JP2003035721A - Sensor enclosure for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sensor enclosure by which a sensor mainframe can be protected surely and by which a sensor device can be made lightweight and low-cost so as to be miniaturized. SOLUTION: An enclosure mainframe 40 of a satellite sensor 16 is molded of a resin material in a block (lump) shape, and a trapezoidal block-shaped sensor protective part 42 is formed in both side parts of the enclosure mainframe 40. A space in the part 42 is used as a sensor housing part 44 which is by one size smaller than the part 42, and the sensor mainframe 40 and a sensor substrate 47 are arranged and installed on the inside of the part 44. The enclosure mainframe 40 is fixed to the upper part 36 of a front side member 36 by a bolt 48 as a locking means while the part 42 is formed to be on both sides in the vehicle width direction.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle sensor housing, and more particularly to a vehicle sensor housing that constitutes a vehicle sensor device such as a satellite sensor in an occupant protection device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an example of a vehicle sensor device such as a satellite sensor in an occupant protection device, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI-1 is proposed.
There is a publication of No. 1-129838.

In this vehicle sensor device, as shown in FIG. 8, in order to protect the satellite sensor 102 as a sensor main body at the time of a vehicle collision, a bracket is formed with a reinforcing member 104, which is a separate member from the satellite sensor 102, interposed therebetween. It is fixed to the front member 100 of the vehicle by 106. Or, as shown in FIG. 9, the bracket 1
The plate thickness M of 06 is increased, and the satellite sensor 102 is protected by the bracket 106. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, there is also a configuration in which the protective plate 108 is arranged on the front side of the satellite sensor 102.

[0004]

However, in such a prior art, in order to reliably protect the satellite sensor 102 as the sensor body, the reinforcing member 104 or the protective plate 108 configured as a separate member is used. Alternatively, it is necessary to increase the plate thickness M of the bracket 106. Therefore, the mass of the entire sensor device is increased and the cost is high. In addition, the entire sensor device is bulky and the transportability as a component is not good.

In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle sensor housing capable of reliably protecting the sensor main body and reducing the weight, cost and size of the sensor device. Is.

[0006]

The present invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that sensor protective portions for protecting the sensor main body are provided on both sides of the housing main body, and the sensor protective portions are fixed to the vehicle body. And

Therefore, since the sensor main body can be protected by the sensor protecting portions set on both sides of the housing main body, the reinforcing member and the bracket unlike the conventional structure are not required. As a result, the sensor main body can be reliably protected, and the weight and cost of the sensor device can be reduced. Further, since the sensor protection portion of the housing body is directly fixed to the vehicle body, the sensor device can be downsized as compared with the configuration using the bracket as in the conventional structure.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle sensor casing according to the first aspect, the casing main body is fixed to the vehicle body by fastening means with the sensor protection portions on both sides in the vehicle width direction. It is characterized by

Therefore, in addition to the contents described in claim 1,
Since the housing main body is fixed to the vehicle body with the sensor protection portions on both sides in the vehicle width direction, the dimension of the sensor device in the vehicle front-rear direction can be reduced. Further, since the load acting on the housing body can be released to the vehicle body side through the fastening means, it is possible to reduce the damage to the housing body at the time of collision with another member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle sensor casing according to the second aspect, the casing body is fixed to the vehicle body, and the maximum height of the casing body is the fastening means. Is less than or equal to the height of.

Therefore, in addition to the contents described in claim 2,
Since the maximum height of the housing body is equal to or less than the height of the fastening means in the state of being fixed to the vehicle body, the fastening means itself can receive the load acting on the housing body in the vertical direction.
As a result, the fastening means can protect the housing main body from the load acting on the housing main body from above and below.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle sensor casing according to the third aspect, the casing body has connector protecting portions for protecting the connector on both sides of the casing body. Characterize.

Therefore, in addition to the contents of claim 3,
The connector can be protected by the connector protection portion of the housing body.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle sensor casing according to the fourth aspect, the maximum height of the connector protecting portion is the fastening means when the casing body is fixed to the vehicle body. Is approximately the same as the height of the.

