JP2005193797A - Vehicle instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle instrument enabling a driver to recognize tire temperature, reducing incongruous feeling of the driver and enabling the driver to drive comfortably. <P>SOLUTION: This vehicle instrument 10 comprises a tire temperature getting means 12 for getting a temperature of a tire 22, and a comparing and discriminating unit 14 for comparing a predetermined tire temperature where the tire 22 realizes a predetermined grip force with a got tire temperature got by the tire temperature getting means and discriminating a position setting of the got tire temperature in respect to the predetermined tire temperature. A display unit 16 displays a result of discrimination of he comparing and discriminating unit 14. The position setting for the got tire temperature is discriminated at any one of a higher temperature or a lower temperature than the predetermined tire temperature or within a range of the predetermined tire temperature. The result of discrimination is displayed for all tires. The tire temperature can be got through utilization of an infrared ray sensor 12a arranged at a fender 24 and a pneumatic pressure sensor in the tire 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular instrument that enables a driver to perform more appropriate driving based on tire temperature.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a tire abnormality monitoring device that includes a temperature detection unit that detects a tire temperature of a vehicle and a burst occurrence prediction unit that issues a warning when the tire temperature is an abnormal value (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .)

The burst occurrence predicting means has a predetermined default value, and performs a predetermined calculation process based on the temperature information and the default value detected by the temperature detecting means. When it is determined that there is an abnormality based on the calculation processing result, the burst occurrence predicting unit issues a burst alarm.
JP 2002-103931 A (page 3-4, FIG. 2)

  By the way, it is known that the frictional force (grip force) of the tire against the road surface changes depending on the temperature. In other words, the tire has an appropriate temperature to exhibit an appropriate grip force (hereinafter referred to as “appropriate temperature”), and if the tire temperature is not within the range of the appropriate temperature, the grip force becomes weak and the tire tends to be slippery. There is. This is because when the tire temperature is lower than the appropriate temperature, the tire becomes hard and the gripping power decreases. On the other hand, when the tire temperature is higher than the appropriate temperature, wear of the tire becomes remarkable. Furthermore, when the tire temperature is excessively higher than the appropriate temperature, the tire melts and the gripping force is also reduced.

  However, in the conventional tire abnormality detection device, a tire burst is predicted in advance, and an alarm is issued only when it is determined as abnormal.

  For this reason, according to the conventional tire abnormality detection device, it is difficult for the driver to determine what the tire grip force is, and the driver may feel uncomfortable depending on the temperature condition of the tire. There was a problem that could not drive.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle instrument that allows a vehicle driver to recognize a tire temperature and perform more comfortable driving.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a tire temperature acquisition means for acquiring a tire temperature, a predetermined tire temperature at which the tire exerts a predetermined frictional force against a road surface, and the tire temperature acquisition. A comparison determination unit that compares the acquired tire temperature obtained by the means and determines the positioning of the acquired tire temperature with respect to the predetermined tire temperature, and a display unit that displays a determination result of the comparison determination unit. It is the instrument for vehicles characterized by these.

  According to the first aspect configured as described above, the position of the acquired tire temperature with respect to the predetermined tire temperature is determined and displayed on the display unit.

  For this reason, the driver can easily recognize whether or not the tire exhibits a predetermined friction force (grip force) against the road surface. You can drive while being aware of the grip.

  Therefore, according to this vehicle instrument, it is possible to reduce a sense of incongruity based on a difference in grip force and to enable more comfortable driving.

  Moreover, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the comparison / determination unit determines the position of the acquired tire temperature to be higher, lower, or within the predetermined tire temperature range than the predetermined tire temperature. The vehicle instrument according to claim 1.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention configured as described above, the position of the acquired tire temperature is determined to be higher, lower, or within the predetermined tire temperature range than the predetermined tire temperature. Displayed on the display unit.

