CN110893825B - External sensor mounting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

In the environment sensor mounting structure of the present invention, even if a load is input to the bumper member at the time of a collision and the mounting position of the bumper member is displaced from the original position, the influence on the environment sensor can be suppressed as much as possible. The sensor body (33) and the sensor garnish (37) are attached to the vehicle body frame member (23) via a sensor attachment bracket (35). In a state where the sensor body and the sensor garnish are attached to the vehicle body frame member, a peripheral edge portion (26 a) of a large window portion (26) of the bumper member (21) and a peripheral edge portion (37 b) of the sensor garnish are disposed so as to face each other, and a detection surface (31) of the sensor body is exposed to the outside of the vehicle (11) through a small window portion (39) of the sensor garnish. The bumper member, the sensor body, and the sensor garnish are attached to the vehicle body frame member in a state in which they are independent of each other.

Description

External sensor mounting structure

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an external sensor mounting structure used when mounting an external sensor, which detects external information about objects existing around a host vehicle, to the 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 covering the transmitting and receiving surface and the lower protruding portion formed to protrude from the covering portion toward the surface side of the cover member, whereby it is possible to prevent water droplets or the like, which are rolled up from below by, 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, for example, an external sensor such as an in-vehicle radar device is often mounted on a bumper member of the vehicle. In this case, it is assumed that the mounting position of the bumper member is displaced from the original position when a collision-time load is input to the bumper member. As a result, there is a problem that the off-axis of the external sensor attached to the bumper member is generated in a chain manner.

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 suppressing an influence on an external sensor as much as possible even if a load is input to a bumper member at the time of a collision and a mounting position of the bumper member is displaced from an original position.

In order to achieve the above object, an external sensor mounting structure for use when an external sensor for detecting external information on an object existing around a host vehicle is mounted on the host vehicle is characterized in that a bumper member for buffering a load at the time of collision is mounted on a vehicle body of the host vehicle, the bumper member having a first opening portion formed therein, 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 the vehicle body; and a sensor garnish having a second 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 body overlaps a portion of the exterior sensor other than the detection surface and a peripheral edge of the first opening, the second opening being smaller than the first opening, the sensor body and the sensor garnish being attached to the vehicle body via the sensor attachment bracket, the peripheral edge of the first opening of the bumper member and the peripheral edge of the sensor garnish being 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 detection surface of the sensor body being exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the second opening of the sensor garnish, the bumper member, the sensor body, and the sensor garnish being attached to the vehicle body in separate states.

Effects of the invention

According to the environment sensor mounting structure of the present invention, even if a load is input to the bumper member at the time of a collision and the mounting position of the bumper member is displaced from the original position, the influence on the environment sensor can be suppressed as much as possible.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an external view of a vehicle to which an external sensor mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

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

Fig. 2B is a diagram of the host vehicle in a state where the external sensor is mounted, as viewed from the front obliquely forward side.

FIG. 3 is an arrowed cross-sectional view of the perimeter of the ambient sensor along line III-III shown in FIG. 2A.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an external sensor showing an external sensor mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the external sensor.

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

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

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

FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view of the ambient sensor along the VID-VID line of FIG. 2A showing arrows.

Fig. 7A is a diagram comparing the sizes of respective gaps in the vehicle width direction and the up-down direction between the small window portion of the sensor garnish and the detection portion of the outside world sensor in front view, and showing the amount of adjustment in the roll direction of the detection portion of the outside world sensor.

Fig. 7B is a diagram comparing the sizes of respective gaps in the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction between the small window portion of the sensor garnish and the detection portion of the exterior sensor when viewed from the front, and showing the adjustment amount in the pitch direction of the detection portion of the exterior sensor.

Fig. 8A is an arrow-direction cross sectional view of a support leg portion in the sensor garnish 37 constituting a part of the surroundings sensor, taken along the line VIIIA-VIIIA shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 8B is a view of the 1 st support leg portion in the sensor garnish 37 shown in fig. 8A as viewed from the direction of arrow VIIIB.

Fig. 8C is a view of the 2 nd support leg portion in the sensor garnish 37 shown in fig. 8A as viewed from the direction of arrow VIIIC.

Fig. 8D is a view of the 3 rd support leg portion in the sensor garnish 37 shown in fig. 8A as viewed from the direction of arrow VIIID.

Fig. 8E is a diagram for explaining an operation procedure of the positioning adjustment of the sensor garnish with respect to the sensor mounting bracket.

Description of the reference numerals

11. The vehicle

21. Front bumper parts (Bumper parts)

23. Vehicle body frame parts (vehicle body)

25. External sensor

26. Large window part (first opening part)

26a peripheral edge portion of a large window portion

30. Eave-shaped extension part

31. Detection surface

33. Sensor body

35. Sensor mounting bracket

37. Sensor decoration

37b sensor garnish peripheral edge portion

39. Window part (second opening part)

51. Horizontal extension part

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an external sensor mounting structure 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 for illustrative purposes.

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 own vehicle 11 to which external sensor mounting structure according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied ]

First, a schematic configuration of a host vehicle 11 to which the external sensor mounting structure according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to fig. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3 as appropriate.

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a host vehicle 11 to which an external sensor mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Fig. 2A is a front view of the host vehicle 11 with the external sensor 25 attached. Fig. 2B is a view of the host vehicle 11 with the external sensor 25 mounted thereon, as viewed from the front obliquely forward side. FIG. 3 is an arrowed cross-sectional view of the perimeter of the ambient sensor along line III-III shown in FIG. 2A.

The vehicle 11 to which the external sensor mounting structure according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied is, for example, an electric vehicle in which an unillustrated motor is mounted as a drive source. As shown in fig. 1, the vehicle 11 is provided with a front windshield 13, an engine hood 15, a side mirror 17, a headlight 19, and a front bumper member 21 for absorbing a load at the time of collision of the vehicle 11, as viewed from the front. The front bumper member 21 is attached to a vehicle body frame member 23 (see fig. 4).

