JPH11291845A - Movable bumper device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bumper device capable of surely protruding the entire or a part of the bumper by a proper timing at the time of collision without damaging the style of a running vehicle and increasing the safety of an occupant by softening shocks at the time of collision to prevent the damage of a collision opponent or a car body. SOLUTION: The possibility of collision with an obstacle is determined by a collision predicting means 6a based on data regarding a distance from the obstacle outputted from a distance detecting means 4 and data regarding a vehicle running state outputted from a running state detecting means 5 and, when collision is predicted, a locking mechanism 3 holding a bumper main body 2 pressed to be protruded by an elastic body 10 in a withdrawn position is released, and the bumper main body 2 is operated to be protruded to the front side of a car body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bumper device for a vehicle mounted on a front portion or a rear portion of a vehicle such as an automobile, and more particularly, a vehicle bumper device which is entirely or partially protruded forward or rearward in a collision. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a movable bumper device that can reduce the impact at the time of collision.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Sho 62-137852 or Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 2-133262 discloses a method in which a bumper is mounted in front of an automobile through a shock absorbing means such as a spring, and a sudden load is applied to the vehicle body. When the acceleration is applied, or when the running speed of the vehicle is higher than a predetermined value, the bumper protrudes greatly from the vehicle body, thereby alleviating the impact at the time of collision, reducing the damage of the vehicle body, and improving the safety of occupants. A movable bumper device has been proposed.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
In the bumper device described in 137852, there is a problem that operation at an appropriate timing cannot be guaranteed.

In the bumper device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-133262, the bumper is made to protrude only when the vehicle speed is a certain speed or more, so that there is no influence on low-speed driving, parking, garage entry and the like. However, there is a problem that not only does the vehicle style during high-speed driving deteriorate, but also the driving sensation differs between low-speed driving and high-speed driving. This has been a problem in bumper devices.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems in a conventional movable bumper device for a vehicle,
The bumper or a part of the bumper can always be protrudingly actuated at the appropriate time without impairing the style of the running vehicle, mitigating the impact at the time of collision and minimizing damage to the collision partner and the vehicle body It is an object of the present invention to provide a movable bumper device for a vehicle, which can prevent the occupant's safety from increasing.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a movable bumper device for a vehicle, wherein the bumper body is projected and urged by an elastic body, and the bumper body is retracted against the urging force of the elastic body. A lock mechanism, a distance detecting means for detecting a distance between the vehicle and an obstacle, a traveling state detecting means for detecting a traveling state of the vehicle, and a detection output from the distance detecting means and the traveling state detecting means. Prediction means for calculating the possibility of collision with an obstacle, and outputting a collision prediction signal according to the calculation result, and the state of holding of the bumper body by the lock mechanism according to the output of the collision prediction signal from the collision prediction means And a lock release mechanism that returns the bumper body to the state before releasing the holding state of the bumper body in response to the disappearance of the collision prediction signal. And it is characterized in that the, is a means for solving the conventional problems described above such a structure in the vehicle movable bumper unit.

In a bumper device according to a second aspect of the present invention, the bumper body includes a bumper-side reinforcing member, an energy absorber attached to the entire surface of the bumper-side reinforcing member, and an energy absorber. A bumper fascia covering the surface of the absorber is provided, and a coil spring as an elastic body is disposed between the bumper side reinforcing member and the vehicle body side reinforcing member fixed to the vehicle body. A stopper rod interposed between the reinforcing members to regulate a projecting position of the bumper main body with respect to the vehicle body; and a lock plate as a lock mechanism that engages with the stopper rod and holds the coil spring in a compressed state. Is provided with a damper for suppressing the projecting speed of the bumper body. The vehicle movable bumper device according to claim 3, wherein a shape memory alloy actuator as a lock release mechanism is connected to the lock plate of the lock mechanism. In a state in which the holding state of the bumper body by the lock mechanism is released, the distal end portion of the stopper rod of the lock mechanism penetrates the bumper side reinforcing member and abuts on the back side of the energy absorber. It is characterized by that.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a movable bumper device for a vehicle, wherein the projecting member is supported by the bumper main body in a state of being protruded and urged by the elastic body, and protrudes against the urging force of the elastic body. A lock mechanism for holding the member in the bumper main body, a distance detecting means for detecting a distance between the vehicle and an obstacle, a running state detecting means for detecting a running state of the vehicle, and the distance detecting means and the running state detecting means. A collision prediction unit that calculates a possibility of collision with an obstacle based on the detection output of the collision detection unit and outputs a collision prediction signal according to the calculation result;
In accordance with the output of the collision prediction signal from the collision prediction means, the holding state of the projecting member by the lock mechanism is released to project the projecting member from the bumper main body, and in accordance with the disappearance of the collision prediction signal, the holding state of the projecting member is changed. It is characterized in that it is provided with a lock release mechanism that returns to the state before the release, and such a configuration in the vehicular movable bumper device is a means for solving the above-mentioned conventional problems.