  Therefore, the driver can easily recognize whether the tire temperature is high, low, or within the predetermined tire temperature range. For this reason, if the tire temperature is high, decelerate and stop to reduce the tire temperature, and if the tire temperature is low, drive while being aware of the grip force until reaching the predetermined tire temperature range. You can drive comfortably.

  The invention described in claim 3 is the vehicular instrument according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination result is displayed for all tires.

  Since the determination result is displayed for all tires according to the third aspect configured as above, the driver has any tire temperature out of the predetermined tire temperature range among the plurality of tires. Can be easily recognized.

  Therefore, according to this vehicular instrument, it is possible to further reduce the driver's uncomfortable feeling based on the difference in grip force and to enable more comfortable driving.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the tire temperature acquisition means has an infrared sensor, and the infrared sensor is disposed on a fender that covers the tire. The vehicle instrument according to claim 1.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the tire temperature acquisition means includes an infrared sensor, and the infrared sensor is disposed on a fender that covers the tire. It can be detected without contact.

  Accordingly, since the positioning can be determined by detecting the surface temperature of the tire, the grip force can be determined more accurately.

  Further, in the invention described in claim 5, the tire temperature acquisition means includes an air pressure sensor disposed in the tire and a calculation unit that calculates the tire temperature based on a detection result of the air pressure sensor. The vehicle instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention configured as described above, since the air pressure sensor is disposed in the tire, there is no possibility that the detection of air pressure is hindered by foreign matters such as moisture and dust. And since the said calculation part calculates tire temperature based on the detection result of this air pressure sensor, the said positioning can be determined without being influenced by the weather etc.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the vehicle instrument which makes a driver | operator recognize tire temperature and can perform more comfortable driving | operation can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle instrument 10 of the present embodiment is provided in a four-wheel vehicle 20, a tire temperature acquisition means 12 that acquires the temperature of a tire 22, a comparison determination unit 14 that includes a CPU, and a comparison determination And a display unit 16 for displaying the determination result of the unit 14.

  In this embodiment, the tire temperature acquisition means 12 has an infrared sensor 12a that undergoes a physical or electrical change by receiving infrared rays, and an output unit that outputs the physical or electrical change of the infrared sensor 12a as an electrical signal (see FIG. Not shown).

  The infrared sensor 12 a is disposed on the fender 24 of the vehicle 20. The fender 24 is also referred to as a “tire house” and covers the tire 22 and plays a role of mudguard.

  The infrared sensor 12a is arranged so as to face the surface of the tire 22 so that the surface temperature of the tire 22 can be detected in a non-contact manner.

  The infrared sensor 12a is provided on four (all) tires of the vehicle 20 (not shown), and the detection results of all the infrared sensors 12a are compared and determined via the output unit described above. 14 is input.

  The comparison determination unit 14 has “predetermined tire temperature” at which the tire 22 exerts a predetermined frictional force (grip force) on the road surface G as data. The tire grip force varies depending on the tire material, tread pattern, road surface condition, and the like, and is not necessarily uniquely determined. Defined as a range. In particular, in the present embodiment, the comparison determination unit 14 stores two types of data, “first predetermined temperature” and “second predetermined temperature”, as the predetermined tire temperature. The first predetermined temperature is determined as a temperature at which a commercially available radial tire can exhibit a preferable gripping force, and is set in a temperature range of 30 ° C. or more and 60 ° C. or less here. On the other hand, the second predetermined temperature is determined as a temperature at which a commercially available studless tire (snow road tire) can exhibit a preferable grip force on the road surface G where there is no snow. The temperature range is set to 40 ° C. or lower.

  The vehicle instrument 10 of the present embodiment is provided with an input unit 18 for selecting either the first predetermined temperature or the second predetermined temperature. The input unit 18 includes, for example, an electric switch (switch), and is connected to the comparison determination unit 14. As a result, the occupant can select either the first predetermined temperature or the second predetermined temperature in accordance with the type of tire mounted.

