JP2008100613A - Tire internal information acquisition system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system capable of reducing the man-hour and the time required for acquiring tire internal information such as the tire internal pressure and the tire internal temperature, reducing the cost, and acquiring tire internal information without any radio wave interference even in a vehicle having dual rear wheels. <P>SOLUTION: Sensor modules 3 (SM1-SM6) are mounted on each tire 4 of a vehicle 6, and two reception antennas 1a, 1b are mounted on tire internal information reading devices 19 so that their spacing is the distance of one half to one outer circumference of the tire. When the vehicle 6 passes at a low speed between the tire internal information reading devices 19, the tire internal information data transmitted from the sensor modules 3 (SM1-SM6) is received by the two reception antennas 1a, 1b on both sides. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tire internal information acquisition system for acquiring tire internal information such as tire internal pressure and tire internal temperature.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method for checking whether or not the air pressure (internal pressure) filled in a pneumatic tire for automobiles is normal, a method of directly measuring the internal pressure with an air pressure measuring device (tire pressure gauge) has been widely used.

Furthermore, in recent years, a sensor module that measures tire state quantities such as tire internal pressure and tire temperature is mounted inside the tire, and measurement data transmitted by wireless communication from this sensor module is received by the receiving module on the vehicle body side. It has been proposed that a tire pressure monitoring system (hereinafter referred to as TPMS) configured to display received data on an onboard display of a driver's cab is mounted on a vehicle (for example, a patent) Reference 1). There is also a handy tire internal pressure reader using wireless communication.
JP-A-10-104103

  However, in the method of directly measuring the internal pressure with an air pressure measuring instrument (tire pressure gauge), the tire internal pressure is measured by removing the valve cap of the tire and guiding the air in the tire to the tire pressure gauge. In addition to requiring a lot of man-hours and time, troubles may occur due to reading errors of measured values and recording errors in data tables. There was also dirt due to work.

  The on-board tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), which displays tire information on the cab's onboard indicator, is a medium-low speed, relatively short distance, and a bus that travels on a certain route changes the running conditions. Therefore, there is little need to measure tire state quantities such as internal pressure and temperature at all times, and the vehicle cost is high, which is not suitable.

  In addition, in a vehicle-mounted tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and a handy tire internal pressure reader using wireless communication, tire information is temporarily stored on the on-board display or hand reader terminal side. In order to collectively manage the data for each vehicle, the user who manages the vehicle needs to collect and edit the data, and there is a problem that man-hours and time for acquiring tire information increase.

  In addition, in a vehicle-mounted tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and a handy tire pressure reading device using wireless communication, when trying to acquire tire information from a vehicle such as a bus or truck whose rear wheels are multiple wheels, When the frequency channels for reception are the same, there has been a problem that the radio waves transmitted from the sensor modules of the inner ring and the outer ring cause interference and tire information cannot be acquired.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the number of man-hours and time required to acquire tire internal information such as tire internal pressure and tire internal temperature. It is also possible to provide a tire internal information acquisition system that can reduce the cost and can acquire tire internal information from each tire even if the rear wheel is a multi-wheel vehicle.

  In order to achieve the above object, a tire internal information management system according to the present invention includes a tire internal information detection and transmission device mounted in a tire, and a receiver that can receive a signal from the tire internal information detection and transmission device outside the tire. The receiver includes at least two or more, and the receiving antenna connected to the receiver is arranged away from the half circumference of the outer circumference of the tire by a distance of one round.

  The tire internal information detection / transmission device is preferably arranged in a point-symmetrical position around the rotation axis of the tire in each of the outer and inner tires of the multi-wheel, and the receiving antenna is located from the ground position. It is preferable to be installed within the range of the height position of 1/3 of the tire outer diameter and within the range of the height position of the tire outer diameter from the height position of 2/3 of the tire outer diameter.

