JP2009220787A - Collision detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a collision detection device capable of enhancing efficiency in mounting work of a pressure sensor, retaining an air-tight closing property of a chamber body and a pressure introduction pipe, and maintaining high collision detection accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: The collision detection device has a reinforcement 1; a chamber member 2 made of resin; a pressure sensor 3; and the pressure introduction pipe 30. The chamber member 2 comprises the chamber body 20 made of soft resin for dividing an internal space 21; and an insert member 22 insert-molded to the chamber body 20 and having an opening inserted with one end of the pressure introduction pipe 30. Since the insert member has higher strength than the chamber member body, it becomes the one having less deformation of the opening and high accuracy. Therefore, a clearance of a through-hole of the chamber member and the pressure introduction pipe penetrated with it can be made in a constant range, ventilation property of the chamber member is given, required air-tight closing property is retained, and the collision detection accuracy can be maintained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a collision detection device that is attached to a vehicle and detects a collision with the vehicle, and more particularly to a collision detection device that detects a collision of a vehicle with a bumper.

  In recent years, safety has been improved in vehicles in the event of an accident. Regarding vehicle safety, not only is it necessary to ensure the safety of the vehicle occupant in the event of an accident, but it has also been required that the pedestrian not be fatally damaged when the pedestrian collides with the vehicle.

  As a means for protecting a pedestrian that has collided with a vehicle, a method of reducing the injury value (impact received by the pedestrian) received by a pedestrian who collided with the vehicle and fell into the hood has been considered. In such a protective device, it is important to detect a collision with a vehicle such as a pedestrian.

In order to detect a collision in the collision detection device, as shown in FIG. 6, a pressure introduction pipe of a pressure sensor for introducing a pressure inside the chamber member is arranged in the chamber member in a state inserted into the through hole of the chamber member. Yes. The chamber member is usually thin, and when the pressure introducing tube is inserted, the chamber member needs to be attached so as not to widen the hole of the through hole. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-263313 (Patent Document 1) proposes a resin molded product mounting structure in which a clip material for holding a fixing member made of a different material is provided on the resin molded product mounting surface. The fixing member is assembled to the resin molded product by fitting the fixing member into the clip material. Since this fixing member can be removed from the clip material as necessary, the resin molded product and the fixing member made of a different material such as metal can be easily disassembled.
JP 2001-263313 A

  Since the chamber member is molded in a substantially sealed space, other members could not be attached to the chamber member after molding. In addition, when the pressure introduction pipe of the pressure sensor is attached to the chamber member arranged in front of the reinforcement, it may take time to position the pressure introduction pipe, and the work efficiency is poor. The chamber member is made of a soft resin material and has a thin cross-section having a thickness of about several millimeters. Therefore, when the pressure introduction pipe is attached, the hole of the through hole may be expanded and deformed. For this reason, there is a problem in the clearance between the through hole of the chamber member and the pressure introducing pipe inserted therethrough, the air permeability and the sealing property of the chamber member.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and improves the workability of pressure sensor mounting work, maintains the airtightness of the chamber member and the pressure introducing pipe, and maintains high collision detection accuracy. An object of the present invention is to provide a collision detection device capable of

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor has studied the collision detection device that can be assembled to the bumper of the vehicle, and as a result, has reached the present invention.

  A collision detection device according to the present invention includes a reinforcement that is horizontally fixed to a base portion of a vehicle, a resin chamber member that is disposed in front of the reinforcement and that forms a beam-like internal space, and a reinforcement. And a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the internal space and a pressure introduction pipe provided between the reinforcement and the pressure sensor for introducing the pressure in the internal space to the pressure sensor, and deformation of the chamber member due to the collision A collision detection device for detecting a collision by detecting a pressure variation in a chamber space based on a pressure sensor, wherein a chamber member is insert-molded into a chamber body made of a soft resin that defines an internal space, and pressure is introduced. And an insert member having an opening into which one end of the tube is inserted.