  The comparison determination unit 14 compares the acquired tire temperature acquired by the tire temperature acquisition unit 12 with a predetermined tire temperature, and determines the positioning of the acquired tire temperature with respect to the predetermined tire temperature. In the present embodiment, the comparison / determination unit 14 determines that the “positioning of the acquired tire temperature” is any one of a higher temperature, a lower temperature, or a predetermined tire temperature range than the predetermined tire temperature. That is, when the predetermined tire temperature is set to “first predetermined temperature” by the input unit 18, the acquired tire temperature is either higher than 60 ° C., lower than 30 ° C., or 30 ° C. or higher and 60 ° C. or lower. Is determined to be positioned. On the other hand, when the predetermined tire temperature is set to “second predetermined temperature” by the input unit 18, the acquired tire temperature is either higher than 40 ° C., lower than 10 ° C., or 10 ° C. or higher and 40 ° C. or lower. Is determined to be positioned.

  The determination result of “positioning of acquired tire temperature” determined by the comparison determination unit 14 is converted into a predetermined electrical signal and input to the display unit 16. The display unit 16 to which an electric signal based on the determination result of the comparison determination unit 14 is input displays the determination result in a predetermined form that can be visually recognized by the occupant.

  In the present embodiment, the display unit 16 is provided on the display 30 of the meter as shown in FIG. The display 30 displays vehicle speed, engine speed, various warnings, and the like, and is provided at a position such as an instrument panel of the vehicle 20 that is easily visible to the driver.

  The display unit 16 is formed in a figure imitating a propeller shaft and four tires. In the display unit 16, lighting units 16 a, 16 a... Indicating the positions of the respective tire temperatures are lit in a predetermined color according to the determination result of the comparison determination unit 14. Specifically, the lighting unit 16a emits light when the acquired tire temperature is lower than the predetermined tire temperature, blue when the acquired tire temperature is within the predetermined tire temperature, red when the acquired tire temperature is higher than the predetermined tire temperature, and the lighting unit 16a. It has become. That is, when the predetermined tire temperature is set to “first predetermined temperature” by the input unit 18, it is blue when the acquired tire temperature is lower than 30 ° C., and yellow when it is 30 ° C. or higher and 60 ° C. or lower. When the temperature is higher than 60 ° C., the lighting portion 16a emits light in red. On the other hand, when the predetermined tire temperature is set to “second predetermined temperature” by the input unit 18, it is blue when the acquired tire temperature is lower than 10 ° C., and yellow when it is 10 ° C. or higher and 40 ° C. or lower. When the temperature is higher than 40 ° C., the lighting portion 16a emits red light.

  Next, the operation of the vehicle instrument 10 having such a configuration will be described.

  First, when the tire temperature acquisition unit 12 of the vehicle meter 10 acquires the tire temperature of the tire 22, an electrical signal based on the acquired tire temperature is input to the comparison determination unit 14. Here, since the vehicle instrument 10 has the infrared sensor 12a disposed on the fender 24, the surface temperature of the tire 22 can be detected in a non-contact manner.

  The comparison / determination unit 14 to which the electrical signal based on the acquired tire temperature is input compares the acquired tire temperature obtained by the electrical signal with the predetermined tire temperature, and determines the positioning of the acquired tire temperature with respect to the predetermined tire temperature. Here, when the predetermined tire temperature is set to “first predetermined temperature” by the input unit 18, the comparison determination unit 14 sets the acquired tire temperature to a temperature higher than 60 ° C., a temperature lower than 30 ° C., or 30 ° C. It is determined to be any position of 60 ° C. or lower.

  This determination result is converted into a predetermined electrical signal and input to the display unit 16. And the display part 16 into which this electric signal was input lights the lighting part 16a to a predetermined color based on the determination result. That is, the lighting part 16a emits blue when the acquired tire temperature is lower than 30 ° C, yellow when the acquired tire temperature is 30 ° C or higher and 60 ° C or lower, and red when the acquired tire temperature is higher than 60 ° C.