As shown in fig. 1, an external sensor 25 is provided on the front bumper member 21. The environment sensor 25 has a function of detecting environment information relating to objects existing around the own vehicle 11. In order to detect the outside world information with high accuracy, the outside world sensors 25 are provided at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the front bumper member 21 of the host vehicle 11. The external sensor 25 is attached to the front bumper member 21 in appearance. In practice, the external sensor 25 is attached to the body frame member 23 in the same manner as the front bumper member 21. This is explained in detail later.

As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, the front bumper member 21 is provided with a large window portion 26 through which a sensor main body 33 (described later in detail) of the external sensor 25 passes when the external sensor 25 is attached to the vehicle body frame member 23. Actually, the large window portion 26 is opened in a lamp trim 27 that is separate from the front bumper member 21. However, the lamp garnish 27 is attached to the front bumper member 21. Thus, in the present invention, the lamp garnish 27 is treated as a member constituting a part of the front bumper member (bumper member) 21.

The large window portion 26 corresponds to the "first opening" of the present invention.

A chrome plated strip portion 28 is provided on the lamp trim 27. As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, the chrome-plated strip portion 28 is positioned so as to surround the periphery of the external sensor 25 in a substantially L-shape.

Further, the chrome-plated strip portion 28 is attached to the vehicle lamp trim 27. Thus, in the present invention, the chrome plated strip portion 28 is treated as a part constituting the front bumper member (bumper member) 21, similarly to the lamp garnish 27.

As shown in fig. 2A, 2B, and 3, the lamp garnish 27 constituting a part of the "bumper member" of the present invention includes the 1 st and 2 nd eaves-like extending portions 30a and 30B that are positioned to extend outward (see fig. 4) of the host vehicle 11 in an eaves-like manner with respect to a general surface 37a of a sensor garnish 37 constituting a part of the surroundings sensor 25 (described later in detail). When the 1 st and 2 nd overhang portions 30a and 30b are collectively referred to, the overhang portions are sometimes referred to as "overhang portions 30".

As shown in fig. 3, the 1 st eaves-like extension 30a is located on the upper side of the sensor garnish 37. On the other hand, the 2 nd eaves-like extension 30b is located on the lower side of the sensor garnish 37. The 1 st overhang portion 30a is formed on the lamp garnish 27 so as to protrude significantly outward of the vehicle 11, compared to the 2 nd overhang portion 30b.

As shown in fig. 3, the 1 st and 2 nd overhang portions 30a and 30b have 1 st and 2 nd horizontally extending portions 51a and 51b, respectively, extending in a substantially horizontal direction. When the 1 st and 2 nd horizontally extending portions 51a and 51b are collectively referred to, the term "horizontally extending portion 51" may be used.

The extending direction of the side 31a extending in the substantially horizontal direction of the detection surface 31 for detecting the external information, which the external sensor 25 has, is the same as the extending direction of the horizontal extending portion 51 of the eaves-like extending portion 30 as shown in fig. 2A.

In addition, the dimension of the horizontally extending portion 51 of the overhang 30 is set sufficiently longer than the dimension of the side 31a of the detection surface 31 extending in the substantially horizontal direction.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2A, the overhang portion 30 is provided at an end portion side in the vehicle width direction of the host vehicle 11. The horizontally extending portion 51 of the overhang portion 30 is inclined in an inverted-V shape in front view from the center portion side toward the end portion side in the vehicle width direction of the host vehicle 11.

As shown in fig. 3, the lamp garnish 27 is provided with a horizontal recess 27a that is continuous with the overhang 30 and is recessed toward the inside of the host vehicle 11 in a substantially horizontal direction. In the horizontal recess 27a, an accessory lamp (lamp body) 29 extending in a substantially horizontal direction is embedded. That is, in the vicinity of the 1 st horizontally extending portion 51a in the lamp garnish 27, the accessory lamp (lamp body) 29 extending linearly along the 1 st horizontally extending portion 51a is provided.

The accessory lamp 29 is provided for the following purpose. That is, the autonomous vehicle assumed in the application of the present invention performs autonomous traveling control including steering and acceleration and deceleration based on external information and the like detected by the external sensor 25. In the autonomous vehicle, there is a hands-off driving mode that allows hands-off driving without steering based on driver operation. For an autonomous vehicle in a hands-off driving mode, safe operation can be performed by hands-off driving.

However, during a transient period in which an existing vehicle and an automatically driven vehicle that require steering based on driver's operation run in a mixed manner, it is difficult from the standpoint of a management supervisor (e.g., a police officer) who is responsible for managing safe operation of the vehicle to determine whether the vehicle being subjected to driver's attention is an existing vehicle or an automatically driven vehicle, and it is further difficult to perform appropriate processing.

The accessory lamp 29 functions here. For example, the following applies: it is intended that the accessory lamp 29 be used to illuminate green light when the autonomous vehicle is in the hands-off driving mode (just an example). By doing so, it is possible to instantly determine whether proper hands-off driving is being performed by visually checking the lighting state of the accessory lamp 29 in the hands-off driving vehicle.

As shown in fig. 3, the accessory lamp 29 is positioned above the detection surface 31 of the environment sensor 25, and is provided with the 1 st overhang 30a of the lamp garnish 27 interposed between the detection surface 31 of the environment sensor 25 and the accessory lamp. Thus, when the accessory lamp 29 is turned on, for example, when the third person visually recognizes the vehicle 11 from the outside thereof, the detection surface 31 of the external sensor 25 can be perceived as relatively dark (confusing effect). As a result, the following effects can be expected from the viewpoint of preventing mischief: the ambient sensor 25, which wants to hide its presence as much as possible, is made inconspicuous by the confusing effect based on the accessory light 29.

