Protector with sensor

A protector with a sensor comprises: a hollow part; and an installation base member formed on the hollow part. In the hollow part, a plurality of conductive parts have core wires embedded therein respectively and a space is positioned between the plurality of conductive parts. The plurality of conductive parts include: a conductive part on a lower part of the hollow part as a side of the installation base member; and a conductive part on an upper part of the hollow part separated from the side of the installation base member by the space. The hollow part includes: an oblique side on an inner-cabin side extending from an inner-cabin side end connected with the installation base member to a tip; and an oblique side on an outer-cabin side extending from an outer-cabin side end connected with the installation base member to the tip.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC §119 of JP Patent Application JP 2014-236599 filed Nov. 21, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The present invention relates to protectors with sensors. When objects including fingers are disposed between openings of automobiles and panels which move between at least two positions to open and close the openings of automobiles, the sensors of the protectors output corresponding signals for detecting the objects. The panels include: doors such as sliding doors on wagons, station wagons or the like sliding frontward and rearward of the automobile bodies and back doors; and sun roofs.

A protector10,20with a sensor is installed on an automobile including a wagon shown inFIG. 6of which a sliding door1(or a back door) moves between at least two positions to open and close an opening of an automobile body or on an automobile shown inFIG. 7of which sun roof2opens or closes the opening of the automobile body.

For example, the protector10with the sensor, extending in an upper and lower direction as shown inFIG. 8, is installed on a front end surface of the sliding door1. The protector10with the sensor extends frontward of the automobile body from the front end surface of the sliding door1.

As shown inFIG. 9andFIG. 10, the protector10with the sensor, installed on the front end surface of the sliding door1includes: an installation base member11having a substantially U-shaped cross section including an inner-cabin side wall11a, an outer-cabin side wall11band a connecting wall11c; and a hollow part12integrally molded with the installation base member11. The hollow part12includes a sensor (pressure sensitive sensor)80which outputs a corresponding electric signal upon detecting the object such as a part of human bodies (fingers, hands or legs) between the sliding door1and a body side opening (may also be front door or side door) (see, for example, Japanese unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-44590 and Japanese examined Patent Publication No. 3885292).

In a lower part of the protector10with the sensor, a channel part13having a substantially C-shaped cross section is integrally molded with the inner-cabin side wall11aside of the installation base member11for holding wire harness90joined with the pressure sensitive sensor80. The installation base member11has a plurality of holding lips14formed inside and a core15having a substantially U-shaped cross section embedded therein for increasing rigidity. In addition, a decorative lip16is provided on the outer-cabin side wall11bof the installation base member11.

The sensor (pressure sensitive sensor)80has two core wires (electrode wires)31,32extending in an upper and lower direction (longitudinal direction) embedded in rubber like elastic bodies (conductive parts)34,35having conductivity with a space33therebetween, which are fixed in the hollow part12. As the object is disposed between the sliding door1and the body side opening when the sliding door1is moved towards a closed position, the object makes contact with a part of the hollow part12, and then the rubber like elastic bodies34,35contact with each other and the two core wires31,32short. Resultant change in electric signal is transmitted to a control unit40joined with leads36,36which are connected with the two core wires31,32in a lower side terminal part of the protector10with the sensor, and as a result, the objects are detected. The leads36,36covered with insulator are tied by the wire harness90. Top ends of the leads36,36, bared from covered parts37,37are naked wires.

Parts of an inner peripheral surface of the hollow part12, on which the two rubber like elastic bodies (conductive parts)34,35having conductivity are embedded, are thick in thickness and strong in strength. But other parts of the inner peripheral surface of the hollow part12without the conductive parts34,35, in other words, the parts of the inner surface of an outer coat of the hollow part12in cross section, on which both ends33a,33bof a space33are continuously provided, are thin in thickness and weak in strength. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 11, as convex substances400, automobile keys for example, strongly abut the other parts which are weak in strength while getting on or off the automobiles, the other parts may be damaged or cracked.

The space33ofFIG. 11substantially has an oblong shaped (rectangular shaped) cross section. But, depending on shapes or positions of the rubber like elastic bodies34,35, the parts of the inner surface of the outer coat of the hollow part12, on which the both ends33a,33bof the space33are continuously provided, may be on a side of the installation base member11relative to the shape of the hollow part12in cross section. In this structure, the parts of the inner surface of the outer coat of the hollow part12, on which the both ends33a,33bof the space33are continuously provided, are on positions especially easy to catch the convex substances400. The structure increases a risk of damages or cracks on the parts.

