JP2015081070A - Collision detector for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tube type collision detector for a vehicle capable of improving collision detection accuracy by a tube member.SOLUTION: A collision detector 1 for a vehicle includes: a hollow tube member 2 for detection provided on the vehicular front side of a bumper reinforcement 9 in a bumper of a vehicle, and having a front wall part 2a on the vehicular front side and a rear wall part 2b on the vehicular rear side; and a pressure sensor 3 for detecting pressure in the tube member 2 for detection. On the basis of the pressure detection result by the pressure sensor 3, impact of an object on the bumper is detected. The collision detector for a vehicle further includes a tube 4 for connection one end of which is connected to the tube member 2 for detection. The tube member 2 for detection extends outward in a vehicle width direction beyond ends in the vehicle width direction of the bumper reinforcement 9. In at least areas each stretching from a facing part 2c facing a front surface 9a of the bumper reinforcement 9 to a non-facing part 2d, the rigidity of the rear wall part 2b is higher than the rigidity of the front wall part 2a.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle collision detection device that detects an object collision based on a pressure change in a bumper.

  Conventionally, there is a vehicle including a pedestrian protection device for reducing an impact on a pedestrian when the pedestrian collides with the vehicle. In this vehicle, a bumper unit is provided with a collision detection device, and when this sensor detects that a pedestrian or the like has collided with the vehicle, the pedestrian protection device is activated to reduce the impact on the pedestrian. It has become. This pedestrian protection device includes what is called a pop-up hood, for example. This pop-up hood raises the rear end of the engine hood when a vehicle collision is detected, increases the clearance (clearance) between the pedestrian and hard parts such as the engine, and uses that space to the pedestrian's head. It absorbs collision energy and reduces the impact on the head.

  In the vehicle collision detection device described above, a chamber member having a chamber space is disposed in front of a bumper reinforcement in the vehicle bumper, and the pressure in the chamber space is detected by a pressure sensor. There is something. With this configuration, when an object (pedestrian or the like) collides with the bumper (bumper cover), the chamber member is deformed along with the deformation of the bumper cover, and a pressure change is generated in the chamber space. A pressure sensor detects this pressure change to detect an object collision (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In recent years, a tube-type vehicle collision detection device that detects a collision using a tube member that is smaller and more easily mounted than the chamber-type vehicle collision detection device has been proposed. In this vehicle collision detection device, a hollow tube member extending in the vehicle width direction is disposed in the bumper, and pressure sensors are provided on the outer sides of the left and right sides of the bumper reinforcement so that the pressure change in the tube member can be controlled. Based on the detection by the sensor, it is detected that an object has collided with the bumper (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2010-163155 A German Patent Application Publication No. 10201101964

  However, in the above-described tube-type vehicle collision detection device, the bumper reinforcement for supporting the tube member may not be disposed on the vehicle rear side of the left and right ends of the tube member in the vehicle width direction. is there. In this case, when a pedestrian or the like collides from the front of the vehicle near the left and right ends of the bumper cover, there is no member to receive the impact associated with the collision on the rear side of the left and right ends of the tube member. There is a possibility that the member may bend toward the vehicle rear side, and there is a problem that the detection accuracy of the pressure change in the tube member may be lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular collision detection apparatus in which a collision detection accuracy by a tube member is improved in a tube-type vehicular collision detection apparatus. .

  The vehicle collision detection device (1) according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above object, is disposed on the vehicle front side of a bumper reinforcement (9) in a bumper (6) of the vehicle, and the vehicle. A detection tube member (2) having a front wall portion (2a) on the front side and a rear wall portion (2b) on the vehicle rear side and formed in a hollow shape, and the pressure in the detection tube member is detected. And a pressure sensor (3) for detecting the collision of the object with the bumper based on the pressure detection result by the pressure sensor. Moreover, it is a member which exhibits a hollow tube shape, Comprising: One end is provided with the connection tube (4) connected so that a hollow part may mutually communicate with respect to the tube member for a detection. The pressure sensor is connected to the other end of the connection tube and is configured to detect the pressure in the detection tube member. The tube member for detection has a non-opposing portion (2d) that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle width direction end portion of the bumper reinforcement and does not face the bumper reinforcement front surface (9a), and at least the bumper rain. The rigidity of the rear wall part is higher than the rigidity of the front wall part in a region extending from the opposing part (2c) to the front surface of the force to the non-opposing part.

