacting the front side wall portion of the recess 50 b. In this state, the sensor housing 50 is locked by the locking portions 63 and 64 toward the rear, i.e., the rear wall portion 62. This locking direction is substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction, which is the main input direction of vibration, and it is possible to appropriately prevent the locking of the locking portions 63 and 64 from being released by vibration.

The insertion length L1 of the projection 63b of the locking portion 63 into the recess 50a is set to be greater than the gap length L2 between the upper surface of the locking portion 63 and the upper wall 76 of the cover 70. Therefore, even when the locking portion 63 is deformed upward by vibration or the like, the sensor housing 50 can be appropriately held by preventing the protrusion 63b from coming out of the recess 50 a.

In addition, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction and substantially orthogonal to the axis of the opening B1, that is, in the front-rear direction, the protruding portion 65 of the sensor mounting portion 60 is housed in the recessed portion 50d of the sensor case 50, and the protruding portion 50e of the sensor case 50 is housed in the recessed portion 65a of the protruding portion 65.

Further, the operator inserts the projection 74a of the cover 70 into the hole 15b of the flange 15, and engages the engagement portion 71a of the cover 70 with the lower surface of the bottom wall 61 of the sensor mounting portion 60. Here, the projection 74a of the cover 70 and the hole 15b of the flange 15 function as positioning portions when the cover 70 is assembled. The projection 74a of the cover 70 and the hole 15b of the flange 15 also function as a drop-off prevention unit that prevents the cover 70 from rotating in a direction away from the flange 15 and the bottom wall 61 about the locking portion 71a as a fulcrum in a stage before the screw N is screwed in.

Next, the operator inserts a screw (tapping screw) N into the hole portion 15c of the flange portion 15 from below and screws the screw into the female screw portion 78 of the cover 70. Here, the projection 74a of the cover 70 and the hole 15b of the flange 15 function as a rotation preventing portion that prevents the cover 70 from rotating relative to the flange 15 when the screw N is screwed in.

< Structure for preventing detachment >

Here, on the vehicle width direction outer side of the sensor attachment structure 1A, an opening B1 having a rectangular shape in side view with the vehicle width direction as an axis is formed by the bottom wall portion 61 and the rear wall portion 62 of the sensor attachment portion 60 and the flange wall portion 77 of the cover 70. The opening B1 is configured to have a shape through which (the main body portion of) the sensor case 50 cannot pass, for example, a shape smaller than the sensor case 50 viewed from the opening B1 side. That is, the flange wall portion 77 functions as a drop-off prevention structure that prevents the sensor case 50 from being pulled out and falling off from the opening B1.

Further, an insertion length L3 of the convex portion 50e with respect to the concave portion 65a is set to be larger than a gap length L4 between the front face of the sensor case 50 and the front wall portion 75 of the sensor case 50. Therefore, even when the locking portion 63 or the like does not function due to breakage or the like and the sensor case 50 can move toward the front wall portion 75, the convex portion 50e, the concave portion 65a, and the front wall portion 75 function as a falling-off prevention structure by preventing the convex portion 65e from coming out of the concave portion 65 a.

The insertion direction of the convex portion 50e into the concave portion 65a is the front-rear direction, and is substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction. This falling-off prevention structure can improve the assembly strength of the sensor case 50 and the sensor mounting portion 60 against vertical vibration to prevent damage, and therefore can be suitably applied to the bumper beam 2 of a vehicle having large vertical vibration or its peripheral components.

When the sensor case 50 attempts to move in the direction of the opening B1, the vehicle width direction inner end wall portion of the recess 50d of the sensor case 50 abuts against the protruding portion 65 of the sensor mounting portion 60 to restrict the movement.

On the vehicle width direction inner side of the sensor attachment structure 1A, an opening portion having a rectangular shape in side view is formed by the bottom wall portion 61 and the rear wall portion 62 of the sensor attachment portion 60, and the rear end portion and the oblique upper wall portion 73 of the inner wall portion 71 of the cover 70.

The outer surface of the upper flange portion 50c of the sensor case 50 in the vehicle width direction abuts against the upper edge portion of the opening portion, and the outer surface of the lower flange portion 50c in the vehicle width direction abuts against the lower edge portion of the opening portion.