Once the hollow part12cracks, rainwater or water for car washing enters and sensor function is lost. As a result, the structure may cause malfunction including improper opening or closing of the sliding door1or the sun roof2.

It is to be noted that Japanese unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-44590 aims at fully achieving restoring force of the hollow part after being pressed by: integrally forming a hollow part and a holding part joined to the hollow part through a connection part by thermoplastic elastomer; and forming an inner wall layer on an upper part of an inner surface of the hollow part and a swelled part on a lower part of the inner surface by mixed synthetic resin prepared by mixing carbon by 10% by weight or more with thermoplastic elastomer. But Japanese unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-44590 does not prevent the damages or cracks on the thin parts of the hollow part when the convex substances400, automobile keys for example, abut the thin parts, or does not disclose a conception for solving above-mentioned problems.

In addition, since the hollow part and the holding part are connected by the singular connection part, slipping-off of the hollow part may hamper a stable sensor function.

Japanese examined Patent Publication No. 3885292 discloses that a pressure sensitive sensor is inserted through a slit and is adhered by adhesive so that it becomes unnecessary to insert the pressure sensitive sensor in a longitudinal direction of a weather strip, thereby preventing the pressure sensitive sensor from hanging to a downside due to dead weight. But Japanese examined Patent Publication No. 3885292 does not prevent the damages or cracks on the thin parts of the hollow part when the convex substances400, automobile keys for example, abut the thin parts, or does not disclose a conception for solving above-mentioned problems.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide the protectors with sensors capable of preventing the damages caused by the objects which abut the hollow parts.

SUMMARY

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the invention, a protector with a sensor is provided, the protector with the sensor including:

a hollow part (52) having core wires (31,32), a plurality of conductive parts (54,55) and a space (53) provided therein, the plurality of conductive parts (54,55) having the core wires (31,32) embedded therein respectively, the space (53) being positioned between the plurality of conductive parts (54,55); and

an installation base member (11) formed on said hollow part (52), wherein:

said plurality of conductive parts (54,55) include a conductive part (55) on a lower part of the hollow part and a conductive part (54) on an upper part of the hollow part, the conductive part (55) on the lower part of the hollow part being formed on a side of said installation base member (11), the conductive part (54) on the upper part of the hollow part being separated from the side of said installation base member (11) by the space (53); and

said hollow part (52) includes an oblique side (52d) on an inner-cabin side and an oblique side (52e) on an outer-cabin side, the oblique side (52d) on the inner-cabin side extending from an inner-cabin side end (52a) to a tip (52c), the oblique side (52e) on the outer-cabin side extending from an outer-cabin side end (52b) to said tip (52c), the inner-cabin side end (52a) being connected with said installation base member (11), the outer-cabin side end (52b) being connected with said installation base member (11).

In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, the oblique side (52d) on the inner-cabin side and the oblique side (52e) on the outer-cabin side of said hollow part (52) linearly extend at stable angles (150,160) of inclination.

In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, said oblique side (52d) on the inner-cabin side extends at an angle (150) of inclination of not more than 70 degrees relative to a datum line (61) on an inner-cabin side on a position of said inner-cabin side end (52a), the datum line (61) on the inner-cabin side extending in an inner and outer cabin direction, and;

the oblique side (52e) on the outer-cabin side extends at an angle (160) of inclination of not more than 70 degrees relative to a datum line (62) on an outer-cabin side on a position of said outer-cabin side end (52b), the datum line (62) on the outer-cabin side extending in the inner and outer cabin direction.

In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, said datum line (61) on the inner-cabin side is the same as said datum line (62) on the outer-cabin side (61=62); and said angle (150) of inclination of said oblique side (52d) on the inner-cabin side is the same as said angle (160) of inclination of said oblique side (52e) on the outer-cabin side (150=160) of said hollow part (52).

In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, said hollow part (52) has a triangular shaped cross section.

In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, said tip (52c) of said hollow part (52) has a curved surface in cross section.

In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, a distance (110) between said inner-cabin side end (52a) and said outer-cabin side end (52b) of said hollow part (52) is the same as a width of said installation base member (11) in the inner and outer cabin direction.