  According to this configuration, the rigidity of the rear wall portion is higher than the rigidity of the front wall portion at least in the region extending from the portion facing the front surface of the bumper reinforcement to the non-facing portion. When an object such as a pedestrian collides in the vicinity, the portion of the detection tube member that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the end portion in the vehicle width direction of the bumper reinforcement is prevented from bending toward the vehicle rear side. Can do. Thereby, even when a collision occurs in a portion where no bumper reinforcement exists behind the tube member for detection, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the collision detection accuracy and improve the collision detection accuracy of the vehicle collision detection device. Can do. In addition, since it is not necessary to extend the bumper reinforcement according to the length of the detection tube member in the vehicle width direction, it is possible to suppress the increase in the weight of the vehicle and to save the internal space at the end of the bumper in the vehicle width direction. You can plan. In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each means described in this column and the claim shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a vehicle collision detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an enlarged view of the bumper part of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view of the bumper part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the arrangement structure of the tube member for a detection of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the tube member for a detection. It is sectional drawing of the tube for connection. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of a pressure sensor. It is sectional drawing of the tube member for a detection in 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the tube member for a detection in 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the tube member for a detection in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the arrangement structure of the tube member for a detection in 5th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the tube for connection of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the tube for connection. It is sectional drawing which shows the other modification of the tube for connection. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the arrangement structure of the tube member for a detection. It is sectional drawing which shows the other modification of the arrangement structure of the tube member for a detection.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a vehicle collision detection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle collision detection device 1 of the present embodiment includes a hollow detection tube member 2, a pressure sensor 3, a connection tube 4, a collision detection ECU 5, and the like. . This vehicle collision detection apparatus 1 detects a collision of an object (such as a pedestrian) with a bumper 6 provided in front of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 3, the bumper 6 is mainly composed of a bumper cover 7, a bumper absorber 8, and a bumper reinforcement 9.

  The detection tube member 2 has a hollow portion formed therein and extends in the vehicle width direction (vehicle left-right direction). The front surface 9a of the bumper reinforcement 9 in the vehicle bumper 6 (front side of the vehicle). In this case, the bumper absorber 8 is disposed on the vehicle rear side upper portion (see FIG. 3). Both ends of the detection tube member 2 are connected to one end of a connection tube 4 described later. Further, the detection tube member 2 is provided so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the end portion in the vehicle width direction of the bumper reinforcement 9, and has a non-facing portion 2 d that does not face the front surface 9 a of the bumper reinforcement 9. doing. The portion of the tube member for detection 2 that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the end portion in the vehicle width direction of the bumper reinforcement 9 is extended along the outer shape of the bumper reinforcement 9. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the detection tube member 2 has a front wall portion 2 a on the vehicle front side and a rear wall portion 2 b on the vehicle rear side, and is formed in a hollow shape. The rigidity of the rear wall portion 2b of the detection tube member 2 is higher than the rigidity of the front wall portion 2a over the entire vehicle width direction (the facing portion 2c and the non-facing portion 2d with respect to the front surface 9a of the bumper reinforcement 9). It has become. Specifically, the thickness of the rear wall 2b is thicker over the entire vehicle width direction than the thickness of the front wall 2a. The front wall portion 2a and the rear wall portion 2b are integrally formed by extrusion molding or the like.

  The detection tube member 2 has a substantially square cross-sectional shape and is made of a synthetic rubber, for example, ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM). The length and width of the detection tube member 2 (corresponding to the outer diameter in the case of a circular tube) is, for example, about 30 mm. In the present embodiment, the detection tube member 2 has a substantially square cross-sectional shape, thereby suppressing a decrease in collision detection accuracy due to a temperature change. Moreover, the shape of the part which protruded from the both ends of the bumper reinforcement 9 of the tube member 2 for a detection is a shape along the outer diameter shape of the bumper reinforcement 9 (refer FIG. 4).

