JP2005001413A - Controller for pneumatic pressure of tire - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance waterproofness in an inside of a constitutive component storage casing, while securing an air discharge passage in a casing for storing constitutive components. <P>SOLUTION: This pneumatic pressure controller for a tire is provided with: a control wire 4 connected to a valve for injecting air into the tire, and having a valve pin for opening and closing the valve; a stepping motor 3 for opening the valve to discharge the air in the tire by pushing the valve pin, a control substrate 2 for receiving a control signal for driving the stepping motor 3 from an outside; a battery 5 for receiving the control signal from the control substrate 2 to supply electric power to the motor 3; and the casing 7 storing the stepping motor 3, the control substrate 2 and the battery 5, and provided in a wheel. The casing 7 is constituted to have an air hole 7b in a face (bottom face 7a) opposed to the wheel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tire pressure control device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a system for detecting tire puncture at an early stage, for example, in order to make a driver recognize a decrease in tire air pressure during driving of an automobile, a decrease in tire pressure is detected based on the rotational speed of each wheel. There are a system (for example, refer to Patent Document 1) and an air pressure decrease monitoring system that detects a decrease in tire air pressure with a pressure sensor.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 48-6829 (page 2, column 4, lines 10 to 20)
[0004]
In recent years, such air pressure drop monitoring systems have been regarded as important with the spread of US regulations and run-flat tires, and therefore have to be evaluated by an optimal performance evaluation test in order to improve their performance. In addition, such a performance evaluation test required a test device to intentionally deflate the tires while driving in order to know whether the system can normally detect a drop in air pressure. .
[0005]
Therefore, the applicant has already filed Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-315237 (unpublished) as a device for removing air from the tire (tire pressure control device).
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the tire pressure control device described above.
In the tire pressure control device 100 described in the specification and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-315237, when a control signal is input from an external transmitter 101 outside the vehicle, this control signal is received on the tire T side provided on the tire T side. It is transmitted to the pressing device 103 via the machine 102. Based on the control signal, the pressing device 103 presses the valve pin of the control wire 104 connected to the valve B that injects air into the tire T, and releases the air in the tire T from the vicinity of the valve pin to the outside. With this configuration, the air in the tire T can be removed by a predetermined amount at a predetermined time, and the pressure reduction control in the tire T during vehicle traveling, which has not been possible in the past, has become possible.
[0006]
In this tire air pressure control device 100, a fixing board 105 joined with components such as a tire side receiver 102 and a pressing device 103 provided on the tire T side is fixed to a wheel flange 106 with screws 107 and attached thereto. The fixing board 105 is covered with a lid 108. Further, the wheel flange 106 is fixed to the wheel W by a wheel nut 109, and each component is fixed to the tire T side.
With this configuration, the air in the tire T is discharged into the space formed by the fixed board 105 and the lid 108 and then released to the outside. In this mechanism, a predetermined hole is formed in the lid 108 or a gap is provided between the fixed board 105 and the lid 108 to communicate from the space formed by the fixed board 105 and the lid 108 to the outside. Air discharge passage is secured.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as described above, if a hole is provided in the lid 108 facing the outside of the tire T in order to discharge the air in the tire T, water droplets or the like can easily enter the space formed by the fixed board 105 and the lid 108. There is a risk that the components attached to the fixed board 105 may fail.
In addition, when a gap is provided between the fixed board 105 and the lid 108, the adhesion between the fixed board 105 and the lid 108 is reduced, the structural strength is reduced, and, similarly to the above, between the fixed board 105 and the lid 108. Water droplets or the like easily enter from the gaps in the gap, which may cause failure of the component parts.
On the other hand, in the space formed by the fixed board 105 and the lid 108, the air in the tire T is exhausted. Therefore, it is necessary to secure an air exhaust passage that leads from the space to the outside.
