JP2013001227A - Front body structure of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively provide a front body structure of a vehicle equipped with a collision detection sensor, wherein a collision of the vehicle is detected early and correctly to enhance the safely of pedestrians.SOLUTION: The front body structure of the vehicle includes a bumper reinforcement 9 arranged at the front of the vehicle to extend in a vehicle width direction, a shock absorber 11 provided on the front side of the bumper reinforcement 9, a bumper face 3 extending in the vehicle width direction at the vehicle front end so as to cover the bumper reinforcement and the shock absorber, and first to fourth G sensors 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d detecting the collision of the vehicle. In addition, the structure includes a bracket 5 arranged close to the rear of the bumper face 3 and extending in the vehicle width direction. The first to fourth G sensors 7a, 7b, ... are arranged to the bracket 5 at an interval in the vehicle width direction. The bracket 5 is connected to the bumper face 3 at both ends thereof.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle front body structure that includes a collision detection sensor that detects a collision of a vehicle.

  Conventionally, a technology for protecting a pedestrian using an in-vehicle device has been developed. As an example of a device embodying such a technology, an airbag is deployed on a hood when a vehicle collision is detected. There is a known hood that raises the rear of the hood when a collision is detected (a deployable hood).

  In order for these devices to function effectively and improve the safety of pedestrians, it is necessary to detect vehicle collisions early and reliably. For example, in Patent Document 1, a sensor for detecting an impact is attached. There is disclosed a vehicle collision detection device in which a bracket is fixed to a bumper reinforcement. Recently, in order to detect a vehicle collision earlier, a pressure-sensitive sensor that changes the resistance value between the electrodes according to the pressing force is directly applied to the back surface of the bumper face so as to follow the entire width of the bumper face. A structure to be arranged has been proposed.

JP 2010-36663 A

  However, since the pressure-sensitive sensor is generally expensive, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases if the pressure-sensitive sensor is arranged along the entire width of the bumper face as described above.

  In order to solve such a problem, it is conceivable to arrange a plurality of relatively inexpensive G sensors or the like on the back surface of the bumper face with a gap, but in such a structure, the sensor on the bumper face is attached. When a non-existing part is locally deformed, it is difficult to detect a vehicle collision. Therefore, it is conceivable to arrange a large number of G sensors densely on the bumper face. However, in such a structure, the number of parts increases, and there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases as in the case of using a pressure sensitive sensor. .

  The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to detect a vehicle collision early and accurately at a low cost in a vehicle front body structure provided with a collision detection sensor. At the same time, it is to provide a technique for improving the safety of pedestrians.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a collision detection sensor for detecting a collision of a vehicle is attached to the bumper face via a bracket that is disposed close to the rear of the bumper face and connected to the bumper face. I have to.

  Specifically, the first invention includes a bumper reinforcement disposed at the front of the vehicle so as to extend in the vehicle width direction, an energy absorbing member provided on the front side of the bumper reinforcement, and these A vehicle front body structure including a bumper face extending in the vehicle width direction at the front end portion of the vehicle so as to cover the bumper reinforcement and the energy absorbing member, and a collision detection sensor for detecting a collision of the vehicle is targeted. .

  And a bracket for attaching the collision detection sensor to the bumper face, which is disposed close to the rear of the bumper face and extends in the vehicle width direction, and the collision detection sensor has an interval in the vehicle width direction. A plurality of the brackets are arranged at an opening, and the brackets are connected to the bumper face at at least two places.

  According to the first invention, even when a part other than the part corresponding to the position of the collision detection sensor on the bumper face is locally deformed by attaching the collision detection sensor to the bumper face via the bracket extending in the vehicle width direction. Since the deformed portion of the bracket disposed close to the rear of the bumper face and extending in the vehicle width direction comes into contact, the collision of the vehicle is detected by a small number of collision detection sensors arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction. Early and accurate detection is possible. Thus, for example, a pedestrian protection device such as an airbag that is deployed on a hood when a collision with a pedestrian or a deployable hood that lifts the rear part of the hood can be activated at an early stage so that the pedestrian in the event of a vehicle collision. Safety can be improved.

