JP2007118689A - Movable bumper device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a movable bumper device capable of advancing a bumper in a direction orthogonal to the advancing and retreating direction in parallel in a stable state and improving an installing property of the bumper on a car body. <P>SOLUTION: This movable bumper device B is furnished with a driving mechanism 5 to advance the bumper 1 to a projecting position from a normal position. The driving mechanism 5 is furnished with one expansion mechanism 30 to support the bumper 1 and an actuator C to move the bumper 1 to the projecting position by expanding the expansion mechanism 30. The expansion mechanism 30 is furnished with a pair of links 31, 32 and a connecting member 33 to connect intermediate parts 31c, 32c of each of the links 31, 32 in a state free to pivotally support them. Base end parts 31a, 32a of the both links 31, 32 are guided by a driving rod 11 and move at a position to hold a central flat surface H in advancing to the projecting position of the bumper 1 and simultaneously, head end parts 31b, 32b of the both links 31, 32 are guided by a guiding rod 21 and move at the position to hold the central flat surface H. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a movable bumper device that absorbs an impact when a bumper of a vehicle collides with an obstacle.

As a movable bumper device of this type, for example, a variable stroke bumper disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a pantograph-shaped expansion / contraction connection member whose tip is pivotally attached to a bumper body and a right end in which a base end of the expansion / contraction connection member is screwed together. A screw shaft on which a screw and a left screw are formed. The expansion / contraction connection member expands / contracts according to the rotation in the forward / reverse direction of the screw shaft that is rotationally driven by the motor, so that the bumper body is selectively between the first position protruding from the vehicle body and the second position adjacent to the vehicle body. Move to.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No.59-146251

  In the prior art, since the tip of one expansion / contraction connecting member is pivotally attached to the bumper body at one location, in order to project the bumper body in a stable state parallel to the left-right direction, a pair of left and right An expansion / contraction connection member is required, or an auxiliary support member is required in addition to one expansion / contraction connection member. For this reason, when it is necessary to adjust the position of the bumper at the second position (hereinafter referred to as “normal position”), the positions of both the expansion connection members or the expansion connection members and the auxiliary support members are separately set. There is room for improvement in the assembling property of the bumper to the vehicle body because there are times when adjustment is required and the adjustment work takes time. In addition, since the elastic connecting member is provided with a plurality of pairs of links overlapped in the front-rear direction, the length of the elastic connecting member in the front-rear direction when the bumper is in the normal position increases. Incurs an increase in overall length.

  In addition, when the bumper position needs to be adjusted so that the bumper in the normal position does not deviate from the optimum setting position in view of the appearance of the vehicle, it is desirable that the adjustment is easy. On the other hand, adjustment of the protruding position may be necessary to adjust the shock absorbing stroke. Also, when the drive mechanism is generalized so that it can be used for different vehicle models and different bumpers that move the bumper in the forward / backward direction, it is possible to adjust the position at the normal position and the protruding position. desirable.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, and invention of Claims 1-7 is a movable bumper apparatus. WHEREIN: In the state which was stable in parallel with the direction orthogonal to the advancing / retreating direction, The purpose is to improve the assembly of the bumper to the vehicle body while making it possible to advance. The invention described in claim 2 further aims to facilitate the adjustment of the position of the bumper at the normal position, and the invention described in claim 3 further uses the end portion of the link to set the protruding position. The invention described in claim 4 further aims to facilitate adjustment of the position of the bumper at the normal position in a drive mechanism including an electric motor that rotationally drives the drive rod. The invention described in item 5 is intended to further reduce the actuator arrangement and improve the shock absorbing performance of the bumper device. The invention described in claim 6 further provides an electric motor for rotating the drive rod. In the drive mechanism provided, the invention according to claim 7 is intended to facilitate the adjustment of the bumper position at the normal position and to improve the shock absorbing performance of the bumper device. Position movable bumper unit positional adjustment of the bumper is facilitated in is intended to reduce the cost of a vehicle to be mounted.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a bumper capable of moving forward and backward between a normal position relative to the vehicle body and a protruding position protruding from the vehicle body relative to the normal position, and a drive for moving the bumper from the normal position to the protruding position. A movable bumper device comprising a mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism comprises one telescopic mechanism that supports the bumper, and an actuator that extends the telescopic mechanism and moves the bumper to the protruding position. In the bumper device, the extension mechanism includes a first link having a first base end and a first tip, a second link having a second base end and a second tip, the first and second A connecting member for connecting the intermediate portion of the link in a pivotable state, and the first and second base end portions are pivotally supported by a vehicle body side guide member provided in the vehicle body and supported to be movable. Is The first and second tip end portions are pivotally supported by a bumper side guide member provided in the bumper and supported so as to be movable, and in a plan view, the center of the bumper is perpendicular to the advancing / retreating direction of the bumper. When a plane passing through a point is a central plane, when the bumper advances to the protruding position, the first and second base end portions are guided by the vehicle body side guide member and sandwich the central plane. Simultaneously with the movement, the first and second tip portions are movable bumper devices that are guided by the bumper-side guide member and move at positions sandwiching the center plane.