In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, said conductive part (55) on the lower part of the hollow part has a convex shape and said conductive part (54) on the upper part of the hollow part has a concave shape in cross section of said hollow part (52), and a distance is uniform between said conductive part (55) on the lower part of the hollow part and the conductive part (54) on the upper part of the hollow part.

In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, said space (53) has a V-shape and an opening of the V-shape faces the side of said installation base member (11).

In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, said installation base member (11), said hollow part (52), said conductive parts (54,55) and said core wires (31,32) are integrally molded.

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

According to the present invention, the oblique side on the inner-cabin side extends from the inner-cabin side end to the tip and the oblique side on the outer-cabin side extends from the outer-cabin side end to the tip for the hollow part to have the triangular shaped cross section or the like. Accordingly, in case objects including convex substances, automobile keys for example, advance in the inner and outer cabin direction and abut the oblique side on the inner-cabin side or the oblique side on the outer-cabin side, the objects are directed to a side of a top end of the hollow part.

More specifically, the oblique side on the inner-cabin side may extend at the angle of inclination of not more than 70 degrees relative to the datum line on the inner-cabin side on the position of the inner-cabin side end of the hollow part. The datum line on the inner-cabin side extends in the inner and outer cabin direction. Also, the oblique side on the outer-cabin side may extend at the angle of inclination of not more than 70 degrees relative to the datum line on the outer-cabin side on the position of the outer-cabin side end of the hollow part. The datum line on the outer-cabin side extends in the inner and outer cabin direction.

According to the structure, load generated by abutment of the convex substances, automobile keys for example, on the oblique side on the inner-cabin side or the oblique side on the outer-cabin side is forcibly released toward the side of the top end of the hollow part. Accordingly, even in case the convex substances, automobile keys for example, strongly abut the hollow part from an inner-cabin side or an outer-cabin side while getting on or off the automobiles, the structure decreases an impact on the hollow part caused by abutment and efficiently prevents damages or cracks on thin parts of the hollow part.

A slight change of the outer-cabin side of the hollow part in cross section prevents loss of sensor function caused by water entering from the hollow part, thereby preventing malfunction including improper opening or closing of sliding doors or sun roofs.

In order for the convex substances, automobile keys for example, to move toward the side of the top end of the hollow part without getting caught, the oblique side on the inner-cabin side of the hollow part may have a slightly convex shape toward the inner-cabin side and the oblique side on the outer-cabin side may have the slightly convex shape toward the outer-cabin side. But, when the oblique side on the inner-cabin side and the oblique side on the outer-cabin side linearly extend at the stable angles of inclination, the convex substances, automobile keys for example, are guided toward the side of the top end of the hollow part more smoothly and more quickly for moving from (leave) the oblique side on the inner-cabin side or the oblique side on the outer-cabin side.

In addition, the tip of the hollow part has the curved surface in cross section. Accordingly, the convex substances, automobile keys for example, which abut the oblique side on the inner-cabin side or the oblique side on the outer-cabin side slip on the oblique side on the inner-cabin side or the oblique side on the outer-cabin side and are guided to the tip without getting caught. Further, on the tip, the convex substances move toward the side of the top end of the hollow part without getting caught.

According to the structure, when the convex substances, automobile keys for example, abut the hollow part, the convex substances do not get caught on any position on an outer coat of the hollow part. Further, the convex substances are certainly released from the top end of the hollow part. Accordingly, the damages or cracks are prevented on the thin parts of the hollow part, regardless of a position of the thin parts located on the outer coat of the hollow part. Also, scrapes are prevented on thick parts of the hollow part.

In addition, the distance between the inner-cabin side end and the outer-cabin side end of the hollow part in cross section is the same as the width, in the inner and outer cabin direction, between two parts of the installation base member in cross section. The inner-cabin side end and the outer-cabin side end of the hollow part are connected with the two parts of the installation base member. Accordingly, there is no space which the convex substances, automobile keys for example, go into between the installation base member and the hollow part.

In addition, the conductive part having the concave shape on the upper part of the hollow part and the conductive part having the convex shape on the lower part of the hollow part are provided in the hollow part in the manner that the space between the two conductive parts substantially has the V-shaped cross section, the space substantially has the uniform width in cross section and the opening of the V-shaped cross section faces the side of the installation base member. Accordingly, as compared with a space substantially having an oblong shaped (rectangular shaped) cross section, a movable range of the hollow part which bends for detecting objects is wider. The structure enables detection of the objects over wider ranges on the inner-cabin side and the outer-cabin side.