  In addition, according to such a front body structure, since the bracket is connected to the bumper face at at least two places, the bracket also moves back together with the bumper face in the event of a vehicle collision, thus reducing the impact of the pedestrian. Can do.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, annular wall portions that form lamp openings for mounting the lamps project from the back surfaces of the bumper face at both ends in the vehicle width direction. The bracket is characterized in that both end portions thereof are respectively attached to the annular wall portion.

  By the way, in order to connect the bracket disposed close to the rear of the bumper face to the bumper face, for example, it is necessary to separately form an attachment portion for attaching the bracket to the back surface of the bumper face, If such a mounting part is formed on the back surface of the bumper face, the surface of the bumper face may be sinked, or the mounting part can be seen from an opening formed on the bumper face (such as a running wind inlet). May be affected.

  Here, in the second invention, since the bracket is attached to the annular wall portion that forms a lamp opening for mounting a lamp such as a fog lamp or a headlight, which is provided on the back surface of the bumper face. There is no risk of sink marks on the surface of the bumper face, and the mounting portion is hidden by a fog lamp or a headlight attached to the lamp opening. Thus, the bracket on which the collision detection sensor is arranged can be connected to the bumper face without affecting the design of the bumper face.

  According to a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the front end of the bracket is located in front of the vehicle with respect to the front end of the energy absorbing member.

  According to the third aspect, since the front end of the bracket on which the collision detection sensor is disposed is closer to the bumper face than the front end of the energy absorbing member, it is possible to detect a vehicle collision earlier.

  According to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, the bracket includes a lateral wall portion extending horizontally in the vehicle width direction, and a flange wall portion extending in the vertical direction from a front end portion of the lateral wall portion. It is characterized by having.

  According to the fourth invention, since the bracket is formed in a substantially L-shaped section or a T-shaped section when viewed from the vehicle width direction, the rigidity is ensured without increasing the plate thickness of the bracket. Thus, the collision detection sensor can be securely held. In addition, since the wall portion extends in the vertical direction from the front end portion of the lateral wall portion, the portion facing the bumper face in the bracket increases compared to the case of only the lateral wall portion, so that local deformation in the bumper face has occurred. The part can easily come into contact with the bracket, whereby the collision of the vehicle can be detected earlier.

  According to the vehicle front body structure of the present invention, a plurality of collision detection sensors are arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction on the bracket that is disposed close to the rear of the bumper face and extends in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, even when the bumper face is locally deformed due to the collision of the vehicle, the deformed portion comes into contact with the bracket, so that the collision of the vehicle can be detected early and accurately even with a small number of sensors. Further, since the bracket is connected to the bumper face at at least two places, the bracket also moves backward together with the bumper face in the event of a vehicle collision, so that the impact of the pedestrian can be reduced.

It is a top view of the front vehicle body concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of a front body. It is sectional drawing of the III-III line of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the IV-IV line of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the edge part of a bracket. It is the perspective view which looked at the right end part of the bumper face from the back side.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a plan view of a front vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2, and FIG. It is sectional drawing of the IV-IV line of FIG. The front vehicle body 1 includes a front side frame 19, a crash can 17 provided at a front end portion of the front side frame 19, and a bumper reinforcement disposed at a front portion of the vehicle so as to extend in the vehicle width direction. 9, a shock absorber (energy absorbing member) 11 provided on the front side of the bumper reinforcement 9, and the vehicle front end portion in the vehicle width direction so as to cover the bumper reinforcement 9 and the shock absorber 11 A bumper face 3 that extends and first to fourth G sensors (collision detection sensors) 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d that detect a vehicle collision are provided.

  The left and right front side frames 19 are each formed in a substantially rectangular cross section and extend in the vehicle front-rear direction at both ends in the vehicle width direction. Each front side frame 19 is formed with a plurality of bead portions 19a extending in the vertical direction on the side surface portion, and by setting the depth, width and length of these bead portions 19a to appropriate values. The front side frame 19 can be bent and deformed in a predetermined direction at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle. Further, a flange portion 19b is formed at the front end portions of the left and right front side frames 19.