[0009]

In the movable bumper device for a vehicle according to the first aspect of the present invention, the collision predicting means uses the data from the distance detecting means, that is, the distance data from the vehicle to the obstacle and the data from the traveling state detecting means. For example, from the actual vehicle speed at that time and the acceleration calculated from the rate of change of the actual vehicle speed per unit time, the possibility of the vehicle colliding with an obstacle is constantly calculated, and the possibility of collision is high. When a determination is made, that is, when a collision with an obstacle is predicted, a collision prediction signal is generated. When the collision prediction signal is generated from the collision prediction means, the lock release mechanism operates based on the signal, and releases the lock mechanism that holds the bumper body protruded and urged by the elastic body at the retracted position. Because it projects forward of the vehicle by the elastic body,
The impact at the time of a collision is reduced by the shock absorption of the bumper main body and the elastic force of the elastic body, so that damage to the vehicle or the collision partner is reduced, and safety is improved. At this time, the bumper body is designed to protrude when it is determined that the possibility of collision is high based on the distance from the obstacle, the vehicle speed, the acceleration, etc., so that there is no operation error and the appearance of the vehicle during normal driving Does not deteriorate.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a movable bumper device for a vehicle.
This is an example of a specific structure of the movable bumper device, and particularly, since a damper is provided on a stopper rod, the projecting speed and the projecting power of the bumper body are reduced at the time of a collision, and damage due to the collision is further reduced. become.

In a vehicle bumper device according to a third aspect of the present invention, the shape memory alloy actuator is used as the lock release mechanism, so that the operation is reliable despite its simple structure. further,
As an embodiment, in the movable bumper device for a vehicle according to the fourth aspect, the tip end portion of the stopper rod of the lock mechanism penetrates the bumper-side reinforcing member of the bumper body and abuts on the back side of the energy absorber. Therefore, the impact at the time of the collision is also absorbed by the damper of the stopper rod, and the damage due to the collision is further reduced.

In the movable bumper device for a vehicle according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a projecting member which is urged by an elastic body is supported on the bumper body, and the projecting member is held on the bumper body by a similar mechanism. When the collision predicting means determines that the possibility of collision is high, the locking mechanism is released and only the projecting member projects from the bumper body. The damage to the vehicle and the colliding partner is reduced, and the safety is improved, without making a mistake or damaging the appearance of the vehicle during normal traveling.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a movable bumper device for a vehicle having the above configuration, that is, a bumper main body, a lock mechanism, a distance detection means, a traveling state detection means, a collision prediction means, a lock release. With a mechanism, the bumper body can be reliably protruded from the vehicle body without an operation error only when the danger of collision is high, and the impact at the time of collision is reduced without damaging the appearance during normal running Thus, it is possible to reduce the damage to the vehicle body and the collision partner, and to improve the occupant safety. Further, since the lock release mechanism returns to the state before the lock release by the disappearance of the collision prediction signal from the collision prediction means, after the bumper main body is projected by the operation of the lock release mechanism, the bumper main body is easily restored to the retracted position. be able to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a movable bumper device for a vehicle is provided.
The more specific configuration of the movable bumper device is shown, in which a bumper body includes a bumper side reinforcing member, an energy absorber, and a bumper facer, and a coil spring and a stopper rod are provided between the bumper side reinforcing member and the vehicle body side reinforcing member. The stopper mechanism is provided with a lock plate that engages with the stopper rod, and the stopper rod includes a damper that suppresses the projection speed of the bumper body. The force can be suppressed, and the damage due to the collision can be further reduced. Similarly, in the movable bumper device for a vehicle according to the third embodiment, the shape memory alloy actuator is used as the lock release mechanism. Therefore, the locked state of the bumper body is In the movable bumper device for a vehicle according to claim 4, the distal end portion of the stopper rod of the lock mechanism penetrates through the bumper-side reinforcing member of the bumper body, and the energy absorbing member is released. Because it comes into contact with the rear side, a part of the impact at the time of collision can be absorbed by the damper provided on the stopper rod, and the impact due to the collision can be further reduced, and the damage can be further reduced. The effect that can be done is brought.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a movable bumper device for a vehicle, comprising: a protruding member which is protruded by an elastic body and is supported by the bumper main body; a lock mechanism which holds the protruding member in the bumper main body; Since it is provided with the detection means, the traveling state detection means, the collision prediction means, and the lock release mechanism, when there is a high risk of collision, only the protruding member can be reliably protruded from the bumper main body, The same effect as the movable bumper device according to claim 1, wherein the impact at the time of collision can be reduced without impairing the appearance during normal running, thereby reducing damage to the vehicle body and the collision partner and improving occupant safety. Is brought.