  In addition, the receiver side includes a signal transmission command generation unit that outputs a signal transmission command signal, and when the tire internal information detection transmission device detects the signal transmission command signal, the tire internal information detection transmission device It is preferable to transmit tire internal information, and it is preferable to provide the signal transmission command generation unit in each of the receivers, and to include a tire position detection device capable of detecting the passage of the tire, when the tire passes a predetermined position. Preferably, the signal transmission command generation unit provided in each of the receivers outputs a signal transmission command signal.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the arrangement interval of the receiving antennas can be changed according to the outer diameter of the tire of the vehicle.

  In the tire internal information acquisition system of the present invention, measurement, recording, and management of tire information such as tire internal pressure are fully automated, so that the number of steps and time for acquiring tire internal information can be greatly reduced. Further, since only the sensor module is attached in the tire, the vehicle cost can be reduced as compared with a case where a vehicle-mounted tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is provided. Furthermore, even if the rear wheel is a multi-wheel vehicle, it is possible to acquire tire internal information from each tire without causing radio wave interference.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic layout diagram showing a configuration of a tire internal information acquisition system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the tire internal information acquisition system is attached to each tire 4 of a vehicle 6 whose rear wheels are multi-wheels composed of an inner wheel and an outer wheel, and measures the tire internal pressure and / or tire temperature of the tire 4. Wirelessly from the sensor module (tire internal information detection / transmission device) 3 (SM1 to SM6) for outputting measurement data signals including tire internal information and the like and the antenna 3a of the sensor module 3 (SM1, SM3, SM4). The receiver 1 (RM1, RM2) that acquires the tire internal information data such as the tire internal pressure and / or the tire temperature that is sent via the receiving antennas 1a, 1b, and the sensor module 3 (SM2, SM5, SM6) Receives tire internal information data such as tire pressure and / or tire temperature sent by radio signal from antenna 3a. When the receiver 1 (RM3, RM4) acquired via the antennas 1a, 1b and the approach of the vehicle 6 are detected, the receiver 1 (RM1-RM4) is instructed to acquire data from the sensor module 3, and the receiver 1 ( The central control device 5 that collects the pressure and temperature data acquired in RM1 to RM4) and determines whether the tire pressure and temperature are within the reference range, and the central control device that is installed diagonally forward of the vehicle 6 5 is composed of a display 7 for displaying the determination result in 5, and a tire management device 8 for managing the acquired pressure and temperature data for each vehicle number.

  Each of the receivers 1 (RM1, RM3) is connected to the receiving antenna 1a, and includes a signal transmission command generation unit 9 that outputs a signal transmission command signal therein, and transmits the signal transmission command generation unit 9 through the signal transmission command generation unit 9. It is connected to the antenna 2a. Each of the receivers 1 (RM2, RM4) is connected to the receiving antenna 1b, and further includes a signal transmission command generation unit 9 that outputs a signal transmission command signal, and transmits the signal transmission command generation unit 9 via the signal transmission command generation unit 9. It is connected to the antenna 2b.

  The receiver 1 (RM1), the reception antenna 1a and the transmission antenna 2a connected thereto, and the receiver 1 (RM2), the reception antenna 1b and the transmission antenna 2b connected thereto, are connected to one tire internal information reading device 19 The receiver 1 (RM3) and the receiving antenna 1a connected to the receiver 1 (RM3) are attached in parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle 6 so that the distance between the outer circumference of the tire is one half to one round. The transmitting antenna 2a, the receiver 1 (RM4), and the receiving antenna 1b and the transmitting antenna 2b connected to the transmitting antenna 2a are arranged in the other tire internal information reading device 19 in parallel with the traveling direction of the vehicle 6 and at intervals. It is attached so that it may become the distance for one round from the half circumference of the outer periphery of a tire. In FIG. 1, two receivers and a reception antenna and a transmission antenna connected to each of the tire internal information reading devices 19 are attached. However, the present invention is not limited to two. At least two receivers, and a reception antenna and a transmission antenna connected thereto are attached in parallel with the traveling direction of the vehicle 6 so that the distance between the outer circumference of the tire is one half to one round. .