  The crash can 17 is formed in a rectangular tube shape, and a rear end portion thereof is bolted to a flange portion 19 b formed at a front end portion of the front side frame 19. On the upper and lower surfaces of the crash can 17, grooves 17a recessed inwardly of the crash can 17 are formed in two rows in the front and rear, and these groove portions 17a are compressed and crushed by an impact load inputted at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle. Thus, the collision energy is absorbed.

  The bumper reinforcement 9 has a closed cross-sectional shape extending in the vehicle width direction in which a front panel 9a and a rear panel 9b having a U-shaped cross section are joined, and crashes at both ends of the bumper reinforcement 9 The front end portion of the can 17 is fitted into the closed cross section. In other words, the bumper reinforcement 9 is bridged via the crash can 17 on the front end portions of the left and right front side frames 19 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.

  As described above, the bumper reinforcement 9 is bridged between the front end portions of the left and right front side frames 19, so that the collision load input from the bumper reinforcement 9 at the time of the frontal collision of the vehicle can be applied to the left and right crash cans 17 and the front side. While being dispersed in the frame 19, the collision energy is absorbed by the compression deformation of the left and right crash cans 17 and the bending deformation of the left and right front side frames 19.

  The shock absorber 11 is made of a synthetic foam resin and is disposed in front of the bumper reinforcement 9. The impact absorber 11 is configured to absorb collision energy by being compressed and deformed by being sandwiched between the bumper face 3 and the bumper reinforcement 9 at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle. The shock absorber 11 is not limited to the foamed synthetic resin, and may be, for example, a synthetic resin structure in which a plurality of ribs are combined.

  The bumper face 3 is made of a synthetic resin formed by injection molding, and as shown in FIG. 1, a curved shape in which the center portion in the vehicle width direction is located on the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to both outer portions in the vehicle width direction. The surface 3a forms the outer surface of the front portion of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, the bumper face 3 includes a pair of left and right headlight openings 23 for mounting headlights (not shown) formed at both ends in the vehicle width direction, and the headlight openings. 23 and a pair of left and right fog lamp openings 13 for mounting a fog lamp (not shown). In addition, the code | symbol 33 of FIG. 2 is an inlet for introducing a driving | running wind into the engine room formed in the vehicle width direction center part, and the code | symbol 43 was formed in the lower side of the said inlet 33 It is an introduction port for introducing running wind.

  An upper annular wall portion 23a that forms the headlight opening 23 and a lower annular wall portion 13a that forms the fog lamp opening 13 protrude from both ends of the rear surface 3b of the bumper face 3 in the vehicle width direction. Yes. In other words, the upper annular wall portion 23 a extends rearward from the peripheral edge portion of the headlight opening formed on the surface 3 a of the bumper face 3, and the inner peripheral surface defines the headlight opening portion 23. On the other hand, the lower annular wall portion 13 a extends rearward from the peripheral edge portion of the fog light opening formed on the surface of the bumper face 3, and the inner peripheral surface defines the fog lamp opening portion 13.

  Each G sensor 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d detects an acceleration or deceleration generated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body when an impact load is applied, and outputs an electrical signal. An external connection cable (not shown) The electric signal is transmitted to an unillustrated ECU (electrical control unit). Then, when the ECU receives an electrical signal from each G sensor 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, for example, it activates a deployable hood (not shown), an airbag (not shown) deployed on the hood, and the like. It is configured.

  Here, in order to detect a vehicle collision early and accurately, a plurality of G sensors may be arranged on the back surface 3b of the bumper face 3 with an interval therebetween. When a part to which a sensor is not attached (part between a G sensor and a G sensor adjacent thereto) is locally deformed, it is difficult to detect a vehicle collision. Further, it is conceivable to arrange a large number of G sensors densely on the back surface of the bumper face 3, but in such a structure, the number of parts increases and the manufacturing cost increases.

