JP2005170275A - Tire air pressure adjusting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To also replenish air to a high pressure tank in replenishing air to a tire, in a tire air pressure adjusting apparatus having the high pressure tank for adjusting the air pressure in the tire. <P>SOLUTION: The tire air pressure adjusting apparatus has a means for guiding at least a part of injected air into the high pressure tank 14 when the air pressure in the tire reaches a predetermined preset air pressure while the air is injected from the outside into the tire. Thus, a user can also replenish air to the high pressure tank 14 simultaneously in replenishing air to the tire. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a tire pressure adjusting device that automatically adjusts a tire pressure by monitoring the tire pressure.

  In order for the vehicle to travel safely, it is essential to maintain the tire air pressure at a reference level. When the vehicle is run for a long time in a state where the tire air pressure is lowered, the reliability of the tire is impaired due to deformation or heat generation of the tire, and an undesirable phenomenon is caused in some cases. Therefore, there is a technology that constantly monitors the air pressure of each tire and warns the driver early when an abnormality is detected. In general, the tire pressure warning system includes a direct tire pressure warning system that directly detects and monitors tire pressure using a pressure sensor, and indirectly estimates the tire pressure from state quantities such as tire wheel speed. There is an indirect tire pressure warning system to monitor.

A conventional air pressure adjusting mechanism that automatically replenishes tires with air when a tire pressure alarm is issued has a very complicated structure because a compressor, a tank, and the like are mounted on the vehicle side. In Patent Document 1, a tire type air tank is provided on a tire wheel together with a pressure sensor that detects tire air pressure, and air is replenished from the air tank based on the output of the pressure sensor to automatically adjust the tire air pressure. Technology is disclosed. According to this, since an air tank or the like is not mounted on the vehicle side, the device structure is simplified.
JP-A-9-150612

  In Patent Document 1, when the air in the air tank is used up, it is necessary to replace the cartridge or replenish the tank with air. However, in order to replace the cartridge, the tire must be once removed, and in order to refill the tank with air, it is necessary to check the tire internal pressure and the air tank internal pressure with a pressure gauge or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tire pressure adjusting device that makes it easy to replenish air into an air tank.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an aspect of the present invention provides a tire pressure adjusting device having a high-pressure tank for adjusting the air pressure in a tire, while the air is being injected from the outside into the tire. There is provided a tire pressure adjusting device having means for detecting that the air pressure has reached a set air pressure and guiding at least part of the injected air into the high-pressure tank. According to this aspect, at the time of air replenishment to the tire, when the air pressure in the tire reaches a predetermined set air pressure, at least a part of the injected air is guided to the high-pressure tank, so that the user can When the air is replenished, the high-pressure tank can be replenished at the same time.

  Another aspect of the present invention provides a tire pressure adjusting device attached to a wheel. The tire pressure adjusting device includes an air pressure sensor that measures tire air pressure, a high-pressure tank that holds air at high pressure inside, an air inlet that includes a check valve that opens when replenishing air from outside, The air inlet, the inside of the tire and a flow path communicating with the high pressure tank, and disposed in the middle of the flow path, control the air injection direction between the air inlet, the inside of the tire and the high pressure tank. When the air is replenished from the outside, air is injected into the tire and the high-pressure tank from the air inlet, and the tire air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor reaches a first set air pressure. And a controller that operates the solenoid valve to inject air from the air inlet into the high-pressure tank.

  According to this aspect, when the tire internal pressure reaches the first set air pressure when the air is replenished to the tire from the outside, the solenoid valve automatically operates and air flows into the high pressure tank. This eliminates the need to check the internal pressure of the tire and the internal pressure of the high pressure tank with a pressure gauge or the like when refilling air.

  Still another aspect of the present invention is a tire air pressure adjusting device attached to a wheel, the air pressure sensor for measuring the air pressure of the tire, a high pressure tank that holds air at high pressure inside, and at the time of replenishing air from the outside An air inlet provided with a check valve for opening, the air inlet, a flow path communicating with the inside of the tire and the high-pressure tank, and the air inlet, the tire disposed in the middle of the flow path When the tire air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor and the solenoid valve for controlling the air injection direction between the inside of the high pressure tank and the high pressure tank falls below the first set air pressure, the high pressure tank enters the inside of the tire. And a control unit that operates the electromagnetic valve so as to inject air.