[ external sensor mounting Structure of embodiment of the invention ]

Next, an external sensor mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 4, 5, 6A to 6D, 7, and 8A to 8D as appropriate.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the periphery including the external sensor 25 showing the external sensor mounting structure of the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the external sensor 25. Fig. 6A to 6D are cross-sectional views of the external sensor 25 along the VIA-VIA line, VIB-VIB line, VIC-VIC line, and VID-VID line shown in fig. 2A. Fig. 7A is a diagram comparing the sizes of respective gaps in the vehicle width direction and the up-down direction between the small window portion 39 of the sensor garnish 37 and the detection portion 32 of the exterior sensor 25 in a front view, and showing the adjustment amount in the roll direction of the detection portion 32 of the exterior sensor 25. Fig. 7B is a diagram comparing the sizes of respective gaps in the vehicle width direction and the up-down direction between the small window portion 39 of the sensor garnish 37 and the detection portion 32 of the outside sensor 25 in front view, and showing the adjustment amount in the pitch direction of the detection portion 32 of the outside sensor 25. Fig. 8A is an arrow-direction cross-sectional view of the support leg portion 38 in the sensor garnish 37 constituting a part of the surroundings sensor 25 along the line VIIIA-VIIIA shown in fig. 5. Fig. 8B to 8D are views of the support leg portion 38 in the sensor garnish 37 shown in fig. 8A as viewed from the direction of arrow VIIIB, arrow VIIIC, and arrow VIIID, respectively. Fig. 8E is a diagram for explaining the operation procedure of the positioning adjustment of the sensor garnish 37 with respect to the sensor mounting bracket 35.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the external sensor 25 includes a sensor main body 33, a sensor mounting bracket 35, and a sensor garnish 37, wherein the sensor main body 33 has a rectangular detection surface 31 in front view for detecting external information. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, in order to widen the detection range of the external world information in the vehicle width direction, the detection surface 31 is formed in a curved shape in which the center portion in the vehicle width direction is most protruded to the outside of the host vehicle 11 and gradually pulled back toward the end portion side in the vehicle width direction toward the inside of the host vehicle 11.

The external sensor 25 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 sensor 25.

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". The portion related to the detection including the detection surface 31 is referred to as a detection unit 32.

The sensor attachment bracket 35 is a member used when attaching the sensor body 33 and the sensor garnish 37 to the vehicle body frame member 23 (see fig. 4). In order to attach the sensor garnish 37 to the sensor attachment bracket 35, circular 1 st to 3 rd engagement holes 35a, 35b, and 35c are formed in the sensor attachment bracket 35. A clip (engagement piece) 45 (see fig. 8A) that engages with 1 st to 3 rd locking portions 38A1, 38b1, and 38c1 described later is inserted into the 1 st to 3 rd engagement holes 35a, 35b, and 35c in the axial direction and engaged therewith.

Here, the vehicle body frame member 23 will be described with reference to fig. 4. As shown in fig. 4, the vehicle body frame member 23 has a structure including: a front side member 23a extending in the front-rear direction of the own vehicle 11; a front cross member 23b extending in the vehicle width direction of the host vehicle 11; a reinforcing member 23c bridging between the front side member 23a and the front cross member 23b in a beam shape at a joint portion therebetween; and a mounting portion 23d of the sensor body 33 provided on the reinforcing member 23 c.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the sensor main body 33 is attached to a sensor attachment bracket 35 via a positioning mechanism 34 relating to the roll angle of the host vehicle 11. On the other hand, the sensor garnish 37 is directly attached to the 1 st to 3 rd engagement holes 35a, 35b, and 35c of the sensor mounting bracket 35 without the positioning mechanism 34.

As shown in fig. 4, the sensor attachment bracket 35 is attached to the attachment portion 23d of the vehicle body frame member 23 by using an appropriate fastening mechanism such as a screw. Thus, the sensor body 33 is configured such that the position of the external sensor 25 in the roll direction of the host vehicle 11 can be adjusted at the center point 60 (see fig. 7) of the sensor body 33 by the positioning mechanism 34 in a state where the sensor attachment bracket 35 is attached to the vehicle body frame member 23.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the sensor garnish 37 has a rectangular small window portion 39 that faces (exposes) the detection surface 31 of the sensor body 33 when viewed from the front. As shown in fig. 3, the sensor garnish 37 is formed in a substantially dish shape such that the lower peripheral edge portion 37b is expanded and extended outward of the vehicle 11 with respect to the general surface 37a when viewed from the front. The sensor garnish 37 functions to hide (hide a messy member) the portion of the environment sensor 25 other than the detection surface 31 and the peripheral edge portion 26a of the large window portion 26 provided in the lamp garnish 27 from the outside of the host vehicle 11. The sensor garnish 37 may be formed of, for example, a synthetic resin.

The small window 39 is formed smaller than the large window 26. The small window 39 corresponds to the "second opening" of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, three 1 st to 3 rd support leg portions 38a, 38b, and 38c made of synthetic resin stand on the back side of the sensor garnish 37. The 1 st support leg portion 38a is provided on the vehicle width direction outer side of the sensor garnish 37. On the other hand, the 2 nd to 3 rd support leg portions 38b, 38c are provided on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the sensor garnish 37 via the small window portion 39.

As shown in fig. 5, for example, a seal member 41 is bonded to the rear surface side of the peripheral edge portion 37b of the sensor garnish 37. The function performed by the seal member 41 will be described later in detail.

In the external sensor mounting structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, the front bumper member 21 is mounted to the vehicle body frame member 23 via a mounting bracket, not shown. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the sensor body 33 and the sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body frame member 23 via the sensor attachment bracket 35 in a state separated and independent from the front bumper member 21.

In general, the front bumper member (bumper member) 21, the sensor body 33, and the sensor garnish 37 are attached to the body frame member 23 in a state in which they are separated and independent from each other.