  The tire internal information reading device 19 on the receiver 1 (RM1, RM2) side and the tire internal information reading device 19 on the receiver 1 (RM3, RM4) side are respectively a path through which a vehicle 6 having a substantially constant vehicle width passes. It is installed on both sides so as to be at a substantially constant interval from the vehicle 6 in parallel with the traveling direction of the vehicle 6.

  The tire internal information reading device 19 includes a tire position detection device 10 that can detect the passage of the tire. For example, an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor is used for the tire position detection device 10, and light is transmitted and received between the receiver 1 (RM1, RM2) and the receiver 1 (RM3, RM4). You may make it detect the passage of a tire when transmission / reception is cut off.

  The tire internal information reading device 19 is a curb-shaped tire internal information reading device having a rectangular cross section, and the receiving antennas 1a and 1b and the transmission antennas 2a and 2b are provided by the vehicle 6 of the curb-shaped tire internal information reading device 19. It is attached to the side of the passing side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tire internal information reading device on one side as seen from the side through which the vehicle passes. The reception antennas 1a and 1b and the transmission antennas 2a and 2b can be attached to the tire internal information reading device 19 so that the attachment positions are within the range of the height position of 1/3 of the tire outer diameter from the ground position. preferable. Further, a guide 18 for guiding the vehicle 6 between the tire internal information reading device 19 is installed at an end of the tire internal information reading device 19.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state when the tire internal information is actually read from the tire using the tire internal information management system of the present invention. In this tire internal information management system, a vehicle 6 such as a bus or a truck having a substantially constant vehicle width includes a reception antenna 1a, 1b and a transmission antenna 2a, 2b installed in one tire internal information reader 19, and the other. The tire internal information can be acquired simply by passing between the receiving antennas 1a and 1b and the transmitting antennas 2a and 2b installed in the tire internal information reading device 19 at a low speed.

  When the central control device 5 receives a signal informing the passage of the tire from the tire position detection device 10, all the sensor modules are transmitted from the signal transmission command generation unit 9 of the receiver 1 (RM1 to RM4) via the transmission antennas 2a and 2b. 3 (SM1 to SM6) is instructed to acquire data, and each sensor module 3 is caused to transmit a measurement data signal including the tire internal information such as pressure and temperature, and the measurement including the tire internal information transmitted from each sensor module 3 is performed. Data signals are acquired from the receiver 1 (RM1 to RM4) via the receiving antennas 1a and 1b. Further, the central control device 5 automatically determines whether or not all of the acquired tire internal pressures are within the reference range, and displays the tire state as a signal on a display 7 installed diagonally forward of the driver. For example, if the indicator 7 is green, the internal pressure of all tires is normal, if it is yellow, the internal pressure of any tire is reduced, and if it is red, the internal pressure of any tire is significantly reduced. Represents that If the indicator 7 is red, the driver can immediately know that one of the tires has insufficient air pressure. The measured pressure is transmitted to the tire management device 8 which is a computer, and is automatically managed for each vehicle number.

  As shown in the sectional view of the tire in FIG. 4, the sensor module 3 is attached to the wheel rim 13 integrally with a cylindrical tire valve 12 for injecting air into the tire 4. The sensor module 3 may be mounted by being baked on the inner surface of the tire so as not to be isolated or broken from the tire even if the running tire is deformed under load. It can also be held in the tire inner space by a separate means.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing the outer shape of the sensor module 3. The sensor module 3 is constituted by a sensor module main body 15 and a rim mounting portion 16 each having a detection means for detecting an internal pressure of the tire, a transmitter for transmitting and receiving with a receiver of the tire internal information reading device, and a control means for controlling these. In addition, the tire valve 12 is integrally attached to the wheel rim 13. As a detection means, what detects a tire internal temperature other than a tire internal pressure can also be included.

  FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the mounting position of the rear wheel tire valve. The tire valve integrated with the sensor module is disposed on the outer and inner wheels of the rear wheel, which are multiple wheels, at positions that are point-symmetric about the tire rotation axis (position rotated 180 degrees). . Here, the tire valve position of the inner ring will be described as A, and the tire valve position of the outer ring will be described as B.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the position of the rear wheel tire valve and the position of the receiving antenna. As described above, the receiving antenna 1a and the receiving antenna 1b are arranged so that the antenna interval is a distance from one half of the outer circumference of the tire to one round. For example, assuming that the tire 4 is at the position shown in FIG. 7 (1), the positions A and B of the tire valve are outside the receiving area of the receiving antennas 1a and 1b. Tire internal information cannot be received from either the inner or inner ring sensor module. The tire 4 rotates by a quarter to reach the position shown in FIG. 7 (2), the position A of the inner tire valve is outside the range of the receiving area 20 of the receiving antenna 1b, and the position B of the outer tire valve is received. When it is within the range of the reception area 20 of the antenna 1b, the reception antenna 1b can receive the tire internal information only from the sensor module of the outer ring. Furthermore, when the tire 4 is rotated by a quarter to reach the position shown in FIG. 7 (3), the positions A and B of the tire valve are outside the reception area of the reception antennas 1a and 1b. The tire internal information cannot be received from either the outer ring or the inner ring sensor module. Further, the tire 4 rotates by a quarter to the position shown in FIG. 7 (4), the position B of the outer wheel tire valve is outside the range of the receiving area 21 of the receiving antenna 1a, and the position A of the inner wheel tire valve is When within the range of the receiving area 21 of the receiving antenna 1a, the receiving antenna 1a can receive the tire internal information only from the inner ring sensor module.

  Whether the sensor module position falls within the reception range of the reception antenna is related to the rotational position of the tire. Therefore, the distance between the reception antenna 1a and the reception antenna 1b is the tire of the vehicle that passes between the tire internal information reader 19. Change according to the outer diameter.

  Thus, since only one of the radio waves transmitted from the inner ring and outer ring sensor modules (tire valves) reaches the receiving antenna 1a and the antenna 1b, the radio waves do not cause interference. The receiver can acquire tire information from each tire.

  Further, even when the tire is a single wheel instead of a double wheel, by arranging the two antennas in parallel with the traveling direction of the vehicle and the distance being a predetermined distance, when the tire rotates, Since it falls within the reception range of either one of the antennas, tire information can be reliably acquired.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the central controller. When the central control device 5 receives a signal notifying the approach of the vehicle 6 from the tire position detection device 10 provided in the tire internal information reading device 19 (step 11), it generates a signal transmission command of the receiver 1 (RM1 to RM4). The unit 9 instructs all the sensor modules 3 (SM1 to SM6) to acquire data via the transmitting antennas 2a and 2b (step 12), and the measurement data including the tire internal information such as pressure and temperature is transmitted to each sensor module 3. The signal is transmitted, and the tire internal information transmitted from each sensor module 3 is acquired by the receiver 1 (RM1 to RM4) via the receiving antennas 1a and 1b (step 13). Further, the central control device 5 determines whether or not all the acquired tire internal information is within the reference range (step 14), and displays the determination result on the display 7 installed diagonally forward of the driver. Further, the tire internal information is transmitted to the tire management device 8 (step 15). The central control unit 5 includes a CPU, a memory, a program stored in the memory, and the like.

  In the present invention, the receiver 1 (RM1 to RM4) is provided if an identification ID is assigned to each sensor module and the correspondence between the identification ID and the tire mounting position is set in the central controller 5 in advance. When the tire internal information of the tire is acquired, the tire information can be acquired by distinguishing the inner and outer wheels of the rear wheel by acquiring the identification ID of the sensor module. It is also possible to display the tire information for each position on the display device 7 and manage it by the tire management device 8.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the reception antennas 1a and 1b and the transmission antennas 2a and 2b are attached to the tire internal information reading device 19, and the height of the mounting positions of the reception antennas 1a and 1b and the transmission antennas 2a and 2b is determined. The height of the mounting position of the receiving antennas 1a and 1b and the transmitting antennas 2a and 2b is set to 2/2 of the tire outer diameter. Since the same effect can be obtained even if it is within the range of the height position of the tire outer diameter from the height position of 3, the receiving antennas 1a and 1b and the transmitting antennas 2a and 2b are connected to 2/3 of the tire outer diameter. You may make it install in the range of the height position of a tire outer diameter from the height position.