Therefore, in addition to the contents described in claim 4,
When contacting another member during a vehicle collision, the other material member is unlikely to be caught by the uneven portion between the fastening means and the connector protection portion. As a result, it is possible to prevent a large load from being applied to the fastening means or the connector protection portion and the housing body from being damaged.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle sensor casing according to the first aspect, the casing main body is fixed to the vehicle body, and the other member abutting from the front side of the vehicle toward the rear side of the vehicle. It is characterized by having a guide portion for guiding.

Therefore, in addition to the contents of claim 1,
If another member comes into contact with the vehicle from the front during a vehicle collision,
With the guide portion set on the housing body, it is possible to move from the front side of the vehicle to the rear side of the vehicle without the other material member being caught on the housing body. As a result, it is possible to prevent a large load from being applied to the housing body and damage to the housing body when another member comes into contact with the vehicle from the front.

The present invention according to claim 7 is based on claims 1 to 6.
In the vehicle sensor housing according to [1], the housing body is
It is characterized by being made of synthetic resin.

Therefore, in addition to the contents described in claims 1 to 6, since the housing body is made of synthetic resin, the production is easy and the weight can be reduced even when the housing body has a complicated shape. Is.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vehicle sensor housing according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the figure, arrow FR indicates the vehicle front direction, arrow UP indicates the vehicle upward direction, and arrow IN indicates the vehicle width inner direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 10 of the airbag device as the occupant protection device includes the airbag device 1
2 is a device for controlling the operation of the control circuit 14 and mainly includes a satellite sensor 1 as a vehicle sensor device.
6, 18, a floor sensor 20, and a drive circuit 22. Further, the satellite sensors 16 and 18 and the floor sensor 20 are so-called acceleration sensors for measuring the impact applied to the vehicle and transmitted through the vehicle body. Specifically, the deceleration applied to the vehicle in the front-rear direction. Is measured at any time, and the measured value is output as a signal.

The control circuit 14 is a central processing unit (CPU).
23, an input / output circuit (I / O circuit) 24, a read only memory (ROM) 26, a random access memory 28, and the like, and each component is connected by a bus. Of these, the CPU 23 performs various processes for controlling the operation of the airbag device 12 in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 26. The RAM 28 is a memory for storing data obtained by signals from the satellite sensors 16 and 18, the floor sensor 20, a result calculated by the CPU 23 based on the data, and the like. Further, the I / O circuit 24 is a circuit for inputting signals from the satellite sensors 16 and 18 and the floor sensor 20 and outputting an operation signal to the drive circuit 22.

The drive circuit 22 is a circuit that energizes and ignites the squibs 12C and 12D of the inflators 12A and 12B in the airbag device 12 by an actuation signal from the control circuit 14.

Further, the airbag device 12 includes squibs 12C and 12D which are ignition devices, as well as squibs 12C and 1C.
A gas generating agent (not shown) ignited by 2D and an airbag bag 12E which is inflated by the generated gas (see FIG. 6).
See) and so on.

Among these components, the control circuit 14, the floor sensor 20, and the drive circuit 22 are housed in an ECU (electronic control unit) 30 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and are located in the center of the vehicle 32. It is mounted on the floor tunnel 34. Further, the satellite sensor 16 is an ECU
The floor sensor 20 inside the vehicle 30 is disposed in the front portion of the vehicle 32 diagonally forward left, and the satellite sensor 18 is disposed in the front portion of the vehicle 32 diagonally forward front of the floor sensor 20.

That is, since the satellite sensors 16 and 18 are desired to be provided in the front part of the vehicle 32 from the viewpoint of improving the detection sensitivity, they are provided in the upper portions 36A (see FIG. 3) near the tips of the left and right front side members 36. It is fixed. The front side member 36 is a rectangular tube-shaped member extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 32, and is easily axially deformed by compression in order to absorb a shock during a collision.