  The pressure sensor 3 is disposed on the vehicle rear side with respect to the front surface 9 a of the bumper reinforcement 9. Specifically, two pressure sensors 3 are installed on the rear surface 9b of the left and right ends of the bumper reinforcement 9, and are fixedly attached by fastening bolts (not shown). In this embodiment, redundancy and detection accuracy are ensured by installing two pressure sensors 3 in this way.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the pressure sensor 3 is connected to the other end of the connection tube 4 and configured to detect the pressure in the detection tube member 2. Specifically, the pressure sensor 3 is a sensor device that detects a change in pressure of gas, and detects a change in pressure of air in the detection tube member 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure sensor 3 is electrically connected to a collision detection ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 5 via a transmission line, and outputs a signal proportional to the pressure to the collision detection ECU 5. The collision detection ECU 5 detects the collision of the object with the bumper 6 based on the pressure detection result by the pressure sensor 3. Further, the collision detection ECU 5 is electrically connected to the pedestrian protection device 10.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the pressure sensor 3 includes a main body portion 30, a sensor portion 31, a pressure introduction pipe 32, and a connector portion 33. The main body 30 is a box-shaped case for housing the sensor unit 31. The sensor unit 31 is made of a substrate provided with a sensor element for pressure detection. The pressure introducing tube 32 is a substantially cylindrical tube that introduces the pressure of the connecting tube 4 into the sensor unit 31, and is inserted into the connecting tube 4 from the main body unit 30. The sensor unit 31 detects a pressure change in the detection tube member 2 in which the connection tube 4 and the inside communicate with each other by detecting a pressure change in the connection tube 4 through the pressure introduction pipe 32. The sensor unit 31 is electrically connected to a connector 34 provided in the connector unit 33, and transmits a signal proportional to the pressure to the collision detection ECU 6 via the connector 34 and the signal line (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the connection tube 4 is a member having a circular tubular cross-sectional shape and exhibiting a hollow tube shape. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two connection tubes 4 are provided at both left and right ends in the vehicle width direction of the detection tube member 2, and are connected to the vehicle width direction ends of the detection tube member 2, respectively. Has been. One end of the connection tube 4 is connected to the detection tube member 2 so that the hollow portions communicate with each other, and the pressure sensor 3 is connected to the other end. The connecting tube 4 is disposed between the detecting tube member 2 and the pressure sensor 3 so as to be curved in a substantially U-shape outside the left and right sides of the bumper reinforcement 9 in the vehicle width direction. In addition, since the cross-sectional shape of the connecting tube 4 is circular, it is easy to bend.

  The connecting tube 4 is made of, for example, ethylene propylene rubber. Further, the connection tube 4 has an outer diameter smaller than that of the detection tube member 2. In this case, as described above, the outer diameter of the detection tube member 2 is about 30 mm, whereas the outer diameter of the connection tube 4 is 10 mm or less.

  The connection tube 4 is formed separately from the detection tube member 2 and is coupled to the detection tube member 2 via a hollow joint member 11. The detection tube member 2 and the connection tube 4 are fixed to the joint member 11 by being tightened by a clamp or the like, for example. Instead of using the joint member 11, for example, the detection tube member 2 and the connection tube 4 may be connected by press-fitting the detection tube member 2 into the connection tube 4. Alternatively, the detection tube member 2 and the connection tube 4 may be connected by caulking and fixing with a metal member or the like.

  The collision detection ECU 5 is composed mainly of a CPU and controls the overall operation of the vehicle collision detection apparatus 1 and is electrically connected to the pressure sensor 3 and the pedestrian protection apparatus 10 (FIG. 1). reference). A pressure signal (pressure data) or the like from the pressure sensor 3 is input to the collision detection ECU 5. The collision detection ECU 5 executes a predetermined collision determination process based on the pressure detection result (input signal) from the pressure sensor 3 and detects a collision of an object such as a pedestrian against the bumper 6, the pedestrian protection device 10. Is activated.

  The bumper 6 is for reducing a shock at the time of a vehicle collision, and includes a bumper cover 7, a bumper absorber 8, a bumper reinforcement 9, and the like. The bumper cover 7 is provided so as to cover the components of the bumper 6 and is a resin member such as polypropylene. The bumper cover 7 constitutes the appearance of the bumper 6 and at the same time constitutes a part of the appearance of the entire vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the bumper absorber 8 is provided on the front surface 9 a of the bumper reinforcement 9 and is disposed so as to surround the detection tube member 2. The bumper absorber 8 is a member responsible for shock absorption in the bumper 6 and is made of, for example, foamed polypropylene.