  Therefore, in the front vehicle body 1 of the present embodiment, the bracket 5 for attaching the first to fourth G sensors 7 a, 7 b, 7 c, 7 d extending in the vehicle width direction to the bumper face 3 is close to the rear of the bumper face 3. Are arranged. The bracket 5 includes a lateral wall portion 15 that extends horizontally in the vehicle width direction below and in front of the shock absorber 11, and an eaves wall that extends forward from the front end portion of the lateral wall portion 15 in front of the vehicle from the front end of the shock absorber 11. And a mounting portion 55 extending rearward from both ends of the wall portion 25. As shown in FIG. 4, the bracket 5 is bent so that the lateral wall portion 15 has a step, and when viewed from the vehicle width direction, the lateral wall portion 15 and the flange wall portion 25 have a substantially L-shaped cross section. By forming (open sectional shape), rigidity is ensured without increasing the plate thickness.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lateral wall portion 15 and the flange wall portion 25 of the bracket 5 extend in the vehicle width direction so that the front ends thereof are along the back surface of the bumper face 3, and both ends thereof are bumper reinforcement 9 and impact. The absorber 11 extends beyond both ends of the vehicle width direction to the vicinity of the fog lamp opening 13.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the mounting portion 55 of the bracket 5 is formed by bending the end portion of the saddle wall portion 25 so that the rear side surface of the saddle wall portion 25 faces upward. A first wall 55a that extends downward as it goes inward in the vehicle width direction, a second wall 55b that extends inward in the vehicle width direction from an end in the vehicle width direction of the first wall 55a, And a third wall portion 55c extending downward from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the second wall portion 55b. The mounting portion 55 is bent in such a complicated manner, so that its rigidity is increased without increasing the plate thickness. 5 denotes a bolt hole through which a bolt 35 for connecting the bracket 5 to the bumper face 3 is inserted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the bracket 5 includes a lower annular wall portion in which the first wall portion 55 a of the mounting portion 55 is protruded from the back surface 3 b of the bumper face 3 by bolts 35 and nuts 45. By fixing to the outer peripheral surface of 13a, the both ends are connected with bumper face 3. 5 and 6 show the right attachment portion 55, the left attachment portion is the same and is not shown.

  As described above, since both ends of the bracket 5 are connected to the bumper face 3, the bracket 5 also moves backward together with the bumper face 3 at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, so that the impact of the pedestrian is reduced. Yes. Further, since the bracket 5 is attached to the existing lower annular wall portion 13a, unlike the case where a new attachment portion is separately formed on the back surface 3b of the bumper face 3, sinking occurs on the surface 3a of the bumper face 3 during injection molding. In addition, the attachment portion 55 and the bolt 35 are hidden by the fog lamp and the headlight attached to the fog lamp opening 13.

  The lateral wall portion 15 of the bracket 5 has first to fourth G sensors 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. More specifically, the first G sensor 7a is disposed on the left front side frame 19. The second G sensor 7b is on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the left front side frame 19, the third G sensor 7c is on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the right front side frame 19, and the fourth G sensor 7d is on the right side. The front side frames 19 are arranged on the outside in the vehicle width direction with predetermined intervals. In this way, by attaching the first to fourth G sensors 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d to the bracket 5 disposed close to the rear of the bumper face 3, the bumper face 3 is locally deformed by the frontal collision of the vehicle. In this case, for example, even when the second G sensor 7b and the third G sensor 7c are locally deformed, the deformed portion comes into contact with the bracket 5, so that the acceleration and deceleration generated in the bracket 5 can be measured with the first to fourth G sensors. 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d can be detected early and accurately.

-Effect-
According to the present embodiment, even when a portion of the bumper face 3 other than the portions corresponding to the positions of the first to fourth G sensors 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d is locally deformed, the deformed portion contacts the bracket 5. Therefore, the front collision of the vehicle can be detected early and accurately with a small number of G sensors arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction. Thus, for example, a pedestrian protection device such as an airbag that is deployed on a hood when a collision with a pedestrian or a deployable hood that lifts the rear part of the hood can be activated at an early stage so that the pedestrian in the event of a vehicle collision. Safety can be improved.