  According to this aspect, when a natural leak or slow puncture of air from the tire occurs, the solenoid valve is automatically activated in response to the tire air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor being lower than the first set air pressure. The air flows into the tire from the high-pressure tank and the tire internal pressure is increased.

  The tire air pressure adjusting device may further include a flow path having a check valve that opens when the air pressure of the high-pressure tank reaches a second set air pressure that is greater than the first set air pressure, and an air opening. In this case, the second set air pressure is set to a value slightly lower than the allowable internal pressure of the high-pressure tank, for example. As a result, even if air replenishment is continued, excessive air does not flow into the high-pressure tank, so that safety is ensured. Moreover, since excess air flows out from the atmosphere opening, the user can recognize that the replenishment of air to the high-pressure tank has been completed. In place of the check valve, an electromagnetic valve may be provided and opened and closed by the control unit.

  The tire air pressure adjusting device may further include a receiver that receives air pressure information. In this case, the control unit sets the first set air pressure to the received air pressure. Thereby, an appropriate air pressure can be set according to the state of the tire.

  The tire pressure adjusting device may further include a transmitter that transmits information to the vehicle body side. In this case, the control unit transmits air shortage information to the vehicle body side when determining that the pressure in the high-pressure tank is lower than the first set air pressure. As a result, the user can know that the tire internal pressure has decreased and that air needs to be replenished.

  According to the tire air pressure adjusting device of the present invention, it is possible to automatically refill the high pressure tank with air when the tire is refilled with air.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a tire air pressure adjusting device having a high pressure tank for automatically adjusting the air pressure in a tire. When the air pressure in the tire is replenished, the flow path is controlled so as to guide the injected air to the high-pressure tank when the air pressure in the tire reaches a preset pressure. As a result, the user can simultaneously replenish the high-pressure tank when refilling the tire with air.

  FIG. 1 is an attachment diagram of a tire air pressure adjusting device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention to a wheel. The wheel is composed of a wheel 50 and a tire 52. In the wheel 50, two holes are formed at a position where a tire valve is usually attached. The air replenishment pipe 20 and the air discharge pipe 30 of the tire air pressure adjusting device 10 are fixed through the holes. A grommet is inserted between the hole and the tube to make the inside of the tire airtight and prevent damage to the tire air pressure adjusting device 10 due to vibration during traveling of the vehicle.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the tire air pressure adjusting device 10. The tire air pressure adjusting device 10 includes a valve integrated sensor unit 12 and a high pressure tank 14. In the valve-integrated sensor unit 12, an air replenishing pipe 20 that communicates with the outside of the tire and the inside of the high-pressure tank, a tire conduit 23 that branches off from the air replenishing pipe and communicates with the inside of the tire, and the inside of the high-pressure tank and the outside of the tire are connected. An air discharge pipe 30 that communicates is provided. The opening of the air replenishing pipe 20 to the outside of the tire is the air inlet 21, the opening of the tire conduit 23 to the inside of the tire is the tire opening 24, and the opening of the air replenishing pipe 20 to the high pressure tank is the first tank opening 36; The opening of the air discharge pipe 30 in the high-pressure tank is referred to as a second tank opening 38, and the opening of the air discharge pipe 30 to the outside of the tire is referred to as an air release opening 32.

  On the air inlet 21 side of the air replenishing pipe 20, the air is opened by air pressure when air is replenished to the inside of the tire, and at other times the valve is closed and the air inlet is provided from the tire opening 24 and the first tank opening 36. A first check valve 22 is provided to prevent the backflow of air to the 21 side. The air inlet 21 is provided with a structure capable of connecting a hose for injecting air. The first check valve 22 may have a structure that automatically opens when the hose is connected to the air inlet 21.

  An electromagnetic valve 26 that opens and closes in response to a signal from the control unit 18 is provided in front of the tire opening 24 of the tire conduit 23. When the solenoid valve 26 is open, the tire opening 24 is in communication with the air replenishment pipe 20 via the tire conduit 23, and when the solenoid valve 26 is closed, the inside of the tire is sealed. become. As will be described later, by appropriately controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 26, it is possible to distribute air between the tire and the high-pressure tank at the time of air replenishment, and to inject air from the high-pressure tank to the inside of the tire when the tire internal pressure is reduced. .

  In another embodiment, an electromagnetic valve 26 is provided at the connection between the air replenishment pipe 20 and the tire conduit 23, and the air inlet 21, the tire opening 24, and the first tank opening 36 are mutually connected by switching the electromagnetic valve 26. It is good also as a structure which enables communication.