The sensor mounting structure 1A according to the embodiment of the present invention includes: a panel main body (energy absorbing member 6); a sensor mounting portion 60 provided on the panel body and to which the sensor case 50 accommodating the sensor (pressure sensor 5) is mounted; and a cover 70 that forms a space between the cover 70 and the sensor mounting portion 60 for accommodating the sensor case 50, wherein the sensor case 50 is mounted to the sensor mounting portion 60 by being locked thereto, and at least one of the sensor case 50, the sensor mounting portion 60, and the cover 70 is provided with a drop-off prevention structure for preventing the sensor case 50 from dropping off from an opening B1 formed by the sensor mounting portion 60 and the cover 70.

Therefore, in the sensor mounting structure 1A, the sensor housing 50 is mounted to the sensor mounting portion 60 of the panel body by locking without using screws, and therefore, the sensor housing 50 can be appropriately prevented from dropping off due to vibration. Further, since the fall-off prevention structure is provided, even when the locking portion does not function due to breakage or the like, the sensor case 50 can be prevented from falling off from the opening B1.

The sensor mounting structure 1A is characterized in that the opening B1 is shaped so as to prevent the sensor housing 50 from passing through as the fall-off prevention structure.

Therefore, the sensor mounting structure 1A can prevent the sensor housing 50 from falling off with a simple structure.

Further, the sensor mounting structure 1A is characterized in that the drop-out prevention structure includes: a concave portion 65a provided in the sensor mounting portion 60, into which the convex portion 50e of the sensor housing 50 is inserted; and a wall portion (front wall portion 75) of the cover facing the sensor case 50 on the opposite side of the convex portion 50e, wherein an insertion length L3 of the convex portion 50e into the concave portion 65a is larger than a gap length L4 between the sensor case 50 and the wall portion of the cover 70 on the opposite side of the convex portion 50 e.

Therefore, in the sensor mounting structure 1A, even when the locking portion does not function due to breakage or the like, the sensor case 50 can be appropriately prevented from falling off from the opening portion B1.

The sensor mounting structure 1A is characterized in that the convex portion 50e is inserted into the concave portion 65a in a direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction, and the sensor housing 50 is locked to the sensor mounting portion 60 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction.

Therefore, in the sensor mounting structure 1A, for example, when applied to a vehicle, the sensor housing 50 is locked from a direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction, which is the main input direction of vibration, and therefore, the sensor housing 50 can be appropriately prevented from falling off from the sensor mounting portion 60 due to vibration.

The sensor mounting structure 1A is characterized in that the sensor mounting portion 60 includes a convex-shaped locking portion 63 inserted into the recess 50a of the sensor housing 50, the recess 50a and the locking portion 63 of the sensor housing 50 are in contact with each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction, and the sensor mounting portion 60 includes a protrusion 65 for reinforcing the locked state of the recess 50a and the locking portion 63 in the vicinity of the recess 50a and the locking portion 63.

Therefore, the sensor mounting structure 1A can more appropriately prevent the sensor case 50 from coming off the sensor mounting portion 60, and can increase the pull-out load of the engagement portion 63 to more appropriately prevent the sensor case 50 from coming off the sensor mounting portion 60 due to vibration.

The sensor mounting structure 1A includes, as the falling-off prevention structure, a concave portion 65a, the concave portion 65a being provided in the sensor mounting portion 60, into which a convex portion 50e of the sensor housing 50 is inserted, and the convex portion 50e being substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction with respect to the insertion direction of the concave portion 65 a.

Therefore, the sensor mounting structure 1A can have increased resistance to vertical vibration and can be applied to a bumper beam or a peripheral component of a vehicle.

The sensor mounting structure 1A is characterized in that the sensor mounting portion 60 includes a locking portion 63 locked in a recess 50a of the sensor housing 50, the recess 50a and the locking portion 63 are covered with a wall portion (upper wall portion 76) of the cover 70 facing the recess 50a, and an insertion length L1 of the locking portion 63 in the recess 50a is longer than a gap length L2 between the locking portion 63 and the wall portion of the cover 70.

Therefore, in the sensor mounting structure 1A, even when the locking portion 63 moves due to vibration or the like, the sensor housing 50 can be appropriately prevented from falling off from the sensor mounting portion 60 due to vibration.

In the sensor mounting structure 1A, the cover 70 is locked to the panel body and fixed by a screw N.