  The collision detection apparatus of the present invention has an insert member in which the chamber member is insert-molded. Since the insert member can be easily seen, the workability of the work for attaching the pressure introducing pipe is improved. In addition, the pressure introducing tube of the pressure sensor is inserted into the opening of the insert member. However, since the insert member has higher strength than the chamber member body made of a soft resin, the opening is not deformed and is highly accurate. For this reason, the clearance between the through hole of the chamber member and the pressure introducing pipe inserted therethrough can be within a certain range, the air permeability of the chamber member can be maintained, the necessary sealing performance can be maintained, and the collision detection accuracy can be maintained.

  The collision detection device of the present invention is fixed to the base of a vehicle and includes a reinforcement, a chamber member, an insert member, a pressure sensor, and a pressure introduction pipe. A vehicle to which the collision detection device is fixed refers to a vehicle such as a passenger car, a truck, a bus, and a tram that normally travels on a road. More specifically, it refers to a road traveling vehicle equipped with a bumper or other collision buffer.

  The reinforce constituting the collision detection device normally functions as a member that receives a collision force extending in the vehicle width direction at the front end and the rear end of the vehicle. Reinforces or reinforcements and reinforcements that reinforce them require considerable strength to protect the vehicle against collisions and are made of steel plates, aluminum alloy extrusions, reinforced resins, and the like. Reinforce requires a front portion and strength large enough to face the chamber member and receive a collision force acting on the chamber member.

  The chamber member includes a chamber body and an insert member. After the insert member is loaded into the mold, a soft resin is extruded from the extruder into a pipe shape to make a parison, the pair of molds are closed, the parison is enclosed, and compressed air is blown into the parison, and the parison is blown with the compressed air that has been blown And press the outer periphery of the parison against the mold surface. When the parison is inflated, the insert member is wrapped with the parison. At the same time, the parison is molded on the mold surface, and the molded parison is cooled and solidified. Thereafter, the molded product is taken out from the mold, burrs and the like are removed by a normal method, and further, a common hole is formed in a portion of the molded soft resin covering the through hole of the insert member, thereby completing the chamber member.

  This chamber member has a beam-like internal space extending in the horizontal direction. Here, the beam shape means a shape that extends in the horizontal direction and has a substantially constant cross section, and preferably has a rectangular cross section. In this chamber member, for example, when a pedestrian collides with a vehicle, the leg of the pedestrian collides with the front surface of the chamber member, and the collided portion of the chamber member is sandwiched between the leg of the pedestrian and the reinforcement. It is assumed that it will collapse. That is, only a specific portion of the front wall that collides with the leg of the pedestrian of the chamber member is pressed and crushed by the reinforcement side. The portion of the front wall of the chamber member that does not collide with the legs of the pedestrian is not crushed and does not deform. The internal space of the chamber member does not have to be a completely sealed structure, and any pressure variation may be generated as long as the volume of the internal space is reduced due to crushing due to a collision. The chamber main body constituting the chamber member can be manufactured from a soft resin, and as the soft resin, a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene that can be easily deformed can be used.

  The insert member preferably has a central portion having an opening and a flange portion formed integrally with the periphery of the central portion. By having the flange portion, it is possible to eliminate a gap between the insert body and the chamber main body, close the chamber main body and the insert member, and eliminate air leakage. Moreover, it can prevent coming off from a chamber main body by having a flange part.

  Moreover, as for an insert member, it is preferable that the flange part formed in the center part and the periphery of the center part is circular. Due to the circular shape of the insert member, it is easy to manufacture and the pressure is evenly applied when the internal pressure is applied. Further, it can be prevented from falling off from the chamber body.

  The outer peripheral part of the insert member is usually covered with the chamber body, but the central part with the opening is not covered with the chamber body and can be seen from the outside. For this reason, the position of the insert member can be easily understood by visual observation, and the opening thereof can also be easily understood. For this reason, the workability of the work of attaching the pressure introduction pipe is improved. In addition, when one end of the pressure introduction pipe of the pressure sensor is inserted into the opening of the insert member, the clearance between the through hole of the chamber member and the pressure introduction pipe inserted therethrough can be kept within a certain range, and the air permeability of the chamber member is provided and necessary. Maintains a good sealing performance and maintains collision detection accuracy. The insert member is preferably made of a material harder than the chamber body and functions as a reinforcement for the chamber body.