  A throttle 28 is provided in front of the first tank opening 36 of the air supply pipe 20. This is provided to reduce the pressure of the air flowing out from the high-pressure tank when refilling air from the high-pressure tank 14 described later into the tire.

  The high-pressure tank 14 is, for example, a cylindrical tank that can be filled with high-pressure air. The capacity of the high-pressure tank 14 is determined in accordance with the amount of air injected into the tire, that is, how much the decrease in tire internal pressure can be recovered.

On the second tank opening 38 side of the air discharge pipe 30, a second check valve 34 that opens when receiving a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure to communicate the second tank opening 38 with the atmosphere opening 32. Is provided. This predetermined pressure is set to a value that does not exceed the allowable pressure P _tank of the high-pressure tank 14.

The valve-integrated sensor unit 12 is also provided with an air pressure sensor 16 and a control unit 18. The air pressure sensor 16 is, for example, a semiconductor type pressure sensor. Air pressure sensor 16 is communicated through the tire interior and the tube 17, it is possible to measure the tire pressure P ₁ at all times. The measured tire internal pressure P ₁ is passed to the control unit 18. Based on the received tire internal pressure information, the control unit 18 controls the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 26 according to a predetermined routine. The valve-integrated sensor unit 12 may include an LED display unit for notifying the user of various information. The air pressure sensor 16 and the control unit 18 operate using a built-in battery as a power source.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 18. Each block shown here can be realized in hardware by an element such as a computer CPU or memory, or an electric circuit, and in software by a computer program or the like. It is drawn as a functional block to be realized. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

The output of the air pressure sensor 16 is sent to the CPU 90 in the control unit 18. The CPU 90 determines whether to open or close the electromagnetic valve 26 based on the set air pressure P _tire stored in advance in the memory 92 and the received tire internal pressure P ₁ . The electromagnetic valve drive unit 96 transmits a drive signal for operating the electromagnetic valve 26 according to the determination of the CPU 90. Instead of storing the set air pressure P _tire in the memory 92, a receiving unit 94 may be provided to receive air pressure information from the outside and set the set air pressure P _tire to the value. This makes it possible to set the tire internal pressure P ₁ corresponding to various situations. For example, before high-speed running can be set higher tire internal pressure P ₁ by an instruction from the user. Alternatively, when the same type of tire is scheduled to be mounted on different types of vehicles, the tire internal pressure P ₁ can be set to an appropriate weight and motion characteristics of the vehicle by an external command. .

The control unit 18 may include a transmission unit 98. Thus, for example, when the tire internal pressure P ₁ measured by the air pressure sensor 16 becomes less than the set pressure P _tire, it is possible to alert the user via a receiver provided in the vehicle body.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the tire air pressure adjusting device 10 when the user refills air. 6 to 10 are diagrams for explaining the flow of air in the tire pressure adjusting device 10. Hereinafter, the operation of the tire pressure adjusting device 10 when the user refills air will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 to 9 together.

The control unit 18 receives the set air pressure information from a vehicle-side transmitter or the like (S62). If the set air pressure P _tire is stored in the memory 92 in advance, this step is not necessary. Next, the solenoid valve 26 is initially adjusted based on the set air pressure _Ptire (S64). Then, air replenishment by the user is started (S66). When the initial adjustment is completed, the LED display may notify the user that air replenishment is possible.

  FIG. 6 shows a state of the tire pressure adjusting device 10 at this time. In the figure, the arrows indicate the inflow direction of air. When the user connects the hose 40 to the air inlet 21 and injects air, the first check valve 22 is opened by the pressure as shown in the figure, and the air flows into the tire and the high-pressure tank. . At this stage, air is replenished to both the tire and the high-pressure tank. In the above-described another embodiment in which the electromagnetic valve is provided at the connection portion between the air replenishing pipe 20 and the tire conduit 23, air may be replenished only in the tire at this stage.

During the replenishment of air, the control unit 18 determines whether the tire pressure P ₁ detected by the air pressure sensor 16 has exceeded the set pressure P _tire (S68). If the tire internal pressure _{P 1} is less than the set pressure P _tire (NO in S68), it continues the air replenishment. If the tire internal pressure _{P 1} exceeds the set pressure P _tire (YES in S68), the control unit 18 closes the electromagnetic valve 26 (S70). FIG. 7 shows a state of the tire pressure adjusting device 10 at this time. By closing the electromagnetic valve 26, the air injected from the hose 40 flows only into the high-pressure tank 14, and thereafter the air is replenished into the high-pressure tank 14.