  According to this, when the bumper advances from the normal position, the telescopic mechanism is supported by the vehicle body side guide member at a position sandwiching the center plane between the first and second base ends, and is centered at the first and second tip ends. Since the bumper is supported at a position across the plane, the bumper can be stably supported in a state parallel to the direction orthogonal to the forward / backward direction. Since the bumper is supported on the vehicle body by one extension mechanism, the position adjustment of the bumper with respect to the vehicle body at the normal position can be adjusted by one extension mechanism, and the first and second links are connected to each other by a connecting member. Therefore, the position adjustment of the other link is simultaneously performed by the position adjustment of one of the first and second links, so that the bumper can be easily adjusted. Further, since only one pair of links is provided in the expansion / contraction mechanism, the length of the expansion / contraction mechanism in the forward / backward direction when the bumper is in the normal position is overlapped with a plurality of pairs of links in the forward / backward direction. It can be shortened compared with the case where it is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the movable bumper device according to the first aspect, a vehicle body side guide rod provided on the vehicle body side guide member and movably supporting the first and second base ends, or The bumper side guide rod provided on the bumper side guide member for movably supporting the first and second tip portions is the first and second base end portions or the first and second tip ends. A drive rod for driving the portion, and at least one of the length of the first link, the length of the second link, the length of the drive rod, and the position of the bumper with respect to the bumper side guide member is adjustable. There is something.

  According to this, by adjusting any of the length of the first link, the length of the second link, the length of the drive rod, and the position of the bumper with respect to the bumper side guide member, the position adjustment of the bumper at the normal position is performed. Can do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the movable bumper device according to the first or second aspect, the vehicle body side guide member is configured such that a stopper that defines the protruding position can come into contact with the first and second base end portions. Or provided on the bumper side guide member so as to be able to come into contact with the first and second tip portions.

  According to this, since the protruding position can be easily set by the stopper using the first and second base end portions or the first and second tip end portions that move when the bumper advances, for example, an actuator that drives an expansion / contraction mechanism Therefore, it is not necessary to set the protruding position.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the movable bumper device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the actuator is provided in the vehicle body side guide member, and the first and second base end portions are provided. An electric motor that is provided on a vehicle body side guide rod that is movably supported or a bumper side guide rod that is movably supported on the bumper side guide member and that uses the bumper side guide rod that movably supports the first and second tip ends as a drive rod. A motor and a clutch that transmits and interrupts rotation of the electric motor to the drive rod, and the first and second proximal end portions or the first and second distal end portions rotate. It is moved with respect to the central plane by the drive rod.

  According to this, even when the bumper device is assembled to the vehicle body and the electric motor is attached to the bumper device, the drive rod can freely rotate relative to the electric motor by disengaging the clutch. The position adjustment through the first and second base end portions or the first and second tip end portions is facilitated.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the movable bumper device according to the first aspect, the actuator includes at least one of the first base end, the second base end, the first tip, and the second tip. A resilient means for generating a resilient force for moving one bump relative to the central plane and advancing the bumper to the protruding position, the resilient means being provided on the vehicle body side guide member; A vehicle body side guide rod that movably supports the first and second base end portions, or a bumper side guide rod that is provided on the bumper side guide member and movably supports the first and second tip portions. It is to be attached to.

  According to this, the resilient means for moving the bumper to the protruding position is compactly arranged using the guide rod. Further, the bumper that collided with the obstacle uses at least one of the first base end portion, the second base end portion, the first tip end portion, and the second tip end portion on which the elastic force of the elastic means acts as the elastic force. Since it moves backward while moving against it, the impact absorbing performance of the bumper device is enhanced by the elastic means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the movable bumper device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the actuator is provided in the vehicle body side guide member, and the first and second base end portions are provided. An electric motor that rotationally drives the drive rod with the vehicle body side guide rod that is movably supported as a drive rod, a connection state that transmits the rotation of the electric motor to the drive rod, and a disconnection that blocks the rotation of the electric motor A clutch that is switched to a state, and a resilient means that generates a resilient force that biases the first and second base end portions, the resilient means, when the clutch is in a disconnected state, The first and second base end portions are moved to advance the bumper to the protruding position, and the electric motor is configured such that when the clutch is engaged, the first and second The bumper to move the end portion is intended to be retracted to the normal position.

  According to this, even when the bumper device is assembled to the vehicle body and the electric motor is attached to the bumper device, the drive rod can freely rotate relative to the electric motor by disengaging the clutch. , Position adjustment becomes easy. In addition, the bumper that collided with the obstacle moves backward while moving the first and second base end portions to which the elastic force of the elastic means acts against the elastic force. Absorption performance increases.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the movable bumper device according to the second aspect, the drive mechanism includes the vehicle body side guide member attached to the vehicle body, the bumper side guide member to which the bumper is attached, and the expansion and contraction. The mechanism and the actuator constitute an integrated module component.

  According to this, since the drive mechanism constitutes a module part, the drive mechanism can be easily used for various vehicle types and various bumpers, and the bumper position can be easily adjusted at the normal position and the protruding position.