  Further, since both ends of the bracket 5 are connected to the bumper face 3, the bracket 5 also moves back together with the bumper face 3 at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, so that the impact of the pedestrian can be reduced.

  Further, since the bracket 5 is attached to the lower annular wall portion 13a, there is no possibility of sink marks on the surface of the bumper face, and the attachment portion 55 and the bolt 35 are attached by a fog lamp or a headlight attached to the fog lamp opening portion 13. The bracket 5 can be connected to the bumper face 3 without affecting the design of the bumper face 3.

  Further, since the front end of the bracket 5 is closer to the bumper face 3 than the front end of the shock absorber 11, the front collision of the vehicle can be detected earlier.

  Further, the lateral wall portion 15 and the flange wall portion 25 of the bracket 5 have both ends that extend beyond the both ends in the vehicle width direction of the bumper reinforcement 9 and the shock absorber 11 and reach the vicinity of the fog lamp opening 13. A frontal collision of the vehicle can be detected early and accurately over the entire width of the bumper face 3.

  Further, since the flange wall portion 25 extends upward from the front end portion of the lateral wall portion 15, the portion facing the bumper face 3 in the bracket 5 is increased as compared with the case of only the lateral wall portion 15. Thus, the locally deformed portion of the vehicle 3 can easily come into contact with the bracket 5, whereby the front collision of the vehicle can be detected earlier.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

  In the above embodiment, the attachment portion 15b of the bracket 5 is attached to the lower annular wall portion 13a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper annular wall that forms the headlight opening 23 is not limited thereto. You may make it attach to the part 23a.

  In the above embodiment, four G sensors are used. However, the number of G sensors is not limited to this, and the number of G sensors may be set as appropriate according to the rigidity and strength of the members constituting the bumper face 3.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the bracket 5 was formed so that the horizontal wall part 15 and the collar wall part 25 may make a cross-sectional substantially L shape (open cross-sectional shape), rigidity is ensured without increasing the plate | board thickness. As long as it has such a shape, the bracket 5 may be formed in any shape.

  In the above embodiment, the bracket 5 is connected to the bumper face 3 at both ends thereof. However, the bracket 5 is not limited to this as long as it is connected to the bumper face 3 at least at two locations. You may connect with the bumper face 3 in the vehicle width direction center part.

  As described above, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for the front body structure of a vehicle including a collision detection sensor.

1 Front body 3 Bumper face 5 Bracket 7a 1G sensor (collision detection sensor)
7b Second G sensor (collision detection sensor)
7c 3G sensor (collision detection sensor)
7d 4G sensor (collision detection sensor)
9 Bumper reinforcement 11 Shock absorber (energy absorbing member)
13 Fog lamp opening (lamp opening)
13a Lower annular wall (annular wall)
15 Side wall part 25 Wall part

Claims (4)

A bumper reinforcement disposed at the front of the vehicle so as to extend in the vehicle width direction, an energy absorbing member provided on the front side of the bumper reinforcement, and covering the bumper reinforcement and the energy absorbing member In addition, a vehicle front body structure including a bumper face extending in the vehicle width direction at the vehicle front end and a collision detection sensor for detecting a vehicle collision,
A bracket for attaching the collision detection sensor to the bumper face, which is disposed adjacent to the rear of the bumper face and extends in the vehicle width direction;
A plurality of the collision detection sensors are arranged on the bracket with an interval in the vehicle width direction,
A front body structure of a vehicle, wherein the bracket is connected to the bumper face at at least two locations. In the vehicle front body structure according to claim 1,
On the back surfaces of the bumper faces at both ends in the vehicle width direction, annular wall portions that form lamp openings for mounting the lamps are respectively projected.
The front body structure of a vehicle, wherein both ends of the bracket are respectively attached to the annular wall portion. In the front body structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2,
A front vehicle body structure for a vehicle, wherein a front end of the bracket is positioned in front of the vehicle with respect to a front end of the energy absorbing member. In the vehicle front body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The bracket includes a lateral wall portion extending horizontally in a vehicle width direction and a flange wall portion extending in a vertical direction from a front end portion of the lateral wall portion.

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