Returning to FIG. 4, while the high pressure tank internal pressure P ₂ is equal to or lower than the tank allowable pressure P _tank (NO in S 72), the second check valve 34 remains closed, so that the air inflow into the high pressure tank 14 continues. When the high-pressure tank internal pressure _{P 2} exceeds the tank allowable pressure P _tank (YES in S72), the second check valve 34 is opened by the tank internal pressure (S74). FIG. 8 shows a state of the tire pressure adjusting device 10 at this time. When the second check valve 34 is opened, the high-pressure tank and the outside of the tire are in communication with each other. Therefore, excess air injected from the hose 40 is discharged to the atmosphere through the air discharge pipe 30. At this time, since the air is released from the air opening 32 provided adjacent to the air inlet 21, the user recognizes that the air supply is sufficient and stops the air supply (S76). Alternatively, when the second check valve 34 is opened, the control unit 18 may notify the user by blinking the LED or making an alarm sound. When the user removes the hose 40 from the air inlet 21, the first check valve 22 returns to the original position, and the inside of the tire and the high-pressure tank are sealed (see FIG. 9).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the tire air pressure adjusting device 10 other than during air replenishment. Hereinafter, the operation of the tire air pressure adjusting device 10 other than during air replenishment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 10 together.

Control unit 18 monitors the tire pressure P ₁ measured by constantly or periodically the air pressure sensor 16, determines whether the tire pressure P ₁ is lower than a predetermined air pressure P _tire (S82). If the tire internal pressure _{P 1} is set air pressure P _tire more (NO in S82), that continues the monitoring of the tire pressure _{P 1.} If the tire internal pressure _{P 1} is less than the predetermined air pressure P _tire (YES in S82), the control unit 18 opens the solenoid valve 26 (S84). FIG. 10 shows the state of the tire pressure adjusting device 10 at this time. By opening the electromagnetic valve 26, the high-pressure tank 14 and the inside of the tire are in communication with each other via the air replenishment pipe 20 and the tire conduit 23. At this time, the high-pressure tank internal pressure P ₂ is so higher than the tire internal pressure P _1, air flows from the high-pressure tank 14 to the inside of the tire.

Control unit 18 monitors the tire pressure P ₁ is measured again by the air pressure sensor 16, determines whether the tire pressure P ₁ exceeds the set pressure P _tire (S85). If the tire internal pressure _{P 1} exceeds the set pressure P _tire (YES in S85), it stops the replenishment of air from the high pressure tank 14 into the interior of the tire by closing the solenoid valve 26 (S87). If the tire internal pressure _{P 1} is set air pressure P _tire less (NO in S85), it determines whether the high-pressure tank internal pressure _{P 2} is below the predetermined air pressure P _tire of the tire (S86). If the high-pressure tank internal pressure P ₂ is a tire of the predetermined air pressure P _tire more (NO in S86), since still capable of supplying air is present in the high-pressure tank 14, it continues to replenish air back to S84. If the high-pressure tank internal pressure P ₂ is below the predetermined air pressure P _tire of the tire (YES in S86), so that the air in the high pressure tank 14 is used up. Therefore, since it is necessary to replenish the tire with air from the outside, the control unit 18 transmits air shortage information to the vehicle body side via the transmission unit 98 (S88). The vehicle body notifies the user that the tire needs to be refilled by sounding a buzzer or turning on a warning lamp.

In order to measure the internal pressure P ₂ of the high-pressure tank, a separate air pressure sensor is provided or a pipe communicating from the air pressure sensor 16 to the high-pressure tank 14 is provided. The internal pressure can also be measured.

In another embodiment, instead of the determination of S86, when the tire internal pressure P ₁ be continued injection of air from the high pressure tank 14 into the tire over a predetermined time does not reach a predetermined air pressure P _tire, the control unit 18 May send air shortage information to the vehicle body.

When the natural leak or slow puncture of the air from the tire occurs due to the flow of FIG. 5 described above, the electromagnetic valve is automatically opened by the signal from the control unit 18 so that the air enters the tire from the high pressure tank 14. is injected, the tire internal pressure P ₁ is pressurized to a set pressure P _tire.