As shown in FIG. 3, the satellite sensor 1
The housing body 40 of 6 is a block-shaped resin material,
For example, it is formed of a material obtained by adding glass fiber to PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) in order to obtain a predetermined high hardness. Trapezoidal block-shaped sensor protection parts 42 are formed on both sides of the housing body 40, and a space between these sensor protection parts 42 is a sensor storage part 44 which is slightly smaller than the sensor protection part 42. .

As shown in FIG. 1, a recess 44A is formed in the sensor storage portion 44 from the lower side, and a sensor substrate 47 having a sensor body 46 fixed therein is formed in the recess 44A.
Is provided. The recess 44A is closed by a lid 44B.

Therefore, the sensor storage portion 44 of the housing body 40
Sensor body 46 and sensor substrate 47 disposed inside
Can be reliably protected by the sensor protection part 42 of the housing body 40.

As shown in FIG. 3, the housing main body 40 has the sensor protection portions 42 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and the upper portion 3 of the front side member 36 is fixed by bolts 48 as fastening means.
It is fixed to 6A.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bolt 48 is fastened to a weld nut 50 arranged inside the front side member 36.

As shown in FIG. 3, a trapezoidal block-shaped connector protection portion 52 is provided on one end side (rear end side when fixed to the vehicle body) of each sensor protection portion 42 in the housing body 40. Formed, and these connector protection portions 52 are formed.
The space between them serves as a connector storage portion 54.

As shown in FIG. 1, the connector storage portion 54
A connector portion 58 surrounding the terminal 56 extending from the sensor substrate 47 is formed so as to project from the sensor storage portion 44 side. A connector 60 on the harness side can be connected to the connector portion 58 as indicated by a chain double-dashed line. In the state where the connector protection portion 52 is fixed to the vehicle body, the maximum height H2 of the housing body 40 is set, and the connector protection portion 52 is larger than the harness side connector 60 in a side view.

The height H1 of the connector protection portion 52 is
The height H2 of the bolt 48 when the housing body 40 is fixed to the vehicle body is not more than H2, and in the present embodiment, the connector protection portion 5 is used.
The height H1 of 2 and the height H2 of the bolt 48 are substantially the same.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the connector 60 on the harness 59 side is connected to the connector portion 58 of the housing body 40, the gap 61 between the connector 60 and the connector protection portion 52 is narrow.

As shown in FIG. 1, with the housing body 40 fixed to the vehicle body, another member abutting from the vehicle front side is guided to the vehicle rear side at the upper front end of the housing body 40 on the vehicle front side. An inclined surface 62 is formed as a guide portion for performing the operation. Therefore, when another member that moves from the front side of the vehicle body toward the rear side relative to the housing body 40 interferes with the housing body 40 at the time of a vehicle collision, the housing body 40 will not interfere.
The inclined surface 62 formed on the upper part of the front end makes it difficult for other material members to be caught in the housing body 40.

Further, the tip upper portion 52 of the connector protection portion 52
A and a portion 64 that connects the tip end upper portions 52A of the left and right connector protection portions 52 to each other form an inclined surface that serves as a guide portion that guides the other member that abuts from the front of the vehicle to the rear side of the vehicle. Other members that move from the front side of the vehicle body toward the rear side relative to the housing body 40,
When the connector protection portion 52 of the housing body 40 interferes, another member is less likely to be caught by the housing body 40.

The satellite sensor 18 also has the same structure as the satellite sensor 16, and the satellite sensors 16 and 18 are connected to the control circuit 14 via the connector 60 and the harness 59.

Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, the satellite sensor 16,
The sensor protection portions 42 set on both sides of the housing body 40 in 18 can reliably protect the sensor body 46 and the sensor substrate 47 disposed inside the sensor storage portion 44 of the housing body 40, and thus have a conventional structure. There is no need for reinforcing members or brackets. As a result, the weight and cost of the satellite sensors 16 and 18 can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, since the sensor protection portion 42 of the housing body 40 is directly fixed to the upper portion 36A near the tip of the front side member 36, compared to the structure using the bracket as in the conventional structure. Satellite sensor 1
It is also possible to downsize 6,18.

