JP5499907B2 - Pedestrian collision detection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pedestrian collision detection device for detecting a pedestrian collision with a vehicle.

  A vehicle collision detection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is provided on the vehicle front side of a bumper reinforcement constituting a vehicle bumper, and includes an absorber and a chamber member that are deformed when the vehicle collides. The chamber member is formed in a hollow shape by a resin material, and the inside is a chamber space (pressure chamber). The pressure change in the pressure chamber is detected by a pressure sensor, and an output signal of the pressure sensor is output to the pedestrian protection device ECU. Thereby, pedestrian protection apparatus ECU discriminate | determines whether a collision body is a fixed body on a road, or a pedestrian.

JP 2009-18734 A

  However, when a pedestrian collides with the vehicle width direction end (corner portion) of the vehicle bumper, the duration of input to the vehicle bumper may be shortened. In such a case, the resin-made chamber member once deformed is restored by its own elastic force, so that the pressure change in the pressure chamber is different from that in a normal pedestrian collision. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the ECU to distinguish between a fixed body on the road and a pedestrian.

  In view of the above facts, the present invention has an object to obtain a pedestrian collision detection device capable of accurately detecting a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian regardless of the input duration to the vehicle bumper.

Pedestrian collision detection apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is a vehicle width direction is the longitudinal, while being arranged in the longitudinal direction outside the vehicle with respect to the bumper reinforcement constituting the bumper for a vehicle, inside the pressure chamber And a chamber member that is collapsed so that the volume of the pressure chamber is reduced with respect to an input of a load from the outside in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and that is restored by its own elastic force when the load is reduced, and a pressure change in the pressure chamber A pressure detector that outputs a signal in accordance with the pressure detector, a collision determination unit that determines whether or not the vehicle has collided with a pedestrian based on the output of the pressure detector, and an upper wall and a lower wall of the chamber member has a thick portion provided in the front-rear direction central portion vehicles, the amount collapse of the chamber member is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the chamber member by the thick portion is plastically deformed It includes a suppress restoring suppressing structure to restore the.

  In the pedestrian collision detection device according to claim 1, when a load is input to the chamber member from the vehicle front-rear direction outside due to a collision with the vehicle bumper, the volume of the pressure chamber in the chamber member is determined. The chamber member collapses so that is reduced. Thus, when the pressure in the pressure chamber changes, the pressure detector outputs a signal corresponding to the pressure change, and the collision determination unit determines whether the vehicle collides with the pedestrian based on the output of the pressure detector. To do.

  Here, in this pedestrian collision detection device, when the collapse amount of the chamber member becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the pedestrian collision detection device includes a restoration suppression structure portion that suppresses restoration of the chamber member. For this reason, for example, if the predetermined amount is set in advance based on the amount of collapse of the chamber member when the vehicle bumper collides with a pedestrian at a speed equal to or higher than a predetermined value, Restoration can be suppressed (including the case where restoration is delayed). As a result, even if the input duration from the pedestrian to the bumper for the vehicle is shortened, the pressure change in the pressure chamber can be ensured in the same manner as in the case of a normal pedestrian collision. The determination accuracy of the based collision determination unit can be improved. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to satisfactorily detect a collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian regardless of the input duration to the vehicle bumper.

Moreover, the pedestrian collision detection apparatus of this, the amount of collapse of the chamber member is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the thick portion provided on at least one of the upper and lower walls of the chamber member is plastically deformed. Thereby, since restoration | restoration of a chamber member can be suppressed, the structure of a restoration suppression structure part can be simplified. Moreover , since a thick part can be set at the time of shaping | molding of a chamber member, a manufacturing process can be simplified.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pedestrian collision detection device having a longitudinal direction in the vehicle width direction and disposed outside the front-rear direction of the vehicle with respect to the bumper reinforcement constituting the bumper for the vehicle. When the load is applied from the outside in the vehicle front-rear direction, the volume of the pressure chamber is reduced so that the front part and the rear part of the peripheral wall approach in the vehicle front-rear direction, and when the load decreases, A chamber member that is restored by elastic force, a pressure detector that outputs a signal corresponding to a pressure change in the pressure chamber, and whether or not the vehicle collides with a pedestrian is determined based on the output of the pressure detector. A collision determination unit, provided on an inner wall surface of the peripheral wall, and having a joining unit that joins the front part and the rear part when the amount of collapse of the chamber member exceeds a predetermined amount; And a, and suppresses restoration suppressing structure to restore the member.