The movable bumper device for a vehicle according to the present invention is basically used as a front bumper of a vehicle body, that is, as a front bumper, but can also be used as a rear bumper of a vehicle body, that is, as a rear bumper. In addition, it is possible to improve the safety at the time of a rear-end collision by another vehicle, entering a garage, parking or the like.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIGS. 1 to 4 are for explaining the structure of a movable bumper device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing a configuration of the movable bumper device, and FIG. 1B is a longitudinal sectional view of a bumper main body showing the structure.

As shown in FIG. 1 (a), a movable bumper device 1 for a vehicle according to this embodiment comprises:
A lock mechanism 3 for holding the bumper body 2 protruded by a coil spring as an elastic body in a retracted state, a distance sensor 4 as distance detecting means for detecting a distance to an obstacle, and detecting a running state of the vehicle. A vehicle speed sensor 5 as a traveling state detecting means, a distance data between the host vehicle and the obstacle output from the distance sensor 4 and incorporated in the microcomputer 6 as a controller, and an actual vehicle speed output from the vehicle speed sensor 5 When the possibility that the vehicle equipped with the movable bumper device 1 collides with an obstacle is calculated from the data and the acceleration data obtained by the change rate of the actual vehicle speed per unit time, and it is determined that the possibility of the collision is high. Prediction means 6a for outputting a collision prediction signal to the vehicle, and when the collision prediction signal is output from the collision prediction means 6a, the lock device It is mainly composed of the lock releasing mechanism 7 for releasing the holding state of the bumper body 2 by 3.

As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the bumper body 2 includes a bumper-side reinforcing member 2a made of steel, a bumper facer 2b made of resin forming the surface of the bumper, and the reinforcing member 2a and the bumper facer. 2b, and a stopper rod having a damper on the front surface of the vehicle body-side reinforcing member 8 attached to the side member M of the vehicle body via the bumper stay S. It is supported by a shock absorber 9 so as to be able to move back and forth, and is urged forward by a coil spring 10 interposed between a vehicle-side reinforcing member 8 and a bumper-side reinforcing member 2a.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the shock absorber 9 is attached to the vehicle body-side reinforcing member 8 via L-shaped brackets 8a, 8a fixed to the vehicle body-side reinforcing member 8. The shaft portion 9a of the shock absorber 9 functioning as a rod passes through the insertion hole 8b and the coil spring 10 formed in the vehicle body-side reinforcing member 8, and is fixed to the bumper-side reinforcing member 2a of the bumper body 2 at the distal end.

The shaft portion 9a of the shock absorber 9 is formed with a small-diameter portion 9b at a substantially middle position in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the L-shaped brackets 8a, 8a fixed to the vehicle body side reinforcing member 8 are provided. , A lock plate 3 as a lock mechanism is slidably mounted, and the coil spring 10 is compressed against its elastic force.
At the position where is moved to the retracted state, the notch 3a of the lock plate 3 engages with the small-diameter portion 9b formed on the shaft 9a, and the shaft 9a of the shock absorber 9 and the bumper body 2 are brought into the retracted state. It is designed to hold.
As shown in FIG. 2A, a torsion coil spring 11 is attached to the lock plate 3, and the torsion coil spring 11 causes the lock plate 3 to move leftward in the figure, that is, a shaft portion. 9a is urged in a direction to engage with the small-diameter portion 9b.

Further, the lock plate 3 is made of Ti-Ni
One end is connected to the other end of a shape memory alloy actuator 7 as a lock release mechanism connected to a fixing bolt 8c of the vehicle body side reinforcing member 8 at one end. The shape memory alloy actuator 7 has its shape stored in a contracted state. At room temperature, the shape memory alloy actuator 7 is in an expanded state due to the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 11 attached to the lock plate 3, and at the transformation point or higher due to current supply. When heated, the lock plate 3 recovers its shape to the contracted state, thereby pulling the lock plate 3 rightward in the drawing, and engaging the lock plate 3 with the small-diameter portion 9 b against the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 11. Is to be released.