  The pressure sensor is a sensor that detects the pressure in the internal space of the chamber member, and a sensor that is used in a conventional collision detection device or an air pressure measurement sensor that measures air pressure can be used.

  The pressure introducing tube is a substantially cylindrical tube that introduces the pressure in the chamber space into the pressure sensor, and one end is inserted into the opening of the insert member, and the tip of the pressure introducing tube is located in the internal space defined by the chamber body. It will be. A slight gap is formed between the chamber body and the outer periphery of the pressure introducing pipe, and this gap acts as a breathing hole. Therefore, in a state where no collision occurs, the atmospheric pressure in the chamber space is separated from the outside air. It is kept constant.

  The collision detection device of the present invention can be provided with components provided in the bumper. For example, a shock absorber can be provided below the chamber member on the front side of the reinforcement. In addition, a decorative soft cover can be provided on the front surface of the chamber member.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described using examples.

  A collision detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic view seen from above a front portion of a vehicle assembled with a collision detection device, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part seen from the side of the collision detection device, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main part of the collision detection device viewed from above, and FIG. 5 is a front view of the main part of the collision detection device.

  This collision detection device is composed of a reinforcement 1, a chamber member 2, a pressure sensor 3, an absorber 4, and a calculation means (not shown).

  The reinforcement 1 has a frame structure including a metal front wall 11, a rear wall 12, an upper wall 13, a lower wall 14, and a central wall 15, as shown in FIG. 2. The reinforcement 1 extends in the horizontal direction and is fixed to the front end portions of a pair of side members 6 of the vehicle. The side member 6 is a strength member that constitutes the base of the vehicle, and its tip protrudes forward of the engine room.

  The chamber member 2 is substantially rectangular in cross section, has a beam-like internal space 21 extending in the horizontal direction, and includes a chamber body 20 and an insert member 22. Insert member 22 is loaded into a mold, soft resin is extruded to make a parison, a pair of molds are closed to enclose the parison, the parison is inflated with compressed air, and the outer peripheral surface of the parison is pressed against the mold surface . When the parison is inflated, the insert member 22 is wrapped, and the parison is molded on the mold surface. After cooling and solidifying, the burr and the like are removed, and the chamber member 2 is manufactured by making a common hole in the molded soft resin portion covering the through hole of the insert member 22. Since the mounting position of the pressure introducing pipe 30 can be visually observed by the insertion of the insert member 22, the workability of the mounting is improved, and the clearance between the through hole of the chamber member 2 and the pressure introducing pipe 30 inserted through the chamber member 2 is within a certain range. In addition, the air permeability of the chamber member 2 can be provided, and the necessary airtightness can be maintained. The chamber member 2 is fixed in contact with the upper portion of the front surface of the front wall 11 of the reinforcement 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the insert member 22 has an opening 222 in the central portion 220, and a flange portion 221 that is integrally formed on the periphery of the central portion 220. The flange portion 221 is covered with the resin of the chamber main body 20, and the flange portion 221 eliminates a gap with the chamber main body 20 and is securely fixed to the chamber main body 20.

  The insert member 22 has a constant width figure by making the central portion 220 and the flange portion 221 circular, and does not fall off from the attached chamber body 20. Moreover, by making it circular, it is easy to manufacture and pressure is applied evenly when internal pressure is applied. Moreover, the opening 222 of the center part 220 is not covered with the chamber main body 20, and the insert member 22 can be visually observed from the outside. The mounting position of the pressure introducing tube 30 can be easily understood by visual observation, and the mounting workability is improved. Since the insert member 22 is formed of a hard resin than the chamber main body 20, the insert member 22 has high strength, the hole of the chamber main body 20 is less likely to expand and deform, and the pressure introduction tube 30 can be securely fixed. Detection accuracy in a collision can be ensured.

  The pressure sensor 3 is a sensor for measuring the pressure in the internal space 21 of the chamber member 2 and is conventionally known. The pressure sensor 3 detects a gas pressure and calculates it as an electric signal to an arithmetic means. The pressure sensor 3 is fixed to the central portion of the front wall 11 of the reinforcement 1.