In the pedestrian collision detection device according to claim 2 , when a load is input to the chamber member from the vehicle front-rear direction outside due to a collision with the vehicle bumper, the volume of the pressure chamber in the chamber member is determined. The chamber member collapses so that is reduced. Thus, when the pressure in the pressure chamber changes, the pressure detector outputs a signal corresponding to the pressure change, and the collision determination unit determines whether the vehicle collides with the pedestrian based on the output of the pressure detector. To do.
Here, in this pedestrian collision detection device, when the collapse amount of the chamber member becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the pedestrian collision detection device includes a restoration suppression structure portion that suppresses restoration of the chamber member. For this reason, for example, if the predetermined amount is set in advance based on the amount of collapse of the chamber member when the vehicle bumper collides with a pedestrian at a speed equal to or higher than a predetermined value, Restoration can be suppressed (including the case where restoration is delayed). As a result, even if the input duration from the pedestrian to the bumper for the vehicle is shortened, the pressure change in the pressure chamber can be ensured in the same manner as in the case of a normal pedestrian collision. The determination accuracy of the based collision determination unit can be improved. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to satisfactorily detect a collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian regardless of the input duration to the vehicle bumper.
Moreover, in this pedestrian collision detection device, the front and rear portions of the peripheral wall of the chamber member approach in the vehicle front-rear direction when the chamber member is crushed by the input of a load from the outside in the vehicle front-rear direction. And if the amount of crushing of a chamber member becomes more than predetermined amount, the front part and rear part of the said surrounding wall will be joined by the joining means provided in the inner wall face of the surrounding wall of a chamber member. Thereby, since restoration | restoration of a chamber member can be suppressed, the structure of a restoration suppression structure part can be simplified. Moreover , as a joining means, since a surface fastener, an adhesive material, etc. can be used, for example, it can manufacture at low cost.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pedestrian collision detection device having a longitudinal direction in the vehicle width direction and disposed outside the front-rear direction of the vehicle with respect to the bumper reinforcement that constitutes the bumper for the vehicle. And a chamber member that is collapsed so that the volume of the pressure chamber is reduced with respect to an input of a load from the outside in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and that is restored by its own elastic force when the load is reduced, and a pressure change in the pressure chamber A pressure detector that outputs a signal in accordance with the pressure detector, a collision determination unit that determines whether the vehicle has collided with a pedestrian based on the output of the pressure detector, and a clerk provided in the bumper reinforcement. And an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion when the collapse amount of the chamber member is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. And suppressing restoring suppressing structure restoring Yanba member, and a.

In the pedestrian collision detection device according to claim 3 , when a load is input to the chamber member from the vehicle front-rear direction outside due to the collision with the vehicle bumper, the volume of the pressure chamber in the chamber member is determined. The chamber member collapses so that is reduced. Thus, when the pressure in the pressure chamber changes, the pressure detector outputs a signal corresponding to the pressure change, and the collision determination unit determines whether the vehicle collides with the pedestrian based on the output of the pressure detector. To do.
Here, in this pedestrian collision detection device, when the collapse amount of the chamber member becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the pedestrian collision detection device includes a restoration suppression structure portion that suppresses restoration of the chamber member. For this reason, for example, if the predetermined amount is set in advance based on the amount of collapse of the chamber member when the vehicle bumper collides with a pedestrian at a speed equal to or higher than a predetermined value, Restoration can be suppressed (including the case where restoration is delayed). As a result, even if the input duration from the pedestrian to the bumper for the vehicle is shortened, the pressure change in the pressure chamber can be ensured in the same manner as in the case of a normal pedestrian collision. The determination accuracy of the based collision determination unit can be improved. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to satisfactorily detect a collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian regardless of the input duration to the vehicle bumper.
In addition, in this pedestrian collision detection device, when the collapse amount of the chamber member becomes a predetermined amount or more, the engaging claw provided on the chamber member engages with the engaged portion provided on the bumper reinforcement. Thereby, since restoration | restoration of a chamber member can be suppressed, the structure of a restoration suppression structure part can be simplified. In addition , by appropriately changing the shape and arrangement of the engaging claws and the engaged portion, the strength and time for suppressing the restoration of the chamber member can be easily adjusted.

