Distance measuring sensor mounting structure

• US 6,729,429 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2002
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Takahashi, Akio
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US10/077,926
• Publication Number:
  US 20020125383A1
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 180/271, 180/167, 180/169, 180/311, 248/200, 296/203.01, 280/781, 293/102, 293/106, 293/115, 293/117
• US Class Current: 180/271
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/483 with obstacle sensors of electric or electronic type
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/084 Radiator supports
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/46 Indirect determination of position data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles

Abstract

A distance measuring sensor mounting structure includes a bulkhead upper frame, a front bumper beam situated below the bulkhead upper frame and diagonally to the front thereof and at least two sensor brackets each having a distance measuring sensor fixedly supported thereon. At least two sensor brackets are installed at predetermined positions between the bulkhead upper frame and the front bumper beam to connect the bulkhead upper frame to the front bumper beam.

Claims

1. A distance measuring sensor mounting structure, comprising:

a bulkhead upper frame;

a front bumper beam situated below said bulkhead upper frame and diagonally to the front thereof;

at least two sensor brackets each having a distance measuring sensor fixedly supported thereon,

wherein said at least two sensor brackets are installed at predetermined positions between said bulkhead upper frame and said front bumper beam to connect said bulkhead upper frame to said front bumper beam.

2. The distance measuring sensor mounting structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said at least two sensor brackets comprises:

a bottom plate and a back plate which are disposed to form an L-shape as viewed from the side; and

a rib connecting a side edge of said bottom plate to a side edge of said back plate,

wherein said bottom plate is fixedly attached to said front bumper beam whereas said back plate is fixedly attached to said bulkhead upper frame.

3. The distance measuring sensor mounting structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said distance measuring sensors supported on said sensor brackets are positioned so as to be concealed below a front portion of a bonnet covering over an engine compartment, and confront a front grill opened forwardly.

4. The distance measuring sensor mounting structure as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a front lower cross member extending substantially parallel to said bulkhead upper frame; and

a center stay connecting respective central portions of said bulkhead upper frame and said front lower cross member,

wherein said front bumper beam and said front lower cross member are connected to a pair of side frames.

5. The distance measuring sensor mounting structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein each distance measuring sensor is tiltable vertically and horizontally with respect to the sensor bracket on which it is fixedly supported.

6. The distance measuring sensor mounting structure as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of said at least two sensor brackets further comprises:

a reference support member attached to the vicinity of a corner of said back plate while fixing one end of a back surface of said distance measuring sensor;

a first adjustable support member attached to said back plate to be positioned horizontally with respect to said reference support member, and having a first rod extendable in a longitudinal direction thereof while abutting with the back surface of said distance measuring sensor; and

a second adjustable support member attached to said back plate to be positioned vertically with respect to said reference support member, and having a second rod extendable in a longitudinal direction thereof while abutting with the back surface of said distance measuring sensor, whereby said distance measuring sensor is tiltable vertically and horizontally with respect to said sensor bracket.