According to invention of Claim 1, the following effect is show | played. In other words, since the bumper can be stably supported in a state parallel to the direction orthogonal to the advance / retreat direction by one expansion / contraction mechanism, the bumper is advanced in a stable state parallel to the direction orthogonal to the advance / retreat direction. In addition, since it is easy to adjust the position of the bumper at the normal position, the ease of assembling the bumper to the vehicle body for easily disposing the bumper at a set position that is optimal in terms of the appearance of the vehicle is improved. In addition, since the length of the telescopic mechanism in the forward / backward direction can be shortened, the increase in the size of the vehicle is prevented.
According to invention of Claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of the cited claim, there exists the following effect. That is, any one of the length of the first and second links, the length of the drive rod, and the position of the bumper can be adjusted, so that the bumper position can be easily adjusted at the normal position.
According to invention of Claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of the cited claim, there exist the following effects. That is, by using the first and second base end portions or the first and second front end portions, the protruding position of the bumper can be set with a simple structure and at low cost.
According to invention of Claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention of the cited claim, there exists the following effect. That is, since the position adjustment of the bumper at the normal position is facilitated in a state where the electric motor for moving the expansion / contraction mechanism is attached to the bumper device, the adjustment work is further facilitated.
According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention described in the cited claim, the following effect is produced. In other words, the drive mechanism that is an actuator that moves the bumper to the protruding position and includes a resilient means that enhances shock absorption performance is compact.
According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in the cited claim, the following effect is exhibited. In other words, with the electric motor that moves the telescopic mechanism attached to the bumper device, the bumper position can be easily adjusted at the normal position, making the adjustment work easier, and the impact of the bumper device by the resilient means. Absorption performance increases.
According to the invention described in claim 7, in addition to the effect of the invention described in the cited claim, the following effect is produced. In other words, since the range of application of the movable bumper device is widened, it contributes to the cost reduction of the vehicle on which the bumper device is mounted, and the ease of adjustment of the bumper position to ensure the good appearance of the vehicle is ensured. Is done.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
1 and 2, the movable bumper device to which the present invention is applied is a front-side bumper device B mounted on a vehicle.
The bumper device B attached to the vehicle body has a normal position (indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1) with respect to the pair of left and right side frames F1 and F2 that are a part of the vehicle body, and the side frames F1 and F2 that are located at the normal positions. When a bumper 1 that can move forward and backward between the projecting position projecting in the forward direction as the traveling direction of the vehicle (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) and a collision between the vehicle and the obstacle is predicted And a drive mechanism 5 that moves the bumper 1 from the normal position to the protruding position.

  The bumper 1 includes a bumper face 2, a bumper beam 3 to which the bumper face 2 is fixed, and a bumper absorber 4 made of foamed resin that is disposed between the bumper face 2 and the bumper beam 3 and absorbs an impact acting on the bumper face 2. With.

  The drive mechanism 5 includes one extension mechanism 30 including a pair of links 31 and 32 that support the bumper 1 with respect to both side frames F1 and F2, and a base of the extension mechanism 30 attached to both side frames F1 and F2. The vehicle body side support member 10 that supports the end side, the bumper side support member 20 that is attached to the bumper 1 and supports the tip side of the expansion / contraction mechanism 30, and the expansion / contraction mechanism 30 is expanded / contracted to move the bumper 1 forward / backward (this embodiment) The vehicle body side support member 10, the bumper side support member 20, the telescopic mechanism 30 and the actuator C constitute a module component.

  In the vehicle body side support member 10, the base end portions 31a, 32a of the links 31, 32 are orthogonal to the advancing / retreating direction in plan view (hereinafter referred to as “orthogonal direction”. In this embodiment, the orthogonal direction is the left-right direction. Drive rod 11 serving as a vehicle body side guide rod that is guided so as to move in parallel, and drive moving bodies 12 and 13 serving as a pair of base end side moving bodies supported by the drive rod 11 so as to be movable. And a pair of attachment portions 14 and 15 for rotatably supporting the drive rod 11 at both ends thereof and attaching the vehicle body side support member 10 to the side frames F1 and F2. Here, the drive rod 11 and the both drive moving bodies 12 and 13 constitute a vehicle body side guide member.

  The attachment portions 14 and 15 are provided with long holes 14a and 15a as adjustment portions through which bolts 16 as fixing means for removably attaching the attachment portions 14 and 15 to the side frames F1 and F2 are inserted. The bumper 1 and the drive mechanism 5 are attached to the vehicle body so that the position in the front-rear direction can be adjusted within the range of the long holes 14a, 15a long in the front-rear direction.

  In the specification and claims, the plan view means the pivot in any of the base end portions 31a, 32a, the tip end portions 31b, 32b and the intermediate portions 31c, 32c of the first and second links 31, 32. This means viewing in a direction parallel to the axes L1 to L6 (in this embodiment, the vertical direction), and the central plane H means a plane passing through the central point 1a of the bumper 1 in the orthogonal direction. .

  The drive rod 11 that is arranged in parallel in the left-right direction and is rotationally driven by the electric motor 50 has male screw portions 11a and 11b that are screwed with female screw portions formed on the drive moving bodies 12 and 13, respectively. Driven by the rotating drive rod 11, the drive moving bodies 12 and 13 move in parallel in the left-right direction along the drive rod 11. Further, the drive rod 11 has a pair of joint portions 11c and 11d as adjustment portions that can adjust the length thereof. Each joint part 11c, 11d has a screw structure having a male screw part and a female screw part that are screwed together. And the length of the drive rod 11 is adjusted by adjusting the screwing length in each joint part 11c, 11d by rotation operation of the operation part 11e, and the space | interval of both the drive moving bodies 12 and 13 and The distance between each drive moving body 12 and 13 and the center plane H is adjusted, and the position of both drive moving bodies 12 and 13 with respect to the center plane H in the left-right direction is adjusted.