  As described above, in the vehicle instrument 10, the acquired tire temperature acquired from the tire 22 is compared with the first predetermined temperature, the positioning is determined, and the determination result is displayed on the display unit 16. 22 temperature conditions can be easily recognized. For this reason, even if the acquired tire temperature is outside the range of the first predetermined temperature and the grip force is low, the driver can grasp the temperature condition of the tire 22 and feel uncomfortable. You can drive comfortably.

  In particular, in the vehicle instrument 10, the comparison / determination unit 14 determines the position of the acquired tire temperature to be either higher, lower, or within a predetermined tire temperature range than the predetermined tire temperature. For this reason, for example, when the high temperature is displayed on the display unit 16, it is possible to take measures according to the positioning of the tire temperature, such as the driver taking a break to lower the temperature of the tire 22.

  Further, in this vehicle instrument 10, the determination result of the comparison determination unit 14 is classified and displayed by color without digitizing the acquired tire temperature, so that the driver can easily grasp the temperature condition of the tire 22. can do.

  In the vehicle instrument 10, the infrared sensor 12 a is provided on four (all) tires, and the respective determination results are displayed on the display unit 16. Accordingly, the driver can easily grasp the temperature condition of each tire, and can further comfortably drive without feeling uncomfortable.

  Further, when the second predetermined temperature is selected by the input unit 18, the comparison / determination unit 14 compares the acquired tire temperature with the second predetermined temperature to determine the position of the acquired tire temperature with respect to the second predetermined temperature. To do. According to the determination result, the lighting unit 16a of the display unit 16 is blue when the acquired tire temperature is lower than 10 ° C, yellow when it is 10 ° C or higher and 40 ° C or lower, red when it is higher than 40 ° C, Emits light.

  Thus, according to the vehicular instrument 10, since the input unit 18 is provided and the predetermined tire temperature can be selected by the input unit 18, the predetermined tire temperature is changed according to the characteristics of the tire 22 to be mounted. Can do. Accordingly, the comparison / determination unit 14 can determine proper positioning according to the characteristics of the tire 22.

  For this reason, according to the vehicle instrument 10, an appropriate determination result according to the characteristics of the tire 22 can be displayed on the display unit 16.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 3 shows a first modification of the embodiment of the present invention. Portions that are the same as or equivalent to those in the above embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

  In the vehicle instrument 10 of the first modification, the tire temperature acquisition unit 12 includes an air pressure sensor 112a and a calculation unit (not shown) including a CPU.

  The air pressure sensors 112a are disposed in the four (all) tires 22 so that the air pressure in the tires 22 can be detected.

  The air pressure sensor 112a incorporates a transmitter (not shown) so that the detection result of the air pressure sensor 112a can be transmitted to the calculation unit.

  The calculation unit can calculate and acquire the tire temperature based on the detection result of the air pressure sensor 112a. The calculated tire temperature (that is, the acquired tire temperature) is input to the comparison determination unit 14.

  Thus, if the tire temperature acquisition means 12 has the air pressure sensor 112a disposed in the tire 22, the air pressure of the tire 22 can be detected without being affected by dust or moisture.

  Therefore, the vehicular instrument 10 according to the first modification can calculate and acquire the temperature of the tire 22 without being affected by the presence of dust and moisture, and can provide a more appropriate determination result even in an environment such as rainy weather. It can be displayed on the display unit 16.