Therefore, even when one of the functions of locking and fixing by the screw B is lost, the sensor mounting structure 1A can prevent the cover 70 from coming off the panel body, and can improve the fixing durability of the panel body and the cover 70.

The sensor mounting structure 1A is characterized in that the cover 70 includes a locking portion 71A locked to an end portion of the panel body and a protrusion portion 74a inserted into a hole portion 15b of the panel body, and the protrusion portion 74a and the hole portion 15b are positioning portions when the cover 70 and the panel body are assembled to each other, and are a detachment prevention portion that prevents the cover 70 from moving in a direction of detaching from the panel body with the locking portion 71A as a fulcrum.

Therefore, the sensor mounting structure 1A can be simplified in structure because the protrusion 74a and the hole 15b are integrated with the functions of the positioning portion and the detachment prevention portion.

The sensor mounting structure 1A is characterized in that the projection 74a and the hole 15b are rotation prevention portions that prevent the rotation of the cover 70 when the screw N is used for screwing.

Therefore, the sensor mounting structure 1A can simplify the structure and reduce the cost and weight because the protrusion 74a and the hole 15b further integrate the function of the rotation preventing portion.

In addition, a second energy absorption structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized by including the sensor mounting structure 1A, the sensor being a pressure sensor 5, the panel body including: a plate-shaped rear wall portion 10 extending in the vehicle width direction; and an extended wall portion 21 that extends in the vehicle width direction and extends forward from a height direction intermediate portion of the rear wall portion 10, the rear wall portion 10 having a bow shape that bulges forward in plan view, the extended wall portion 21 being inclined downward or upward as going from a rear end portion to a front end portion, a reinforcing member 40 that faces the extended wall portion 21, and a pressure generation pipe 4 connected to the pressure sensor 5, the pressure generation pipe 4 being held by the rear wall portion 10, the extended wall portion 21, and the reinforcing member 40.

Therefore, even when the locking portion does not function due to vibration or the like, the second energy absorption structure can prevent the sensor case 50 from falling off and maintain the pressure detection function.

In addition, the second energy absorbing structure can increase the amount of energy absorption by the extension wall portion 21 deforming out-of-plane at the time of a frontal collision, and therefore the dimension in the front-rear direction can be reduced while ensuring the amount of energy absorption for the frontal collision.

In addition, the second energy absorbing structure can absorb more energy by the combination of the extended wall portion 21 and the reinforcing member 40.

Further, the pressure generation tube 4 of the second energy absorption structure, which is held by the rear wall 10, the extension wall 21, and the reinforcement member 40, is crushed by the front collision load, and a collision (front collision) can be appropriately detected.

Here, when the vicinity of the vehicle width direction central portion of the extended wall portion 21 collides with a colliding object, the amount of displacement in the front-rear direction of the extended wall portion 21 is not constant in the vehicle width direction, but is large in the vicinity of the collision portion and decreases toward the side (vehicle width direction end portion). Therefore, the ridge line of the deformed portion of the extended wall portion 21 caused by the collision has a substantially circular arc shape. This is because the rear wall portion 10 and the extended wall portion 21 extending forward from the rear wall portion 10 have an arcuate shape in plan view, and therefore the rigidity at the vehicle width direction end portions is higher than the rigidity at the center portion. Therefore, when the vicinity of the vehicle-widthwise central portion of the extended wall portion 21 collides with a collision, torsion occurs between the central portion and the vehicle-widthwise end portions of the extended wall portion 21, and the extended wall portion 21 undergoes out-of-plane deformation. This can increase the amount of energy absorbed for a frontal collision.

Similarly, when the vicinity of the vehicle width direction end portion of the extended wall portion 21 collides with a collision, torsion occurs between the center portion of the extended wall portion 21 and the vehicle width direction end portion, and the extended wall portion 21 undergoes out-of-plane deformation. This can increase the amount of energy absorbed for a frontal collision.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be appropriately modified within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the sensor mounting structure 1A can be applied to various sensors (G sensor, camera, radar, etc.) other than the pressure sensor in the vehicle, various sensors other than the vehicle, and the like. The sensor case 50 may be configured without the flange portion 50c such that an opening formed by the sensor attachment portion 60 and the cover 70 on the vehicle width direction inner side is closed by the inner wall portion 71 of the cover 70. The panel body is not limited to the energy absorbing member 6, and may be a partition wall, a bumper beam, a front side frame, or the like.