Further, in this embodiment, the sensor protection section 42 is used.
Since the housing main body 40 is fixed to the front side member 36 with the bolts 48 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, the mounting dimension L (see FIG. 1) in the vehicle front-rear direction of the satellite sensors 16 and 18 can be reduced. In addition, the housing body 4
Since the load acting on 0 can be released to the front side member 36 via the bolt 48, the housing main body 40
Can also reduce damage.

Further, in this embodiment, since the maximum height H1 of the housing body 40 is equal to or less than the height H2 of the bolt 48 in the state of being fixed to the vehicle body, it acts on the housing body 40 from above and below. The load to be applied can be received by the bolt 48 itself. As a result, the housing main body 40 can be protected by the bolts 48 from the load acting in the vertical direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the connector portions disposed inside the connector storing portion 54 of the casing body 40 are provided by the connector protection portions 52 set on both sides of the casing body 40 in the satellite sensors 16 and 18. Since 58 and the connector 60 on the harness 59 side can be reliably protected from the loads acting from the front, rear, left and right, and the vertical direction, a reinforcing member or a bracket unlike the conventional structure is not required. As a result, the weight and cost of the satellite sensors 16 and 18 can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, when another member that moves from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle body relative to the housing body 40 at the time of a vehicle collision interferes with the housing body 40. The inclined surface 62 formed at the upper front end of the housing body 40, which is the vehicle front side in a state of being fixed to the vehicle body, makes it difficult for other material members to be caught in the housing body 40. As a result, it is possible to prevent the other body member from being caught by the housing body 40, applying a large load to the housing body 40, and damaging the housing body 40.

Further, in the present embodiment, the housing body 40 of the satellite sensor 16 is formed of a block (lump) resin material, for example, a material obtained by adding glass fiber to PBT (polybutylene terephthalate). Even when the shape of the housing body 40 is complicated, the production is easy and the weight can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, since the gap 61 between the connector 60 and the connector protection portion 52 is set small, when a load is applied to the connector protection portion 52 in the vehicle width direction, the connector 60 and the connector protection portion 52 are Since the protective portion 52 easily comes into contact with each other and the load can be received by both the connector 60 and the connector protective portion 52, the connector 60 and the connector protective portion 52 are less likely to be damaged.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the shape of the housing body 40 and the bolt 48 can prevent the satellite sensors 16, 18 and the connector 60 from being damaged in the event of a vehicle collision. As a result, since the signals from the satellite sensors 16 and 18 can be reliably transmitted to the control circuit 14 at the time of a vehicle collision, it is possible to reliably determine whether the collision occurring on the vehicle 32 is a head-on collision or an offset collision. The bag device 12 can appropriately restrain the occupant.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various other embodiments within the scope of the present invention. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that

For example, in the above-described embodiment, in the upper part of the front end of the casing body 40, which is the front side of the vehicle when fixed to the vehicle body,
Although the inclined surface 62 is formed as the guide portion, instead of this, the guide portion may be a streamlined curved surface 80 as shown in FIG. 7.

Further, in the present embodiment, the satellite sensors 16 and 18 are fixed to the upper portion 36A (see FIG. 3) near the tips of the front side members 36, but the fixing positions of the satellite sensors 16 and 18 to the vehicle body are The position is not limited to the position in the embodiment, but may be another part such as a radiator sapodside or a radiator lower cross. Further, the housing body 40 may be fixed to the vehicle body side by adhesion or the like other than the fastening means.

In the present embodiment, the vehicle sensor housing of the present invention is applied to the satellite sensors 16 and 18 as the vehicle sensor. However, the vehicle sensor housing of the present invention is a yaw rate sensor other than the satellite sensor. It is also applicable to other vehicle sensors such as cruise sensors.

