CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119 of JP Patent Application JP 2019-187136 filed Oct. 10, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The present invention relates to a protector with a sensor. When an object including a finger is disposed between an opening of an automobile body and a sliding door, the sensor fixed in the protector outputs a corresponding signal upon detecting the object. The sliding door is for use on a wagon, a station wagon, or the like and moves between at least two positions to open and close the opening of the automobile body.

A protector10with a sensor couples to an automobile including a wagon illustrated inFIG. 5. A sliding door1of the wagon opens and closes the opening of the automobile body.

The protector10couples to a front end surface of the sliding door1and extends toward a front part of the automobile body from the front end surface. The protector10extends in an upper and lower direction of the automobile body as illustrated inFIG. 6.

In this connection, Japanese unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-174633 is directed to the protector10. As illustrated inFIG. 7andFIG. 8, the protector10, which couples to the front end surface of the sliding door1, includes an installation base member11and a hollow part12. The installation base member11has a substantially U-shaped cross section including an inner-cabin side wall11a, an outer-cabin side wall11b, and a connecting wall11c. The hollow part12is integrally formed with the installation base member11. The hollow part12includes a sensor (pressure sensitive sensor) S. The sensor S outputs a corresponding electric signal upon detecting the object such as a part of human bodies (fingers, hands, or legs) between the sliding door1and the opening of the automobile body (may also be a front door or a side door).

An outer peripheral surface of the hollow part12is an outer coat12a. The outer coat12ahas a substantially horseshoe-shaped cross section and has an inner-cabin side end12band an outer-cabin side end12c. Each of the inner-cabin side end12band the outer-cabin side end12care connected with the installation base member11and are at a distance from each other along the installation base member11.

In a lower part of the protector10, a channel part13is integrally formed with the inner-cabin side wall11aof the installation base member11. The channel part13has a substantially C-shaped cross section and holds a wire harness W. The wire harness W is joined with the pressure sensitive sensor S. The installation base member11has a plurality of holding lips14,14formed inside and a core15embedded. The core15has a substantially U-shaped cross section and increases rigidity of the installation base member11. In addition, a decorative lip16is provided on the outer-cabin side wall11bof the installation base member11.

The sensor (pressure sensitive sensor) S is fixed in the hollow part12. The hollow part12has two core wires (electrode wires)31,32, rubber like elastic bodies34,35, and a space33. The core wires31,32extend in an upper and lower direction (longitudinal direction) of the hollow part12and are embedded in the rubber like elastic bodies (first and second conductive parts)34,35. The rubber like elastic bodies34,35have electric conductivity. The space33is positioned between the rubber like elastic bodies34,35. When the object is disposed between the sliding door1and the opening when the sliding door1is moved towards a closed position, and makes contact with a part of the hollow part12, the rubber like elastic bodies34,35come into contact with each other and the two core wires31,32short-circuit. Resultant change in electric signal is transmitted to a control unit60by leads36,36, and as a result, the object is detected. The leads36,36are connected with the two core wires31,32in a lower side terminal part of the protector10. The leads36,36are covered with insulator and are tied by the wire harness W. Top ends of the leads36,36are bared from covered parts37and are naked wires.

The rubber like elastic bodies (first and second conductive parts)34,35include the first conductive part34on an upper part of the hollow part and the second conductive part35on a lower part of the hollow part. The first conductive part34has a concave shape and the second conductive part35has a convex shape in cross section of the hollow part12. The first and second conductive parts34,35are shaped and positioned in a manner that the space33, positioned between the first conductive part34and the second conductive part35, has a substantially V-shaped cross section, the space33has a substantially uniform width in cross section, and an opening of the V-shaped cross section faces the installation base member11. With this configuration, the sensor (pressure sensitive sensor) S detects the objects over a wider range.

Parts of an inner peripheral surface of the hollow part12without the first and second conductive parts34,35, in other words where an inner-cabin space end33aand an outer-cabin space end33bof the space33are defined, are weak in strength. Accordingly, in case convex substances Z, keys for example, strongly touch the parts weak in strength while passengers are getting on or off the automobiles, the parts may be damaged or torn. In this connection, as illustrated inFIG. 8, thicknesses of the inner-cabin side end12band the outer-cabin side end12cof the hollow part12are increased. Increasing the thicknesses of the inner-cabin side end12band the outer-cabin side end12cis effective, for the parts where the inner-cabin space end33aand the outer-cabin space end33bof the space33are defined are easy to catch the convex substances Z, and therefore, are easily damaged or torn.

Once the hollow part12is torn, rainwater or water for car washing infiltrates and sensor function is lost. The absence of the sensor function may cause malfunction including improper opening or closing of the sliding door1.