The left and right ends of the bumper body 2 are shown in FIG.
It has an L-shaped cross section as shown in FIG.
It is attached to the left and right positions of the vehicle body B via bolts 13 and 13 via a slide bracket 12 having 2a so as to be movable back and forth.

In the movable bumper device 1 having such a structure, when the power switch is turned on while the vehicle is running, the distance between the obstacle in front of the vehicle and the vehicle and the actual vehicle speed at that time are measured by the distance sensor. 4 and the vehicle speed sensor 5, and these data are input to the controller 6.

In the collision predicting means 6a of the controller 6, the actual vehicle speed at that time detected by the two sensors 4 and 5, the distance to the obstacle, and the acceleration obtained from the actual vehicle speed data are used to determine the obstacle of the vehicle. We always calculate the possibility of collision.

If it is determined that the calculation result is larger than a predetermined value, that is, if a collision with an obstacle is predicted, the collision prediction means 6a generates a collision prediction signal. When a collision prediction signal is generated from the collision prediction means 6a, the controller 6 supplies a current to the shape memory alloy actuator 7 which is a lock release mechanism in response to the signal.

When the shape memory alloy actuator 7 is heated by the current supply and its temperature reaches the transformation point or more,
The shape memory alloy actuator 7 recovers its shape to a contracted state, whereby the lock plate 3 as a lock mechanism is opposed to the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 11 as shown in FIG. , The notch 3a of the lock plate 3 is aligned with the shaft 9a of the shock absorber 9.
4B, the bumper main body 2 projects forward of the vehicle body by the elastic force of the coil spring 10 as shown in FIG. Therefore, since the impact at the time of collision is reduced by the shock absorbing property of the bumper main body 2 and the elastic force of the coil spring 10, the operation of the vehicle or the other vehicle at the time of collision can be prevented without causing an erroneous operation or deterioration of the vehicle style during normal driving. Damage is reduced, and occupant safety can be improved. Also, at this time, since the shock absorber 9 protrudes at a relatively slow speed, damage is further reduced, and safety is further improved.

When the collision prediction signal from the collision prediction means 6a disappears, the current supply to the shape memory alloy actuator 7 is cut off, and when the temperature of the actuator 7 falls below the transformation point, the torsion coil spring 11 The shape memory alloy actuator 7 is stretched by the elastic force, and the lock plate 3 is urged in the direction of engagement with the small diameter portion 9b formed on the shaft portion 9a of the shock absorber 9, so that the collision prediction signal is generated. After the disappearance, the cut portions 3a of the lock plate 3 can be fitted into the small-diameter portions 9b only by pushing the bumper body 2 back to the retracted state, and the bumper body 2 is pulled into the retracted state shown in FIG. Can be easily restored.

Embodiment 2 FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b) show a structure of a movable bumper device for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.
In the movable bumper device 20 according to this embodiment,
The front end of the shaft portion 9a of the shock absorber 9 does not fix to the bumper-side reinforcing member 2a of the bumper main body 2, but penetrates the reinforcing member 2a.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), when the holding state of the bumper main body 2 by the lock plate 3 is released and the bumper main body 2 protrudes, the tip of the shaft 9a of the shock absorber 9 is moved. Bumper body 2
The shock absorber 9 absorbs a part of the collision energy, thereby further reducing the impact due to the collision and further reducing the damage. Becomes possible.

In the vehicle movable bumper device 20 according to this embodiment, since the tip of the shaft portion 9a is not fixed to the bumper side reinforcing member 2a as described above,
Even if the bumper main body 2 is pushed back, the cut portions 3a of the lock plate 3 cannot be engaged with the small diameter portion 9b of the shaft portion 9a, so that the return rod 21 is attached to the base end side of the shaft portion 9a of the shock absorber 9. By mounting and pushing back the rod 21, the bumper body 2 is restored to the retracted state.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 6 shows a structure of a movable bumper device for a vehicle according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In the movable bumper device 30 according to this embodiment, the bumper main body 2 is constructed as follows. In addition to being fixed to the front of the vehicle body, it is supported by a shock absorber 9 on the front surface of a vehicle body-side reinforcing member 8 attached to a side member M of the vehicle body via a bumper stay S so as to be able to move back and forth. Is stored in the bumper main body 2 and when a danger of collision is predicted by a similar mechanism, only the protruding member 31 is replaced with a bumper main body as shown by a virtual line in the figure. 2 can be reliably projected, reducing the impact during a collision without impairing the appearance during normal driving, reducing the damage to the vehicle body and the collision partner, and improving occupant safety. It is possible to obtain the same effects as described above that may be.