In the exterior sensor mounting structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, in a state in which the sensor main body 33 and the sensor garnish 37 are mounted to the body frame member 23, as shown in fig. 3, the peripheral edge portion 26A of the window portion 26 opened in the lamp garnish 27 and the peripheral edge portion 37B of the sensor garnish 37 are arranged so as to face each other with a slight gap (see the gap GP0 in fig. 6A to 6D) therebetween in a state inclined at the same inclination angle so as to be reduced in diameter from the outer side toward the inner side of the host vehicle 11 (see fig. 2A, 2B, and 6A to 6D). The minute gap GP0 is specified later.

In a state where the sensor body 33 and the sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body frame member 23, the detection surface 31 of the sensor body 33 is exposed to the outside of the host vehicle 11 through a small window portion 39 provided in the sensor garnish 37 (see fig. 2A, 2B, and the like).

In a state where the sensor body 33 and the sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body frame member 23, a slight gap GP0 is provided between the peripheral edge portion 26a of the large window portion 26 opened in the lamp garnish 27 and the peripheral edge portion 37b2 of the peripheral edge portion 37b of the sensor garnish 37. As shown in fig. 6A to 6D, a bent portion 37b3 bent toward the peripheral edge portion 26A of the opposing large window portion 26 is provided at the peripheral edge portion 37b2 of the sensor garnish 37.

As shown in fig. 6A to 6D, an abutting portion 37b4 having a semicircular cross section is provided at the open end of the bent portion 37b3. The contact portion 37b4 contacts the peripheral edge portion 26a of the opposing large window portion 26. In this way, by forming the abutting portion 37b4 facing the peripheral edge portion 26a of the window portion 26 in a semicircular shape in cross section having smooth corners, damage to the peripheral edge portion 26a of the window portion 26 can be prevented.

However, as described above, in a state where the sensor body 33 and the sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body frame member 23, as shown in fig. 6A to 6D, the peripheral edge portion 37b2 of the peripheral edge portion 37b of the sensor garnish 37 is positioned with a slight gap GP0 from the peripheral edge portion 26A of the window portion 26 opened in the lamp garnish 27.

In a state where the sensor body 33 and the sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body frame member 23, as shown in fig. 6A, 6C, and 6D, a seal member 41 is provided between the peripheral edge portion 26A of the window portion 26 opened in the lamp garnish 27 and the peripheral edge portion 37b of the sensor garnish 37 at a position different from the above-described small gap GP0.

The sealing member 41 prevents the peripheral edge portion 37b2 of the sensor garnish 37 from scratching the peripheral edge portion 26a of the opposing large window portion 26 by maintaining the small gap GP0, thereby preventing damage to the peripheral edge portion 26a of the large window portion 26 provided in the lamp garnish 27.

In addition, in a state where the sensor body 33 and the sensor garnish 37 are attached to the body frame member 23, as shown in fig. 6A to 6D, the peripheral end edge portion 37b2 of the peripheral edge portion 37b of the sensor garnish 37 is positioned with a slight gap GP0 with respect to the peripheral edge portion 26A of the large window portion 26 opened in the lamp garnish 27, whereby damage caused by the edge portion of the peripheral end edge portion 37b2 contacting the peripheral edge portion 26A of the large window portion 26 can be reliably prevented.

In a state where the sensor body 33 and the sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body frame member 23, the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides of the rectangular small window portion 39 of the sensor garnish 37 are set to be longer than the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides of the rectangular detection portion 32 of the external sensor 25, respectively, in a front view.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 7A and 7B, the lateral gap GP1 generated between the longitudinal side of the small window portion 39 and the longitudinal side of the probe portion 32 is set longer than the longitudinal gap GP2 generated between the lateral side of the small window portion 39 and the lateral side of the probe portion 32.

Thus, as shown in fig. 7A, in a state where the sensor attachment bracket 35 is attached to the vehicle body frame member 23, the position of the sensor body 33 with respect to the sensor attachment bracket 35 in the roll direction of the host vehicle 11 can be adjusted by the positioning mechanism 34 while maintaining a state where the entire detection surface 31 of the detection unit 32 is exposed to the outside of the host vehicle 11 through the small window portion 39 at the center point 60 of the sensor body 33.

As shown in fig. 7B, in the state where the sensor attachment bracket 35 is attached to the vehicle body frame member 23, the position of the sensor body 33 with respect to the sensor attachment bracket 35 in the pitch direction of the host vehicle 11 can be adjusted by the positioning mechanism 34 while maintaining the state where the entire detection surface 31 of the detection unit 32 is exposed to the outside of the host vehicle 11 through the small window portion 39 in the horizontal axis passing through the center point 60 of the sensor body 33.

The positioning adjustment of the sensor body 33 in the roll direction and the pitch direction is performed in a state where the sensor garnish 37 is detached from the sensor attachment bracket 35.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, 1 st to 3 rd locking portions 38a1, 38b1, and 38c1 are provided on the tip sides of the 1 st to 3 rd support leg portions 38a, 38b, and 38c, respectively.

The 1 st to 3 rd locking portions 38a1, 38B1, and 38C1 are provided with 1 st to 3 rd keyhole-shaped receiving portions 46a, 46B, and 46C, respectively (see fig. 8B, 8C, and 8D). The shaft portions 47 of the same synthetic resin clips (engaging pieces) 45 are inserted and engaged in the 1 st to 3 rd keyhole-shaped receiving portions 46a, 46b, and 46c in the axial radial direction.

The 1 st to 3 rd keyhole-shaped receiving portions 46a, 46b, and 46c are provided. The magnitude of the restraining force (the degree of freedom in the axial radial direction) on the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 when the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 is engaged therewith is set to be different from each other.

Specifically, a first engagement mode in which the degree of freedom in the cross direction of the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 is set within a predetermined reference range is assigned to the 1 st keyhole-shaped receiving portion 46a of the 1 st locking portion 38a 1.

In the first engagement mode, as shown in fig. 8B, the 1 st keyhole-shaped receiving portion 46a has a1 st guide groove portion 48a that guides the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 and a1 st receiving portion 49a that receives the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45.