  The bumper reinforcement 9 is a structural member made of metal such as aluminum that is disposed in the bumper cover 7 and extends in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. A hollow member having a letter-shaped cross section. The bumper reinforcement 9 has a vehicle front side surface (front surface 9a) and a vehicle rear side surface (rear surface 9b). The bumper reinforcement 9 is attached to the front end of a side member 12 that is a pair of metal members extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

  Usually, in a vehicle collision accident, there are many cases where the vehicle collides with a pedestrian or a vehicle existing in the traveling direction of the vehicle (front of the vehicle). For this reason, in this embodiment, the pressure sensor 3 is disposed on the rear surface 9b of the bumper reinforcement 9, and an impact (external force) due to a collision with a pedestrian or vehicle in front of the vehicle is provided in front of the vehicle. Direct transmission from the bumper cover 7 or the like to the pressure sensor 3 is protected by the presence of the bumper reinforcement 9.

  For example, a pop-up hood is used as the pedestrian protection device 10. This pop-up hood raises the rear end of the engine hood instantly after detecting a vehicle collision, increases the clearance (clearance) between the pedestrian and hard parts such as the engine, and uses that space to make the pedestrian's head The impact energy on the pedestrian is absorbed and the impact on the pedestrian's head is reduced. Instead of the pop-up hood, a cowl airbag that cushions a pedestrian's impact by deploying an airbag from the engine hood outside the vehicle body to the lower part of the front window may be used.

  The joint member 11 is a hollow pipe joint made of, for example, a resin such as polypropylene and having an outer diameter at one end larger than an outer diameter at the other end. Specifically, the outer diameter on one end side (right side in FIG. 4) is smaller than the outer diameter on the other end side (left side in FIG. 4). That is, the tube diameter on the side connected to the connection tube 4 is smaller than the tube diameter on the side connected to the detection tube member 2. In addition, as the material of the joint member 11, stainless steel or the like may be used, and the material and shape of the joint member 11 can be appropriately changed according to the shapes of the detection tube member 2 and the connection tube 4. Suppose there is.

  Next, the operation | movement at the time of the collision of the collision detection apparatus 1 for vehicles in this embodiment is demonstrated. When an object such as a pedestrian collides with the front of the vehicle, the bumper cover 7 of the bumper 6 is deformed by an impact caused by the collision with the pedestrian. Subsequently, the bumper absorber 8 is deformed while absorbing the impact, and at the same time, the detection tube member 2 is also deformed. At this time, the pressure in the detection tube member 2 rises rapidly, and a pressure change is transmitted to the pressure sensor 3 through the connection tube 4.

  The collision detection ECU 5 of the vehicle collision detection device 1 executes a predetermined collision determination process based on the detection result of the pressure sensor 3. In this collision determination process, for example, the effective mass of the collision object is calculated based on the detection results of the pressure sensor 3 and the vehicle speed sensor (not shown), and when this effective mass is larger than a predetermined threshold, the collision with the pedestrian is detected. It is determined that a collision has occurred with a pedestrian that requires the operation of the pedestrian protection device 10 when the vehicle speed is within a predetermined range. Here, the “effective mass” refers to a mass calculated using a relationship between momentum and impulse from a signal detected by the pressure sensor 3 at the time of collision. Specifically, the effective mass is calculated by dividing the interval integral value of the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 3 at a predetermined time by the vehicle speed. When the collision detection ECU 5 determines that a collision has occurred with a pedestrian that requires the operation of the pedestrian protection device 10, the collision detection ECU 5 outputs a control signal for operating the pedestrian protection device 10 to operate the pedestrian protection device 10. As described above, the impact on the pedestrian is reduced.

  As described above, the vehicle collision detection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is disposed on the front side of the bumper reinforcement 9 in the bumper 6 of the vehicle, and the front wall 2a on the front side of the vehicle and the vehicle A detection tube member 2 having a rear wall 2b on the rear side and formed in a hollow shape, and a pressure sensor 3 for detecting the pressure in the detection tube member 2, and pressure detection by the pressure sensor 3 Based on the result, the collision of the object with the bumper 6 is detected. Moreover, it is a member having a hollow tube shape, and includes a connecting tube 4 whose one end is connected to the detecting tube member 2 so that the hollow portions communicate with each other. The pressure sensor 3 is connected to the other end of the connection tube 4 and configured to detect the pressure in the detection tube member 2. The detection tube member 2 has a non-opposing portion 2d that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle width direction end portion of the bumper reinforcement 9 and does not face the front surface 9a of the bumper reinforcement 9. The rigidity of the rear wall part 2b is higher than the rigidity of the front wall part 2a over the entire width direction. Specifically, the thickness of the rear wall part 2b is thicker than the thickness of the front wall part 2a. It is characterized by that.