When the space substantially has the V-shaped cross section, as both ends of the space approach the side of the installation base member, the convex substances, automobile keys for example, tend to get caught on the resultant thin parts. The both ends of the space are continuously provided on an inner peripheral surface of the hollow part. Accordingly, the structure is especially effective in that the oblique side on the inner-cabin side and the oblique side on the outer-cabin side of the hollow part incline so that the convex substances, automobile keys for example, forcibly slip on a surface.

In addition, the installation base member, the hollow part, the conductive parts and the core wires are integrally molded. The structure enables to stably produce the protector with the sensor in a shorter time for operation.

The installation base members, the hollow parts, the conductive parts and the core wires of ordinary protectors with the sensors have not been integrally molded.

Japanese examined Patent Publication No. 3885292 discloses that the hollow part of the pressure sensitive sensor includes an oblique side. But the oblique side inclines at the angle of inclination of 75 degrees which is larger than the angle of inclination of the present invention. Accordingly, in case the convex substances, automobile keys for example, advance and abut the oblique side, the convex substances may make inroads into the outer coat surface of the hollow part and cause the damages or cracks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Drawings, a protector with a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. It is to be noted that words “a front and a rear” indicate a front direction and a rear direction relative to an automobile. The words “upper and lower” used with respect to the automobile indicate an upper direction and a lower direction relative to the automobile. As to the words “upper and lower” used with respect to a protector10with a sensor, the word “upper” indicates a side of a hollow part52and the word “lower” indicates a side of an installation base member11.

The protector10with the sensor of the embodiment of the present invention, which extends toward a front side of an automobile body is installed on a front end surface of a sliding door1of an automobile shown inFIG. 6of which the sliding door1moves between at least two positions to open and close an opening of the automobile body. A sensor (pressure sensitive sensor)80installed on the protector10with the sensor outputs corresponding electric signal upon detecting an object such as a part of human body (finger, hand or leg) between the sliding door1and a body side opening (may also be front door or side door). Both the present invention and the prior art include the structures ofFIG. 8. ButFIG. 1of the present invention, which is an I-I line enlarged cross section of a part ofFIG. 8with a sensor (pressure sensitive sensor)80, is different from the prior art shown inFIG. 9in that an outer coat of the hollow part52substantially has a ridge-shaped cross section. When constituents or items correspond to those in prior arts, the same symbols are used.

As shown inFIG. 1, the protector10with the sensor includes: the installation base member11having a substantially U-shaped cross section including an inner-cabin side wall11a, an outer-cabin side wall11band a connecting wall11c, which is operatively coupled on a flange (not shown) formed on a sliding door1directly; a hollow part52which is integrally molded with the installation base member11, which has a shape of a tube and which makes elastic contact with the object when the object including a finger is disposed between a front end surface of the sliding door1and a body side opening which faces the front end surface when the door1is moved towards a closed position; and the sensor (pressure sensitive sensor)80which is incorporated in the hollow part52and which outputs a corresponding electric signal upon detecting the object. The sensor (pressure sensitive sensor)80has two core wires (electrode wires)31,32extending in an upper and lower direction (longitudinal direction) embedded in rubber like elastic bodies54,55having conductivity with a space53therebetween, which are fixed in the hollow part52. The rubber like elastic bodies54,55having conductivity are made of conductive rubber mainly including synthetic rubber including EPDM. The sensor80is integrally molded with the hollow part52without conductivity.

The installation base member11is formed on the hollow part52. The installation base member11has a plurality of holding lips14,14formed inside and a core15having a substantially U-shaped cross section embedded therein for increasing rigidity. In addition, a decorative lip16is provided on the outer-cabin side wall11bof the installation base member11.

The hollow part52is integrally molded with the connecting wall11cof the installation base member11. A top end of the hollow part52protrudes toward a front side of the automobile.

Both ends (an inner-cabin side end)52a, (an outer-cabin side end)52bof the hollow part52are at a distance from each other and are connected with the installation base member11.

