CN110857070B - External sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an external sensor which can simultaneously realize the protection of a detection surface and the guarantee of external detection precision. A rear outside sensor (17) of the present invention has a sensor body (33) and a rear outside sensor garnish (37). In a state in which the sensor body (33) and the rear outside sensor garnish (37) are attached to the rear portion of the vehicle body, the detection surface (31) of the sensor body (33) is exposed to the outside of the vehicle (11) through a rear small window portion (38) of the rear outside sensor garnish (37). The rear exterior sensor garnish (37) has an eaves-like extension portion (53) that is positioned so as to extend in an eaves-like manner outward of the vehicle (11) with respect to the roof portion (31 a) in the detection surface (31).

Description

External sensor

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an external sensor that detects external information relating to an object existing around a host vehicle.

Background

Recently, so-called autonomous vehicles have become popular, which detect external information on objects existing around a vehicle by an external sensor such as a radar ranging sensor, and perform autonomous traveling control of the vehicle including steering, acceleration, and deceleration based on the detected external information.

For example, patent document 1 describes an invention of a vehicle-mounted radar device including: a transmitting/receiving unit for transmitting electromagnetic waves and receiving reflected waves; a detection unit that detects a position of an object based on a reflected wave of the electromagnetic wave from the object; and a cover member that covers the transmission/reception section so that the transmission/reception surface of the transmission/reception section faces the back surface of the cover member, the cover member including at least a covering section that covers the transmission/reception surface, and a lower protruding section that is provided below the covering section and is formed so as to protrude from the covering section toward the front surface side of the cover member.

According to the in-vehicle radar device (ambient sensor) of patent document 1, the cover member includes at least the covering portion that covers the transmission/reception surface and the lower protruding portion that is formed so as to protrude from the covering portion toward the surface side of the cover member, and thus, it is possible to prevent water droplets or the like that have been rolled up from below due to, for example, rotation of wheels of the vehicle from adhering to the surface of the covering portion. As a result, the position of the object can be accurately detected while preventing attenuation of the electromagnetic wave.

Documents of the prior art

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-76704

Disclosure of Invention

However, in the external sensor such as the in-vehicle radar device of patent document 1, when the cover member having the covering portion covering the transmitting and receiving surface is provided, it is advantageous from the viewpoint of protecting the transmitting and receiving surface (detection surface), but on the contrary, there is a problem that the external detection accuracy is impaired by the presence of the cover member.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an external sensor mounting structure capable of simultaneously protecting a detection surface and ensuring external detection accuracy.

In order to achieve the above object, an external sensor for detecting external information on an object existing around a host vehicle is provided, the external sensor including: a sensor main body having a detection surface for detecting the outside information; a sensor mounting bracket for mounting the sensor body to a body of a host vehicle; and a sensor garnish having an opening facing the detection surface when viewed from the front, the sensor garnish being positioned outside the vehicle such that at least a portion of the sensor garnish overlaps a portion of the ambient sensor other than the detection surface, the sensor body and the sensor garnish being attached to a rear portion of the vehicle body via the sensor attachment bracket, the detection surface of the sensor body being exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the opening of the sensor garnish in a state where the sensor body and the sensor garnish are attached to the rear portion of the vehicle body, the sensor garnish having an eaves-shaped extension portion positioned to protrude outward of the vehicle in an eaves-shaped manner with respect to a top portion of the detection surface.

Effects of the invention

According to the external sensor provided by the invention, the protection of the detection surface and the guarantee of the external detection precision can be simultaneously realized.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an external view of a vehicle to which an external sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, as viewed from the rear side.

Fig. 2A is a diagram of the host vehicle in a state where the rear external sensor is mounted, as viewed from behind.

Fig. 2B is a diagram of the host vehicle in a state where the rear external sensor is mounted, as viewed from diagonally behind.

Fig. 3A is a diagram of the host vehicle in a state where the side external sensor is mounted, as viewed from the rear.

Fig. 3B is a diagram of the host vehicle in a state where the side external sensor is mounted, as viewed from diagonally forward side.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the rear ambient sensor periphery taken along line IVA-IVA of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the rear ambient sensor periphery taken along line IVB-IVB of FIG. 2A.

Fig. 4C is an arrowed cross-sectional view around the rear ambient sensor along the line IVC-IVC shown in fig. 2A.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the lateral ambient sensor periphery taken along the VA-VA line shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the side external sensor shown in FIG. 3A, taken along line VB-VB.

Fig. 6A is an arrow-direction cross-sectional view of the rear ambient sensor along the VIA-VIA line shown in fig. 2A.

Fig. 6B is an arrowed cross-sectional view of the rear ambient sensor along the line VIB-VIB shown in fig. 2A.

Fig. 6C is an arrow-direction cross-sectional view of the rear ambient sensor along the VIC-VIC line shown in fig. 2A.

Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the side external sensor along VIIA-VIIA line shown in fig. 3A.

Fig. 7B is an arrow-direction cross-sectional view of the side external sensor along the VIIB-VIIB line shown in fig. 3A.

Fig. 7C is a cross-sectional view of the side external sensor along VIIC-VIIC line shown in fig. 3A.

Fig. 8A is a front view of a rear sensor garnish that forms a part of the rear ambient sensor.

Fig. 8B is a front view of a side sensor garnish that forms a part of the side ambient sensor.

Description of the reference numerals

11. The vehicle

15. Diffuser (rear part)

17. Rear outside sensor (outside sensor)

21. Rear large window (big opening)

21a rear large window portion

31. Detection surface

31a detecting the top in the surface

33. Sensor body

37. Rear external sensor decoration

37b rear surroundings sensor garnish peripheral edge portion

38. Rear small window (opening)

53. Eave-shaped extension part

54. Horizontal extension part

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an external sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the drawings shown below, the same reference numerals are given to the components having the common functions or the components having the functions corresponding to each other in principle. For convenience of explanation, the dimensions and shapes of the components may be distorted or exaggerated schematically.

In the following description, the vertical direction, the vehicle width direction, and the front-rear direction refer to directions based on a state in which the host vehicle 11 is horizontally placed.

[ schematic configuration of the present vehicle 11 to which the external sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied ]

First, a schematic configuration of the host vehicle 11 to which the external sensors 17 and 19 according to the embodiment of the present invention are applied will be described with reference to fig. 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A to 4C, 5A, and 5B as appropriate.