  As described above, the pedestrian collision detection device according to claim 1 can accurately detect the collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian regardless of the input duration to the vehicle bumper.

In addition , the structure of the restoration suppressing structure can be simplified, and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

In the pedestrian collision detection device according to the second aspect , the collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian can be accurately detected regardless of the input duration time to the vehicle bumper. In addition, the structure of the restoration suppressing structure can be simplified and can be manufactured at low cost.

In the pedestrian collision detection device according to the third aspect , the collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian can be accurately detected regardless of the input duration time to the vehicle bumper. In addition, the configuration of the restoration suppressing structure can be simplified, and the strength and time of restoration inhibition of the chamber member can be easily adjusted.

It is a cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the front bumper to which the collision body discrimination | determination system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention was applied. FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a cut surface along the line F2-F2 of FIG. (A) is an expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the cut surface along F3-F3 line | wire of FIG. 1, (B) is a corner part of the chamber member shown by (A) being crushed by the load from a vehicle front side It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state, (C) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which the corner part of the chamber member was crushed more than predetermined amount. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the modification of the chamber member in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the corner part of the chamber member in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the corner part of the chamber member in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the front bumper to which the collision body discrimination | determination system which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention was applied. FIG. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a cut surface along the line F8-F8 in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which the corner part of the chamber member shown by FIG. 8 collapsed more than predetermined amount.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a description will be given of an impact body discriminating system 10 as the pedestrian collision detection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, an arrow FR appropriately shown indicates the vehicle front side, an arrow UP indicates the vehicle upper side, and an arrow IN indicates the vehicle width direction inner side.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the collision object discrimination system 10 is applied to a front bumper 12 that is a vehicle bumper disposed at the front end of an automobile, and the collision object to the front bumper 12 is discriminated. It has become.

  The front bumper 12 includes a bumper reinforcement 14 as a bumper skeleton member. The bumper reinforcement 14 is configured as a skeleton member arranged with the vehicle width direction as a longitudinal direction. The bumper reinforcement 14 is attached to the front ends of a pair of left and right front side members 17 via a pair of left and right crash boxes 15. The crash box 15 and the front side member 17 constitute a vehicle body skeleton member extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The crash box 15 is set to have a lower proof strength against the axial compression load than the front side member 17. Thereby, at the time of a collision with the front bumper 12, the crash box 15 is configured to be subjected to axial compression deformation between the bumper reinforcement 14 and the front side member 17, thereby absorbing the collision energy.

  The front bumper 12 includes a bumper cover 16 that covers the bumper reinforcement 14 from the outside in the vehicle front-rear direction (here, the front side). The bumper cover 16 is made of a resin material or the like, and is fixedly supported to the vehicle body at a portion (not shown) so that a space is formed between the bumper cover 16 and the bumper reinforcement 14.

  A chamber member 18 and an absorber 20 as a buffer member are disposed in a space between the bumper reinforcement 14 and the bumper cover 16 in the front bumper 12. The chamber member 18 is formed in a long hollow shape (box shape) from a resin material or the like, and is disposed with the vehicle width direction as a longitudinal direction. The chamber member 18 is fixedly attached to the upper part of the front surface of the bumper reinforcement 14, and the positions at both ends in the longitudinal direction are substantially coincident with the positions at both ends of the bumper reinforcement 14.

  The chamber member 18 is elastically deformable, but has a rigidity capable of maintaining its shape (cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 2) in an unloaded state. Further, the chamber member 18 is provided with a communication hole communicating with the atmosphere at a position not shown. Therefore, normally (statically), the internal pressure of the pressure chamber 24 which is the internal space of the chamber member 18 is set to atmospheric pressure. The chamber member 18 is crushed in the vehicle front-rear direction while receiving a reaction force from the vehicle rear side by the bumper reinforcement 14 when a collision load is input from the vehicle front-rear direction outer side (here, the vehicle front side). In this case, the chamber member 18 is crushed while allowing air to escape from the communication hole, and the volume of the pressure chamber 24 is reduced. On the other hand, when the above-described collision load is reduced, the chamber member 18 is restored by its own elastic force (restoring force).