In the present embodiment, a distance110in cross section between the inner-cabin side end52aand the outer-cabin side end52bof the hollow part52is the same as a width, in the inner and outer cabin direction, between two parts of the installation base member11in cross section. The both ends52a,52bare connected with the two parts of the installation base member11. In other words, the distance110is the same as an interval (width in the inner and outer cabin direction) under the following conditions. The distance110is between a position closest to an inside of an automobile on the inner-cabin side end52aand a position closest to an outside of the automobile on the outer-cabin side end52b. The interval (width in the inner and outer cabin direction) is between a position closest to the inside of the automobile on an upper side end of an inner-cabin side wall11aand a position closest to the outside of the automobile on an upper side end of an outer-cabin side wall11bof the installation base member11. The inner-cabin side end52aforming the outer coat of the hollow part52is connected with a corner between the inner-cabin side wall11aand a connecting wall11cof the installation base member11. The outer-cabin side end52bforming the outer coat of the hollow part52is connected with a corner between the outer-cabin side wall11band the connecting wall11c.

The rubber like elastic bodies54,55having conductivity are conductive parts. The conductive parts include: a conductive part55on a lower part of the hollow part, which is a side of the installation base member11of the hollow part52; and a conductive part54on an upper part of the hollow part, which is a side of a top end of the hollow part52. The conductive part54on the upper part of the hollow part52is separated from the side of the installation base member11by the space53. The conductive part54on the upper part of the hollow part52has a core wire31embedded at a center thereof and the conductive part55on the lower part of the hollow part52has a core wire32embedded at a center thereof. In general, the rubber like elastic bodies54,55having conductivity include solid materials without air bubbles therein.

Positions in the hollow part52as well as shapes of the conductive part54on the upper part of the hollow part and the conductive part55on the lower part determine a shape of the space53in cross section between the two conductive parts54,55. In the present embodiment, the two conductive parts54,55are shaped in a manner that the space53substantially has a V-shaped cross section, substantially has a uniform width in cross section and an opening of the V-shaped cross section faces the side of the installation base member11. Also, an inner-cabin side end53aand an outer-cabin side end53bof the space53are continuously provided directly on an inner peripheral surface of the hollow part52(inner peripheral surface of the outer coat of the hollow part52). Also, the conductive part54on the upper part of the hollow part and the conductive part55on the lower part of the hollow part are shaped and positioned in a manner that a part of the inner-cabin side end53aand a part of the outer-cabin side end53bare continuously provided directly on the installation base member11, respectively.

The conductive part55on the lower part of the hollow part substantially has a ridge-shaped cross section, a base of which comes into contact with the connecting wall11cof the installation base member11. The conductive part54on the upper part of the hollow part substantially has a crescent-shaped cross section, both ends of which fall from the top end of the hollow part52in a manner to approach the connecting wall11cof the installation base member11.

In addition, lower parts54aof the conductive part54on the upper part of the hollow part are closer to the installation base member11than a tip55aof the conductive part55on the lower part of the hollow part. Accordingly, even slight bending easily touches the two conductive parts54,55to each other, and the two conductive parts54,55do not pass each other on a point of contact. In addition, an axis of symmetry bilaterally divides the two conductive parts54,55and the space53in the hollow part52as well as the hollow part52into two equal halves in a direction of an inner-cabin side and in a direction of an outer-cabin side. Also, the core wires31,32are on the axis of symmetry.

As shown inFIG. 2, the space53may substantially have an oblong shaped (rectangular shaped) cross section. But the space53substantially having the V-shaped cross section (FIG. 1) widens a movable range of the outer coat of the hollow part52which bends for detecting the objects. As a result, the space53substantially having the V-shaped cross section enables detection of the objects over wider ranges on the inner-cabin side and the outer-cabin side.

The installation base member11and the hollow part52of the protector10with the sensor may be formed by an extrusion molded part made of a rubber like elastic body without conductivity including: synthetic rubber such as EPDM; and thermoplastic elastomer such as TPO, TPS. The upper and lower side terminal parts of the protector10with the sensor relative to the automobile are die molded for arranging an external shape thereof. Since the hollow part52of the protector10with the sensor necessitates flexibility, the hollow part52may include a foamed sponge material. In the same manner, the installation base member11may include the foamed sponge material.

The outer coat (wall forming the hollow part) of the hollow part52substantially has the ridge-shaped cross section. The hollow part52includes a tip52chaving a curved surface. The hollow part52including an oblique side52don an inner-cabin side and an oblique side52eon an outer-cabin side as two equilaterals, together with the connecting wall11cof the installation base member11forms the triangular shaped cross section.