Fig. 1 is an external view of a host vehicle 11 to which external sensors 17 and 19 according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied, as viewed from the rear side. Fig. 2A is a diagram of the host vehicle 11 viewed from behind in a state where the rear external sensor 17 is mounted. Fig. 2B is a diagram of the host vehicle 11 in a state where the rear external sensor 17 is mounted, as viewed from diagonally behind. Fig. 3A is a diagram of the host vehicle in a state where the side ambient sensor 19 is attached, as viewed from the rear. Fig. 3B is a diagram of the host vehicle in a state where the side ambient sensor 19 is mounted, as viewed from diagonally forward side. Fig. 4A is an arrow-direction cross-sectional view of the periphery of the rear environment sensor 17 along the line IVA-IVA shown in fig. 2A. Fig. 4B is an arrow-direction cross-sectional view of the periphery of the rear environment sensor 17 along the IVB-IVB line shown in fig. 2A. Fig. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the rear ambient sensor 17 taken along the IVC-IVC line shown in fig. 2A. Fig. 5A is an arrow-direction cross-sectional view of the periphery of the side ambient sensor 19 along the VA-VA line shown in fig. 3A. Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the side external sensor 19 taken along the line VB-VB shown in fig. 3A.

The host vehicle 11 to which the external sensors 17 and 19 according to the embodiment of the present invention are applied is, for example, an electric vehicle in which an unillustrated motor is mounted as a drive source. As shown in fig. 1, a rear bumper 13 for buffering a load at the time of a rear collision with the host vehicle 11 and a diffuser 15 for adjusting an airflow at the rear of the vehicle body are provided on the host vehicle 11 as viewed from the rear. A rear bumper 13 and a diffuser 15 made of synthetic resin are provided at the rear of the vehicle body so as to cover the rear end and the rear side of the vehicle 11. The rear bumper 13 and the diffuser 15 are attached to a vehicle body frame member (not shown).

The rear bumper 13 and the diffuser 15 correspond to a "rear member" of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 1, the diffuser 15 is provided with a rear ambient sensor 17 and a side ambient sensor 19. The environment sensors 17 and 19 have a function of detecting environment information related to objects existing around the host vehicle 11.

In order to detect the outside information behind the host vehicle 11 with high accuracy, as shown in fig. 1, a rear outside air sensor 17 is provided at a central portion in the vehicle width direction in the diffuser 15.

In order to detect the outside air information on the rear side of the host vehicle 11 with high accuracy, as shown in fig. 1, side outside air sensors 19 are provided on both rear side portions of the diffuser 15.

The external sensors 17 and 19 are attached to the diffuser 15 in appearance. In practice, the external sensors 17 and 19 are mounted on the vehicle body frame member in the same manner as the diffuser 15. This is explained in detail later.

[ constitution of the rear large window 21 of the diffuser 15 ]

As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, a rear large window portion 21 for attaching a sensor main body 33 (described later) included in the rear external sensor 17 is opened in a center portion in the vehicle width direction of the diffuser 15. When the sensor main body 33 of the rear ambient sensor 17 is attached to the vehicle body frame member, the sensor main body 33 of the rear ambient sensor 17 passes through the opening of the rear large window portion 21.

As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, a1 st inclined portion 21a1 and a1 st frame portion 21a2 are integrally formed on an upper side of a peripheral edge portion 21a of the rear large window portion 21 of the diffuser 15, the 1 st inclined portion 21a1 having an inclined surface facing a front side of the host vehicle 11 and an outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the 1 st frame portion 21a2 having a substantially horizontal surface continuous with the 1 st inclined portion 21a1 and facing the outer side in the vehicle width direction (see fig. 4A to 4C).

As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, a2 nd inclined portion 22A1 and a2 nd frame portion 22A2 are integrally formed on the left and right sides of the peripheral edge portion 21a of the rear large window portion 21 of the diffuser 15, wherein the 2 nd inclined portion 22A1 has an inclined surface facing the front side of the vehicle 11 and the inside in the vehicle width direction, and the 2 nd frame portion 22A2 has a substantially vertical surface continuous with the inclined portion 21a1 and facing the inside in the vehicle width direction (see fig. 4A to 4C).

[ constitution of the side wide window portion 41 of the diffuser 15 ]

As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, lateral wide window portions 41 for attaching the sensor main body 33 included in the lateral external world sensor 19 are provided at both rear side portions of the diffuser 15. When the sensor body 33 of the side ambient sensor 19 is attached to the vehicle body frame member, the sensor body 33 of the side ambient sensor 19 passes through the opening of the side large window portion 41.

As shown in fig. 3A, 3B, and 5A, the upper portion 42 of the peripheral edge portion 41a of the side wide window portion 41 of the diffuser 15 is located adjacent to the rear bumper 13. A synthetic resin decorative molding 43 is provided at a joint 14 (see fig. 5A) between the lower end edge 13a of the rear bumper 13 and the upper side portion 42 of the peripheral edge portion 41a of the side sunroof portion 41. The decorative molding 43 has the effect of blocking the above-mentioned seams 14 to improve the appearance.

In order to accommodate the decorative mold 43 in the joint 14, as shown in fig. 5A, an accommodating recess 45 having a rectangular cross section is formed in the upper side portion 42 of the peripheral edge portion 41a of the side wide window portion 41 so as to be continuous with the upper side portion 42. A synthetic resin attachment clip 44 is integrally formed on the back surface side of the decorative molding 43. Through holes (not shown) are provided in the peripheral edge 41a of the side wide window 41 at positions corresponding to the mounting clips 44 of the decorative molding 43. The mounting clips 44 of the decorative mold 43 are inserted into the through holes of the peripheral edge portion 41a of the side large window portion 41 and engaged with each other, whereby the decorative mold 43 is mounted to the side large window portion 41 of the diffuser 15.

As shown in fig. 5A, in the housing recess 45 formed in the peripheral edge portion 41a of the side large window portion 41, an inclined portion 42a is formed, and the inclined portion 42a has an inclined surface located on the inner side of the host vehicle 11 and facing the center side of the side large window portion 41.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 3A, 3B, and 5A, a slope portion 46a and a frame portion 46B are integrally formed on the lower portion 46 of the peripheral edge portion 41a of the lateral large window portion 41 of the diffuser 15, the slope portion 46a having a slope surface facing the outer side and the upper side of the vehicle 11, and the frame portion 46B having a substantially horizontal surface continuing to the slope portion 46a and folded back toward the inner side of the vehicle 11 (see fig. 5A).

As shown in fig. 5B, the housing recess 45 for housing the decorative molding 43 is formed in the front side portion 47 of the host vehicle 11 in the peripheral edge portion 41a of the side wide window portion 41 of the diffuser 15. The housing recess 45 is provided with a decorative molding 43.