In each of the above embodiments, the movable bumper device according to the present invention is mounted in front of the vehicle body. However, the movable bumper device for a vehicle according to the present invention is used only as a front bumper. Instead, it can be used as a rear bumper behind the car body, and if necessary, it can be installed behind the car body to improve safety in rear-end driving such as rear-end collision, garage entry, parking etc. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicular movable bumper device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. (B) It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the mechanical structure part of the movable bumper apparatus shown to Fig.1 (a).

FIG. 2 (a) is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a movable bumper device shown in FIG. 1 (b), particularly the structure of a lock mechanism and a lock release mechanism. FIG. 3B is a partially enlarged view showing a holding state of the bumper main body by the lock mechanism shown in FIG.

3A is a perspective view showing an example of a shape of a metal fitting for slidably mounting an end of the bumper main body shown in FIG. 1B to a vehicle body. (B) It is sectional drawing which shows the state which attached the bumper main body to the vehicle body with the metal fitting shown to Fig.3 (a). (C) It is a side view of the bumper main body shown in FIG. 3 (a).

FIG. 4A is an explanatory view showing a release state of a lock mechanism by a lock release mechanism. (B) It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which the bumper main body projected by operation | movement of a lock release mechanism.

FIG. 5 (a) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of a movable bumper device for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. (B) It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the protruding state of the bumper main body in the movable bumper apparatus shown to Fig.5 (a).

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of a movable bumper device for a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,20,30 Vehicle movable bumper device 2 Bumper body 2a Bumper side reinforcing member 2b Bumper fascia 2c Energy absorber 3 Lock plate (Lock mechanism) 4 Distance sensor (Distance detecting means) 5 Vehicle speed sensor (Running state detecting means) 6a Collision prediction means 7 Shape memory alloy actuator (lock release mechanism) 8 Car body side reinforcing member 9 Shock absorber (stopper rod, damper) 10 Coil spring (elastic body) 31 Projecting member

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A bumper body protruded and urged by an elastic body, a lock mechanism for holding the bumper body in a retracted state against the urging force of the elastic body, and a distance detection for detecting a distance between the vehicle and an obstacle. Means, a running state detecting means for detecting a running state of the vehicle, a possibility of a collision with an obstacle is calculated based on detection outputs from the distance detecting means and the running state detecting means, and a collision prediction is performed according to the calculation result. A collision prediction means for outputting a signal, and releasing the holding state of the bumper main body by the lock mechanism in accordance with the output of the collision prediction signal from the collision prediction means to cause the bumper main body to project, and in response to the disappearance of the collision prediction signal. A movable bumper device for a vehicle, comprising: a lock release mechanism that returns to a state before the holding state of the bumper body is released. 2. A bumper body comprising: a bumper-side reinforcing member;
An energy absorber attached to the entire surface of the bumper-side reinforcing member, and a bumper facer covering the surface of the energy absorber, and as an elastic body between the bumper-side reinforcing member and the vehicle-body-side reinforcing member fixed to the vehicle body. A coil spring is disposed, a stopper rod interposed between the bumper-side reinforcing member and the vehicle-body-side reinforcing member to regulate a protruding position of the bumper body with respect to the vehicle body, and the coil spring is engaged with the stopper rod to form the coil spring. 2. The movable bumper device for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a lock plate serving as a lock mechanism for holding the vehicle in a compressed state, wherein the stopper rod is provided with a damper for suppressing a projecting speed of the bumper body. 3. A lock plate of the lock mechanism,
The movable bumper device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein a shape memory alloy actuator as an unlocking mechanism is connected. 4. When the holding state of the bumper body by the lock mechanism is released, the distal end of the stopper rod of the lock mechanism penetrates the bumper-side reinforcing member and comes into contact with the back side of the energy absorber. The movable bumper device for a vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein 5. A protruding member supported by the bumper main body in a state of being protruded and urged by the elastic body, a lock mechanism for holding the protruding member in the bumper main body against the urging force of the elastic body, and a vehicle and an obstacle. Distance detecting means for detecting a distance to an object, running state detecting means for detecting a running state of the vehicle, and calculating a possibility of collision with an obstacle based on detection outputs from the distance detecting means and the running state detecting means. A collision prediction unit that outputs a collision prediction signal in accordance with a calculation result; and, in accordance with an output of the collision prediction signal from the collision prediction unit, releases the holding state of the protrusion member by the lock mechanism and moves the protrusion member from the bumper body. A movable bumper device for a vehicle, comprising: a lock release mechanism that protrudes and returns to a state before releasing the holding state of the protruding member in accordance with disappearance of the collision prediction signal. .