The oblique side52don the inner-cabin side forming the ridge-shape extends at an angle of inclination of 60 degrees relative to a datum line61on an inner-cabin side, on a position of the inner-cabin side end52aof the hollow part52. The datum line61on the inner-cabin side extends in the inner and outer cabin direction of the automobile via a position73closest to the inside of the automobile on the inner-cabin side end52aof the hollow part52. In the same manner, the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side forming the ridge-shape extends at the angle of inclination of 60 degrees relative to a datum line62on an outer-cabin side, on a position of the outer-cabin side end52bof the hollow part52. The datum line62on the outer-cabin side extends in the inner and outer cabin direction of the automobile via a position74closest to an outside of the automobile on the outer-cabin side end52bof the hollow part52. In the present embodiment, the datum lines61,62form a singular line which is substantially in parallel with the connecting wall11cof the installation base member11. Also, the datum lines61,62are substantially at right angles to a flange of the automobile, not shown, on which the installation base member11is operatively coupled.

The oblique side52don the inner-cabin side linearly extends from the position73closest to the inside of the automobile on the inner-cabin side end52aof the hollow part52to a position71on an inner-cabin side on which the curved surface of the tip52cstarts. The oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side linearly extends from the position74closest to the outside of the automobile on the outer-cabin side end52bof the hollow part52to a position72on an outer-cabin side on which the curved surface of the tip52cstarts.

According to the protector10with the sensor, the outer coat of the hollow part52substantially has the ridge-shaped cross section. Also, the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side and the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side extend at the angles150,160of inclination of 60 degrees relative to the datum line61on the inner-cabin side and the datum line62on the outer-cabin side, respectively. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 1, in case the convex substances400, automobile keys for example, advance from the inner-cabin side to the outer-cabin side in parallel with the datum line61on the inner-cabin side (in a direction indicated by an arrow121) for example, and abut the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side which extends at the angle150of inclination, the convex substances400incline toward a side of the top end of the hollow part52as indicated by an arrow122. In the same manner, in case the convex substances400, automobile keys for example, advance from the outer-cabin side to the inner-cabin side in parallel with the datum line62on the outer-cabin side (in a direction indicated by an arrow123) and abut the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side which extends at the angle160of inclination, the convex substances400incline toward the side of the top end of the hollow part52as indicated by an arrow124.

According to the structure, load generated by abutment of the convex substances400, automobile keys for example, on the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side or the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side is forcibly released toward the side of the top end of the hollow part52. Accordingly, even in case convex substances400, automobile keys for example, strongly abut the hollow part from the inner-cabin side or the outer-cabin side while getting on or off the automobiles, the structure decreases an impact on the hollow part52caused by the abutment and efficiently prevents damages or cracks on thin parts of the hollow part52.

The tip52cof the hollow part52has the curved surface. In addition, the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side of the hollow part52linearly extends at a large and stable angle150of inclination of 60 degrees from the inner-cabin side end52aof the hollow part52to the position71on the inner-cabin side on which the curved surface of the tip52cstarts. Also, the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side of the hollow part52linearly extends at a large and stable angle160of inclination of 60 degrees from the outer-cabin side end52bof the hollow part52to the position72on the outer-cabin side on which the curved surface of the tip52cstarts. Accordingly, the convex substances400, automobile keys for example, which abut the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side or the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side slip on the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side or the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side and are guided to the tip52cwithout getting caught. Further, on the tip52c, the convex substances400move toward the side of the top end of the hollow part52without getting caught.

According to the structure, when the convex substances400, automobile keys for example, abut the hollow part52, the convex substances400do not get caught on any position on the outer coat of the hollow part52. Further, the convex substances are certainly released from the top end of the hollow part52. Accordingly, the damages or cracks are prevented on the thin parts of the hollow part52, regardless of a position of the thin parts located on the outer coat of the hollow part52. Also, scrapes are prevented on thick parts of the hollow part52.

A slight change in a cross sectional shape of the hollow part52prevents loss of sensor function caused by water entering from the hollow part52, thereby preventing malfunction including improper opening or closing of sliding doors1or sun roofs2.