As shown in fig. 5B, in the peripheral edge portion 41a of the side wide window portion 41, the accommodating recess portion 45 formed in the front side portion 47 of the host vehicle 11 is formed with an inclined portion 47a having an inclined surface facing the inner side and the rear side of the host vehicle 11.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 5B, an extension portion 48a extending toward the front side of the host vehicle 11 is formed in the rear side portion 48 of the host vehicle 11 in the peripheral edge portion 41a of the side wide window portion 41.

[ outside sensor of embodiment of the present invention ]

Next, the external sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 6A to 6C, fig. 7A to 7C, fig. 8A, fig. 8B, and the like as appropriate.

Fig. 6A is an arrow-direction cross-sectional view of the rear external sensor 17 along the VIA-VIA line shown in fig. 2A. Fig. 6B is an arrow-oriented cross-sectional view of the rear ambient sensor 17 taken along the VIB-VIB line shown in fig. 2A. Fig. 6C is an arrow-direction cross-sectional view of the rear external sensor 17 along the VIC-VIC line shown in fig. 2A. Fig. 7A is an arrow-direction cross-sectional view of the side external sensor 19 along the VIIA-VIIA line shown in fig. 3A. Fig. 7B is an arrow-direction cross-sectional view of the side external sensor 19 along the VIIB-VIIB line shown in fig. 3A. Fig. 7C is an arrow-direction cross-sectional view of the side external sensor 19 along the VIIC-VIIC line shown in fig. 3A. Fig. 8A is a front view of a rear sensor garnish constituting a part of the rear outside world sensor 17. Fig. 8B is a front view of the side sensor garnish constituting a part of the side exterior sensor 19.

As shown in fig. 2A and 4A, the rear environment sensor 17 includes a sensor main body 33, a sensor mounting bracket 35, and a rear environment sensor garnish 37, wherein the sensor main body 33 has a rectangular detection surface 31 in front view for detecting environment information. For example, as shown in fig. 4A, the detection surface 31 is formed in a curved shape in which a central portion 31a in the vehicle width direction protrudes most outward from the host vehicle 11 and is gradually drawn back inward of the host vehicle 11 as it goes to an end portion side in the vehicle width direction in order to widen the detection range of the external world information in the vehicle width direction. The detection surface 31 is provided to be aligned with a vehicle width direction center portion 31 a.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 3A and 5A, the side ambient sensor 19 includes a sensor body 33 having the detection surface 31, a sensor attachment bracket 35, and a side ambient sensor garnish 39.

In addition, the rear outside world sensor 17 and the side outside world sensor 19 mainly differ in the configuration of the rear outside world sensor garnish 37 and the side outside world sensor garnish 39. This is explained in detail later.

The external sensors 17 and 19 may be configured by, for example, a laser radar, a millimeter wave radar, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical camera, or the like. In the present embodiment, a laser radar is used as the environment sensors 17 and 19.

In the case of a laser radar, a millimeter wave radar, and an ultrasonic sensor, the "detection plane" means a transmission/reception plane of external detection waves. On the other hand, in the case of an optical camera, the lens surface of the objective lens corresponds to a "detection surface". In addition, a portion related to the detection including the detection surface 31 may be referred to as a detection unit 32.

The sensor mounting bracket 35 is a member used when the sensor body 33 and the rear external sensor garnish 37 or the side external sensor garnish 39 are mounted to the vehicle body frame member.

Three circular engaging holes (not shown) are formed in the sensor mounting bracket 35 in order to attach the rear outside sensor garnish 37 to the sensor mounting bracket 35.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 4A and 8A, three support leg portions 61, 63, 65 stand on the back surface side of the rear ambient sensor garnish 37. A clip 70 is provided at each front end of the three support legs 61, 63, 65.

When the rear outside world sensor garnish 37 is attached to the sensor attachment bracket 35, the clips 70 provided at the respective distal end portions of the three support leg portions 61, 63, 65 are inserted into the three engagement holes provided in the sensor attachment bracket 35 in the axial direction and engaged therewith.

In order to attach the side ambient light sensor garnish 39 to the sensor attachment bracket 35, three support leg portions 81, 83, 85 stand on the rear surface side of the side ambient light sensor garnish 39 as shown in fig. 5A and 8B. A clip 70 is provided at each front end of the three support legs 81, 83, 85.

When the side external sensor garnish 39 is attached to the sensor attachment bracket 35, the clips 70 provided at the distal end portions of the three support leg portions 81, 83, 85 are inserted into the three engagement holes provided in the sensor attachment bracket 35 in the axial direction and engaged therewith.

As shown in fig. 4A and 5A, the sensor body 33 is attached to the sensor attachment bracket 35 via a positioning mechanism (not shown) relating to the roll angle of the host vehicle 11. On the other hand, the rear outside air sensor garnish 37 and the side outside air sensor garnish 39 are directly attached to the sensor attachment bracket 35 without a positioning mechanism.

The sensor mounting bracket 35 is mounted to the vehicle body frame member using an appropriate fastening mechanism such as a screw. Thus, the sensor body 33 is configured such that the position of the external sensors 17 and 19 in the roll direction of the host vehicle 11 can be adjusted at the center point of the sensor body 33 by the positioning mechanism in a state where the sensor attachment bracket 35 is attached to the vehicle body frame member.

[ constitution of the rear exterior sensor garnish 37 ]

Next, the structure of the rear outside sensor garnish 37 will be described with reference to appropriate drawings.

As shown in fig. 2A, 2B, and 8A, the rear outside sensor garnish 37 has a rectangular rear window portion 38 that faces (exposes) the detection surface 31 of the sensor body 33 when viewed from the front. The rear surroundings sensor garnish 37 functions to hide (hide a clutter member) a portion of the rear surroundings sensor 17 other than the detection surface 31 and the peripheral edge portion 21a of the rear large window portion 21 opened in the diffuser 15 from the outside of the host vehicle 11. The rear outside sensor garnish 37 may be formed of, for example, a synthetic resin.

The rear large window portion 21 has an opening larger than the rear small window portion 38. The rear small window portion 38 corresponds to an "opening portion" of the present invention. The rear large window 21 corresponds to a "large opening" of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 2A, 2B, and 4B, the rear surroundings sensor garnish 37 is provided with an inclined concave portion 51 that is inclined so as to be recessed inward of the host vehicle 11 with respect to a general surface 49 of the rear surroundings sensor garnish 37 in front view and to expand outward of the host vehicle 11. The inclined recessed portions 51 are provided on both sides of the rear exterior sensor garnish 37 in the vehicle width direction with the detection surface 31 interposed therebetween.