  According to this configuration, the rigidity of the rear wall portion 2b is reduced in the entire vehicle width direction of the tube member 2 for detection, particularly in the region extending from the facing portion 2c to the non-facing portion 2d of the front surface 9a of the bumper reinforcement 9 to the front wall. Since the rigidity of the portion 2a is higher, for example, when an object such as a pedestrian collides with the vicinity of the left and right ends of the bumper 6, from the end in the vehicle width direction of the bumper reinforcement 9 in the detection tube member 2 Further, it is possible to prevent the portion protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from being bent toward the vehicle rear side. That is, even when there is no member (such as the bumper reinforcement 9) for supporting the detection tube member 2 on the vehicle rear side of the detection tube member 2, the detection tube member 2 is appropriately deformed and pressure is applied. Changes can be detected accurately. Thereby, even when a collision occurs in a portion where the bumper reinforcement 9 does not exist behind the detection tube member 2, it is possible to suppress the collision detection accuracy of the detection tube member 2 from being lowered, and to detect the vehicle collision. The collision detection accuracy of the device 1 can be improved. Further, since it is not necessary to extend the bumper reinforcement 9 according to the length of the detection tube member 2 in the vehicle width direction, it is possible to suppress an increase in the weight of the vehicle and to end the vehicle width direction of the bumper 6 (corner portion). The internal space can be saved.

  Further, the portion of the tube member 2 for detection that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the end portion in the vehicle width direction of the bumper reinforcement 9 is extended along the outer shape of the bumper reinforcement 9. Features. According to this configuration, the detection tube member 2 has the outer shape on both ends thereof along the outer shape of the bumper reinforcement 9, so that the detection tube can be detected on both ends of the detection tube member 2. The collision detection range of the member 2 can be ensured.

  Further, the detection tube member 2 has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. According to this configuration, by making the cross-sectional shape of the detection tube member 2 substantially rectangular, for example, compared to the case where the detection tube member 2 having a circular cross-sectional shape is used, the collision portion (impact of collision) A portion other than the portion that sometimes deforms with the deformation of the bumper cover 7 can be easily swelled by an increase in pressure in the detection tube member 2. Since the expansion amount of the portion other than the collision portion in the detection tube member 2 increases at a high temperature and decreases at a low temperature, the detection tube member 2 has a low sensitivity at a high temperature with respect to the deformation amount of the same collision portion. High sensitivity at low temperatures. On the other hand, the deformation amount of the collision portion of the detection tube member 2 is determined by the characteristics of the absorber 8, and the deformation amount is small at a low temperature and large at a high temperature. Therefore, the deformation amount of the collision part that changes with temperature can be offset by the action of the parts other than the collision part swelling. Thereby, it can suppress that an output becomes large as temperature rises, and can suppress the fall of the collision detection precision accompanying a temperature change.

  The connection tube 4 is formed separately from the detection tube member 2 and is connected to the detection tube member 2 via a hollow joint member 11. According to this configuration, the detection tube member 2 and the connection tube 4 can be reliably connected by the joint member 11, and the detection tube member 2 and the connection tube 4 can be easily connected by different members having different thicknesses and hardnesses. It can be configured.

  Further, the pressure sensor 3 is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the front surface 9a of the bumper reinforcement 9, specifically, is fixed to the rear surface 9b of the bumper reinforcement 9.

  According to this configuration, the pressure sensor 3 is fixed to the rear surface 9b (rear side of the vehicle) of the bumper reinforcement 9 via the connection tube 4, so that it walks near the left and right ends of the bumper 6. Even if a person collides, the impact is absorbed by the bumper reinforcement 9 and the impact from the bumper cover 7 is not directly transmitted to the pressure sensor 3. For this reason, it can prevent that external force is added to the pressure sensor 3 by deformation | transformation of the bumper cover 7, and the pressure sensor 3 will be damaged by external force. Thereby, while being able to improve the tolerance of the collision detection apparatus 1 for vehicles, the reliability of the collision detection by the collision detection apparatus 1 for vehicles can be improved.