  Furthermore, in the case of a vehicle in which an air pressure sensor is already provided in the tire 22 in order to prevent a burst or the like, the air pressure sensor can be used, so a sensor for acquiring the temperature of the tire 22 is newly added. There is no need to do so, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

  Other configurations and functions and effects are the same as or equivalent to those of the above-described embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 4 shows a second modification of the embodiment of the present invention. Portions that are the same as or equivalent to those in the above embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

  In the second modification, the display unit 16 is formed in a figure imitating the side surface of the vehicle, and includes a circular lighting unit 116a indicating a front wheel and a circular lighting unit 116b indicating a rear wheel. The display unit 16 lights the circular lighting units 116a and 116b for a predetermined area according to the determination result of the comparison determination unit 14. More specifically, in the second modification, when the acquired tire temperature is lower than the predetermined tire temperature, the circular lighting portions 116a and 116b that emit light are circles with a small diameter (FIG. 4A). Further, when the acquired tire temperature is higher than the predetermined tire temperature, the circular lighting portions 116a and 116b that emit light are circles with a large diameter (FIG. 4C). When the acquired tire temperature is within the range of the predetermined tire temperature, the circular lighting portions 116a and 116b that emit light are circles having an intermediate diameter (FIG. 4B).

  According to the vehicle instrument 10 of the second modified example, the circular lighting unit 116a is gradually set as the acquired tire temperature is positioned lower than the predetermined tire temperature, within the predetermined tire temperature, and higher than the predetermined tire temperature. The diameter of 116b becomes large. For this reason, the driver can easily recognize the temperature condition of the tire 22.

  In addition, since the display unit 16 of the vehicle instrument 10 recognizes the position of the acquired tire temperature based on the size of the circular display units 116a and 116b, a light source of a different color is not required, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed. .

  Other configurations and functions and effects are the same as or equivalent to those of the above-described embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention are included in the present invention.

  For example, the position of the acquired tire temperature with respect to the predetermined tire temperature is not necessarily divided into three stages within the predetermined tire temperature range, which are higher, lower, and predetermined tire temperature range than the predetermined tire temperature. The positioning may be divided into two stages, the inside and outside of the predetermined tire temperature range, or the predetermined tire temperature may be divided into four or more stages with a plurality of stages.

  Further, the display unit 16 does not necessarily have to be provided on the meter display, and may be provided at a position where the driver can visually recognize it.

  Furthermore, the display method of the determination result is not necessarily limited to the above embodiment, and can be arbitrarily changed as long as the driver can easily recognize it.

  In the embodiment, two types of predetermined tire temperatures are set. However, the predetermined tire temperature may be one, and in this case, the input unit 18 for selecting the predetermined tire temperature is unnecessary.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle meter which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows the display part of the meter for vehicles which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the tire which showed the arrangement | positioning state of the air pressure sensor which the vehicle meter which concerns on the modification 1 of this invention has. It is explanatory drawing which showed the display part of the measuring instrument for vehicles which concerns on the modification 2 of this invention, (a) is a case where acquisition tire temperature is lower than predetermined tire temperature, (b) is acquisition tire temperature being predetermined tire temperature. (C) shows the case where the acquired tire temperature is higher than the predetermined tire temperature, respectively.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle meter 12 Tire temperature acquisition means 12a Infrared sensor 112a Air pressure sensor 14 Comparison determination part 16 Display part 20 Vehicle 22 Tire 24 Fender G Road surface

Claims (5)

Tire temperature acquisition means for acquiring the temperature of the tire;
The predetermined tire temperature at which the tire exerts a predetermined frictional force against the road surface is compared with the acquired tire temperature obtained by the tire temperature acquisition means, and the positioning of the acquired tire temperature with respect to the predetermined tire temperature is determined. A comparison determination unit;
And a display unit for displaying a determination result of the comparison determination unit.   2. The vehicular instrument according to claim 1, wherein the comparison determination unit determines the position of the acquired tire temperature to be higher, lower, or within the predetermined tire temperature range than the predetermined tire temperature. .   The vehicular instrument according to claim 1, wherein the determination result is displayed for all tires.   The vehicular instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tire temperature acquisition means includes an infrared sensor, and the infrared sensor is disposed on a fender that covers the tire. The tire temperature acquisition means includes an air pressure sensor disposed in the tire and a calculation unit that calculates the tire temperature based on a detection result of the air pressure sensor. The vehicle instrument according to claim 1.

Images