As shown in fig. 4B, the inclined recess 51 can expand the range 52 of the object detection signal emitted from the detection surface 31.

As shown in fig. 2A, 2B, 4C, and 6B, the rear exterior sensor garnish 37 includes an eaves-shaped extension portion 53 that is positioned to extend outward of the host vehicle 11 in an eaves shape with respect to the apex portion 31a (see fig. 4C) of the detection surface 31.

As shown in fig. 2A, 2B, 4C, and 6B, the overhang portion 53 is located below the detection surface 31, and has a horizontal extension portion 54 extending in a substantially horizontal direction (see fig. 4C).

As shown in fig. 4C, the extending direction of the side of the detection surface 31 extending in the substantially horizontal direction is set to be the same as the extending direction of the horizontal extending portion 54 of the eaves-like extension portion 53. The dimension L1 of the horizontally extending portion 54 of the overhang-like portion 53 is set longer than the dimension L0 of the side of the detection surface 31 extending in the substantially horizontal direction (L1 > L0).

As shown in fig. 4C, the eaves-like extension portion 53 of the rear surroundings sensor garnish 37 is formed in a curved shape in which the vehicle width direction central portion 37a protrudes most outward of the host vehicle 11 and gradually retracts inward of the host vehicle 11 as it approaches the vehicle width direction end portion side. The center portion 31a in the vehicle width direction of the detection surface 31 and the center portion 37a in the vehicle width direction of the overhang 53 are positioned so as to overlap each other.

As shown in fig. 4C, the curvature of the curved shape of the eaves-like extension 53 is set larger than the curvature of the curved shape of the detection surface 31.

The presence of the eaves-like extension 53 configured as described above imparts high rigidity to the rear surroundings sensor garnish 37. The curvature of the curved shape of the overhang 53 is set to be larger than the curvature of the curved shape of the detection surface 31. Thus, the detection surface 31 can be protected and the external detection accuracy can be ensured at the same time by the overhang eaves 53.

As shown in fig. 4C, the eaves-like extension 53 of the rear exterior sensor garnish 37 is provided in a right-left alignment with respect to the vehicle width direction center portion 37a, and is set to a dimension L1 that is shorter than a horizontal dimension L2 of the rear exterior sensor garnish 37 (L2 > L1).

Further, in the rear surroundings sensor garnish 37, a flat plate portion 55 exhibiting rigidity that is relatively weaker than the rigidity of the eave-like overhang portion 53 is provided on both sides across the eave-like overhang portion 53 in the vehicle width direction.

That is, in the rear external world sensor garnish 37 to which high rigidity is imparted by the existence of the eaves-shaped extension 53, by setting the flat plate portion 55 in which the rigidity is relatively lower than the eaves-shaped extension 53, it is possible to improve the attachment of the rear external world sensor garnish 37 to the sensor attachment bracket 35 and to create an integrated sense of appearance with respect to the flat plate-shaped general surface of the diffuser 15.

As shown in fig. 6A, an upper wall portion 56A extending horizontally in the front-rear direction of the host vehicle 11 and a frame portion 56b connected to the rear-side end portion of the host vehicle 11 in the upper wall portion 56A are formed on the upper side of the peripheral edge portion 37b of the rear environment sensor garnish 37. The frame portion 56b has a folded portion 58 that extends slightly so as to be folded back toward the upper side of the host vehicle 11. The folded portion 58 of the frame portion 56b is positioned to face the 1 st frame portion 21a2 provided at the upper side of the peripheral edge portion 21a of the rear large window portion 21 of the diffuser 15.

As shown in fig. 6A, a seal member 57 is provided on the upper side of the peripheral edge portion 37b of the rear outside air sensor garnish 37 so as to be sandwiched between a folded-back portion 58 of the frame portion 56b of the rear outside air sensor garnish 37 and the 1 st frame portion 21a2 of the rear large window portion 21 of the diffuser 15. Actually, the sealing member 57 is bonded to the folded-back portion 58 side of the bezel 56b of the rear ambient sensor garnish 37.

As shown in fig. 6A, a looped protrusion 59 is provided on a folded-back portion 58 of the frame portion 56b of the rear outside sensor garnish 37. The protrusion 59 is provided on the outer side of the host vehicle 11 in the folded-back portion 58 of the frame 56b so that the seal member 57 is not visually observed from the outer side of the host vehicle 11. As shown in fig. 6A, the first frame portion 21a2 of the rear large window portion 21 of the diffuser 15 faces the protrusion 59 provided in the folded portion 58 of the frame portion 56b with a small gap GP therebetween.

As shown in fig. 6B, the eaves-like extending portion 53 and the horizontally extending portion 54 are formed by a lower wall portion 60a extending at a gentle inclination toward the rear side and the upper side of the host vehicle 11 and a folded-back portion 60B provided so as to be continuous with the rear-side end portion of the host vehicle 11 in the lower wall portion 60a, at the lower side of the peripheral edge portion 37B of the rear surroundings sensor garnish 37.

The center portion 37a in the vehicle width direction of the eaves-like extending portion 53 is depicted in the cross-sectional view shown in fig. 6B. As shown in fig. 6B, the eaves-like extension 53 is positioned at the vehicle-widthwise center portion 37a of the eaves-like extension 53 so as to sufficiently protrude outward of the vehicle 11 with respect to the detection surface 31.

As shown in fig. 6B, the inner end portion 60c of the host vehicle 11 in the lower wall portion 60a is positioned so as to face the 3 rd frame portion 21a3 provided on the lower side in the peripheral edge portion 21a of the rear large window portion 21 of the diffuser 15. The inner end 60c and the 3 rd frame portion 21a3 are configured to face each other with a sufficient gap therebetween.

As shown in fig. 6C, a left side wall portion 61a extending leftward in the vehicle width direction of the host vehicle 11 and a left side end wall portion 61b continuing to the left side wall portion 61a and extending gently obliquely leftward and rearward of the host vehicle 11 are formed on the left side of the peripheral edge portion 37b of the rear surroundings sensor garnish 37.

As shown in fig. 6C, the left side end wall portion 61b in the peripheral edge portion 37b of the rear surroundings sensor garnish 37 is positioned so as to face the 4 th frame portion 21a4 provided on the left side in the peripheral edge portion 21a of the rear large window portion 21 of the diffuser 15.

A circumferential protrusion 62 extending inward of the vehicle 11 is provided at the front end of the left end wall 61b.

On the other hand, a surrounding receiving portion 63 for receiving the projecting portion 62 is provided in the 4 th frame portion 21a4 at a position corresponding to the front end portion of the left side end wall portion 61b.