When the diameter of the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 is D1, the width-direction dimension of the boundary portion between the 1 st guide groove portion 48a and the 1 st receiving portion 49a is D0 (where D0 < D1).

The size of the 1 st receiving portion 49a in the inserting/removing direction is set to D2 (where D1 < D2). The 1 st receiving portion 49a has a width dimension set to D3 (where D2 < D3). Thus, in the first engagement system, the degree of freedom in the cross direction of the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 is set within a predetermined reference range.

Further, a second engagement mode in which the degree of freedom in one direction of the cross direction of the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 is set to a value exceeding a predetermined reference range is assigned to the 2 nd keyhole-shaped receiving portion 46b (see fig. 8C) included in the 2 nd locking portion 38b 1.

In the second engagement mode, as shown in fig. 8C, the 2 nd keyhole-shaped receiving portion 46b has a 2 nd guide groove portion 48b for guiding the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 and a 2 nd receiving portion 49b for receiving the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45.

The width dimension of the boundary portion between the 2 nd guide groove portion 48b and the 2 nd receiving portion 49b is set to D0 (where D0 < D1).

The width dimension of the 2 nd receiving portion 49b is set to D3 (wherein D1 < D3). The insertion/removal direction size of the 2 nd receiving portion 49b is set to D4 (where D3 < D4). Thus, in the second engagement mode, the degree of freedom in one direction (insertion/removal direction) of the cross direction of the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 is set to a value exceeding a predetermined reference range.

Further, a third engagement mode in which the degree of freedom in two directions of the cross direction of the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 is set to a value exceeding a predetermined reference range is assigned to the 3 rd keyhole-shaped receiving portion 46c (see fig. 8D) included in the 3 rd locking portion 38c1.

In the third engagement mode, as shown in fig. 8D, the 3 rd keyhole-shaped receiving portion 46c is configured to include a 3 rd guide groove portion 48c for guiding the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 and a 3 rd accommodating portion 49c for accommodating the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45.

The width dimension of the boundary between the 3 rd guide groove portion 48c and the 3 rd receiving portion 49c is set to D0 (where D0 < D1).

The 3 rd receiving portion 49c has a dimension in the inserting/removing direction set to D5 (where D3 < D5). The 3 rd receiving portion 49c has a width dimension set to D6 (where D5 < D6). Thus, in the third engagement mode, the degrees of freedom in two directions (the insertion and extraction direction and the width direction) of the cross direction of the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 are set to a value exceeding a predetermined reference range.

Next, the operation procedure of the positioning adjustment of the sensor garnish 37 with respect to the sensor mounting bracket 35 by the cooperation of the 1 st to 3 rd locking portions 38a1, 38b1, and 38c1 will be described.

First, the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 is attached to the 1 st receiving portion 49a of the 1 st keyhole-shaped receiving portion 46a of the 1 st locking portion 38a1 shown in fig. 8E by sliding in the axial radial direction. Then, the clip 45 attached to the 1 st receiving portion 49a is inserted into the 1 st engagement hole 35a provided in the sensor mounting bracket 35 and attached.

In the 1 st keyhole-shaped receiving portion 46a to which the first engagement method is assigned, the degree of freedom in the cross direction of the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 to which the 1 st locking portion 38a1 in the sensor garnish 37 is attached is set within a predetermined reference range in which the degree of freedom is low (the degree of constraint is high).

Thus, as shown in fig. 8E, the 1 st locking portion 38a1 in the sensor garnish 37 functions as a reference point 61 when the sensor garnish 37 is positioned and adjusted.

Next, the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 is attached to the 2 nd receiving portion 49b of the 2 nd keyhole-shaped receiving portion 46b included in the 2 nd locking portion 38b1 shown in fig. 8E by sliding in the axial radial direction. Then, the clip 45 attached to the 2 nd receiving portion 49b is inserted into the 2 nd engaging hole 35b provided in the sensor mounting bracket 35 and attached.

Similarly, the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 is attached to the 3 rd receiving portion 49c of the 3 rd keyhole-shaped receiving portion 46c of the 3 rd locking portion 38c1 shown in fig. 8E by sliding in the axial radial direction. Then, the clip 45 attached to the 3 rd receiving portion 49c is inserted into the 3 rd engagement hole 35c provided in the sensor attachment bracket 35 and attached.

In the 2 nd keyhole-shaped receiving portion 46b to which the second engagement method is assigned, the degree of freedom in one direction (insertion/extraction direction) of the crosswise directions of the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 attached to the 2 nd locking portion 38b1 in the sensor garnish 37 is set to a value exceeding a predetermined reference range.

In the 3 rd keyhole-shaped receiving portion 46c to which the third engagement method is assigned, the degree of freedom in two directions (the insertion and extraction direction and the width direction) among the crosswise directions of the shaft portion 47 of the clip 45 attached to the 3 rd locking portion 38c1 in the sensor garnish 37 is set to a value exceeding a predetermined reference range.

Thus, the sensor garnish 37 can be positioned and adjusted in the arrow direction 63 shown in fig. 8E using the 1 st locking portion 38a1 as the reference point 61 and using the 2 nd locking portion 38b1 and the 3 rd locking portion 38c1 as the operating points with a high degree of freedom.

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

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

In an external sensor mounting structure based on a first aspect (corresponding to claim 1), which is used when an external sensor 25 that detects external information about an object existing around the host vehicle 11 is mounted to the host vehicle, the external sensor mounting structure is mounted to a vehicle body frame member (vehicle body) 23 of the host vehicle 11, a front bumper member (bumper member) 21 for buffering a load at the time of collision is mounted,

the bumper member 21 is provided with a large window portion (first opening portion) 26, and the external sensor 25 includes: a sensor main body 33 having a detection surface 31 for detecting outside information; a sensor mounting bracket 35 for mounting the sensor body 33 to the vehicle body frame member (vehicle body) 23; and a sensor garnish 37 having a small window portion (second opening portion) 39 facing the detection surface 31 in a front view, and positioned outside the vehicle 11 so that at least a part (preferably all) thereof overlaps with a portion of the outside sensor 25 other than the detection surface 31 and the peripheral edge portion 26a of the large window portion 26. The small window portion (second opening) 39 is formed smaller than the large window portion (first opening) 26.