  Furthermore, the collision object discrimination system 10 includes a pressure sensor 22 as a pressure detector that outputs a signal corresponding to the pressure in the pressure chamber 24. The pressure sensor 22 is configured to output a signal corresponding to the pressure in the pressure chamber 24 to the ECU 26 described later. The pressure sensor 22 is configured to output a signal corresponding to the atmospheric pressure to the ECU 26 in addition to a signal corresponding to the pressure in the pressure chamber 24.

  On the other hand, the absorber 20 is formed in a long shape by, for example, polypropylene foam as a foam material, and is arranged with the vehicle width direction as a longitudinal direction. The absorber 20 is fixedly attached to the lower front portion of the bumper reinforcement 14 independently of the chamber member 18, and includes an absorber main body 20 </ b> A disposed in parallel below the chamber member 18, and the front of the chamber member 18. And a spacer portion 20 </ b> B disposed on the surface. The absorber main body 20 </ b> A has positions at both ends in the longitudinal direction substantially coincident with positions at both ends of the bumper reinforcement 14, and a rear end surface is fixed (contacted) to the front surface of the bumper reinforcement 14.

  When the collision load is input from the front side of the vehicle, the above-described absorber body 20A is compressed and deformed in the vehicle front-rear direction while receiving a reaction force from the rear side of the vehicle by the bumper reinforcement 14 so as to absorb the collision energy. It has become. On the other hand, the spacer portion 20B of the absorber 20 is provided only on the center side in the vehicle width direction of the absorber main body 20A, and is configured to mainly transmit the collision load to the chamber member 18. Thereby, the chamber member 18 is configured to be crushed so that the volume of the pressure chamber 24 is reduced as the absorber body 20A is compressed and deformed.

  Moreover, this collision object discrimination system 10 is provided with ECU26 as a collision determination part. The ECU 26 is electrically connected to the pressure sensor 22 and detects a pressure change ΔP (generated pressure) in the pressure chamber 24 based on a signal from the pressure sensor 22. Further, the ECU 26 is electrically connected to a collision speed sensor 28 that outputs a signal corresponding to the collision speed with the collision body, and the collision speed V between the vehicle and the collision body based on the signal from the collision speed sensor 28. Is detected. The collision speed sensor 28 can be configured using, for example, a vehicle speed sensor. Further, as the output of the collision speed sensor 28, a time-differentiated output of the output of a distance sensor such as a millimeter wave radar may be used.

The ECU 26 integrates the pressure change ΔP described above with a predetermined determination time t _j and determines whether or not a value D obtained by dividing the integrated value by the collision speed V exceeds a preset (stored) threshold value T. to decide. In this case, the above-described determination time t _j is set based on the time from when the pedestrian's leg collides with the front bumper 12 until the pedestrian's head contacts the engine hood. By comparing the division value D and the threshold value T, it is determined whether the collision body is a pedestrian or a road fixed body such as a roadside marker pole.

  That is, in the case of a collision with the roadside marker pole, the front bumper 12 (automobile) is relatively displaced in the direction away from the roadside marker pole by the reaction force after the collision, so the duration of the pressure change ΔP is shortened. On the other hand, in the case of a collision with a pedestrian, since the pedestrian is relatively displaced so as to fall down to the engine hood side, the input duration to the front bumper 12 becomes long, and the time integral value of the pressure change ΔP is the roadside marker pole. It becomes a high value compared with the case. Further, by dividing the time integral value of the pressure change ΔP by the collision speed V, the influence due to the difference in the peak value of the generated pressure due to the collision speed V can be eliminated. Thus, the ECU 26 is configured to determine that the collision object is a pedestrian when the division value D exceeds the threshold value T.

  When the ECU 26 determines that the collision body is a pedestrian, for example, a signal corresponding to the collision body being a pedestrian, for a pedestrian safety ECU for controlling a pedestrian safety device. Is output. Note that the ECU 26 can also serve as a pedestrian safety ECU.