  The bumper-side support member 20 includes a pair of bumper-side guide rods 21 that guide the tip portions 31b and 32b of the links 31 and 32 so as to move in parallel in the left-right direction, and a pair of movably supported by the guide rods 21. Consists of driven moving bodies 22 and 23 as distal end side moving bodies, and a pair of mounting portions 24 for supporting the guide rod 21 in a state of being fixed at both ends and mounting the bumper side support member 20 to the bumper 1. Is done. Here, the guide rod 21 and the driven bodies 22 and 23 constitute a bumper side guide member.

  The bumper 1 is fixed to each mounting portion 24 via a bracket 25 fixed to the mounting portion 24. The guide rod 21 is detachably fixed by a nut 26 as a fixing means so that the mounting position with respect to the bumper 1 can be adjusted. For this purpose, each attachment portion 24 is provided with a long hole 24a as an adjustment portion through which a male screw portion formed at each end portion of the guide rod 21 and screwed into the nut 26 is inserted. Each mounting portion 24, and hence the bumper 1, is attached to the guide rod 21 and the vehicle body so that the position in the vertical direction can be adjusted within the range of the long hole 24a that is long in the vertical direction.

  Referring also to FIG. 3, the guide rods 21 arranged in parallel in the left-right direction are slidably fitted so that each driven moving body 22, 23 moves in parallel in the left-right direction along the guide rod 21. Match. Further, the guide rod 21 is provided with a stopper 27 for defining the protruding position so that the position can be adjusted in the left-right direction along the guide rod 21. The stopper 27 is composed of a pair of stoppers 27a and 27b that can be brought into contact with the tip portions 31b and 32b at the protruding position of the bumper 1, respectively.

  Each mounting portion 24 is provided with an auxiliary bumper 28 that is disposed below the bumper 1 and is fixed to the mounting portion 24. The auxiliary bumper 28 is arranged in the direction in which the bumper 1 advances, that is, in the traveling direction of the vehicle with respect to the guide rod 21, and covers almost the entire guide rod 21 and between the mounting portions 24 (see FIG. 3). . For this reason, the auxiliary bumper 28 prevents the stepping stones and obstacles from the preceding vehicle from hitting the guide rod 21, and further the telescopic mechanism 30 and the drive rod 11.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the telescopic mechanism 30 that sets the shock absorbing stroke S of the bumper 11, which is the distance in the forward / backward direction between the normal position and the protruding position, is pivotally supported by the first drive moving body 12. A first link 31 having a first distal end portion 31b pivotally supported by the first base end portion 31a and the first driven moving body 22, and a second base end portion 32a pivotally supported by the second drive moving body 13 and the second 2 A second link 32 having a second distal end portion 32b pivotally supported by the driven body 23, and an intermediate portion 31c that is a portion between the proximal end portions 31a, 32a and the distal end portions 31b, 32b in the links 31, 32. , 32c are connected to each other so as to be pivotally supported.

  In this embodiment, the intermediate portions 31c and 32c are central portions that bisect the links 31 and 32, and the connecting member 33 has pivot axes L5 and L6 that are common to both the links 31 and 32 in the connecting member 33. The intermediate portions 31c and 32c are pivotally supported at a position having Therefore, the pair of links 31 and 32 are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the central plane H, and constitute a link mechanism arranged in an X shape in plan view. In this embodiment, the pivot axes L1, L2, L3, and L4 of the both base end portions 31a and 32a and the both tip portions 31b and 32b are parallel to each other, and the pivot axes L5 and L5 of both the intermediate portions 31c and 32c are parallel to each other. L6 is also parallel.

  When the space divided by the center plane H is defined as the first and second spaces A1 and A2, the base end portion 31a and the tip end portion 32b are always in the first space A1 regardless of the expansion / contraction state of the expansion / contraction mechanism 30. The proximal end portion 32a and the distal end portion 31b are always located in the second space A2, and the connecting member 33 is in a position intersecting the central plane H so that the pivot axes L5 and L6 are positioned on the central plane H. . Further, when the bumper 1 moves in the forward / backward direction (that is, when the telescopic mechanism 30 expands / contracts), both base end portions 31a and 32a are guided along the drive rod 11 and move in parallel in the left-right direction. The tip portions 31b and 32b are guided along the guide rod 21 and move in parallel in the left-right direction. More specifically, when the bumper 1 advances to the protruding position and when the bumper 1 moves backward to the normal position, the base end portion 31a and the base end portion 32a are guided by the drive rod 11 and sandwich the center plane H therebetween. Thus, at the same time as moving in the first space A1 and the second space A2, the distal end portion 31b and the distal end portion 32b are guided by the guide rod 21 and sandwich the center plane H, respectively, and the second space A2 and the first space, respectively. Move at A1.