  According to the present embodiment, when the air in the high-pressure tank is used up and the air is replenished, when the tire internal pressure reaches the first set air pressure, the solenoid valve automatically operates and the air enters the high-pressure tank. Since the air flows in, the user does not need to check the tire internal pressure or the high pressure tank internal pressure with a pressure gauge or the like, and can replenish the high pressure tank at the same time as the air is replenished to the tire. In addition, since the tire pressure adjusting device according to the present embodiment has a structure that is completed with only wheels, weight reduction and cost reduction are realized as compared with a conventional air pressure adjusting device including an air tank or the like on the vehicle body side. Furthermore, since the tire internal pressure is always maintained at an appropriate air pressure by automatically injecting air from the high-pressure tank, the operability and riding comfort of the vehicle are improved, and fuel efficiency is also expected.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications thereof are also included in the scope of the present invention. Such a modification will be described below.

In the embodiment, when the tire internal pressure P ₁ is has been described as closing the electromagnetic valve 26 when it reaches the predetermined air pressure P _tire, the P ₁ reaches a predetermined pressure lower than the set pressure P _tire, The solenoid valve 26 may be partially closed to reduce the amount of air injected into the tire, and the solenoid valve 26 may be completely closed when the set air pressure is reached.

  Further, in the embodiment, the solenoid valve 26 and the check valves 22 and 34 are provided in the valve-integrated sensor unit 12, but all the valves are solenoid valves so that they are appropriately opened and closed according to commands from the control unit 18. It may be.

It is the attachment figure to the wheel of the tire pressure adjusting device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of a tire pressure adjusting device. It is a functional block diagram of a control part. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the tire pressure adjusting device at the time of the air replenishment from the outside. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the tire pressure adjusting device except the time of air replenishment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the air in the tire pressure adjusting device at the time of air replenishment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the air in the tire pressure adjusting device at the time of air replenishment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the air in the tire pressure adjusting device at the time of air replenishment. It is a figure which shows a tire pressure adjusting device when a tire is sealed. It is a figure which shows the flow of the air in the tire pressure adjusting device at the time of the air replenishment from a high pressure tank.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Tire pressure adjusting device, 12 Valve integrated sensor part, 14 High pressure tank, 16 Air pressure sensor, 18 Control part, 20 Air replenishment pipe, 21 Air inlet, 22 1st check valve, 24 Tire opening part, 26 Solenoid valve , 30 Air discharge pipe, 32 Air release port, 34 Second check valve, 36 First tank opening, 38 Second tank opening, 50 Wheel, 52 Tire.

Claims (6)

In a tire air pressure adjusting device having a high pressure tank for adjusting the air pressure in the tire,
It has means for detecting that the air pressure in the tire has reached the set air pressure while air is being injected into the tire from the outside and guiding at least a part of the injected air into the high-pressure tank. Tire pressure adjusting device. A tire pressure adjusting device attached to a wheel,
An air pressure sensor for measuring the air pressure of the tire;
A high-pressure tank that holds air at high pressure inside,
An air inlet provided with a check valve that opens when replenishing air from the outside;
A flow path communicating the air inlet, the inside of the tire and the high-pressure tank;
An electromagnetic valve that is arranged in the middle of the flow path and controls the air injection direction between the air inlet, the inside of the tire and the high-pressure tank;
When refilling air from the outside, when the tire air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor reaches a first set air pressure, the solenoid valve is operated to inject air into the high-pressure tank from the air inlet. A control unit,
A tire pressure adjusting device comprising: A tire pressure adjusting device attached to a wheel,
An air pressure sensor for measuring the air pressure of the tire;
A high-pressure tank that holds air at high pressure inside,
An air inlet provided with a check valve that opens when replenishing air from the outside;
A flow path communicating the air inlet, the inside of the tire and the high-pressure tank;
An electromagnetic valve that is arranged in the middle of the flow path and controls the air injection direction between the air inlet, the inside of the tire and the high-pressure tank;
A controller that operates the solenoid valve to inject air from the high-pressure tank into the tire when the tire air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor falls below a first set air pressure;
A tire pressure adjusting device comprising:   The flow path further includes a check valve that opens when the air pressure of the high-pressure tank reaches a second set air pressure that is greater than the first set air pressure, and an air release port. Or the tire pressure adjusting device described in 3 above. A receiver for receiving air pressure information;
The tire pressure adjusting device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit sets the first set air pressure to the air pressure received by the receiver. A transmitter that transmits information to the vehicle body;
4. The tire pressure adjusting device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit transmits air shortage information to the vehicle body side when determining that the air pressure of the high pressure tank is lower than the first set air pressure. 5.

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