  The pressure introducing pipe 30 is a pipe for introducing the pressure in the chamber space into the pressure sensor 3, and one end is inserted into the opening 222 of the insert member 22 from the outside of the chamber member 2. The length into which the pressure introducing pipe 30 is inserted may be as small as possible.

  The absorber 4 is located below the chamber member 2 and is disposed in the lower portion of the front surface of the reinforcement 1. The absorber 4 is molded as a foamed resin, and its front surface is formed in a shape that matches the inner peripheral surface of the bumper cover 5.

  The calculation means is connected to the pressure sensor 3 and calculates the pressure in the internal space 21 of the chamber member 2 from the detection signal of the pressure sensor 3 and determines a collision from the calculated pressure. The calculation means may be incorporated in advance in a CPU mounted on the vehicle, or may be incorporated in a pedestrian protection device.

  The bumper cover 5 is a decorative member that covers the chamber member 2 and the absorber 4 with a plate-shaped resin molded body.

  The collision detection by the collision detection apparatus of the present embodiment will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bumper cover 5 of the vehicle in which the collision detection device of this embodiment is assembled has the bumper cover 5 covering the chamber member 2 and the absorber 4 to form the outer surface of the bumper of the vehicle.

  When a pedestrian collides with the bumper of the vehicle, the leg of the pedestrian presses the bumper of the vehicle. The leg part of the pedestrian presses the chamber member 2 via the bumper cover 5, and the pressed part of the chamber member 2 is deformed rearward. Due to the collapse of the chamber member 2, the volume of the internal space 21 decreases, and the air pressure in the internal space 21 increases. This increase in air pressure is introduced into the pressure introducing pipe 30, detected by the pressure sensor 3, and sent to the computing means to determine a collision.

  The calculation means is whether the collision object is a human body such as a pedestrian or the like based on the degree of change in pressure (change rate), or is it a structure with a heavy weight such as a lightweight road obstacle or another vehicle. Can also be determined. At this time, it is preferable that vehicle speed data is also input to the calculation means.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, by increasing the shape of the flange portion 221 of the insert member 22, the gap between the chamber body 20 and the insert member 22 can be further reduced, and sealing performance can be ensured.

It is the schematic diagram seen from the front side part of the vehicle which assembled | attached the collision detection apparatus of the Example. It is principal part sectional drawing seen from the side of the collision detection apparatus of an Example. It is a perspective view of the insert member used for the collision detection apparatus of an Example. It is principal part sectional drawing seen from the collision detection apparatus of an Example. It is a principal part front view of the collision detection apparatus of an Example. It is principal part sectional drawing seen from the collision detection apparatus which shows the prior art.

Explanation of symbols

1: Reinforce 11: Front wall
2: Chamber member 20: Chamber body 21: Internal space 22: Insert member 220: Center portion 221: Flange portion 222: Opening 3: Pressure sensor 30: Pressure introducing pipe 4: Absorber 5: Bumper cover 6: Side member

Claims (3)

Reinforce fixed horizontally at the base of the vehicle,
A resin-made chamber member that forms a beam-like internal space disposed in front of the reinforcement and extending in the horizontal direction;
A pressure sensor that is held by the reinforcement and detects the pressure in the internal space;
A pressure introducing pipe provided between the reinforcement and the pressure sensor, for introducing the pressure of the internal space to the pressure sensor;
A collision detection device that detects a collision by detecting a pressure variation in the chamber space based on deformation of the chamber member due to a collision with the pressure sensor,
The chamber member is composed of a soft resin chamber main body that defines the internal space, and an insert member that is insert-molded in the chamber main body and has an opening into which one end of the pressure introducing pipe is inserted. Detection device.   The collision detection device according to claim 1, wherein the insert member includes a central portion having the opening and a flange portion integrally formed on a peripheral edge of the central portion.   The collision detection device according to claim 1, wherein the insert member has a circular shape at the center portion and the flange portion formed at a peripheral edge of the center portion.

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