  Next, the main part of this embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in the above-described chamber member 18, a portion spanned between the pair of left and right crash boxes 15 is a general portion 18 </ b> A, which is outside the crash box 15 in the vehicle width direction. The portion is a corner portion 18B. As shown in FIG. 3A, in the corner portion 18B, thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 are set on the upper wall 30A and the lower wall 30B of the peripheral wall 30 of the chamber member 18 (in FIG. 1). (Not shown). The thick wall portions 30A1 and 30B1 are disposed in the vehicle front-rear direction center portion of the upper wall 30A and the lower wall 30B, and parts of the peripheral wall 30 other than the thick wall portions 30A1 and 30B1 (front wall 30C, rear wall 30D, upper The wall 30A is set to be thicker than the portion other than the thick portion 30A1 and the lower wall 30B other than the thick portion 30B1 (in FIG. 3A, the bumper cover 16 is illustrated). Omitted).

  The dimension L1 in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 is set corresponding to the remaining amount of collapse of the absorber body 20A at the time of a collision in a practical area where it is not necessary to operate a pedestrian safety device. Yes. That is, at the time of a collision in the practical range, the chamber member 18 is crushed to the extent shown in FIG. 3B together with the absorber body 20A, but the amount of remaining crushing of the chamber member 18 at this time (in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle) The dimension L1 in the vehicle front-rear direction of the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 is set substantially the same as (dimension). For this reason, at the time of a collision in a practical area, the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 are hardly deformed, and portions (thin portions) of the peripheral wall 30 other than the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 are elastically deformed. In this case, by canceling the input of the collision load, the thin portion is restored to its original shape (the shape shown in FIG. 3A) by its own elastic force. In the present embodiment, the vehicle front-rear direction dimension L1 of the thick portions 30A1, 30B1 is set to about 20% of the vehicle front-rear direction dimension L0 when the chamber member 18 (corner portion 18B) is unloaded.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle width direction end (corner portion) of the front bumper 12 of the vehicle collides with a pedestrian at a speed equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the corner portion 18B of the chamber member 18 is shown in FIG. Since it is further crushed than the state shown, the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 are bent near the center in the vehicle front-rear direction (see FIG. 3C). In this state, the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 are plastically deformed, so that the restoration of the corner portion 18B is suppressed. That is, in this embodiment, when the collapse amount of the corner portion 18B (chamber member 18) is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount (L0-L1) set in advance, the restoration of the corner portion 18B is suppressed.

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

  In the collision object discriminating system 10 configured as described above, when a collision object collides with the front bumper 12 from the front side of the vehicle, a collision load acts on the collision portion in the rearward direction of the vehicle. For this reason, the absorber 20 is compressed and deformed by an amount corresponding to the collision load, and the chamber member 18 is crushed according to the amount of compressive deformation of the absorber 20. As a result, the pressure in the pressure chamber 24 changes.

A signal corresponding to the pressure change ΔP of the pressure chamber 24 is input from the pressure sensor 22 to the ECU 26, and a signal corresponding to the collision speed V is input from the collision speed sensor 28. The ECU 26 integrates the pressure change ΔP with a predetermined determination time t _j and determines that the collision object is a pedestrian when a value D obtained by dividing the integrated value by the collision speed V exceeds a predetermined threshold T. To do.

Here, in this collision object discrimination system 10, when the vehicle width direction end (corner part) of the front bumper 12 of the vehicle collides with a pedestrian at a speed equal to or higher than a predetermined value (see arrow C in FIG. 1), The corner portion 18B of the chamber member 18 is crushed to a predetermined amount (L0-L1) or more by a collision load (reaction force) from a pedestrian. Thereby, thick part 30A1 and 30B1 provided in corner part 18B bend, and restoration of corner part 18B is controlled (refer to Drawing 3 (C)). Therefore, even if the reaction force from the pedestrian falls within the determination time t _j and the input duration to the front bumper 12 becomes shorter, the duration of the pressure change ΔP in the pressure chamber 18 can be secured. it can. Thereby, the determination accuracy of the ECU 26 based on the time integral value of the pressure change ΔP can be improved. Therefore, in this embodiment, the collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian can be detected well regardless of the input duration time to the front bumper 12.