  Further, since the pressure sensor 3 is fixed to the bumper reinforcement 9 by fastening bolts, the pressure sensor 3 can be securely fixed to the bumper reinforcement 9 and the pressure sensor 3 is detached by an external force at the time of collision. Or being damaged.

  In the present embodiment, two pressure sensors 3 are disposed on the left and right end portions of the rear surface 9b of the bumper reinforcement 9, so that the pressure change in the detection tube member 2 can be detected with high accuracy and redundant. Can be secured. That is, by performing collision determination using the outputs of the two pressure sensors 3, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection and perform accurate collision detection.

  Next, second to fifth embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different parts are described.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the detection tube member 21 is made of, for example, ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM), and is formed of a front wall portion 21a and a rear wall portion 21b, and these front wall portions. The hardness (rigidity) of 21a and rear wall 21b is different.

  That is, the hardness of the rear wall portion 21b is larger than that of the front wall portion 21a. Specifically, the hardness of the front wall portion 21a is about durometer A type 40 to 60, whereas the hardness of the rear wall portion 21b is about durometer A type 60 to 80. Here, the durometer A type is a standard representing the hardness of rubber, and indicates that the larger the number is, the harder it is. The rear wall portion 21b of the detection tube member 21 only needs to have a large hardness at least in a region (see FIG. 4) extending from the facing portion 2c to the non-facing portion 2d of the bumper reinforcement 9 to the front surface 9a. The hardness of the detection tube member 21 may not be increased over the entire vehicle width direction.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and it is not necessary to increase the thickness of the rear wall portion 21b as in the first embodiment. The rigidity of the rear wall portion 21b can be increased while saving the space of the tube member 21 for use.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the tube member for detection 22 is formed of a front wall portion 22a formed on the vehicle front side and a rear wall portion 22b formed on the vehicle rear side. The reinforcing member 22c is provided inside the rear wall portion 22b.

  Specifically, a plurality (eight in this case) of reinforcing members 22 c are disposed in the rear wall portion 22 b of the detection tube member 22 over the entire vehicle width direction of the detection tube member 22. The reinforcing member 22c is a rod-like member having a small diameter and a circular cross section, and a synthetic resin having high hardness such as polypropylene can be used. Further, the same synthetic rubber having a high hardness (durometer A type 60 or higher) or a metal such as aluminum may be used. Note that the rear wall portion 22b of the tube member 22 for detection 22 has a strong member 22c disposed therein at least in a region (see FIG. 4) extending from the facing portion 2c to the non-facing portion 2d to the front surface 9a of the bumper reinforcement 9. The strong member 22c does not need to be provided over the entire vehicle width direction of the tube member 22 for detection.

  Thus, in 3rd Embodiment, the rigidity of the rear wall part 22b is made higher than the rigidity of the front wall part 2a by providing the reinforcement member 22c inside the rear wall part 22b of the tube member 22 for a detection. . Also in the third embodiment, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the tube member for detection 23 has a two-layer structure in which the rear wall portion 23b extends over the entire vehicle width direction. Specifically, the rigidity of the rear wall portion 23b of the detection tube member 23 is made higher than that of the front wall portion 23a by covering the outer periphery of the rear wall portion 23b with a highly rigid reinforcing member 23c. As the reinforcing member 23c, for example, a synthetic resin having high hardness such as polypropylene can be used. Further, the same synthetic rubber having a high hardness (durometer A type 60 or higher) or a metal such as aluminum may be used. The rear wall portion 23b of the detection tube member 23 has a two-layer structure at least in a region (see FIG. 4) extending from the facing portion 2c to the non-facing portion 2d of the bumper reinforcement 9 to the front surface 9a. The detection tube member 23 may not have a two-layer structure over the entire vehicle width direction. Also in the fourth embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the connection tube 41 is formed integrally with the detection tube member 2, and has a configuration without the joint member 11. Different from the first embodiment. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, the connecting tube 41 includes a non-facing portion 41 a formed on the side not facing the bumper reinforcement 9 and a facing portion formed on the side facing the bumper reinforcement 9. 41b. And the rigidity of the opposing part 41b is higher than the rigidity of the non-opposing part 41a. Specifically, the thickness of the facing portion 41b is thicker than the thickness of the non-facing portion 41a. As a method for integrally forming the detection tube member 2 and the connection tube 41, for example, extrusion molding or blow molding is used.