  Each link 31, 32 has joint portions 31d, 31e, 32d, 32e as adjusting portions that can adjust the length thereof. In the link 31, the joint portions 31d and 31e are composed of a joint portion 31d between the base end portion 31a and the intermediate portion 31c and a joint portion 31e between the distal end portion 31b and the intermediate portion 31c. The joint portions 32d and 32e are composed of a joint portion 32d between the base end portion 32a and the intermediate portion 32c and a joint portion 32e between the distal end portion 32b and the intermediate portion 32c. And each joint part 31d, 31e, 32d, 32e has the screw structure which has the external thread part and female thread part which mutually screw together, and the screwing length in each joint part 31d, 31e, 32d, 32e is The length between the base end portions 31a, 32a and the intermediate portions 31c, 32c is adjusted in each link 31, 32 by being adjusted by the turning operation of the operation portions 31f, 31h, 32f, 32h, and The lengths of the tip portions 31b and 32b and the intermediate portions 31c and 32c are adjusted.

  Referring also to FIG. 3, the actuator C that extends the expansion / contraction mechanism 30 to advance the bumper 1 from the normal position to the protruding position, and contracts the expansion / contraction mechanism 30 to retract the bumper 1 in the protruding position to the normal position. , A spring 40 comprising a compression coil spring as a pair of elastic means as a power source, an electric motor 50 as another power source, and a deceleration that decelerates the driving force of the electric motor 50 and transmits it to the drive rod 11 A mechanism 51, a clutch 52 that transmits and cuts off the rotation of the electric motor 50 with respect to the drive rod 11, and a casing 53 that houses the speed reduction mechanism 51 and the clutch 52 are provided.

  Each spring 40 surrounds the drive rod 11 so as to be coaxial with the drive rod 11 and is attached to the drive rod 11 between the mounting portions 14 and 15 and the drive moving bodies 12 and 13, and rotates together with the drive rod 11. A fixed-side retainer 41 that is supported by the drive rod 11 so as to be relatively rotatable, and a movable-side retainer 42 that is coupled and integrated with the drive moving bodies 12 and 13 so as to move integrally with the drive moving bodies 12 and 13; In between, both ends are held in contact with each other. The position of the retainer 41 can be adjusted along the drive rod 11 with respect to the retainer 42, whereby the set length of the spring 40, that is, the set load of the spring 40 can be adjusted. Further, the retainer 41 is located at a position where the elastic force acting on each drive moving body 12, 13 becomes small or the position where no elastic force acts when adjusting the position of each drive moving body 12, 13 in the left-right direction. It is also possible to move up to.

  The casing 53 to which the electric motor 50 is attached is fixed to the bracket 54 attached to the side frame F1 by a bolt 55 at the attachment portion 53a. A clutch 52 disposed between the speed reduction mechanism 51 and the drive rod 11 connects the electric motor 50 and the drive rod 11 via the speed reduction mechanism 51 so as to transmit the rotation of the electric motor 50 to the drive rod 11. In order to cut off the rotation of the electric motor 50, the electric motor 50 and the drive rod 11 are switched to a disconnected state in which the electric motor 50 and the drive rod 11 are not connected. Further, when the bumper device B is adjusted in the normal position when the bumper device B is assembled to the side frames F1, F2, the clutch 52 is not restrained by the electric motor 50 when the drive rod 11 is adjusted. It is in a shut-off state so that it can rotate freely.

When the assembly of the bumper device B to the vehicle body is completed, the operation of the electric motor 50 and the on / off state of the clutch 52 are controlled by the control device.
The control device includes a collision prediction means 62, limit switches 63 and 64 as position detection means for detecting a normal position and a protruding position based on the operating state of the expansion / contraction mechanism 30, and a collision prediction means 62 and limit switches 63 and 64. And an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as “ECU”) 61 to which an output signal is input.

  The collision prediction means 62 includes a collision prediction signal indicating that the possibility of a collision between the vehicle and the obstacle is extremely high, and a possibility of a collision between the vehicle and the obstacle based on the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle and the vehicle speed. A non-collision signal indicating the absence is output. Both limit switches 63 and 64 attached to a support member 66 supported by both attachment portions 14 and 15 are turned on and off by an operating piece 65 provided integrally with the drive moving bodies 12 and 13, respectively. It is detected from the positions of the moving bodies 12 and 13 that the bumper 1 is in the normal position and the protruding position.

The ECU 61 controls the operation of the electric motor 50 and the on / off state of the clutch 52 based on the output signals from the collision predicting means 62 and the limit switches 63, 64, and both drive moving bodies 12, 13 supported by the drive rod 11 are controlled. Control the position of the.
Specifically, in a traveling vehicle, the limit switch 63 detects that the bumper 1 is in the normal position and a non-collision signal is output from the collision prediction means 62. The motor 50 is maintained in a stopped state that keeps the drive rod 11 in a non-rotating state, and the clutch 52 is in a connected state. For this reason, the drive rod 11 is in a stopped state where it does not rotate, and each drive moving body 12, 13 is in the non-actuated position (position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1) against the elastic force of the spring 40. Stay.