  In addition, in this embodiment, since the restoration of the chamber member 18 is suppressed by the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 provided on the upper wall 30A and the lower wall 30B of the peripheral wall 30 of the chamber member 18, the configuration of the restoration suppressing structure portion is configured. It can be simple. Moreover, since a thick part can be set at the time of shaping | molding of the chamber member 18, a manufacturing process can be simplified. Furthermore, since the thick wall portions 30A1 and 30B1 are provided on the upper wall 30A and the lower wall 30B (the vehicle front-rear direction intermediate portion of the peripheral wall 30), the thick wall portions 30A1 and 30B1 are efficiently caused by the load in the vehicle front-rear direction. Can be deformed. In addition, since the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 are provided at the center portions in the front-rear direction of the upper wall 30A and the lower wall 30B, portions (thin portions) other than the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 in the peripheral wall 30 are thick. The portions 30A1 and 30B1 can be deformed with good balance before and after. As a result, stress can be prevented from concentrating on the specific part of the thin part and plastic deformation of the specific part. Therefore, in the practical area where the thick parts 30A1 and 30B1 are not deformed, the elastic force of the thin part is used. In addition, the restoring property of the chamber member 18 can be ensured satisfactorily.

  In the first embodiment, a fragile portion may be set at the center in the vehicle front-rear direction of the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 to promote bending of the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, by setting a notch 32 (a groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the chamber member 18) in the vehicle longitudinal direction center of the thick portions 30 </ b> A <b> 1 and 30 </ b> B <b> 1, The thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 can be bent at positions aimed at.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the thick wall portions 30A1 and 30B1 provided at the center in the vehicle front-rear direction on the upper wall 30A and the lower wall 30B of the chamber member 18 are bent. The invention is not limited to this, and the thick wall portion is provided on the upper wall 30A and the lower wall 30B of the chamber member 18, and plastically deforms (bend deformation, compression deformation, etc.) when the chamber member 18 is crushed to a predetermined amount or more. Anything is acceptable. Moreover, in the invention which concerns on Claim 1, not only the structure which the thick part provided in the surrounding wall of the chamber member deforms plastically but the thin part provided between the thick part and the thick part is plastically deformed. The structure to perform is also included.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the structure and effect | action similar to the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol as the said 1st Embodiment is provided, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a partial configuration of a chamber member 18 that is a constituent member of a collision object discrimination system (pedestrian collision detection device) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has basically the same configuration as the first embodiment. However, in the chamber member 18 according to this embodiment, the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 according to the first embodiment are omitted, and instead, the corner portion 18B of the chamber member 18 has a hook-and-loop fastener as a joining means. 34 and 36 (hook-and-loop fasteners) are provided. One hook-and-loop fastener 34 is joined to the vehicle front-rear direction intermediate portion of the inner wall surface (the surface on the pressure chamber 24 side) of the upper wall 30A, and the other hook-and-loop fastener 36 is connected to the inner wall surface (the pressure chamber 24) of the lower wall 30B. To the vehicle front-rear direction intermediate portion on the side surface). These hook-and-loop fasteners 34 and 36 have front portions 34F and 36F as hook surfaces (or loop surfaces), and rear portions 34R and 36R as loop surfaces (or hook surfaces).

  Here, in this embodiment, the corner portion 18B of the chamber member 18 is crushed in the vehicle front-rear direction by a load from the front side of the vehicle, so that the upper wall 30A and the lower wall 30B are bent at the vehicle front-rear direction center portions 30AM, 30BM. Then, the front portion 30AF and the rear portion 30AR of the upper wall 30A approach each other, and the front portion 30BF and the rear portion 30BR of the lower wall 30B approach each other. At this time, the hook-and-loop fasteners 34 and 36 bend at the vehicle front-rear direction center portions 34M and 36M following the upper wall 30A and the lower wall 30B. Thereby, the front portion 34F and the rear portion 34R of the surface fastener 34 approach each other, and the front portion 36F and the rear portion 36R of the surface fastener 36 approach each other.