  According to this configuration, since there is no need to provide the joint member 11 for connecting the detection tube member 2 and the connection tube 4 as in the first embodiment, the detection tube member 2 and the connection tube 4 are connected. The configuration of the connection portion with the tube 41 can be simplified. Accordingly, the number of parts of the vehicle collision detection device 1 can be reduced to reduce the cost, and the manufacturing process of the vehicle collision detection device 1 can be simplified.

  Furthermore, in the connecting tube 41, the rigidity (thickness) of the facing portion 41b formed on the side facing the bumper reinforcement 9 is the same as that of the non-facing portion 41a formed on the side not facing the bumper reinforcement 9. Since the configuration is higher (thicker) than the rigidity (thickness), the rigidity of the facing portion 41b of the connection tube 41 can be ensured. Accordingly, when a collision between the vehicle and a pedestrian or the like occurs, an external force is applied to the connection tube 4 as the bumper cover 7 is deformed, and the connection tube 4 comes into contact with a corner portion of the bumper reinforcement 9. It is possible to prevent damage such as the connection tube 4 being crushed or cut.

  Further, even if the connecting tube 4 is bent from the end side of the detecting tube member 2 to the rear surface 9b side of the bumper reinforcement 9, the bent portion of the connecting tube 4 is buckled to detect collision. It can prevent adverse effects. Thereby, the tolerance of the collision detection apparatus 1 for vehicles can be improved, and the reliability of collision detection can be improved.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications or expansions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the first embodiment, the rigidity of the rear wall portion 2b is higher than the rigidity of the front wall portion 2a over the entire vehicle width direction of the detection tube member 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is only necessary that the rigidity of the rear wall part 2b is higher than the rigidity of the front wall part 2a in a region extending from the facing part 2c of the force 9 to the front face 9a to the non-facing part 2d (see FIG. 4). That is, the portion where the rigidity of the rear wall portion 2b is higher than that of the front wall portion 2a may be present in a continuous state between the facing portion 2c and the non-facing portion 2d. Even in this case, the rigidity of the rear wall portion 2b in the region extending from the facing portion 2c to the non-facing portion 2d can be ensured, and the pressure detection accuracy decreases due to the detection tube member 2 being bent toward the vehicle rear side. Can be suppressed.

  Moreover, in the said 5th Embodiment, the connection tube 41 was formed in the side which does not oppose the bumper reinforcement 9 about the thickness of the opposing part 41b formed in the side which opposes the bumper reinforcement 9 By making it thicker than the thickness of the non-facing portion 41a, the rigidity of the facing portion 41b is made higher than that of the non-facing portion 41a, but not limited thereto, for example, by adding a reinforcing member to the connecting tube 41, You may make the rigidity of the opposing part 41b higher than the non-opposing part 41a.

  In the example shown in FIG. 13, the connecting tube 42 is configured such that a plurality of reinforcing members 42 c are mixed inside a facing portion 42 b that faces the bumper reinforcement 9. Specifically, a plurality of (eight in this case) round bar-shaped reinforcing members 42c having a rigidity higher than that of the non-facing portion 42a are integrally formed inside the facing portion 42b of the connecting tube 42. In this case, the rigidity of the facing portion 42b is made higher than that of the non-facing portion 42a by mixing a reinforcing member 42c having higher rigidity than the non-facing portion 42a inside the facing portion 42b of the connecting tube 42.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a connection tube 43 having a two-layer structure may be used. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the connecting tube 43 has a two-layer structure of a facing portion 43 b that faces the bumper reinforcement 9. Specifically, the outer periphery of the facing portion 43b is covered with a reinforcing member 43c having higher rigidity than the non-facing portion 43a, so that the rigidity of the connecting tube 43 on the side facing the bumper reinforcement 9 is increased. Yes. As the reinforcing member 43c, for example, a synthetic resin having high hardness such as polypropylene can be used. Further, the same synthetic rubber having a high hardness (durometer A type 60 or higher) or a metal such as aluminum may be used.

  Furthermore, the arrangement position of the detection tube member 2 may be changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the tube member for detection 2 may be arranged at the upper center of the bumper absorber 8 on the vehicle front side of the bumper reinforcement 9. In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the detection tube member 2 may be disposed on the front upper portion of the bumper absorber 8 on the vehicle front side of the bumper reinforcement 9.