As shown in fig. 6C, a seal member 57 is provided between the projection 62 provided at the front end of the left end wall portion 61b and the receiving portion 63 of the 4 th frame portion 21a4 provided in the rear large window portion 21 of the diffuser 15 so as to be sandwiched therebetween. Actually, the seal member 57 is bonded to the left side end wall portion 61b side of the rear ambient sensor garnish 37.

As shown in fig. 6C, the projection 62 provided at the front end of the left end wall portion 61b faces the receiving portion 63 of the 4 th frame portion 21a4 provided in the rear large window portion 21 of the diffuser 15 with a slight gap GP therebetween.

[ constitution of side exterior sensor decoration 39 ]

Next, the structure of the side exterior sensor garnish 39 will be described with reference to the appropriate drawings.

As shown in fig. 3A, 3B, and 8B, the side ambient sensor garnish 39 has a rectangular side window portion 40 that faces (exposes) the detection surface 31 of the sensor body 33 when viewed from the front. The side surroundings sensor garnish 39 functions to hide (hide a clutter member) a portion of the side surroundings sensor 19 other than the detection surface 31 and a peripheral edge portion 41a of the side large window portion 41 opened in the diffuser 15 from outside the host vehicle 11.

The side exterior sensor garnish 39 is provided on the rear side of rear wheels (not shown) of the vehicle 11. The side exterior sensor garnish 39 may be formed of, for example, a synthetic resin.

As shown in fig. 3A, 3B, and 5A, a guide recess 71 having a shape gradually drawing back toward the inside of the host vehicle 11 as it goes from the front side toward the rear side of the host vehicle 11 is provided on the front side of the host vehicle 11 adjacent to the detection surface 31 in the side exterior sensor garnish 39.

As shown in fig. 5A, the guide recess 71 guides the flow of wind generated as the host vehicle 11 travels toward the detection surface 31, and thereby an effect of blowing off moisture, dirt, and the like adhering to the detection surface 31 can be expected.

As shown in fig. 3A, 3B, 5A, 5B, and 7B, the side exterior sensor garnish 39 has an eaves-like extension portion 73 that is positioned to extend outward of the host vehicle 11 in an eaves-like manner with respect to the apex portion 31a (see fig. 5A) of the detection surface 31. The protruding dimension of the overhang-like portion 73 is set to a dimension that gradually decreases from the front side toward the rear side of the host vehicle 11.

As shown in fig. 3A, 3B, 5B, and 7B, the overhang portion 73 is located below the detection surface 31 and has a horizontal extension portion 75 extending in a substantially horizontal direction (see fig. 5A).

As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the extending direction of the side of the detection surface 31 extending in the substantially horizontal direction is set to be the same as the extending direction of the horizontal extending portion 75 of the overhang eaves 73. The dimension L3 of the horizontally extending portion 75 of the overhang 73 is set sufficiently longer than the dimension L0 of the side of the detection surface 31 extending in the substantially horizontal direction (L3 > L0).

The presence of the eaves-like extension 73 configured as described above imparts high rigidity to the side exterior sensor garnish 39. Thus, the detection surface 31 can be protected and the external detection accuracy can be ensured at the same time by the overhang eaves 73.

As shown in fig. 7A, an upper wall portion 91a extending vertically in the vertical direction of the host vehicle 11 and a frame portion 91b connected to the upper wall portion 91a and extending outward and upward of the host vehicle 11 are formed on the upper side of the peripheral edge portion 39a of the side exterior sensor garnish 39. The frame 91b is positioned to face the inclined portion 42a provided at the upper side of the peripheral edge portion 41a of the lateral large window portion 41 of the diffuser 15.

As shown in fig. 7A, a seal member 57 is provided on the upper side of the peripheral edge portion 39a of the side ambient sensor garnish 39 so as to be interposed between the frame portion 91b of the side ambient sensor garnish 39 and the inclined portion 42a of the peripheral edge portion 41a of the side large window portion 41 of the diffuser 15. Actually, the sealing member 57 is bonded to the frame portion 91b side of the side exterior sensor garnish 39.

As shown in fig. 7A, a circumferential protrusion 93 is provided on the frame 91b of the side exterior sensor garnish 39. The projection 93 is provided on the upper side of the host vehicle 11 in the frame 91b so that the seal member 57 is not visually observed from the outside of the host vehicle 11. As shown in fig. 7A, the frame 91b of the lateral large window portion 41 of the diffuser 15 faces the projection 93 provided on the frame 91b with a small gap GP therebetween.

As shown in fig. 7B, the eaves-like extension portion 73 and the horizontal extension portion 75 are formed by a lower wall portion 95a extending gently obliquely toward the rear side and the lower side of the host vehicle 11, and a folded-back portion 95B provided so as to be continuous with the outer end portion of the host vehicle 11, of the lower wall portion 95a, on the lower side of the peripheral edge portion 39a of the side surroundings sensor garnish 39.

Fig. 7B shows a cross-sectional view through the center portion 31a of the detection surface 31 in the vehicle width direction. As shown in fig. 7B, in the central portion 31a in the vehicle width direction of the detection surface 31, the overhang-like portion 73 with respect to the detection surface 31 is positioned so as to sufficiently overhang the detection surface 31 to the outside of the host vehicle 11.

As shown in fig. 7B, the folded-back portion 95B of the host vehicle 11 in the lower wall portion 95a is positioned so as to face the frame portion 46B provided on the lower side in the peripheral edge portion 41a of the lateral large window portion 41 of the diffuser 15. As shown in fig. 7B, a seal member 57 is provided between the folded portion 95B and the frame portion 46B so as to be interposed therebetween. Actually, the seal member 57 is bonded to the folded-back portion 95b side of the side exterior sensor garnish 39.

As shown in fig. 7B, a circumferential accommodating recess 97 for accommodating the seal member 57 is provided in the folded-back portion 95B of the side exterior sensor garnish 39. The housing recess 97 is provided on the lower side of the vehicle 11 in the folded-back portion 95b so that the seal member 57 is not visually observed from the outside of the vehicle 11. As shown in fig. 7B, the frame 46B of the lateral large window portion 41 of the diffuser 15 and the housing recess 97 provided in the folded portion 95B face each other with a slight gap GP therebetween when viewed from the outside of the host vehicle 11.

As shown in fig. 7C, a right side wall portion 97a extending toward the rear side in the front-rear direction of the host vehicle 11 and a right side end wall portion 97b continuing to the right side wall portion 97a and extending gently obliquely toward the rear side and inward of the host vehicle 11 are formed on the right side of the peripheral edge portion 39a of the side surroundings sensor garnish 39.

