JP2005112033A - Tire warning device and pneumatic tire - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tire warning device and a pneumatic tire which contribute much to the safe traveling. <P>SOLUTION: The tire warning device gives a warning when the physical properties of rubber of a rubber member 27 of the pneumatic tire 20 is degraded. The tire warning device comprises a first distortion detector 3 to detect the distortion of the rubber member 27, a second distortion detector 5 which is mounted in a vicinity of the first distortion detector 3 to detect the distortion of a non-secular degraded member 4 which is deflected as the tire in the traveling condition is deflected, a transmission means 7 to transmit signals detected by the first and second distortion detectors 3 and 5, a reception means 13 to receive the detection signals from the transmission means 7, a processing means 14 which calculates the ratio N using the distortions Sa and Sb of the detection signals of the first and second distortion detectors 3 and 5 input from the reception means 13 and determines whether or not a warning is given from the calculated ratio N and the preset first threshold, and a warning means 15 to give a warning that the physical properties of rubber of the rubber member 27 are degraded based on the determination of the processing means 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a tire warning device and a pneumatic tire having a strain detector of the device, and more particularly to a tire warning device and a pneumatic tire that contribute to safe driving.

  Rubber members that make up a pneumatic tire are subject to repeated deformation and heat generation during running, and the physical properties of the rubber deteriorate due to deterioration over time. If the degree of deterioration is large, accidents and tire failures due to tire performance deterioration are likely to occur. .

  Conventionally, for example, as a device for detecting a tire failure, a temperature sensor is used, and the temperature sensor detects the tire surface temperature or the temperature in the cavity, and detects the tire failure from the temperature change. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). When a failure occurs in a pneumatic tire, heat generation at the failure portion is greatly increased. Therefore, detection of a tire failure using a temperature sensor is extremely effective.

However, there has not yet been proposed a technology that solves the problem caused by the deterioration of the rubber physical properties of the rubber member, and the rubber physical properties of the rubber member are improved before the tire performance is greatly reduced or the tire failure occurs due to the rubber physical property deterioration. If the driver can be informed of the deterioration, it will greatly contribute to safe driving.
JP-A-3-262716 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-189703

  An object of the present invention is to provide a tire alarm device and a pneumatic tire that greatly contribute to safe driving.

  A tire alarm device according to the present invention that achieves the above object is a tire alarm device that issues an alarm when a rubber physical property of a rubber member of a pneumatic tire is deteriorated. The tire alarm device is attached to the rubber member, and strains the rubber member. A first strain detector to be detected, and a non-time-deteriorating member that is disposed in the vicinity of the first strain detector and that can be bent along with the bending of the pneumatic tire during traveling of the vehicle. A second distortion detector for detecting distortion; a transmitting means for transmitting signals detected by the first and second distortion detectors; a receiving means for receiving a detection signal from the transmitting means; and an input from the receiving means The ratio N using the distortion amount Sa of the detection signal of the first distortion detector and the distortion amount Sb of the detection signal of the second distortion detector is calculated, and the calculated ratio N and the first preset value are calculated. Judgment whether to issue an alarm from the threshold Processing means that, characterized in that the rubber properties of the rubber member on the basis of the determination of the processing means and a warning means for issuing an alarm degraded.

  The pneumatic tire of the present invention is a pneumatic tire equipped with a strain detector of a tire alarm device that issues an alarm when the rubber physical properties of the rubber member deteriorate, and the strain detector detects the strain of the rubber member. And a second strain detector attached to a non-time-deteriorating member that can be bent along with the bending of the pneumatic tire during vehicle travel, and the first strain detector is used as the rubber member. On the other hand, the second strain detector is arranged in the vicinity of the first strain detector.

  According to the above-described configuration, the amount of distortion of the rubber member that deteriorates with time is detected by the first strain detector while the amount of distortion of the non-time-deteriorated member is detected by the second strain detector in the same tire bending state during traveling. To do. As the rubber member deteriorates with time, the amount of strain detected by the first strain detector gradually decreases relative to the amount of strain detected by the second strain detector. Therefore, the ratio N between the two strain amounts is a parameter indicating the time-degraded state of the rubber of the rubber member. By issuing an alarm using this ratio N and a preset threshold value, it is possible to notify the driver before the rubber physical properties of the rubber member deteriorate such that the tire performance is greatly deteriorated or a tire failure occurs. become. Therefore, it greatly contributes to safe driving.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a tire alarm device according to the present invention, wherein 1 is a tire mounting side unit mounted on a tire, and 2 is a vehicle mounting side unit mounted on a vehicle.

  The tire mounting side unit 1 is attached to a first strain detector 3 that detects distortion of a rubber member of a pneumatic tire, and a non-time-degrading member 4 that can be bent along with the bending of the pneumatic tire during vehicle travel. 2 distortion detector 5, transmission means 7 for transmitting detection signals of first and second distortion detectors 3, 5 to vehicle-mounted unit 2 via antenna 6, and first and second distortion detectors 3, 5 And a battery 8 as an operating power source for the transmission means 7.