[0008]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and provides a tire pressure control device that has an air discharge passage in a housing for housing components and has improved waterproofness inside. The challenge is to do.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is configured to solve the above problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is connected to a valve for injecting air into a tire and has a control wire having a valve pin for opening and closing the valve, A pressing device that opens the valve by pressing a valve pin to release air in the tire; a receiver that receives a control signal for driving the pressing device transmitted from the outside; and A tire pressure control device comprising: a power supply unit that receives a control signal and supplies power to the pressing device; and a housing that houses the pressing device, the receiver, and the power supply unit and is installed on a wheel. And the said housing | casing has an air hole in the surface facing the said wheel, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0010]
According to invention of Claim 1, the control signal from the outside is transmitted to a press apparatus via a receiver. Based on this control signal, the pressing device presses the valve pin of the control wire 104 and discharges the air in the tire into the housing. And the air in a housing | casing is discharge | released outside via an air hole. The air holes are formed on the surface facing the wheel and can prevent water droplets or the like from being formed on the surface facing the outside of the vehicle, so that waterproofness is improved.
The air hole is preferably formed in the center of the surface facing the wheel in order to improve the balance of the center of gravity of the housing.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the tire pressure control device according to the first aspect, the casing is formed in a cylindrical shape.
[0012]
According to invention of Claim 2, in addition to the effect | action by the tire pressure control apparatus of Claim 1, since a housing | casing is cylindrical, the rotation balance at the time of rotating with a tire can be improved, and , Strength and durability are improved.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the tire air pressure control device according to the first or second aspect, the pressing device is disposed in the center of the casing.
[0014]
According to invention of Claim 3, in addition to the effect | action by the tire pressure control apparatus of Claim 1 or Claim 2, a heavy weight pressing apparatus is arrange | positioned in the center of a housing | casing. For this reason, it is easy to balance the center of gravity in the housing, and the heavy pressing device is arranged in the center where centrifugal force is difficult to be applied, so that it can be prevented from falling out of the housing while the vehicle is running or from being dropped for each housing. .
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the tire pressure control device according to the third aspect, the power supply means is composed of a plurality of batteries, and the batteries are arranged around the pressing device. To do.
[0016]
According to the tire pressure control device of the fourth aspect, in addition to the action of the tire pressure control device of the third aspect, a plurality of batteries are arranged around the pressing device having a large weight in the housing. Therefore, the casing has a good balance of each part, and the rotation balance when the casing is attached to the tire and rotated together with the tire is improved.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of a tire pressure control device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the assembly of the casing of the tire pressure control device according to the present embodiment to the tire, and FIG. 2 is each component of the tire pressure control device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a layout in the housing, and FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the layout in the housing.
[0018]
A tire pressure control device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a control board 2, a stepping motor (pressing device) 3, a control wire 4 connected to the stepping motor 3, a battery (power supply means) 5, and an external transmitter 6. (See FIG. 2). 2 to 4, the control board 2, the stepping motor 3, and the battery 5 are smaller than the PCD (Pitch Circle Diameter: distance between bolt holes for attaching the wheel to the hub). It is built in a casing 7 having a diameter and attached to the tire T side. The external transmitter 6 is provided in a vehicle interior (not shown).
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 7 includes a cylindrical storage body 71 having an upper opening and a lid 72 fitted to the storage body 71. A single air hole 71b is formed in the center of the bottom surface (surface facing the wheel) 71a of the storage body 71, so that air and moisture inside the housing can be released to the outside, and the inside can be dried. Yes. When the housing 7 is attached to the wheel W, the bottom surface 71a of the storage main body 71 is a surface facing the wheel W, and an air hole 71b is formed on this surface, so that the surface facing the outside of the vehicle (for example, a lid) 72), it is possible to prevent rainwater and water from entering a puddle, and to improve waterproofness, as compared with the case where air holes are secured. Further, by forming only one air hole 71b at the center of the bottom surface 71a, strength durability and rotational balance are also improved.
[0020]
Further, an attachment screw 73 is provided through the center of the lid 72 so that the head 73 a of the attachment screw 73 can be gripped and easily fitted into the storage body 71.
A bracket 8 is fixed with screws V1 in the storage body 71 (see FIG. 3), and a screw hole 8a formed in the bracket 8 and a screw portion 73b of a mounting screw 73 of the lid 72 are screwed together to store. The main body 71 and the lid 72 are crimped. In order to improve waterproofness, a watertight packing may be interposed between the storage main body 71 and the lid 72.