The sensor body 33 and the sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body frame member (vehicle body) 23 via the sensor attachment bracket 35, the peripheral edge portion 26a of the large window portion 26 of the bumper member 21 and the peripheral edge portion 37b of the sensor garnish 37 are disposed so as to face each other in a state where the sensor body 33 and the sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body frame member (vehicle body) 23, the detection surface 31 of the sensor body 33 is exposed to the outside of the host vehicle 11 through the small window portion 39 of the sensor garnish 37, and the bumper member 21, the sensor body 33, and the sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body frame member (vehicle body) 23 in separate states.

In the ambient sensor attachment structure according to the first aspect, the peripheral edge portion 26a of the large window portion 26 of the bumper member 21 and the peripheral edge portion 37b of the sensor garnish 37 are disposed so as to face each other in a state in which the sensor body 33 and the sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body frame member (vehicle body) 23. The bumper member 21, the sensor body 33, and the sensor garnish 37 are attached to the vehicle body frame member (vehicle body) 23 in an independent state.

Thus, even if a load is input to the bumper member 21 at the time of a collision and the attachment position of the bumper member 21 is displaced from the original position, the input load to the bumper member 21 is not directly transmitted to the sensor body 33 and the sensor garnish 37.

According to the external sensor mounting structure according to the first aspect, even if the mounting position of the bumper member 21 is displaced from the original position due to the input of the load to the bumper member 21 at the time of the collision, the influence of the off-axis or the like on the external sensor can be suppressed as much as possible.

In addition, in the external sensor mounting structure according to the second aspect (corresponding to claim 2), the following configuration may be adopted: according to the surroundings sensor mounting structure according to the first aspect, the bumper member 21 has an eaves-like projecting portion that is positioned so as to project like an eaves toward the outside of the host vehicle 11 with respect to the general surface 37a of the sensor garnish 37.

According to the external sensor mounting structure according to the second aspect, since the bumper member 21 has the eaves-like projecting portion 30 positioned so as to project like an eaves toward the outside of the host vehicle 11 with respect to the general surface 37a of the sensor garnish 37, the eaves-like projecting portion 30 functions so as to shield the eaves of the external sensor 25 in addition to the operational effect of the external sensor mounting structure according to the first aspect, and from the viewpoint of preventing mischief or the like, the following effects can be expected: the presence of the external sensor 25 (including the detection surface 31) whose presence is desired to be hidden as much as possible is inconspicuous from the third person.

Further, it is also possible to expect an effect of preventing the detection surface 31 of the sensor main body 33, which is exposed to the outside of the host vehicle 11 through the small window portion 39 of the sensor garnish 37, from being attached with raindrops or the like.

In addition, in the external sensor mounting structure according to the third aspect (corresponding to claim 3), the following configuration may be adopted: according to the exterior sensor mounting structure based on the second aspect, the detection surface 31 of the sensor main body 33 is formed in a rectangular shape in front view, the eaves-like overhang 30 of the bumper member 21 is located on the upper side of the sensor garnish 37, and has the horizontal extension 51 extending in the substantially horizontal direction, the extension direction of the side extending in the substantially horizontal direction of the detection surface 31 is the same as the extension direction of the horizontal extension 51 of the eaves-like overhang 30, and the size of the horizontal extension 51 of the eaves-like overhang 30 is set longer than the size of the side extending in the substantially horizontal direction of the detection surface 31.

In addition, according to the ambient sensor attachment structure according to the third aspect, the dimension of the horizontally extending portion 51 of the eaves-like projecting portion 30 is set longer than the dimension of the side of the detection surface 31 extending in the substantially horizontal direction, whereby the effect of making the presence of the ambient sensor 25 inconspicuous from a third person can be further improved as compared with the ambient sensor attachment structure according to the second aspect, and the effect of shielding the ambient sensor 25 can be expected.

In addition, the following configuration may be adopted in the external sensor mounting structure according to the 4 th aspect (corresponding to claim 4): according to the surroundings sensor mounting structure according to the third aspect, the overhang-like portion 30 of the bumper member 21 is located above and below the sensor garnish 37, and has the horizontally extending portion 51 extending in the substantially horizontal direction, and the sensor garnish 37 is formed such that the peripheral edge portion 37b protrudes outward of the vehicle in front view from the general surface 37a thereof.

According to the ambient sensor mounting structure according to the fourth aspect, the eaves-like projecting portions 30 of the bumper member 21 are positioned on the upper side and the lower side of the sensor garnish 37, respectively, and the sensor garnish 37 is formed such that the peripheral edge portion 37b projects outward of the vehicle in front view with respect to the general surface 37a thereof, whereby the effect of making the presence of the ambient sensor 25 invisible to a third person and the effect of protecting the ambient sensor 25 can be further improved as compared with the ambient sensor mounting structure according to the third aspect.

In addition, the external sensor mounting structure according to the 5 th aspect (corresponding to claim 5) may be configured as follows: according to the surroundings sensor mounting structure from the third aspect, the eaves-like extension portion 30 of the bumper member 21 is provided on the end portion side in the vehicle width direction of the host vehicle 11, the horizontally extending portion 51 of the eaves-like extension portion 30 is inclined in an inverted-V shape in front view from the center portion side toward the end portion side in the vehicle width direction of the host vehicle 11, and the decorative lamp (lamp body) 29 extending linearly along the horizontally extending portion 51 is provided in the vicinity of the horizontally extending portion 51.