  The transmission means 7 and the battery 8 are accommodated in a casing 9, and the transmission means 7 transmits signals for one to several revolutions of the tire detected by the first and second strain detectors 3 and 5 at a predetermined interval (for example, one day). Send once). The first and second strain detectors 3 and 5 are connected to the transmission means 7 and the battery 8 in the casing 9 via wirings 10 and 11.

  The strain detectors used for the strain detectors 3 and 5 are, for example, a resistance strain type in which a foil made of a copper alloy such as nickel copper or copper constantan is used as a sensor, and this is adhered to a rubber member or a non-aging member 4 A sensor can be preferably used.

  The non-time-deteriorating member 4 is formed in a thin plate shape, and may be any material as long as it is made of a material that does not deteriorate with time, including deterioration due to heat during use, for example, a thin plate shape made of a metal such as spring steel. A flexible metal plate can be preferably used.

  The tire wearing side unit 1 is attached to a pneumatic tire 20, for example, as shown in FIG. In the figure, 21 is a tread portion, 22 is a sidewall portion, and 23 is a bead portion. In the tire, a carcass layer 24 is disposed between the left and right bead portions 23, and both end portions thereof are folded back around the bead core 25 embedded in the bead portion 23 from the tire inner side to the outer side. A plurality of belt layers 26 are provided on the outer peripheral side of the carcass layer 24 of the tread portion 21.

  The first strain detector 3 is embedded and attached in the rubber member 27 of the sidewall portion 22. A second strain detector 5 (not shown) attached to the non-aging deterioration member 4 is embedded and disposed adjacent to the first strain detector 3 in the tire circumferential direction. It is preferable to dispose the second strain detector 5 in the vicinity of the tire circumferential direction with respect to the first strain detector 3 in this manner because detection in the same tire bending state is possible. In addition, when attaching the first and second strain detectors 3 and 5 to the rubber member 27, it is preferable in terms of accuracy to attach the rubber member 27 to a location where the deflection is maximum when the vehicle travels.

  The vehicle mounting side unit 2 includes a receiving unit 13 that receives a detection signal from the transmitting unit 7 via the antenna 12, a processing unit 14 that processes the detection signal input from the receiving unit 13, and a processing unit 14. Alarm means 15 for issuing an alarm based on the result is provided.

  The processing unit 14 calculates the ratio N using the distortion amount Sa of the detection signal of the first distortion detector 3 and the distortion amount Sb of the detection signal of the second distortion detector 5 input from the reception unit 13, It is determined whether or not to issue an alarm from the calculated ratio N and a preset first threshold value.

  That is, the distortion amount Sa of the detection signal of the first distortion detector 3 and the distortion amount Sb of the detection signal of the second distortion detector 5 input from the receiving means 13 while the vehicle is traveling are calculated, respectively, and the calculated distortion The ratio of the amounts Sa and Sb N = Sb / Sa is calculated. This ratio N is a ratio of the maximum values of the strain amounts Sa and Sb during one rotation of the tire. When the first and second strain detectors 3 and 5 are arranged close to each other in the tire radial direction, that is, when the positions in the tire circumferential direction are the same, the ratio between the strain amounts Sa and Sb detected at the same time may be used. . The calculated ratio N is compared with two preset threshold values.

  The first threshold value is a threshold value that has a high risk of causing an accident or a tire failure due to a decrease in tire performance if the vehicle continues traveling in this state. It is determined whether or not the ratio N has exceeded the first threshold value. If it is determined that the ratio N has been exceeded, the alarm means 15 is turned on to issue an alarm to the driver. For example, a red lamp is turned on or an alarm sound is emitted.

  The first threshold value may be automatically set by the processing means 14 using the initial value of the ratio N calculated first. For example, a value of 100% increase (twice) of the ratio N is set as the first threshold value, and when this value is exceeded, the warning means 15 issues a warning to the driver.

  The second threshold value is a threshold value for notifying that an area having a high risk of occurrence of an accident or tire failure due to a decrease in tire performance is approached, and is a value smaller than the first threshold value. It is determined whether the ratio N is greater than the second threshold and less than or equal to the first threshold. If it is determined that the ratio N is greater than the second threshold and less than or equal to the first threshold, the alarm means 15 is turned on. A preliminary warning is issued to the driver. For example, a yellow lamp is turned on or an alarm sound different from the alarm sound is generated.

  The processing unit 14 may automatically set the second threshold value using the initial value of the ratio N calculated first. For example, a value of 50% increase (1.5 times) of the ratio N is set as the second threshold value, and when this value is exceeded, the warning means 15 issues a preliminary warning to the driver.