As shown in fig. 7C, the right side wall portion 97a in the peripheral edge portion 39a of the side surroundings sensor garnish 39 is positioned so as to face the inclined portion 47a provided on the right side in the peripheral edge portion 41a of the side wide window portion 41 of the diffuser 15.

A circumferential protrusion 99 extending toward the inside of the vehicle 11 is provided at the front end of the right side wall 97 a.

As shown in fig. 7C, the seal member 57 is provided between the protrusion 99 provided at the distal end portion of the right side wall portion 97a and the inclined portion 47a provided at the peripheral edge portion 41a of the side louver portion 41 of the diffuser 15 so as to be interposed therebetween. Actually, the seal member 57 is bonded to the right end wall portion 97b side of the side exterior sensor garnish 39.

As shown in fig. 7C, the projection 99 provided at the front end of the right-side end wall portion 97b and the inclined portion 47a provided at the peripheral edge portion 41a of the lateral large window portion of the diffuser 15 face each other with a slight gap GP therebetween when viewed from the outside of the host vehicle 11.

[ mounting Structure of external Sensors 17, 19 ]

In the ambient sensors 17 and 19 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the diffuser 15 is attached to the vehicle body frame member via an unillustrated attachment bracket. The sensor body 33 and the rear ambient sensor garnish 37 (or the side ambient sensor garnish 39) are attached to the vehicle body frame member via the sensor attachment bracket 35 in a state separated and independent from the diffuser 15.

In general, the diffuser (rear member) 15, the sensor body 33, and the rear ambient sensor garnish 37 (or the side ambient sensor garnish 39) are attached to the vehicle body frame member in a separate and independent state.

In the rear ambient sensor 17 according to the embodiment of the present invention, in a state in which the sensor body 33 and the rear ambient sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body frame member, as shown in fig. 4A to 4C, the peripheral edge portion 21a of the rear large window portion 21 opened in the diffuser (rear member) 15 and the peripheral edge portion 37b of the rear ambient sensor garnish 37 are disposed so as to face each other with a seal member 57 interposed therebetween and with an appropriate gap therebetween.

The seal member 57 prevents the peripheral edge portion 37b of the rear surroundings sensor garnish 37 from scratching the peripheral edge portion 21a of the opposing rear large window portion 21 by maintaining the appropriate gap, thereby preventing damage to the peripheral edge portion 21a of the rear large window portion 21 of the diffuser 15.

In a state where the sensor body 33 and the rear environment sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body frame member, the detection surface 31 of the sensor body 33 is exposed to the outside of the host vehicle 11 through a rear small window portion 38 provided in the rear environment sensor garnish 37 (see fig. 2A, 2B, and the like).

On the other hand, in the side ambient light sensor 19 according to the embodiment of the present invention, in a state where the sensor body 33 and the side ambient light sensor garnish 39 are attached to the vehicle body frame member, as shown in fig. 5A and 5B, the peripheral edge portion 41a of the side large window portion 41 opened in the diffuser (rear member) 15 and the peripheral edge portion 39a of the side ambient light sensor garnish 39 are disposed so as to face each other with an appropriate gap therebetween with the seal member 57 interposed therebetween.

The seal member 57 prevents the peripheral edge portion 39b of the side ambient sensor garnish 39 from scratching the peripheral edge portion 41a of the opposing side large window portion 41 by maintaining the appropriate gap, thereby preventing damage to the peripheral edge portion 41a of the side large window portion 41 of the diffuser 15.

In a state where the sensor body 33 and the side exterior sensor garnish 39 are attached to the vehicle body frame member, the detection surface 31 of the sensor body 33 is exposed to the outside of the host vehicle 11 through the side window portion 40 provided in the side exterior sensor garnish 39 (see fig. 3A, 3B, and the like).

In a state where the sensor body 33 and the rear outside air sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body frame member, the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides of the rectangular rear small window portion 38 of the rear outside air sensor garnish 37 are set to be longer than the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides of the rectangular detection portion 32 of the rear outside air sensor 17, respectively, in a front view.

Similarly, in a state where the sensor body 33 and the side ambient sensor garnish 39 are attached to the vehicle body frame member, the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides of the rectangular side small window portion 40 of the side ambient sensor garnish 39 are set to be longer than the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides of the rectangular detection portion 32 of the side ambient sensor 19, respectively, in a front view.

Thus, in a state where the sensor attachment bracket 35 is attached to the vehicle body frame member, the position of the sensor body 33 in the roll direction with respect to the sensor attachment bracket 35 can be adjusted via the positioning mechanism in a state where all of the detection surfaces 31 of the detection parts 32 are exposed to the outside of the host vehicle 11 through the window portions 38, 40 in the roll center of the sensor body 33. The positioning adjustment of the sensor body 33 is performed in a state where the sensor garnishes 37 and 39 are detached from the sensor attachment bracket 35. .

[ Effect of the external sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention ]

Next, the operation and effect of the external sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the environment sensor 17 based on the 1 st aspect (corresponding to claim 1), which detects environment information on an object existing around the host vehicle 11, there are: a sensor main body 33 having a detection surface 31 for detecting external information; a sensor mounting bracket 35 for mounting the sensor body 33 to the body of the host vehicle 11; and a rear outer sensor garnish 37 having a rear window portion (opening) 38 facing the detection surface 31 when viewed from the front, and positioned on the outer side of the host vehicle 11 so that at least a part (preferably all) of the rear window portion overlaps with a part of the environment sensor 17 other than the detection surface 31.

The sensor body 33 and the rear environment sensor garnish 37 are attached to the rear portion of the vehicle body of the host vehicle 11 via the sensor attachment bracket 35, and in a state in which the sensor body 33 and the rear environment sensor garnish 37 are attached to the rear portion of the vehicle body, the detection surface 31 of the sensor body 33 is exposed to the outside of the host vehicle 11 through a rear small window portion (opening portion) 38 of the rear environment sensor garnish 37, and the rear environment sensor garnish 37 has an eaves-like extension portion 53 that is positioned to extend in an eaves-like manner to the outside of the host vehicle 11 with respect to the apex portion 31a of the detection surface 31.

According to the external world sensor based on the point 1, the rear external world sensor garnish 37 has the eaves-like projecting portion 53 that is positioned so as to project in an eaves-like manner to the outside of the host vehicle 11 with respect to the top portion 31a of the detection surface 31, and thus protection of the detection surface 31 (suppression of rolling up of water droplets and the like during vehicle traveling) and assurance of external world detection accuracy can be achieved at the same time.