Further, according to the external sensor mounting structure according to the 5 th aspect, the eaves 30 of the bumper member 21 is provided on the end portion side in the vehicle width direction of the host vehicle 11, and the horizontally extending portion 51 of the eaves 30 is inclined in the shape of an inverted figure of eight in front view from the center portion side toward the end portion side in the vehicle width direction of the host vehicle 11, whereby a wind flow is generated along the horizontally extending portion 51 of the eaves 30 during traveling of the host vehicle 11, and this wind flow acts on the detection surface 31 of the sensor main body 33, and as a result, it can be expected that contamination including raindrops is prevented from adhering to the detection surface 31.

Further, by providing the accessory lamp (lamp body) 29 extending linearly along the horizontally extending portion 51 in the vicinity of the horizontally extending portion 51, for example, when the host vehicle 11 is an autonomous vehicle and the autonomous vehicle is in the hands-off driving mode, an operation of lighting the green light using the accessory lamp 29 can be performed. By operating in this manner, the lighting state of the accessory lamp 29 in the vehicle that is being subjected to hands-off driving can be visually confirmed, and thus it is possible to instantly determine whether or not proper hands-off driving is being performed from the standpoint of a management supervisor (e.g., a police-related person) that performs vehicle safety operation management.

When the accessory lamp 29 is turned on, for example, when the third person visually recognizes the vehicle 11 from the outside thereof, the detection surface 31 of the external sensor 25 is relatively dark (confusing effect). As a result, from the viewpoint of preventing mischief or the like, the accessory lamp 29 can expect an effect of making the presence of the external sensor 25 whose presence is desired to be hidden as much as possible inconspicuous by the confusion effect.

In addition, the external sensor mounting structure according to the 6 th aspect (corresponding to claim 6) may be configured as follows: according to the external sensor mounting structure of any one of aspects 1 to 5, in a state in which the sensor body 33 and the sensor garnish 37 are mounted to the vehicle body frame member (vehicle body) 23, the peripheral edge portion 26a of the large window portion (first opening portion) 26 and the peripheral edge portion 37b of the sensor garnish 37 included in the bumper member 21 are arranged so as to face each other with a slight gap therebetween in a state inclined at the same inclination angle so as to be reduced in diameter from the outside toward the inside of the vehicle 11, and the seal member 41 is provided in the gap between the two peripheral edge portions 26a, 37 b.

According to the external sensor mounting structure according to viewpoint 6, in a state where the sensor body 33 and the sensor garnish 37 are mounted to the vehicle body frame member 23, the peripheral edge portion 26a of the large window portion 26 and the peripheral edge portion 37b of the sensor garnish 37 are arranged so as to face each other with a slight gap in a state inclined at the same inclination angle so as to be reduced in diameter from the outside toward the inside of the host vehicle 11, whereby the portion of the external sensor 25 other than the detection surface 31 and the peripheral edge portion 26a of the large window portion 26 provided in the lamp garnish 27 are hidden from the outside of the host vehicle 11 (a messy member is hidden), and an effect of improving the appearance can be expected.

Further, by providing the seal member 41 in the gap between the both peripheral edge portions 26a, 37b, the peripheral edge portion 37b2 of the sensor garnish 37 can be prevented from scratching the peripheral edge portion 26a of the opposing window portion 26 by maintaining the minute gap GP0 between the both peripheral edge portions 26a, 37b, and thus an effect of preventing damage to the peripheral edge portion 26a of the window portion 26 provided in the lamp garnish 27 can be expected.

In addition, the following configuration may be adopted in the external sensor mounting structure according to the 7 th aspect (corresponding to claim 7): according to the external sensor mounting structure according to the 6 th aspect, the peripheral edge portion 37b2 of the peripheral edge portion 37b of the sensor garnish 37 is provided with a bent portion 37b3 (see fig. 6A to 6D) that is bent toward the peripheral edge portion 26A of the large window portion (first opening portion) 26 included in the lamp garnish (constituting a part of the bumper member) 27.

According to the external sensor mounting structure according to the 7 th aspect, the bent portion 37b3 bent toward the peripheral edge portion 26a of the window portion 26 of the lamp garnish (bumper member) 27 is provided at the peripheral edge portion 37b2 of the peripheral edge portion 37b of the sensor garnish 37, whereby the portion of the external sensor 25 other than the detection surface 31 is hidden from the outside of the host vehicle 11 (a messy member is hidden), and an effect of further improving the appearance can be obtained.

In addition, in the external sensor mounting structure according to the 8 th aspect (corresponding to claim 8), the following configuration may be adopted: according to the external sensor mounting structure according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, the detection surface 31 of the sensor main body 33 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front with the longitudinal side and the lateral side each having a predetermined length, the small window portion (second opening portion) 39 of the sensor garnish 37 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front with the longitudinal side and the lateral side each having a predetermined length, similarly to the detection surface 31, and the length dimensions of the longitudinal side and the lateral side of the small window portion 39 are set to be longer than the length dimensions of the longitudinal side and the lateral side of the detection surface 31, respectively, whereby the entire detection surface 31 is exposed to the outside of the host vehicle 11 through the small window portion 39.

Further, according to the external sensor mounting structure according to the 8 th aspect, since the longitudinal sides and the lateral sides of the small window portion 39 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 small window portion 39, it is possible to secure the degree of freedom of positioning adjustment by the adjustment amount when adjusting the mounting position of the sensor main body 33 to the sensor mounting bracket 35.