Also, as shown inFIG. 1, in case the convex substances400, automobile keys for example, abut the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side in a direction131, the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side is not subjected to a frontal impact from the convex substances400and the impact is decreased. The direction131inclines at a certain angle relative to the datum line61on the inner-cabin side and may be substantially at a right angle to the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side. This is because the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side of the hollow part52inclines at the angle150of inclination and is formed on the connecting wall11cof the installation base member11, so that the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side abutted by the convex substances400bends and easily gets closer to a side of the connecting wall11cwhile a connecting part141between the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side and the connecting wall11cfunctions as a fulcrum. In the same manner, in case the convex substances400, automobile keys for example, advance from the outer-cabin side to the inner-cabin side (in a direction indicated by an arrow132) and abut the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side, the impact from the convex substances400is decreased. The direction132inclines at a certain angle relative to the datum line62on the outer-cabin side. This is because the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side inclines at the angle160of inclination and is formed on the connecting wall11cof the installation base member11, so that the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side abutted by the convex substances400bends and easily gets closer to the side of the connecting wall11cwhile a connecting part142between the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side and the connecting wall11cfunctions as a fulcrum.

InFIG. 1, an inner-cabin side end53aand an outer-cabin side end53bof the space53in the hollow part52are continuously provided directly on an inner peripheral surface of the hollow part52(inner peripheral surface of the outer coat of the hollow part52). Also, a part of the inner-cabin side end53aand a part of the outer-cabin side end53bare shaped and positioned to be continuously provided directly on the installation base member11, respectively. The rubber like elastic bodies54,55having conductivity (the conductive part54on the upper part of the hollow part, the conductive part55on the lower part of the hollow part), relatively high in rigidity do not cover the connecting part141and the connecting part142. When objects collide with the hollow part52, the oblique sides52d,52ecan bend and easily get closer to the side of the connecting wall11caround the connecting part141and the connecting part142. In addition, when the convex substances400abut surroundings of the connecting parts141,142, the conductive part54on the upper part of the hollow part easily contacts with the conductive part55on the lower part of the hollow part. This is because the conductive part54on the upper part is on the side of the top end of the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side and the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side. Accordingly, even in case the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side or the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side slightly bends toward the side of the connecting wall11c, displacement is large on the side of the top end of the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side and the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side. The protector10with the sensor sensitively detects collisions of the objects and terminates the collisions by moving or stopping the doors for protecting the hollow part52from the direct collisions of the objects over a long period of time and decreasing damages. Bendability of the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side and the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side for getting closer to the side of the connecting wall11caround the connecting parts141,142is improved by thinning the thickness, forming concave shaped openings on the connecting parts141,142of the hollow part52, for example.

InFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side and the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side of the hollow part52extend at the angles150,160of inclination of 60 degrees, but the angles150,160of inclination are not limited to 60 degrees. The angle150of inclination is an angle for directing the convex substances400, automobile keys for example, to the side of the top end of the hollow part52in case the convex substances400advance in parallel with the datum line61on the inner-cabin side and abut the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side. In the same manner, the angle160of inclination is an angle for directing the convex substances400, automobile keys for example, to the side of the top end of the hollow part52in case the convex substances400advance in parallel with the datum line62on the outer-cabin side and abut the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side.

As shown inFIG. 3(a)andFIG. 3(b), an experiment was performed on an angle at which a top end of a minus screw driver100slips, by leaning a protector200with a sensor every 5 degree intervals relative to a direction in which the minus screw driver100as the convex substance400including keys advances. Specifically, the experiment used a Ford Laboratory Test Methods testing machine and was performed by: fixing the protector200with the sensor on the flange as a jig; rotating the protector200with the sensor; and sticking the minus screw driver100on an outer coat surface of a hollow part for checking whether the top end of the minus screw driver100makes inroads or slips. The top end of the minus screw driver100was 4 mm (milli-meter) wide and 0.6 mm (milli-meter) thick.

FIG. 3(a)shows that the minus screw driver100linearly advances in a direction perpendicular to the protector200with the sensor which does not incline, and is stuck on the outer coat surface of the hollow part.FIG. 3(b)shows that the protector200with the sensor inclines at 20 degrees relative to a level surface (70(°) degrees relative to a perpendicular surface), and then the minus screw driver100linearly advances in the perpendicular direction and is stuck on the outer coat surface of the hollow part.

Chart 1 shows results of the experiment. The experiment was repeatedly performed using three samples under the same condition.