In addition, the external sensor according to the 2 nd aspect (corresponding to claim 2) may be configured as follows: according to the exterior sensor based on the point 1, the detection surface 31 of the sensor main body 33 is formed in a rectangular shape in front view, the eave-shaped extension portion 53 of the rear exterior sensor garnish 37 is located on the lower side of the detection surface 31, and has the horizontal extension portion 54 extending in the horizontal direction, the extension direction of the side of the detection surface 31 extending in the horizontal direction is the same as the extension direction of the horizontal extension portion 54 of the eave-shaped extension portion 53, and the size of the horizontal extension portion 54 of the eave-shaped extension portion 53 is set longer than the size of the side of the detection surface 31 extending in the horizontal direction.

According to the external world sensor according to the 2 nd aspect, the dimension of the horizontally extending portion 54 in the eaves-like projecting portion 53 is set longer than the dimension of the side of the detection surface 31 extending in the horizontal direction, whereby the operational effect (protection of the detection surface 31 and assurance of the external world detection accuracy) of the external world sensor according to the 1 st aspect can be further improved.

In addition, the external sensor 17 according to the 3 rd aspect (corresponding to claim 3) may be configured as follows: according to the environment sensor 17 according to the second aspect of the invention, the detection surface 31 of the sensor main body 33 is formed in a curved shape in which the central portion 31a in the vehicle width direction protrudes most outward from the host vehicle 11 and gradually retracts inward of the host vehicle 11 as it approaches the end portion side in the vehicle width direction, the eave-shaped extension portion 53 of the rear environment sensor garnish 37 is formed in a curved shape in which the central portion 37a in the vehicle width direction protrudes most outward from the host vehicle 11 and gradually retracts inward of the host vehicle 11 as it approaches the end portion side in the vehicle width direction, the central portion 31a in the vehicle width direction of the detection surface 31 and the central portion 37a in the vehicle width direction of the eave-shaped extension portion 53 overlap each other, and the curvature of the curved shape of the eave-shaped extension portion 53 is set larger than the curvature of the curved shape of the detection surface 31.

According to the external world sensor according to the 3 rd aspect, the curvature of the curved shape of the eaves-like projection 53 is set to be larger than the curvature of the curved shape of the detection surface 31, and thus the operational effect (protection of the detection surface 31 and assurance of the external world detection accuracy) of the external world sensor according to the 1 st or 2 nd aspect can be expected to be further improved.

In addition, the external sensor according to the 4 th aspect (with respect to claim 4) may be configured as follows: according to the environment sensor according to the 3 rd aspect, the eave-like overhang portion 53 of the rear environment sensor garnish 37 is provided in alignment with the vehicle width direction center portion 37a, and is set to a dimension L1 that is shorter than a horizontal dimension L2 of the rear environment sensor garnish 37 (L1 < L2), and flat plate portions 55 are provided on both sides of the rear environment sensor garnish 37 in the vehicle width direction with the eave-like overhang portion 53 interposed therebetween.

According to the ambient sensor according to the 4 th aspect, in the rear ambient sensor garnish 37 to which high rigidity is imparted by the presence of the eaves-shaped extension portion 53, the flat plate portion 55 is set so that the rigidity thereof is relatively lower than the eaves-shaped extension portion 53, whereby the mountability of the rear ambient sensor garnish 37 to the sensor attachment bracket 35 can be improved.

In addition, the external sensor according to the 5 th aspect (corresponding to claim 5) may be configured as follows: according to the environment sensor according to the 4 th aspect, the detection surface 31 of the sensor body 33 is provided in alignment with the vehicle width direction center portion 31a, and the rear environment sensor garnish 37 is provided with the inclined recessed portions 51 on both sides across the detection surface 31 in the vehicle width direction, and the inclined recessed portions 51 are recessed inward of the host vehicle 11 with respect to the general surface 49 of the rear environment sensor garnish 37 in front view and inclined so as to be expanded outward of the host vehicle 11.

According to the ambient sensor according to the point 5, the inclined recessed portions 51 are provided on both sides of the rear ambient sensor garnish 37 in the vehicle width direction with the detection surface 31 interposed therebetween, and the inclined recessed portions 51 are recessed inward of the host vehicle 11 with respect to the general surface 49 of the rear ambient sensor garnish 37 in a front view and inclined so as to be expanded outward of the host vehicle 11, whereby the range 52 of radiation of the object detection signal radiated from the detection surface 31 can be expanded (see fig. 4B).

In addition, the external sensor according to the 6 th aspect (corresponding to claim 6) may be configured as follows: according to the environment sensor according to any one of the aspects 1 to 5, the rear member including the diffuser 15 is attached to the vehicle body of the host vehicle 11, the rear large window portion (large opening portion) 21 larger than the rear small window portion (opening portion) 38 is opened in the rear member, the peripheral edge portion 21a of the rear large window portion 21 and the peripheral edge portion 37b of the rear environment sensor garnish 37 included in the rear member are disposed so as to face each other in a state where the sensor body 33 and the rear environment sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body, and the rear member, the sensor body 33, and the rear environment sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body in a state where they are independent from each other.

In the environment sensor according to the 6 th aspect, the rear member having the rear large window portion 21 through which the environment sensor 17 passes when the environment sensor 17 is mounted, and the sensor body 33 and the rear environment sensor garnish 37 are mounted to the vehicle body in a state of being independent from each other.

Thus, even if a load is input to the rear member at the time of a collision and the mounting position of the rear member is supposed to be displaced from the original position, the load input to the rear member is not directly transmitted to the sensor main body 33 and the rear outside sensor garnish 37.

According to the external sensor according to the 6 th aspect, even when a load is input to the rear member at the time of a collision and the mounting position of the rear member is supposed to be displaced from the original position, the influence of the rearward external sensor 17 such as an off-axis can be suppressed as much as possible.

In addition, the external sensor according to the 7 th aspect (corresponding to claim 7) may be configured as follows: according to the environment sensor according to the point 6, in a state where the sensor body 33 and the rear environment sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body, the peripheral edge portion 21a of the rear large window portion (large opening portion) 21 of the rear member and the peripheral edge portion 37b of the rear environment sensor garnish 37 are arranged so as to face each other with a slight gap GP therebetween, and the seal member 57 is provided in the gap GP between the both peripheral edge portions.