[0021]
The control board 2 has a function as a receiver that receives a control signal for driving the stepping motor 3 from the external transmitter 6 and a function of a control device for controlling the stepping motor 3.
[0022]
The stepping motor 3 converts a rotational force into an axial force of the rotary shaft 3a inside the stepping motor 3, and a tip 3b of the stepping motor 3 is configured to advance and retreat at predetermined strokes in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 3a. By projecting the tip 3b by a predetermined stroke, a valve pin C1 (see FIG. 5) for opening and closing a valve C provided on the control wire 4 to be described later is pressed, and air in the tire T is released by a predetermined amount. Further, by retracting the tip 3b by the amount advanced after a predetermined time has elapsed, the valve pin C1 returns to its original state and the release of air is stopped.
[0023]
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the valve pin pressed by the tip of the stepping motor.
The control wire 4 shown in FIG. 1 is a hollow tube that guides the air in the tire T to the housing 7 at the center of the wheel W. The control wire 4 is formed of a member having high strength in order to suppress the bending due to centrifugal force or vertical vibration during traveling of the vehicle, and a member having pressure resistance and airtightness because high air pressure in the tire T is applied. Is done. One end of the control wire 4 is connected to a valve B provided on the tire T in a state where the valve pin is always pressed, and the other end penetrates the outer peripheral surface of the storage main body 71 and is fixed therein. It is connected to the stepping motor 3 through a valve C having the same structure as the valve B provided at T (see FIGS. 3 to 5).
[0024]
In other words, the air in the tire T is compressed by the tip 3b of the stepping motor 3 against the air hole 71b and the valve pin C1 of the valve C provided on the other end side of the control wire 4 through the inside of the housing 7. It is a mechanism that is discharged to the outside from an air hole 9c of the fixing stay 9 described later. In the present embodiment, the control wire 4 has a structure having the valve C and the valve pin C1 on the stepping motor 3 side, but the present invention is not particularly limited, and the valve pin of the valve B provided on the tire T is directly connected. It can also be set as the structure to press.
[0025]
The battery 5 supplies power to the control board 2 and the stepping motor 3. In the present embodiment, the battery 5 is configured by connecting a plurality of single 5 type dry cells 5a, 5b,... 5h in series. The dry batteries 5 a,... 5 h are evenly arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the storage body 71. By doing so, it is possible to improve the storage balance and improve the balance of rotation when attached to the wheel W and rotated together with the wheel W. However, the battery 5 is not particularly limited. For example, a single battery can be used, or a plurality of plate-like lithium batteries connected in series can be used.
[0026]
The external transmitter 6 has a transmitter function of transmitting a control signal for driving the stepping motor 3 to the control board 2. The wireless communication between the control board 2 and the external transmitter 6 can use an analog system using FM modulation or a digital system using PCM modulation. The communication direction may be one-way communication from the external transmitter 6 side toward the control board 2 or may be bidirectional communication.
[0027]
Here, the arrangement of the components built in the housing 7 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the stepping motor 3 is arranged at the center of the bottom surface 71 a of the storage main body 71, and the dry batteries 5 a, 5 b,... 5 h are arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the storage main body 71. To do. The control board 2 is disposed above the stepping motor 3 and is fixed to the bracket 8 with screws V2 so as not to move inside the storage body 71.
With this arrangement, the balance of the center of gravity of the housing 7 is improved, and the strength and durability of the apparatus itself, and further, the rotation balance when attached to the wheel W and rotated together with the wheel W are improved.
[0028]
Next, a structure for attaching the housing 7 to the wheel W will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the mounting structure of the housing.
As shown in FIG. 6A, the housing 7 is attached to the center of the wheel W via a star-shaped fixing stay 9 (see FIG. 1). At this time, a wheel nut 10 having a screw hole 10a (see FIG. 1) at the head is screwed onto five wheel bolts WB protruding from the wheel W. On the other hand, a screw (not shown) is fitted into a screw hole 71c (see FIG. 2 and the like) provided in the bottom surface 71a of the storage main body 71 through a fixing hole 9a drilled in the fixing stay 9, thereby 7 is fixed to the fixing stay 9.