[0054]

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, since the sensor protection portions for protecting the sensor body are provided on both sides of the housing body, and the sensor protection portion is fixed to the vehicle body, the sensor body is reliably protected. In addition, it has an excellent effect that the sensor device can be reduced in weight, cost and size.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle sensor casing according to the first aspect, the casing main body is fixed to the vehicle body by fastening means, with the sensor protection portions on both sides in the vehicle width direction. In addition to the effect of the first aspect, there is an excellent effect that the size of the sensor device in the vehicle front-rear direction can be reduced. Further, it has an excellent effect that the casing body can be protected by the fastening means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle sensor casing according to the second aspect, the maximum height of the casing body is the height of the fastening means when the casing body is fixed to the vehicle body. Because of the following, in addition to the effect described in claim 2, it is excellent that the fastening means itself can receive the load acting on the housing body from above and below and the housing body can be protected. Have the effect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle sensor casing according to the third aspect, the casing main body has connector protecting portions for protecting the connector on both sides of the casing main body. In addition to the effect described in item 3, there is an excellent effect that the connector can be protected by the housing body.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle sensor casing according to the fourth aspect, the maximum height of the connector protection portion is equal to the height of the fastening means when the casing body is fixed to the vehicle body. Since they are substantially the same, in addition to the effect described in claim 4, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to prevent the housing main body from being damaged when it interferes with other members during a vehicle collision.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle sensor casing according to the first aspect, the casing main body is fixed to the vehicle body and guides other members abutting from the vehicle front to the vehicle rear side. In addition to the effect described in claim 1, since it has the guide portion, the housing main body can be prevented from being damaged when it interferes with another member during a vehicle collision.

The present invention according to claim 7 is the same as claims 1 to 6.
In the vehicle sensor casing according to claim 7, since the casing main body is made of synthetic resin, in addition to the effects according to claims 1 to 6, the production is easy even when the casing main body has a complicated shape. At the same time, it has an excellent effect that the weight can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1-1 of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a vehicle sensor housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a vehicle sensor housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an airbag device having a satellite sensor to which the vehicle sensor housing according to the embodiment of the invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing a vehicle equipped with a satellite sensor to which the vehicle sensor housing according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a front portion of a vehicle equipped with a satellite sensor to which the vehicle sensor housing according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle sensor housing according to another embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a vehicle sensor according to a conventional example.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a vehicle sensor according to another conventional example.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a vehicle sensor according to another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

16 satellite sensor (vehicle sensor) 18 satellite sensor (vehicle sensor) 32 vehicle 36 front side member 40 housing body 42 sensor protection portion 44 sensor storage portion 46 sensor body 47 sensor substrate 48 bolt (fastening means) 52 connector protection portion 52A Connector protector tip upper end (guide portion) 54 Connector storage portion 58 Connector portion 59 Harness 62 Sloping surface (guide portion) 64 A portion (guide portion) connecting the upper end portions of the left and right connector protector portions with each other 80 Curved surface (guide) Part)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A sensor housing for a vehicle, comprising sensor protection portions for protecting the sensor body on both sides of the housing body, and being fixed to the vehicle body at the sensor protection portions. 2. The sensor housing for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the housing main body is fixed to the vehicle body by fastening means with the sensor protection portions on both sides in the vehicle width direction. 3. The sensor housing for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the housing body is fixed to the vehicle body, and the maximum height of the housing body is less than or equal to the height of the fastening means. body. 4. The vehicle sensor housing according to claim 3, wherein the housing body has connector protection portions for protecting the connector on both sides of the housing body. 5. The vehicle sensor according to claim 4, wherein the housing main body is fixed to the vehicle body, and the maximum height of the connector protection portion is substantially the same as the height of the fastening means. Case. 6. The sensor housing for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the housing main body has a guide portion that guides another member abutting from the front side of the vehicle to the rear side of the vehicle while being fixed to the vehicle body. body. 7. The vehicle sensor housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing body is made of synthetic resin.