JP2008164569A - Ultrasonic sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide ultrasonic sensor in which installability of a transmitter/receiver into a vehicle is improved to require lower cost for installation and replacement. <P>SOLUTION: In this ultrasonic sensor, unimorph vibrator comprising piezoelectric element and bottomed cylindrical case is jointed with the backside of bumper mall, and are integrated with the bumper mall. Alternatively, recesses are formed on the backside of the bumper mall, where the vibrator comprising piezoelectric element and bottomed cylindrical case is to be jointed and integrated with the bumper mall. Or the piezoelectric element is jointed directly to the backside of bumper mall to integrate the bumper mall with the vibrator. These are mounted on the bumper to make the bumper mall vibrate and make the ultrasonic waves transmitted and received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer that transmits and receives an ultrasonic frequency band.

In an ultrasonic transducer according to a conventional embodiment, a unimorph vibrator composed of a piezoelectric element and a bottomed cylindrical case is joined to the back side of a bumper, and the bumper is vibrated to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. As a result, it is possible to easily increase the output of ultrasonic transmission / reception characteristics and sharpen directivity without impairing the appearance. However, since the unimorph vibrator or the piezoelectric element is directly joined to the bumper, there is a problem that the mounting work is performed for each bumper, which is troublesome.
Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-335965

  The problem to be solved is to improve the assembling property when the unimorph vibrator or the piezoelectric element is bonded to the back side of the bumper.

  A unimorph vibrator composed of a piezoelectric element and a bottomed cylindrical case is joined to the back side of the bumper molding to integrate the bumper molding and the vibrator. Alternatively, a recess is provided on the back side of the bumper molding, and a piezoelectric element and a vibrator composed of a bottomed cylindrical case are joined thereto to integrate the bumper molding and the vibrator. Alternatively, a piezoelectric element is directly bonded to the back side of the bumper molding to integrate the bumper molding and the vibrator. These are mounted on a bumper and the bumper molding is vibrated to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves.

  According to the present invention, the assembling property of the ultrasonic transducer, which has been a problem, to the vehicle is improved. Also, installation and replacement costs can be reduced.

  When used for in-vehicle corner sensors, etc., a unimorph vibrator consisting of a piezoelectric element and a bottomed cylindrical case is joined and integrated on the back side of the bumper molding, and it is possible to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves by vibrating the bumper molding. This is mounted on a bumper to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an ultrasonic transducer according to an embodiment of claim 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a unimorph vibrator integrated with a bumper molding. In FIG. 2, the unimorph vibrator 1 is joined and integrated with the back side of the bumper molding 2. In FIG. 1, the unimorph vibrator integrated with the bumper molding is mounted in a mounting hole provided in the bumper 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an ultrasonic transducer according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the piezoelectric element 4 is bonded inside the bottom surface of the bottomed cylindrical case 5 made of an aluminum material or the like to constitute a unimorph vibrator. This is bonded and fixed to the bumper molding 2 from the back side using an epoxy adhesive or the like. The input / output lead 7a is taken out from the opposite surface of the piezoelectric element 4 to the bottomed cylindrical case 5 and the input / output lead 7b is taken out from the bottomed cylindrical case 5 by soldering or the like. The bonding surface side of the piezoelectric element 4 with the bottomed cylindrical case 5 and the bottomed cylindrical case 5 are electrically connected. Furthermore, the piezoelectric element 4, the input / output lead 7 a, and the bottomed cylindrical case 5. And the input / output lead 7b are electrically connected. A sound absorbing material 6 made of foamed silicone or the like is placed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric element 4, and the input / output leads 7a and 7b are soldered to the external leads 8a and 8b, respectively. Construct an ultrasonic transducer integrated with the bumper molding by filling the inside of the bottomed cylindrical case 5 with a sealant 9 made of silicone or urethane having self-adhesiveness from the back opening of the bottomed cylindrical case To do. A bumper molding integral with the ultrasonic transducer is mounted on the vehicle bumper 3.

Schematic diagram of an ultrasonic transducer according to an embodiment of the present invention Schematic showing a unimorph vibrator integrated with a bumper molding 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an ultrasonic transducer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Unimorph vibrator 2 Bumper molding 3 Bumper 4 Piezoelectric element 5 Bottomed cylindrical case 6 Sound absorbing material 7a Input / output lead 7b Input / output lead 8a Input / output terminal 8b Input / output terminal 9 Sealant

Claims (1)

  In an ultrasonic transducer that is mounted on a vehicle and used to detect obstacles by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, a unimorph vibrator consisting of a piezoelectric element and a bottomed cylindrical case is joined to the back of the bumper molding. And transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves by vibrating the bumper molding.

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