  According to the present invention described above, the first strain detector 3 detects the strain amount Sa of the rubber member 27 that deteriorates with time while the vehicle is running, and the second strain detector 5 does not deteriorate with time. The amount of strain Sb of the member 4 is detected. As the rubber member 27 deteriorates with time, the strain amount Sa detected by the first strain detector 3 decreases relative to the strain amount Sb detected by the second strain detector 5. Therefore, the ratio N using both strain amounts Sa and Sb is a parameter indicating the deterioration state of the rubber member 27 with time.

  The ratio N which is this parameter is used, compared with a first threshold value set in advance by the processing means 14, and when exceeded, an alarm is issued by the alarm means 15, so that the tire performance associated with the deterioration of the rubber physical properties of the rubber member 27. It is possible to notify the driver before a large decrease in tires or tire failure occurs, and thus greatly contributes to safe driving.

  In addition, by notifying the alarm means 15 that the vehicle is approaching an area where the risk of accidents and tire failures due to tire performance degradation is high, the driver can be alerted and driving safety can be further enhanced.

  In the present invention, in the above embodiment, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the rubber member 27 while the vehicle is traveling may be installed, and the ratio N that is a parameter may be corrected using the detected temperature. As the temperature of the rubber member 27 rises, the distortion amount Sa of the rubber member 27 tends to increase accordingly. By correcting this, the alarm accuracy can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, two threshold values are set, but a plurality of threshold values are set in advance for each stage in which the rubber further deteriorates, and the result is displayed on a display unit (not shown), thereby deteriorating the rubber of the rubber member. The degree may be confirmed. Thereby, when the tread part of a pneumatic tire is renewed and the tire is reused, the degree of deterioration of the rubber physical properties of the rubber member can be known. Further, the tire performance can be confirmed from the degree of deterioration of rubber physical properties of a tire stored for a long time such as a studless tire used only in winter.

  The rubber member is not limited to the rubber member 27 of the sidewall portion 22 described above, and any rubber member may be used as long as it is a member made of rubber.

  In the above embodiment, the ratio N is the ratio Sb / Sa between the strain amount Sb and the strain amount Sa, but the ratio Sa / Sb may be used. In that case, it is determined whether or not the ratio N is smaller than the first threshold value. If it is determined that the ratio N is small, the alarm means 15 is turned on to issue an alarm to the driver. Further, when it is determined that it is smaller than the second threshold value and larger than the first threshold value, the warning means 15 is turned on to issue a preliminary warning to the driver.

It is explanatory drawing of the tire warning device of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part of a pneumatic tire to which the tire mounting side unit of FIG. 1 is attached.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tire mounting side unit 2 Vehicle mounting side unit 3 1st distortion detector 4 Non-aging deterioration member 5 2nd distortion detector 7 Transmission means 8 Battery 13 Reception means 14 Processing means 15 Alarm means 20 Pneumatic tire 21 Tread part 22 Side Wall 27 Rubber member

Claims (6)

  A tire alarm device that issues an alarm when a rubber physical property of a rubber member of a pneumatic tire is deteriorated, the first alarm detector being attached to the rubber member and detecting distortion of the rubber member, and the first strain A second strain detector that is disposed in the vicinity of the detector and is attached to a non-time-deteriorating member that can be bent in accordance with the bending of the pneumatic tire during vehicle travel, and detects the strain of the non-time-deteriorating member; Transmitting means for transmitting signals detected by the first and second distortion detectors, receiving means for receiving detection signals from the transmitting means, and a distortion amount of the detection signal of the first distortion detector input from the receiving means Processing means for calculating a ratio N using Sa and the distortion amount Sb of the detection signal of the second distortion detector, and determining whether or not to issue an alarm from the calculated ratio N and a preset first threshold value And based on the determination of the processing means Tire alarm device that includes a warning means for issuing an alarm to rubber properties of the rubber member is deteriorated.   The ratio N is a ratio Sb / Sa between the strain amount Sb and the strain amount Sa, and the processing means determines whether or not the ratio N exceeds the first threshold value. The tire warning device according to claim 1 which issues a warning.   The processing means determines whether the ratio N is greater than a second threshold lower than a preset first threshold and less than or equal to the first threshold, and is greater than a second threshold and the first The tire warning device according to claim 2, wherein the warning means issues a preliminary warning when it is determined that the value is equal to or less than a threshold value.   The tire alarm device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the non-aging deterioration member is a flexible metal plate.   A pneumatic tire equipped with a strain detector of a tire warning device that issues an alarm when the rubber physical properties of the rubber member deteriorate, wherein the strain detector detects a strain of the rubber member; A second strain detector attached to a non-aging-degradable member that can bend along with the deflection of the pneumatic tire during vehicle travel, and the first strain detector is attached to the rubber member, while the second strain detection A pneumatic tire in which a vessel is disposed in the vicinity of the first strain detector.   The pneumatic tire according to claim 5, wherein the non-aging member is a flexible metal plate.

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