[0029]
The fixing stay 9 to which the housing 7 is fixed is screwed into a screw hole 10 a provided in the head of the wheel nut 10 by a bolt 11 that passes through the mounting hole 9 b of the fixing stay 9. Mounted at the center of the axis. As a result, the housing 7 can be easily attached to the wheel W simply by fastening together with the fixing nut 9 to the wheel nut 10, and can be easily removed from the wheel W simply by removing the bolt 11. Further, it is not necessary to make a dedicated fixing board or the like, and the cost can be reduced accordingly.
[0030]
In the present embodiment, the fixing stay 9 is formed in a star shape, but the shape of the fixing stay 9 is not particularly limited, and is a portion extending outward from the storage body 71 attached integrally. As long as it has a mounting hole 9b, it may be square or circular. For example, if the fixing stay 9 is formed in a circular shape, a plurality of mounting holes that match the number and position of the wheel nuts 10 can be drilled at desired positions, and various wheels can be handled. Moreover, if the fixing stay 7 is circular, the interference of the housing is minimized and the versatility is improved.
[0031]
Next, the operation of the tire pressure control device 1 will be described.
When a control signal is transmitted from the external transmitter 6 while the vehicle is traveling, this control signal is transmitted to the stepping motor 3 via the control board 2. Then, the stepping motor 3 has its tip 3b moved forward based on the control signal and moved backward after a predetermined time to open the valve pin C1 that opens and closes the valve C provided at the center of the wheel W for a predetermined time. Press with a predetermined stroke (see FIG. 5).
[0032]
In this way, a predetermined amount of air is discharged from the tire T into the housing 7 and is released to the outside from the bottom surface 71a side through the air holes 71b and the air holes 9c formed in the fixing stay 9. As a result, air can be extracted by a predetermined amount at a predetermined time while the vehicle is running. Therefore, the accuracy of the performance evaluation test of the air pressure drop monitoring system can be improved. In addition, the air in the tire T often contains moisture, but even if the air containing moisture is discharged into the housing 7, the moisture is discharged to the outside from the air holes 71 b, thereby the housing 7. The inside can be dried.
[0033]
According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in the present embodiment.
Since the air hole 71b is formed in the bottom face 71a of the housing | casing 7, internal air can be reliably discharged | emitted outside. Moreover, since the air hole 71b is formed in the bottom face 71a which is a surface facing the wheel W, the air hole 71b is not exposed to the outside of the vehicle, so that water can be prevented from entering the housing 7 and the waterproof property is improved. it can. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the breakdown of the components (the control board 2, the stepping motor 3, the battery 5, etc.) built in the housing 7. Since only one air hole 71b is provided at the center of the bottom surface 71a, the durability and rotation balance of the housing 7 can be improved.
[0034]
Since the control board 2, the stepping motor 3, and the battery 5 which are components attached to the tire T side are housed in the cylindrical casing 7, when the casing 7 is attached to the tire T side, the casing 7 Can be arranged at the center of the axis of the wheel W, and the distance from the position of any wheel nut 10 to the housing 7 can be made constant. Therefore, the housing 7 can be attached to the wheel W without interfering with the wheel nut 10.
[0035]
Since the casing 7 can be attached to the wheel W only by fastening together with the fixing stays 9 that match the number, position, etc. of the wheel nuts 10, the attachment work can be facilitated. Further, even various wheels W having different wheel nuts 10 and the like can be dealt with by simply replacing the fixing stay 9, so that versatility can be increased. Further, it is not necessary to remove the wheel W or the tire T for attachment to the wheel W, and the attachment operation can be easily performed. Further, it is not necessary to make a mounting jig or the like dedicated for mounting, and it is economically inexpensive.
[0036]
In the housing 7, the heavy stepping motor 3 is arranged in the center, and the battery 5 is arranged around the stepper motor 3 along the inner peripheral surface of the storage main body 71. Therefore, the balance of each part is improved, and the strength of the apparatus itself is improved. Durability is improved, and the rotational balance when attached to the wheel W and rotated with the wheel W is improved. Furthermore, by arranging the heavy stepping motor 3 at the center where centrifugal force is difficult to be applied, the operation accuracy of the stepping motor 3 can be improved, and the dropout in the casing 7 during traveling of the vehicle can be prevented.