  When the collision predicting state in which a collision prediction signal is output from the collision prediction means 62 in the state where each of the drive moving bodies 12 and 13 is in the non-operating position, the electric motor 50 is stopped by the ECU 61, while the clutch 52 is in a cut state, and the drive rod 11 can be freely rotated. The springs 40 acting on the drive moving bodies 12 and 13 respectively rotate the drive rod 11 via the drive moving bodies 12 and 13 by the elastic force, so that the drive moving bodies 12 and 13 are brought close to the center plane H. Since the follower moving bodies 22 and 23 are also moved in the direction approaching the center plane H, the telescopic mechanism 30 is extended, and the bumper 1 is advanced from the normal position to the protruding position. When both the tip portions 31b and 32b come into contact with the stoppers 27a and 27b, the bumper 1 occupies the protruding position, and the drive moving bodies 12 and 13 are in the operating position (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1). Position).

  When the bumper 1 in the protruding position collides with an obstacle, the bumper 1 moves backward while buckling the telescopic mechanism 30 toward the normal position, so that the impact is absorbed. At the same time, the reversing bumper 1 causes the drive moving bodies 12 and 13 to which the elastic force of the spring 40 acts to move toward the inoperative position against the elastic force. Is absorbed.

  When a collision is avoided, a non-collision signal is output from the collision prediction means 62, and it is detected by the limit switch 64 that the bumper 1 is in the protruding position. Therefore, the ECU 61 causes the clutch 52 to be in a connected state, the electric motor 50 to be in an activated state, and the drive rod 11 to be rotationally driven, so that the drive moving bodies 12 and 13 are resisted against the elastic force of the spring 40. Since it moves in the direction away from the center plane H toward the non-actuated position, and at the same time, the follower moving bodies 22 and 23 also move in the direction away from the center plane H, the telescopic mechanism 30 contracts and the bumper 1 Retracts from the protruding position toward the normal position. When it is detected by the limit switch 63 that the bumper 1 has reached the normal position, the electric motor 50 is stopped by the ECU 61, the clutch 52 is maintained in the connected state, and both the drive moving bodies 12, 13 are Occupies an inoperative position.

Next, operations and effects of the embodiment configured as described above will be described.
The telescopic mechanism 30 of the bumper device B includes a pair of links 31, 32 and a connecting member 33. Both base end portions 31a, 32a are pivotally supported by the vehicle body side guide member and supported so as to be movable in the left-right direction. Both end portions 31b and 32b are pivotally supported by the bumper side guide member and supported so as to be movable in the left-right direction. When the bumper 1 advances to the protruding position, both base end portions 31a and 32a are driven. At the same time that the tip 11b and 32b are guided by the rod 11 and moved at a position sandwiching the center plane H by being guided by the guide rod 21, the telescopic mechanism 30 is 1, the bumper 1 is supported by the drive rod 11 at a position where the center plane H is sandwiched between the base ends 31a and 32a, and the bumper 1 is supported at a position where the center plane H is sandwiched between the ends 31b and 32b. 1 is stable in a state parallel to the direction (left-right direction) orthogonal to the forward / backward direction Therefore, the bumper 1 can be advanced in a stable state parallel to the left-right direction. Since the bumper 1 is supported by the vehicle body by a single expansion / contraction mechanism 30, the adjustment of the position of the bumper 1 relative to the vehicle body at the normal position may be adjusted by the single expansion / contraction mechanism 30 and the pair of links 31, 32 are connected. Since the members 33 are connected to each other, the position adjustment of the other links 31 and 32 is simultaneously performed by the position adjustment of the links 31 and 32 of the both links 31 and 32. Therefore, the position adjustment of the bumper 1 is easy. Thus, the assembling property of the bumper 1 to the vehicle body for easily disposing the bumper 1 at a set position that is optimal in terms of the appearance of the vehicle is improved. Since the telescopic mechanism 30 is only provided with a pair of links 31, 32, the length of the telescopic mechanism 30 in the advancing / retreating direction (front-rear direction) when the bumper 1 is in the normal position is set to a plurality of sets. Since it can shorten compared with the case where a pair of links are provided by being overlapped in the front-rear direction, an increase in size of the vehicle in the front-rear direction is prevented.

  The length of the link 31, the length of the link 32, the length of the drive rod 11, and the position of the bumper 1 with respect to the guide rod 21 can be adjusted. Since the position of the bumper 1 can be adjusted at the position, it is easy to adjust the position of the bumper 1 at the normal position.

  Specifically, adjustment of the length of each link 31, 32 by the joint portions 31d, 31e, 32d, 32e, adjustment of the length of the drive rod 11 by the joint portions 11c, 11d, and mounting portion by the long holes 14a, 15a By adjusting the positions 14 and 15, the position of the bumper 1 in the normal position in the front-rear direction is adjusted. Further, the position of the bumper 1 in the normal position in the vertical direction is adjusted by adjusting the position of the bumper 1 relative to the guide rod 21 by the long hole 24a.

  Further, by adjusting the length of each link 31, 32, the position of the bumper 1 in the front-rear direction at the protruding position without changing the length in the front-rear direction of the telescopic mechanism 30 in the contracted state at the normal position. The shock absorbing stroke S can be adjusted. For example, in each link 31, 32, the joint portions 31d, 32d are adjusted to shorten the length between the base end portions 31a, 32a and the intermediate portions 31c, 32c, and the joint portions 31e, 32e are adjusted. By increasing the length between the tip portions 31b and 32b and the intermediate portions 31c and 32c, the impact is absorbed without changing the length in the front-rear direction of the expansion / contraction mechanism 30 at the normal position compared to before adjustment. The stroke S can be increased.