  When the amount of collapse of the corner member 18B becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount and the front part 34F and the rear part 34R of the hook-and-loop fastener 34 are overlapped in the vehicle front-rear direction, the hook (or loop) provided on the front part 34F is It catches on a loop (or hook) provided on 36R. Similarly, when the front portion 36F and the rear portion 36R of the hook-and-loop fastener 36 are overlapped in the vehicle front-rear direction, the hook (or loop) provided on the front portion 36F is hooked on the loop (or hook) provided on the rear portion 36R. . Thereby, it has the composition by which restoration of corner part 18B is controlled. Therefore, this embodiment also has basically the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, since the surface fasteners 34 and 36 are employed as the joining means, it can be manufactured at a low cost.

  In the second embodiment, the surface fasteners 34 and 36 (joining means) are provided on the upper wall 30A and the lower wall 30B of the chamber member 18, respectively. Not only the upper wall 30A and the lower wall 30B but also a joining means may be provided. Further, a hook-and-loop fastener may be provided on each of the front wall 30C and the rear wall 30D of the chamber member 18. In this case, when the chamber member 18 is crushed by a predetermined amount or more, the hook-and-loop fastener provided on the front wall 30C and the hook-and-loop fastener provided on the rear wall 30D are engaged to suppress the restoration of the chamber member 18. It becomes the composition to be done.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a partial configuration of a chamber member 18 that is a constituent member of a collision object discrimination system (pedestrian collision detection device) according to a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has basically the same configuration as the first embodiment. However, in the chamber member 18 according to this embodiment, the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 according to the first embodiment are omitted. Instead, the corner portion 18B of the chamber member 18 has an adhesive material as a joining means. 38 is provided. The adhesive material 38 is provided in the middle portion in the vehicle vertical direction on the inner wall surface (the surface on the pressure chamber 24 side) of the rear wall 30D.

  In this embodiment, when the corner portion 18B of the chamber member 18 is crushed in the vehicle front-rear direction by a load from the vehicle front side, the front wall 30C and the rear wall 30D of the corner portion 18B approach each other. When the amount of collapse of the corner portion 18B exceeds a predetermined amount, the front wall 30C comes into contact with the adhesive material 38 provided on the rear wall 30D, and the front wall 30C is joined to the rear wall 30D by the adhesive material 38. Thereby, restoration of corner part 18B is controlled. Therefore, this embodiment also has basically the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, since the adhesive material 38 is employed as the joining means, it can be manufactured at a low cost.

<Fourth Embodiment>
FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a configuration of a front bumper 40 that is a component of a collision object determination system (pedestrian collision detection device) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a cut surface along line 8-8 in FIG. This embodiment has basically the same configuration as the first embodiment. However, in the chamber member 18 according to this embodiment, the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1 according to the first embodiment are omitted. Instead, the corner portion 18B of the chamber member 18 has a plurality of engaging claws 42. (Engaging part) is provided. These engaging claws 42 protrude from the upper surface of the upper wall 30 </ b> A toward the vehicle upper side, and are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the chamber member 18 at substantially equal intervals. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, these engaging claws 42 are bent in a substantially U shape at the upper end side, and the distal end side is arranged on the vehicle rear side with respect to the proximal end side.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a plate-like engagement piece 44 (engaged portion) that protrudes toward the vehicle upper side is provided at the front end portion of the upper end of the bumper reinforcement 14. (Not shown in FIG. 7). The engagement piece 44 is located on the extension of the front wall 14A of the bumper reinforcement 14 and faces the plurality of engagement claws 42 from the vehicle rear side.

  Here, in this embodiment, when the corner portion 18B of the chamber member 18 is crushed in the vehicle front-rear direction by a load from the front side of the vehicle, and the amount of collapse of the corner portion 18B exceeds a predetermined amount, The plurality of provided engaging claws 42 are caught on the engaging pieces 44 of the bumper reinforcement 14 (see FIG. 8B). Note that the illustration of the bumper cover 16 and the absorber 20 is omitted in FIG. 8B. ). Thereby, since the restoration of the corner portion 18B is suppressed, this embodiment also has basically the same function and effect as the first embodiment. In addition, in this embodiment, by appropriately changing the shape and arrangement of the engaging claws 42 and the engaging pieces 44, the strength and time for suppressing the restoration of the corner portion 18B (chamber member 18) can be easily adjusted. Can do.