Also, Japanese unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-097809 is directed to a hollow part which has a substantially lozenge-shaped cross section. A first apex and a second apex of the hollow part have curved surfaces and are curved toward an exterior and an interior of an automobile body, respectively, to release force applied on the hollow part from the convex substances Z. A distance between first and second base roots of the hollow part are too short from each other along the installation base member. In addition, distances between the first apex and the first base root and between the second apex and the second base root are long, for the first and second apexes are at substantial centers between an upper end of the hollow part and the first and second base roots. With this configuration, parts of the hollow part closer to the first and second base roots than the first and second apexes are decreased in rigidity. In case the convex substances Z diagonally touch the hollow part relative to the flange, the hollow part easily leans, and is decreased in precise sensitivity required for tactile detection of the objects.

Unfortunately, however, the inner-cabin side end12band the outer-cabin side end12cof the hollow part12of the protector10illustrated inFIG. 7andFIG. 8, which are increased in thicknesses, form pillar parts. The pillar parts increase load to be applied on the hollow part12.

In other words, the pillar parts prevent the hollow part12from bending in a front and rear direction of the automobile body. This configuration may degrade precise sensitivity of the sensor (pressure sensitive sensor) S for detecting the objects.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide the protector with the sensor capable of preventing the damages caused by the objects which touch the hollow part. It is another object of the present invention to provide the protector with the sensor improved in sensibility.

SUMMARY

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the invention, a protector (50) with a sensor is provided. The protector (50) includes an installation base member (11) and a hollow part (52). The installation base member (11) couples to a flange (F) of a sliding door (1). The flange (F) protrudes toward a front part of an automobile body from a front edge of the sliding door (1). The sliding door (1) moves between at least two positions to open and close a door opening of the automobile body. The installation base member (11) has a substantially U-shaped cross section including an inner-cabin side wall (11a), an outer-cabin side wall (11b), and a connecting wall (11c). The connecting wall (11c) connects the side walls (11a,11b). The installation base member (11) extends in an upper and lower direction of the automobile body. The hollow part (52) is unified with the connecting wall (11c) of the installation base member (11) and extends toward the front part of the automobile body. The hollow part (52) has a shape of a tube. The hollow part (52) has core wires (31,32), first and second conductive parts (54,55), and a space (53). Each of the first and second conductive parts (54,55) have a respective one of the core wires (31,32) embedded. The space (53) is positioned between the first and second conductive parts (54,55).

The hollow part (52) has an inner-cabin side end (52b) and an outer-cabin side end (52c). Each of the inner-cabin side end (52b) and the outer-cabin side end (52c) are connected with the installation base member (11) and are at a distance from each other along the installation base member (11).

The first and second conductive parts (54,55) include the first conductive part (54) on an upper part of the hollow part and the second conductive part (55) on a lower part of the hollow part. The second conductive part (55) has a convex shape in cross section of the hollow part (52). The second conductive part (55) is positioned within the hollow part (52) between the inner-cabin side end (52b) and the outer-cabin side end (52c) adjacent the installation base member (11). The first conductive part (54) has a concave shape in cross section of the hollow part (52). The first conductive part (54) is spaced apart from the second conductive part (55). The first and second conductive parts (54,55) are shaped and positioned in a manner that the space (53) has a substantially V-shaped cross section, an opening of the V-shaped cross section faces the installation base member (11), and an inner-cabin space end (53a) and an outer-cabin space end (53b) of the space (53) are defined on an inner surface of an outer coat (52a) of the hollow part (52).

When an object is disposed between the sliding door (1) and the opening, and makes contact with the hollow part (52) when the sliding door (1) is moved towards a closed position, an electric signal provides an indication that the object is in the opening.

An inner-cabin side part of the outer coat (52a) of the hollow part (52) extends between a top end (P) and an inner-cabin side end (52b), and is curved toward an interior of the automobile body with an inner-cabin side apex (52d) on a part closest to the interior of the automobile body. A distance (L5) in a height direction between the inner-cabin side apex (52d) and a point (Q) is shorter than a distance (L4) in the height direction between the top end (P) and the apex (52d). The point (Q) is a part of the inner-cabin side end (52b) closest to the interior of the automobile body.

An outer-cabin side part of the outer coat (52a) of the hollow part (52) extends between the top end (P) and an outer-cabin side end (52c), and is curved toward an exterior of the automobile body with an outer-cabin side apex (52e) on a part closest to the exterior of the automobile body. A distance (L7) in the height direction between the apex (52e) and a point (R) is shorter than a distance (L6) in the height direction between the top end (P) and the apex (52e). The point (R) is a part of the outer-cabin side end (52c) closest to the exterior of the automobile body.

Thicknesses of the outer coat (52a) of the hollow part (52) are gradually increased toward the apex (52d) from the top end (P) and toward the apex (52e) from the top end (P). Thicknesses of the outer coat (52a) between the apex (52d) and the inner-cabin side end (52b) and between the apex (52e) and the outer-cabin side end (52c) are equal to or not less than thicknesses (t). The thicknesses (t) are the thicknesses of the outer coat (52a) on each of the apexes (52d,52e).