According to the ambient sensor according to the 7 th aspect, the seal member 57 is provided in the gap GP between the peripheral edge portion 21a of the rear large window portion 21 and the peripheral edge portion 37b of the rear ambient sensor garnish 37 included in the rear member, and thus the presence of the seal member 57 maintains the gap GP to prevent the peripheral edge portion 37b of the rear ambient sensor garnish 37 from scratching the peripheral edge portion 21a of the opposing rear large window portion 21, thereby preventing damage to the peripheral edge portion 21a of the rear large window portion 21.

In addition, the external sensor according to the 8 th aspect (corresponding to claim 8) may be configured as follows: according to the environment sensor according to the viewpoint 6, the detection surface 31 of the sensor main body 33 is formed in a rectangular shape in which the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides are respectively formed in the front view with a predetermined length, the rear small window portion (opening) 38 of the rear environment sensor garnish 37 is formed in a rectangular shape in which the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides are respectively formed in the front view with a predetermined length, similarly to the detection surface 31, and the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides of the rear small window portion (opening) 38 are respectively set to be longer than the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides of the detection surface 31, whereby the entire detection surface 31 is exposed to the outside of the host vehicle 11 through the rear small window portion (opening) 38.

According to the external sensor according to the 8 th aspect, since the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides of the rear small window portion (opening) 38 are set to be longer than the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides of the detection surface 31, respectively, and the entire detection surface 31 is exposed to the outside of the host vehicle 11 through the rear small window portion (opening) 38, it is possible to ensure the degree of freedom of positioning adjustment by the adjustment amount when adjusting the mounting position of the sensor body 33 to the vehicle body.

[ other embodiments ]

The embodiments described above are examples embodying the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention cannot be construed in a limiting manner by these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or essential technical features thereof.

For example, in the description of the external sensor 17 according to the embodiment of the present invention, an example in which the external sensor 17 is provided through the rear large window portion 21 provided in the diffuser 15 in the rear member is described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. Instead of the diffuser 15, the present invention may be applied to a mode in which the exterior sensor 17 is provided through the rear large window portion 21 provided in the rear bumper 13.

In the description of the external world sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention, the rear small window portion 38 that is opened in the rear external world sensor garnish 37 and has a closed end edge around the opening portion is described as an example of the opening portion of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The present invention can also be applied to a mode in which an opening portion that is provided in the rear exterior sensor garnish 37 and has an open end edge at a portion of the periphery thereof is used as the opening portion of the present invention.

In the description of the external sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention, the rear large window portion 21 that is open in the diffuser (rear member) 15 and has a closed end edge around the diffuser is described as an example of the large opening portion of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The present invention can also be applied to a mode in which an opening portion that is provided in the diffuser (rear member) 15 and has an open end edge at a part of the periphery thereof is adopted as the large opening portion of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. An environment sensor that detects environment information relating to an object present around a host vehicle, comprising:

a sensor main body having a detection surface for detecting the outside information;

a sensor mounting bracket for mounting the sensor body to a body of a host vehicle; and

a sensor garnish having an opening facing the detection surface when viewed from the front, and being located outside the vehicle so that at least a portion of the sensor garnish overlaps a portion of the ambient sensor other than the detection surface,

the sensor main body and the sensor garnish are mounted to a rear portion of the vehicle body via the sensor mounting bracket,

wherein the detection surface of the sensor body is exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the opening of the sensor garnish in a state where the sensor body and the sensor garnish are attached to the rear portion of the vehicle body,

the sensor garnish has a eaves-like extension portion positioned to extend outward of the vehicle in an eaves-like manner with respect to a top portion of the detection surface,

the detection surface of the sensor body is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front,

the eaves-like protruding portion of the sensor garnish is located on the lower side of the detection surface and has a horizontally extending portion extending in the horizontal direction,

the extension direction of the side of the detection surface extending along the horizontal direction is the same as the extension direction of the horizontal extension part in the eaves-shaped extension part,

the dimension of the horizontally extending portion in the eaves-like projecting portion is set longer than the dimension of a side of the detection surface extending in the horizontal direction,

the detection surface of the sensor body is formed in a curved shape in which a central portion in the vehicle width direction protrudes most outward of the host vehicle and gradually retracts toward the inner side of the host vehicle as it goes toward an end portion side in the vehicle width direction,

the eaves-like extension portion of the sensor garnish is formed in a curved shape in which a central portion in the vehicle width direction protrudes most outward of the host vehicle and gradually retracts toward an end portion side in the vehicle width direction toward an inner side of the host vehicle,

a central portion in the vehicle width direction of the detection surface and a central portion in the vehicle width direction of the eaves-like extending portion are positioned so as to overlap each other,

the curvature of the curved shape of the eaves-like projection is set smaller than the curvature of the curved shape of the detection surface,

the eave-like extension portion of the sensor garnish is aligned with a central portion in the vehicle width direction and is set to a dimension shorter than a dimension in the horizontal direction of the sensor garnish,

in the sensor garnish, flat plate portions that exhibit a rigidity that is relatively weaker than the rigidity of the eaves-like extension portion are provided on both sides of the eaves-like extension portion in the vehicle width direction,

the sensor decoration is made of synthetic resin.

2. The context sensor of claim 1,

the sensor body has the detection surface that is provided in alignment with a central portion in the vehicle width direction, and the sensor garnish has inclined recessed portions that are recessed inward of the vehicle with respect to a general surface of the sensor garnish when viewed from the front and are inclined so as to extend outward of the vehicle, the inclined recessed portions being provided on both sides of the sensor garnish in the vehicle width direction with the detection surface interposed therebetween.

3. The context sensor according to claim 1 or 2,

a rear member including a diffuser is mounted on a body of the host vehicle,

a large opening larger than the opening is opened in the rear member,

a peripheral edge portion of the large opening portion of the rear member and a peripheral edge portion of the sensor garnish are disposed so as to face each other in a state where the sensor body and the sensor garnish are attached to the vehicle body,

the rear member, the sensor body, and the sensor garnish are attached to the vehicle body in a state of being independent from each other.

4. The context sensor of claim 3,

in a state where the sensor body and the sensor garnish are attached to the vehicle body,

the peripheral edge of the large opening of the rear member and the peripheral edge of the sensor garnish are disposed so as to face each other with a slight gap therebetween, and a seal member is provided in the gap between the two peripheral edges.

5. The context sensor of claim 3,

the detection surface of the sensor body is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front with longitudinal sides and lateral sides having a predetermined length,

the opening of the sensor garnish is formed in a rectangular shape in which longitudinal sides and lateral sides have a predetermined length when viewed from the front, as in the case of the detection surface,

the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides of the opening are set to be longer than the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides of the detection surface, respectively, so that the entire detection surface is exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the opening.

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