  In the fourth embodiment, the engagement claw 42 is provided on the chamber member 18 and the engagement piece 44 is provided on the bumper reinforcement 14, but the invention according to claim 4 is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the chamber member 18 may be provided with an engagement piece, and the bumper reinforcement 14 may be provided with an engagement claw. Further, for example, a protrusion or the like (engagement portion) provided in the chamber member 18 is inserted into a hole provided in the bumper reinforcement 14 and is caught by a hole edge (engaged portion) of the hole. Also good.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the thick portions 30A1 and 30B1, the hook-and-loop fasteners 34 and 36, the adhesive material 38, and the engaging claws 42 (all of which are the restoration suppressing structure portions) are provided only on the corner portion 18B side of the chamber member 18. However, the invention according to claims 1 to 4 is not limited thereto, and the restoration suppressing structure portion may be provided over the entire longitudinal direction of the chamber member 18.

  In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say, the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

10 Collision detection system (pedestrian collision detection device)
14 Bumper reinforcement 18 Chamber member 22 Pressure sensor (pressure detector)
24 pressure chamber 26 ECU (collision judgment unit)
30 peripheral wall 30A1, 30B1 thick part (restoration suppression structure part)
34, 36 Surface fastener (joining means, restoration restraining structure)
38 Adhesive material (joining means, restoration restraining structure)
42 engaging claw (engaging part, composite restraining structure part)
44 engaged part (composite restraint structure part)

Claims (3)

The vehicle width direction is the longitudinal direction, and the bumper reinforcement that constitutes the vehicle bumper is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle front-rear direction. The interior is a pressure chamber, and the load input from the vehicle front-rear direction outer side is performed as described above. A chamber member that collapses to reduce the volume of the pressure chamber and that is restored by its own elastic force when the load is reduced;
A pressure detector that outputs a signal corresponding to a pressure change in the pressure chamber;
A collision determination unit that determines whether the vehicle has collided with a pedestrian based on the output of the pressure detector;
The chamber member has a thick wall portion provided in the vehicle front-rear direction center portion of the upper wall and the lower wall, and when the collapse amount of the chamber member exceeds a predetermined amount, the thick wall portion is plastically deformed, thereby A restoration restraining structure portion for restraining restoration of the chamber member;
A pedestrian collision detection device. The vehicle width direction is the longitudinal direction, and the bumper reinforcement that constitutes the vehicle bumper is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle front-rear direction. The interior is a pressure chamber, and the load input from the vehicle front-rear direction outer side is performed as described above. A chamber member that is collapsed so that the volume of the pressure chamber is reduced and the front and rear portions of the peripheral wall approach in the vehicle front-rear direction, and is restored by its own elastic force when the load is reduced;
A pressure detector that outputs a signal corresponding to a pressure change in the pressure chamber;
A collision determination unit that determines whether the vehicle has collided with a pedestrian based on the output of the pressure detector;
A restoration suppressing structure portion that is provided on the inner wall surface of the peripheral wall and has a joining means that joins the front portion and the rear portion when the amount of collapse of the chamber member becomes a predetermined amount or more, and suppresses restoration of the chamber member. When,
A pedestrian collision detection device. The vehicle width direction is the longitudinal direction, and the bumper reinforcement that constitutes the vehicle bumper is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle front-rear direction. The interior is a pressure chamber, and the load input from the vehicle front-rear direction outer side is performed as described above. A chamber member that collapses to reduce the volume of the pressure chamber and that is restored by its own elastic force when the load is reduced;
A pressure detector that outputs a signal corresponding to a pressure change in the pressure chamber;
A collision determination unit that determines whether the vehicle has collided with a pedestrian based on the output of the pressure detector;
An engaged portion provided in the bumper reinforcement, and an engaging portion provided in the chamber member that engages with the engaged portion when a collapse amount of the chamber member exceeds a predetermined amount. , A restoration suppressing structure for suppressing restoration of the chamber member;
A pedestrian collision detection device.

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