  A pair of stoppers 27a and 27b for defining the protruding position are provided on the guide rod 21 so as to be able to abut on both the tip portions 31b and 32b, respectively, so that both the tip portions 31b and 32b that move when the bumper 1 moves forward are used. Thus, since the protruding position can be easily set by the stoppers 27a and 27b, it is not necessary to set the protruding position by an actuator such as an electric motor that drives the expansion / contraction mechanism 30, for example. As a result, the projecting position of the bumper 1 can be set with a simple structure and at a low cost by using both the tip portions 31b and 32b.

  The drive mechanism 5 includes, as an actuator C, an electric motor 50 that rotationally drives a drive rod 11 that movably supports both base end portions 31a and 32a, a connection state that transmits rotation of the electric motor 50 to the drive rod 11, and A clutch 52 that is switched to a disengaged state that interrupts rotation of the electric motor 50, so that the clutch 52 is disengaged even when the bumper device B is assembled to the vehicle body and the electric motor 50 is attached to the bumper device B. As a result, the drive rod 11 can freely rotate with respect to the electric motor 50. Therefore, the drive movements 12 and 13 in which both base end portions 31a and 32a are pivotally supported can be easily moved along the drive rod 11. Since it can be moved, the position adjustment through the base end portions 31a and 32a and the tip end portions 31b and 32b is facilitated, and the adjustment work of the position of the bumper 1 at the normal position is further facilitated.

  The drive mechanism 5 includes, as an actuator C, a spring 40 that generates a resilient force that moves both the base end portions 31a and 32a toward the center plane H and advances the bumper 1 to the protruding position. When a bumper 1 collides with an obstacle, the bumper 1 resists the resilient force against both base end portions 31a and 32a pivotally supported by the drive moving bodies 12 and 13 to which the resilient force of the spring 40 acts. Therefore, the shock absorbing performance of the bumper device B is enhanced by the spring 40. Further, since the spring 40 is mounted coaxially to the drive rod 11, the spring 40 is compactly arranged using the drive rod 11, so that it is an actuator C that moves the bumper 1 to the protruding position and also has an impact absorbing performance. The drive mechanism 5 including the spring 40 for increasing the size becomes compact.

  The drive mechanism 5 includes a vehicle body side support member 10 including a vehicle body side guide member, a bumper side support member 20 including a bumper side guide member, a telescopic mechanism 30, and an actuator C including a spring 40 and an electric motor 50. By configuring the module parts, the drive mechanism 5 can be easily used for various vehicle types and various bumpers 1, and the position adjustment of the bumper 1 at the normal position is facilitated. As a result, since the application range of the bumper device B is widened, it contributes to the cost reduction of the vehicle on which the bumper device B is mounted, and the ease of adjusting the position of the bumper 1 for ensuring good appearance of the vehicle. Is secured.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a part of the configuration of the above-described embodiment is changed will be described with respect to the changed configuration.
The pivot axes L5 and L6 of both intermediate portions 31c and 32c in the connecting member 33 may not be coaxial, and may be separated in, for example, an orthogonal direction.
The spring 40 may be coaxially mounted on the guide rod 21 so as to drive the first and second tip portions by applying a resilient force to the tip side moving body.
An electric motor capable of reverse rotation is used as the electric motor 50 without providing the spring 40, and the drive rod 11 may be rotationally driven by the electric motor 50 when the bumper 1 is advanced as in the backward movement.
The drive rod 11 may be provided on a member constituting the vehicle body without the drive rod 11 or the guide rod 21 being integrated with the telescopic mechanism 30 and the guide rod 21 is fixed to the bumper 1. May be provided. Further, in the driving mechanism 5, the driven moving bodies 22 and 23 may constitute a driving moving body driven by an actuator, and the driving moving bodies 12 and 13 may constitute a driven moving body.
The bumper side guide rod may constitute a drive rod driven by an actuator, and the vehicle body side guide rod may constitute a guide rod. In this case, the bumper side guide rod serves as an adjustment unit similar to the drive rod 11. A joint portion may be provided and the length thereof may be adjustable.
When the bumper 1 is advanced to the protruding position and when the bumper 1 is retracted to the normal position, the first and second base end portions 31a and 32a are guided by the drive rod 11 and moved at a position sandwiching the center plane H. The first and second distal end portions 31b and 32b are guided by the guide rod 21 and moved at a position sandwiching the center plane H. The first proximal end portion 31a and the first distal end portion 31b are disposed in the first space A1. The first and second links 31 and 32 may be arranged so that the second base end portion 32a and the second tip end portion 32b move in the second space A2 simultaneously with the movement.
The resilient means for generating a resilient force for advancing the bumper 1 to the protruding position is centered on at least one of the first proximal end portion 31a, the second proximal end portion 32a, the first distal end portion 31b, and the second distal end portion 32b. The bumper 1 that has collided with an obstacle may also generate a resilient force that moves with respect to the plane H. In this case, the bumper 1 that collides with the obstacle also has a first base end 31a on which the resilient force of the resilient means acts. Since at least one of the second base end portion 32a, the first tip end portion 31b, and the second tip end portion 32b moves backward against the elastic force, the impact absorbing performance of the bumper device B is achieved by the elastic means. Rise.
A stopper that defines the protruding position of the bumper 1 may be provided on the drive rod 11 so as to be in contact with the first and second base end portions 31a and 32a, instead of the stoppers 27a and 27b.
Without providing the auxiliary bumper 28, the bumper 1 may be disposed in the traveling direction of the vehicle with respect to the guide rod 21, and cover the entire guide rod 21 and the entire mounting portion 24.
The movable bumper device may be a rear bumper device in which the bumper 1 can advance in the rearward direction (reverse direction) of the vehicle, and further, a side bumper device in which the vehicle can advance in the left-right direction of the vehicle. It may be.