  In the present embodiment, two pressure sensors 3 are disposed on the left and right ends of the rear surface 9b of the bumper reinforcement 9, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the pressure sensor 3 can be disposed at an arbitrary position. For example, the pressure sensor 3 may be disposed at the center of the rear surface 9b of the bumper reinforcement 9. In this case, the detection tube member 2 and the connection tube 4 may be communicated and connected at the center in the vehicle width direction of the detection tube member 2. Furthermore, in order to improve the detection accuracy and redundancy of the vehicle collision detection device 1, three pressure sensors 3 may be provided.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the cross-sectional shape of the tube member 2 for a detection was made into substantially square shape, it is not restricted to this, A cross-sectional shape may use circular and a polygon.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle collision detection apparatus 2, 21-23 Tube member 2a, 21a-23a Front wall part 2b, 21b-23b Rear wall part 2c Opposing part 2d Non-opposing part 3 Pressure sensor 4, 41-43 Connecting tube 5 Collision detection ECU
6 Bumper 7 Bumper cover 8 Bumper absorber 9 Bumper reinforcement 9a Front 9b Rear 10 Pedestrian protection device 11 Joint member 22c Reinforcement member 23b, 23c Two-layer structure

Claims (15)

A bumper reinforcement (9) in the vehicle bumper (6) is disposed on the vehicle front side and has a front wall portion (2a) on the vehicle front side and a rear wall portion (2b) on the vehicle rear side. It has a detection tube member (2) formed in a hollow shape and a pressure sensor (3) for detecting the pressure in the detection tube member, and is applied to the bumper based on the pressure detection result by the pressure sensor. In the vehicle collision detection device (1) for detecting the collision of an object,
A member having a hollow tube shape, including a connection tube (4) connected at one end so that the hollow portion communicates with the detection tube member;
The pressure sensor is connected to the other end of the connection tube and configured to detect a pressure in the detection tube member;
The detection tube member has a non-opposing portion (2d) that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle width direction end portion of the bumper reinforcement and does not face the bumper reinforcement front surface (9a). The vehicle collision characterized in that the rigidity of the rear wall portion is higher than the rigidity of the front wall portion at least in a region extending from the facing portion (2c) to the front surface of the bumper reinforcement to the non-facing portion. Detection device.   2. The vehicle collision detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection tube member has a thickness of the rear wall portion larger than a thickness of the front wall portion.   3. The vehicle for vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the tube member for detection (21) has a hardness of the rear wall portion (21 b) larger than a hardness of the front wall portion (21 a). Collision detection device.   4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rear wall portion (22 b) of the detection tube member (22) has a reinforcing member (22 c) inside. 5. Collision detection device.   5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rear wall portion (23 b) of the detection tube member (23) has a two-layer structure (23 b, 23 c). Collision detection device.   The portion of the tube member for detection that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the end in the vehicle width direction of the bumper reinforcement is extended along the outer shape of the bumper reinforcement. The vehicle collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The vehicular collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection tube member has a substantially square cross-sectional shape.   The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the detection tube member has a rigidity of the rear wall portion higher than a rigidity of the front wall portion in the entire vehicle width direction. Collision detection device.   The connection tube (41, 42, 43) is higher in rigidity on a side facing the bumper reinforcement than on a side not facing the bumper reinforcement. The vehicle collision detection device according to the item.   10. The vehicle collision detection device according to claim 9, wherein the connection tube (41) has a thickness on a side facing the bumper reinforcement that is greater than a thickness on a side not facing the bumper reinforcement. .   The vehicle collision detection device according to claim 9, wherein the connection tube (43) has a two-layer structure (43b, 43c) on a side facing the bumper reinforcement.   The vehicle collision detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the connection tube is formed integrally with the detection tube member.   The connection tube (4) is formed separately from the detection tube member, and is connected to the detection tube member via a hollow joint member (11). To 11. The vehicle collision detection device according to any one of 1 to 11.   The vehicle pressure detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed on a vehicle rear side with respect to a front surface of the bumper reinforcement.   The vehicle collision detection device according to claim 14, wherein the pressure sensor is fixed to a rear surface (9b) of the bumper reinforcement.

Images