It is to be noted that the “change in electric signal” includes a change by short between the two core wires, and a change in capacitance.

In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, the second conductive part (55) has a ridge-shaped cross section. The ridge-shaped cross section has an apex (55a) thicker than at least one other part of the second conductive part (55) in a front and rear direction of the automobile body and slopes toward the inner-cabin side end (52b) and the outer-cabin side end (52c) from the apex (55a). The space (53) has a substantially uniform width in cross section.

In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, the second conductive part (55) has a hanging-bell-shaped cross section. The space (53) has widths (Y) on each of the apexes (52d,52e). The widths (Y) are greater than at least one other part of the space (53). The widths (Y) of the space (53) are gradually decreased toward the installation base member (11) from each of the apexes (52d,52e).

In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, the inner-cabin space end (53a) and the outer-cabin space end (53b) of the space (53) have curved surfaces and are defined on the inner surface of the outer coat (52a) of the hollow part (52).

Symbols in parentheses show constituents or items corresponding to the drawings.

According to the present invention, the inner-cabin side part of the outer coat of the hollow part extends between the top end and the inner-cabin side end, and is curved toward the interior of the automobile body with the inner-cabin side apex on the part closest to the interior of the automobile body. The outer-cabin side part of the outer coat of the hollow part extends between the top end and the outer-cabin side end, and is curved toward the exterior of the automobile body with the outer-cabin side apex on the part closest to the exterior of the automobile body. The resultant hollow part is easy to shrink in the front and rear direction of the automobile body in the same manner as a pantograph, and is more suitable for detecting the objects.

In addition, the distance in the height direction between the inner-cabin side apex and the part of the inner-cabin side end closest to the interior of the automobile body is shorter than the distance in the height direction between the top end and the inner-cabin side apex. In the same manner, the distance in the height direction between the outer-cabin side apex and the part of the outer-cabin side end closest to the exterior of the automobile body is shorter than the distance in the height direction between the top end and the outer-cabin side apex. Accordingly, on the inner-cabin side part and the outer-cabin side part of the hollow part, the distances between the apexes and base roots of the hollow part are shorter than the distances between the top end and the apexes. With this configuration, parts of the hollow part closer to the base roots than the apexes are increased in rigidity. In case convex substances diagonally touch the hollow part relative to the flange, the hollow part hardly leans, and is hardly decreased in precise sensitivity required for tactile detection of the objects.

In addition, the thicknesses of the outer coat of the hollow part are gradually increased toward the inner-cabin side apex from the top end and toward the outer-cabin side apex from the top end. The thicknesses of the outer coat between the inner-cabin side apex and the inner-cabin side end and between the outer-cabin side apex and the outer-cabin side end are equal to or not less than the thicknesses of outer coat on the inner-cabin side apex and on the outer-cabin side apex. Accordingly, thicknesses of parts of the outer coat of the hollow part on which each of the ends of the space are defined are increased. The space has the substantially V-shaped cross section.

Accordingly, in case convex substances, keys for example, strongly touch the parts while passengers are getting on or off the automobiles, the parts touched by the convex substances are not damaged or torn. The hollow part, not damaged or torn, prevents infiltration of water, and therefore, sensor function is not affected. This configuration prevents malfunction including improper opening or closing of the sliding door.

The hollow part of the protector of the present invention is easy to bend in the front and rear direction of the automobile body, and is stable in the precise sensitivity required for tactile detection of the objects in case the convex substances diagonally touch the hollow part. Also, the hollow part is small in deformation volume in the inner-cabin and outer-cabin direction and keeps abrasion as well as amount of bite by the convex substances, keys for example, low.

In addition, the second conductive part may have the ridge-shaped cross section. The ridge-shaped cross section has the apex thicker than at least one other part of the second conductive part in the front and rear direction of the automobile body and slopes toward the inner-cabin side end and the outer-cabin side end from the apex, and the space has the substantially uniform width in cross section. Alternatively, the second conductive part may have the hanging-bell-shaped cross section. The widths of the space on the inner-cabin side apex and the outer-cabin side apex are greater than at least one other part of the space, and are gradually decreased toward the installation base member from the inner-cabin side apex and from the outer-cabin side apex. The second conductive part which has the hanging-bell-shaped cross section, not the ridge-shaped cross section, is smaller in the deformation volume in the inner-cabin and outer-cabin direction and keeps abrasion as well as amount of bite by the convex substances, keys for example, lower.

In addition, the inner-cabin space end and the outer-cabin space end of the space have curved surfaces and are defined on the inner surface of the outer coat of the hollow part. With this configuration, the hollow part is easier to bend in the front and rear direction of the automobile body and the sensor is improved in sensibility.