  In the above-described embodiment, the receiver is mounted inside the tire internal information reader. However, only the reception antenna and the transmission antenna are mounted inside the tire internal information reader, and the receiver is connected to the tire internal information reader. It may be arranged outside. For example, the receiver may be incorporated in the central controller 5.

  In the tire internal information acquisition system of the present invention, the measurement, recording, and management of the tire internal information such as the tire internal pressure, which has been performed manually, are fully automated, thereby greatly reducing the man-hours and time for acquiring the tire internal information. be able to. Further, since only the sensor module is attached in the tire, the vehicle cost can be reduced as compared with a case where a vehicle-mounted tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is provided. Further, since the management data is directly recorded on the tire management device (computer), paperless can be realized. In addition, the driver does not generate any new work for pressure management. In addition, if tire information can be acquired by distinguishing between the inner and outer wheels, the maintenance staff can prepare for identifying tires that need to be filled in advance by simply moving the vehicle to the maintenance garage. Can be reduced. Moreover, since the pressure check can be changed from a 30-40 day check to a daily check so far, it is possible to cope with a reduction in fuel consumption due to insufficient air pressure, a lack of air pressure during operation, and a puncture trouble.

1 is a schematic layout diagram showing a configuration of a tire internal information acquisition system of the present invention. It is the perspective view of the tire internal information reading apparatus of one side seen from the side through which a vehicle passes. It is a figure which shows a state when the tire internal information is actually read from the tire using the tire internal information management system of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which attached the sensor module to the tire. It is a figure which shows the external shape of a sensor module. It is a figure explaining the attachment position of the tire valve of a rear wheel. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the position of the tire valve of a rear wheel, and the position of a receiving antenna. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of a central control apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Receiver 1a, 1b Reception antenna 2a, 2b Transmission antenna 3 Sensor module 3a Antenna 4 Tire 5 Central controller 6 Vehicle 7 Display 8 Tire management apparatus (computer)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Signal transmission command generation part 10 Tire position detection apparatus 12 Tire valve 13 Wheel rim 15 Sensor module main body 16 Rim attachment part 18 Guide 19 Tire internal information reading apparatus 20, 21 Reception area

Claims (7)

A tire internal information detection and transmission device mounted in the tire;
It consists of a receiver that can receive the signal from the tire internal information detection transmission device outside the tire,
The tire internal information management system, wherein the receiver includes at least two or more, and the receiving antenna connected to the receiver is arranged away from the half circumference of the outer circumference of the tire by a distance of one round.   2. The tire information according to claim 1, wherein the tire internal information detection / transmission device is arranged in a point-symmetrical manner with respect to a rotation axis of the tire in each of the outer and inner tires of the multi-wheel. Acquisition system.   The receiving antenna is installed within the range of the height position of 1/3 of the tire outer diameter from the position of the ground and within the range of the height position of the tire outer diameter from the height position of 2/3 of the tire outer diameter. The tire internal information management system according to claim 1 or 2.   The receiver includes a signal transmission command generation unit that outputs a signal transmission command signal, and when the tire internal information detection transmission device detects the signal transmission command signal, the tire internal information detection transmission device Information is transmitted, The tire internal information management system in any one of Claim 1 to 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The tire internal information management system according to claim 4, wherein each of the receivers includes the signal transmission command generation unit.   A tire position detection device capable of detecting passage of a tire is provided, and when a tire passes a predetermined position, a signal transmission command signal is output to a signal transmission command generator provided in each of the receivers. Item 6. The tire internal information management system according to Item 5.   The tire internal information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an arrangement interval of the receiving antennas can be changed according to a tire outer diameter of the vehicle.

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