[0037]
And since the housing | casing 7 is cylindrical and does not have a corner | angular part, the impact resistance of the housing | casing 7 and aged deterioration are equalized, and the intensity | strength and durability of housing | casing 7 itself improve.
[0038]
As mentioned above, although an example about the suitable embodiment of the present invention was explained, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and design change is possible suitably in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, only one air hole 71b is formed at the center of the bottom surface 71a of the storage body 71. However, the air hole 71b is formed at any position as long as it is the bottom surface 71a. It may be. For example, a plurality of air holes can be formed along the outer periphery of the bottom surface 71b. If it does in this way, the air, moisture, etc. which accumulated in the inside of a case with the centrifugal force by rotation of tire T can be released more easily.
[0039]
In the present embodiment, the housing 7 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but the shape of the housing 7 is, for example, a quadrilateral, pentagon, or hexagon according to the number of spokes of the wheel W and the number of wheel nuts. May be. If it is formed in a quadrangle, it is possible to improve the storage efficiency of the components stored therein, and the manufacturing cost is also low because the shape is simple.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, the stepping motor 3 is arranged in the center in the housing 7 and a plurality of dry batteries 5a are arranged around the inner peripheral surface around the stepping motor 3. However, for example, it is formed in a plate shape. A battery in which a plurality of lithium batteries to be bundled are bundled into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped and the stepping motor 3 can be arranged in parallel. By doing so, the center of gravity in the casing 7 is balanced, and the batteries are also arranged in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, so that they can be attached and detached more easily than when arranged along the inner peripheral surface.
[0041]
Further, in the present embodiment, the control board 2, the stepping motor 3, and the battery 5 are housed in the housing 7. For example, the air pressure in the tire T is detected in the housing 7. An operation confirmation lamp for detecting whether or not the pressure sensor or the tire pressure control device operating normally and its power switch can be accommodated in a visible manner.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the air holes are formed on the surface facing the wheel, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of rainwater and the like as compared with the case where the air holes are formed on the surface facing the outside of the vehicle. Can be improved. Further, when the inside is wet, the inside can be dried. Furthermore, if an air hole is arrange | positioned in the center of a surface, strength durability and rotation balance can be improved.
[0043]
According to invention of Claim 2, since a housing | casing is cylindrical shape, the rotation balance at the time of rotating with a tire can be improved.
[0044]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the heavy pressing device is arranged in the center of the housing, it is easy to balance the center of gravity in the housing, and the heavy pressing device is in the center where centrifugal force is difficult to be applied. By being arranged, it is possible to prevent the dropout in the housing while the vehicle is running.
[0045]
According to the tire pressure control device of the fourth aspect, the battery is arranged around the pressing device having a large weight in the housing. Therefore, the casing has a good balance of each part, and the rotation balance when the casing is attached to the tire and rotated together with the tire is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating assembly of a tire pressure control device according to an embodiment to a tire.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing each component of the tire pressure control device according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a layout in a housing.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a layout in the housing.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a valve pin pressed at the tip of a stepping motor.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a housing mounting structure.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the tire pressure control device of Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-315237.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Tire pressure control device 2 Control board (receiver)
3 Stepping motor (pressing device)
4 Control wire 5 Battery (power supply means)
6 External transmitter 7 Housing 9 Fixing stay T Tire W Wheel

Claims (4)

A control wire connected to a valve for injecting air into the tire and having a valve pin for opening and closing the valve;
A pressing device that opens the valve by pressing the valve pin to release air in the tire;
A receiver for receiving a control signal for driving the pressing device transmitted from the outside;
Power supply means for receiving a control signal from the receiver and supplying power to the pressing device;
A housing that houses the pressing device, the receiver, and the power supply means, and is installed on a wheel;
A tire pressure control device comprising:
The tire pressure control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the casing has an air hole on a surface facing the wheel. The tire pressure control device according to claim 1, wherein the casing is formed in a cylindrical shape. The tire pressure control device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing device is disposed at a center of the housing. The tire pressure control device according to claim 3, wherein the power supply means includes a plurality of batteries, and the batteries are arranged around the pressing device.

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