In addition, the following configuration may be adopted in the external sensor mounting structure according to viewpoint 9 (corresponding to claim 9): according to the external sensor mounting structure in any one of the aspects 1 to 5, the three support leg portions 38a, 38b, and 38c directed toward the inside of the vehicle 11 are provided on the back surface side of the sensor garnish 37, and the three locking portions 38a1, 38b1, and 38c1 are provided on the three support leg portions 38a, 38b, and 38c, respectively, while the three engaging portions 35a, 35b, and 35c that engage with the three locking portions 38a1, 38b1, and 38c1, respectively, are provided on the front surface side of the sensor mounting bracket 35, and the respective engagement modes of the three locking portions 38a1, 38b1, and 38c1 and the three engaging portions 35a, 35b, and 35c are configured by a first engagement mode in which the degree of freedom in the cross direction is set within a predetermined reference range, a second engagement mode in which the degree of freedom in one direction in the cross direction is set to a value exceeding the reference range, and a third engagement mode in which the degree of freedom in two directions in the cross direction is set to a value exceeding the reference range.

According to the external sensor mounting structure according to the 9 th aspect, when the adjustment for determining the mounting position of the sensor garnish 37 to the sensor mounting bracket 35 is performed, the degree of freedom of positioning adjustment can be secured by the adjustment amount.

[ 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 mounting structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, the external sensors 25 are provided at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the host vehicle 11 in the front bumper member 21, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The present invention may be applied to a mode in which the external sensors 25 are provided at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the host vehicle 11 in the rear bumper member (not shown).

In the description of the external sensor mounting structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, the large window portion 26 that is open in the bumper member 21 and has the closed end edge around the first opening portion of the present invention is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As the first opening portion of the present invention, the present invention may be applied to a mode in which an opening portion that is opened in the bumper member 21 and has an open end edge at a part of the periphery thereof is adopted.

In the description of the external sensor attachment structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, the small window portion 26 that is opened in the sensor garnish 37 and has a closed end edge around the second opening portion is described as an example of the second opening portion of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As the second opening portion of the present invention, the present invention may be applied to a mode in which an opening portion that is provided in the sensor garnish 37 and has an open end edge at a portion of its periphery is used.

Claims (9)

1. An external sensor mounting structure for use in mounting an external sensor, which detects external information relating to an object existing around a host vehicle, to the host vehicle, the external sensor mounting structure being characterized in that,

a bumper member for absorbing a load at the time of collision is mounted on a vehicle body of a vehicle,

the bumper member is provided with a first opening portion,

the environment sensor includes:

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

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

a sensor garnish having a second opening facing the detection surface when viewed from the front, and being located outside the vehicle so that at least a part of the sensor is overlapped with a peripheral edge of the first opening with respect to a part of the exterior sensor other than the detection surface,

the second opening portion is formed smaller than the first opening portion,

the sensor main body and the sensor garnish are attached to the vehicle body via the sensor mounting bracket,

in a state where the sensor body and the sensor garnish are attached to the vehicle body, a peripheral edge portion of the first opening portion of the bumper member and a peripheral edge portion of the sensor garnish are arranged so as to face each other, the detection surface of the sensor body is exposed to an outside of the vehicle through the second opening portion of the sensor garnish, a bent portion bent toward the peripheral edge portion of the first opening portion is provided at the peripheral edge portion of the sensor garnish, an abutting portion having a semicircular cross section is provided at an open end portion of the bent portion, a gap is provided between the peripheral edge portion of the first opening portion and the peripheral edge portion of the sensor garnish, and a seal member is provided in the gap between an upper portion and a side portion of the peripheral edge portion of the first opening portion in a vertical direction,

the bumper member, the sensor body, and the sensor garnish are attached to the vehicle body in a state in which they are independent of each other.

2. The ambient sensor mounting configuration according to claim 1,

the bumper member has a eave-like extension portion positioned to extend in an eave-like manner to an outer side of the sensor garnish generally facing the vehicle.

3. The ambient sensor mounting configuration according to claim 2,

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

the bumper member has the eaves-like projecting portion located on an upper side of the sensor garnish and having a horizontally extending portion extending in a substantially horizontal direction,

the extension direction of a side of the detection surface extending in a substantially horizontal direction is the same as the extension direction of the horizontal extension portion in the eaves-like extension portion,

the dimension of the horizontally extending portion in the eaves-like extension portion is set to be longer than the dimension of a side of the detection surface extending in a substantially horizontal direction.

4. The ambient sensor mounting configuration according to claim 3,

the bumper member has the eaves-like projecting portions which are located on the upper side and the lower side of the sensor garnish, respectively, and have the horizontal extending portions extending in a substantially horizontal direction,

the sensor garnish is formed such that a peripheral edge portion thereof protrudes outward of the vehicle in front view with respect to a general surface thereof.

5. The ambient sensor mounting configuration according to claim 3,

the overhang portion having a brim shape provided in the bumper member is provided at an end portion side in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle,

the horizontally extending portion of the eaves-like extension portion is inclined in an inverted-V shape in front view from a center portion side toward an end portion side in a vehicle width direction of the host vehicle,

in the vicinity of the horizontally extending portion, a lamp body linearly extending along the horizontally extending portion is provided.

6. The ambient sensor mounting construction according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

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

the peripheral edge portion of the first opening portion of the bumper member and the peripheral edge portion of the sensor garnish are arranged so as to face each other with a slight gap therebetween in a state inclined at the same inclination angle so as to decrease in diameter from the outer side toward the inner side of the vehicle.

7. The ambient sensor mounting construction according to claim 6,

the bent portion is provided at a peripheral end portion of the peripheral edge portion of the sensor garnish.

8. The ambient sensor mounting construction according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the detection surface of the sensor body is formed in a rectangular shape in which a longitudinal side and a transverse side are formed in a predetermined length in a front view,

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

9. The ambient sensor mounting construction according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

three support leg portions directed toward the inside of the vehicle are provided on the back surface side of the sensor garnish, three locking portions are provided on each of the three support leg portions, and three engaging portions that engage with the three locking portions are provided on the front surface side of the sensor mounting bracket,

the three engagement portions and the three engagement portions are configured in such a manner that the degree of freedom in the cross direction is set within a predetermined reference range, the degree of freedom in one of the cross directions is set to a value exceeding the reference range, and the degree of freedom in two of the cross directions is set to a value exceeding the reference range.

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