It is a figure of the principal part in the plane view which shows a part of a front side bumper device to which the present invention is applied, and shows a section. It is a principal part right view of the bumper apparatus of FIG. 1, About a bumper and a bracket, it is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a front view of the bumper apparatus of FIG. 1 when a bumper is removed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Bumper, 5 ... Drive mechanism, 10 ... Car body side support member, 11 ... Drive rod, 12, 13 ... Drive moving body, 20 ... Bumper side support member, 21 ... Guide rod, 22, 23 ... Driven mobile body, 27 ... stopper, 30 ... telescopic mechanism, 31, 32 ... link, 31a, 32a ... proximal end, 31b, 32b ... tip, 31c, 32c ... intermediate, 33 ... connecting member, 40 ... spring, 50 ... electric motor, 52 ... Clutch,
B: Bumper device, H: Center plane, S: Shock absorbing stroke, C: Actuator.

Claims (7)

A movable bumper device comprising: a bumper capable of moving forward and backward between a normal position with respect to the vehicle body and a protruding position protruding from the vehicle body than the normal position; and a drive mechanism for moving the bumper from the normal position to the protruding position In the movable bumper device, the drive mechanism includes one extension mechanism that supports the bumper, and an actuator that extends the extension mechanism and moves the bumper to the protruding position.
The telescopic mechanism includes a first link having a first base end and a first tip, a second link having a second base end and a second tip, and an intermediate portion between the first and second links. The first and second base end portions are pivotally supported by a vehicle body side guide member provided on the vehicle body and supported so as to be movable. 1 and the second tip are pivotally supported by a bumper side guide member provided in the bumper and supported movably,
When a plane passing through the central point of the bumper in a direction perpendicular to the advancing / retreating direction of the bumper as a central plane in a plan view,
When the bumper advances to the protruding position, the first and second base end portions are guided by the vehicle body side guide member and moved at a position sandwiching the center plane, and at the same time, the first and second A tip end portion is guided by the bumper side guide member and moves at a position sandwiching the center plane.   The vehicle body side guide member is provided with the vehicle body side guide rod that movably supports the first and second base end portions, or the bumper side guide member is provided with the first and second tip portions. The bumper side guide rod that is movably supported constitutes a drive rod that drives the first and second base end portions or the first and second tip end portions, the length of the first link, The movable bumper device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a length of the second link, a length of the drive rod, and a position of the bumper with respect to the bumper side guide member is adjustable.   A stopper for defining the protruding position is provided on the vehicle body side guide member so as to be able to come into contact with the first and second base end parts, or to be able to come into contact with the first and second tip parts. The movable bumper device according to claim 1, wherein the movable bumper device is provided on a bumper side guide member.   The actuator is provided on the vehicle body side guide member and is provided on the vehicle body side guide rod or the bumper side guide member that movably supports the first and second base end portions, and the first and second sides. An electric motor that rotationally drives the drive rod with a bumper side guide rod that supports the tip portion movably as a drive rod, and a clutch that transmits and blocks rotation of the electric motor to the drive rod, The first and second base end portions or the first and second tip end portions are moved with respect to the central plane by the rotating drive rod. The movable bumper device according to claim 1.   The actuator moves at least one of the first base end portion, the second base end portion, the first tip end portion, and the second tip end portion with respect to the center plane to bring the bumper into the protruding position. A vehicle-side guide rod which is provided in the vehicle-side guide member and movably supports the first and second base end portions; 2. The movable bumper device according to claim 1, wherein the movable bumper device is coaxially attached to a bumper side guide rod provided on the bumper side guide member and movably supporting the first and second tip portions.   The actuator includes an electric motor that is provided on the vehicle body side guide member and rotationally drives the drive rod using a vehicle body side guide rod that movably supports the first and second base ends as a drive rod, and the drive A clutch that is switched between a connected state for transmitting rotation of the electric motor to the rod and a disconnected state for blocking rotation of the electric motor, and a resilient force that urges the first and second base end portions are generated. And, when the clutch is in a disengaged state, the bulleting means moves the first and second base end portions to advance the bumper to the protruding position. 4. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the motor moves the first and second base ends to retract the bumper to a normal position when the clutch is engaged. 5. Mobile bumper device Zureka preceding claim. The drive mechanism constitutes a module component in which the vehicle body side guide member attached to the vehicle body, the bumper side guide member to which the bumper is attached, the telescopic mechanism, and the actuator are integrated. The movable bumper device according to claim 2.

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