The results of the experiment show that, when the protector200with the sensor inclines at a (°) degree that falls within a range of 0 to 15 relative to the level surface (a range of 90 to 75(°) degrees relative to the perpendicular surface), the top end of the minus screw driver100makes inroads on the outer coat surface of the hollow part (indicated by a mark “X”). When the protector200with the sensor inclines at 20 (°) degrees relative to the level surface (70(°) degrees relative to the perpendicular surface), the top end of the minus screw driver100does not make inroads and slips on the outer coat surface of the hollow part (indicated by a mark “◯”.

Accordingly, the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side forming the outer coat of the hollow part52may extend at any angle150of inclination that is not more than 70(°) degrees relative to the datum line61on the inner-cabin side. Also, the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side forming the outer coat of the hollow part52may extend at any angle160of inclination that is not more than 70(°) degrees relative to the datum line62on the outer-cabin side.

In the present embodiment, the angle150of inclination of the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side is 60(°) degrees and is equal to the angle160of inclination of the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side. But the angle150of inclination and the angle160of inclination are not necessarily the same angles as long as the angles150,160are not more than 70(°) degrees.

For example, as shown inFIG. 4, the angle150of inclination of the oblique side52don the inner-cabin side may be 60(°) degrees and the angle160of inclination of the oblique side52eon the outer-cabin side may be 65(°) degrees. Also,FIG. 4shows that an inner-cabin side end53aand an outer-cabin side end53bof the space53are: continuously provided directly on an inner peripheral surface of the hollow part52(inner peripheral surface of the outer coat of the hollow part52); not continuously provided directly on the installation base member11; and continuously provided on the connecting part141on the inner-cabin side and the connecting part142on the outer-cabin side. In this case also, the rubber like elastic bodies54,55having conductivity (the conductive part54on the upper part of the hollow part, the conductive part55on the lower part of the hollow part), relatively high in rigidity do not cover the connecting part141and the connecting part142. Accordingly when objects collide with the hollow part52, the oblique sides52d,52eare easily inclined and bent around the connecting part141and the connecting part142.

In the present embodiment, the datum line61on the inner-cabin side and the datum line62on the outer-cabin side form the singular line. But, as shown inFIG. 5, the datum lines61,62may be two different lines which are in parallel with each other and separated from each other. In this case also, the datum lines61,62are substantially in parallel with the connecting wall11cof the installation base member11. Also, the datum line61on the inner-cabin side and the datum line62on the outer-cabin side are substantially at right angles to the flange of an automobile, not shown, on which the installation base member11is operatively coupled. InFIG. 5, the distance110between the inner-cabin side end52aand the outer-cabin side end52bof the hollow part52is shorter than the width, in the inner and outer cabin direction, between two parts of the installation base member11on which the both ends52a,52bare connected. The inner-cabin side end52aof the hollow part52is connected with a position which is: slightly at a distance from the corner on which the connecting wall11cand the inner-cabin side wall11aof the installation base member11are continuously provided; and closer to (approaching) the outside of the automobile than the corner. The outer-cabin side end52bof the hollow part52is connected with the corner on which the connecting wall11cand the outer-cabin side wall11bof the installation base member11are continuously provided.

While the present embodiment specifies an example that the installation base member11, the hollow part52and the sensor80are integrally molded, the installation base member11, the hollow part52and the sensor80may be separately molded so that the installation base member11and the hollow part52are fixed by adhesive or adhesive tape, and the sensor80is inserted in the hollow part52for unification. Alternatively, any two of the installation base member11, the hollow part52and the sensor80may be integrally molded and a remaining member is separately molded.

In the present embodiment, the installation base member11has a plurality of holding lips14formed inside and a core15having a substantially U-shaped cross section embedded therein. But the installation base member11may have only one holding lip14,14or may be without the core15embedded therein. Also, the installation base member11may have any shape as long as the installation base member11has a part thereof for fixing the hollow part52and the sensor80thereon, of which examples include the U-shaped cross section of the present embodiment. Methods of fixing the hollow part52and the sensor80on the sliding door1vary, including use of adhesive tape as well as gripping and fitting the hollow part52and the sensor80.

The present embodiment specifies an example that the protector10with the sensor is installed on the sliding door1side of the automobile, which slides frontward and rearward. But the protector10with the sensor may be installed on the body side opening for detecting the object between the sliding door and the body side opening.

Also, the protector10with the sensor is applicable to a back door or a sun roof2(FIG. 7).