JP2005212724A - Wheel for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wheel for a vehicle allowing an air pressure sensor to exactly detect hydrostatic pressure of an air chamber of a tire. <P>SOLUTION: This wheel 1 is provided with a tire valve 8 disposed in a wheel disc 11, an air flow passage for communicating the air chamber of the tire with the tire valve 8, an air chamber 52 disposed in the air flow passage and the air pressure sensor 31 disposed to face to the air chamber 52. The air pressure sensor 31 is faced to a region of the air chamber 52 away from the air flow passage. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle wheel including an air pressure sensor for measuring tire air pressure.

  Generally, a vehicle wheel is composed of a wheel disc attached to a hub on the vehicle body side and a rim to which a tire is attached. The rim has an annular wall that forms an air chamber together with the tubeless tire, and a tire valve is attached to a valve attachment hole that passes through the annular wall.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, vehicles have appeared in which an air pressure sensor that detects a decrease in tire air pressure during travel is mounted in the tire air chamber. As such a vehicle wheel, a vehicle wheel (see, for example, Patent Document 1) in which a pneumatic sensor integrated with a tire valve is mounted on a rim, or a pneumatic sensor separate from the tire valve is provided on an annular wall of the rim. A mounted vehicle wheel (see, for example, Patent Document 2) is known.
JP 2002-283801 A (paragraphs 0024 to 0025, FIGS. 1 and 2) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-200723 (paragraph 0013, FIG. 1)

  However, in such a vehicle wheel, since the air pressure sensor is attached to the rim, the weight of the air pressure sensor greatly affects the dynamic balance of the wheel. In addition, since the air pressure sensor attached to the rim is strongly affected by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the wheels during traveling of the vehicle, it is necessary to strengthen the attachment and improve the strength and durability of the air pressure sensor.

  Therefore, in order to solve the problems of the conventional vehicle wheel, the present inventor is formed on the wheel disc so that the tire valve attached to the wheel disc and the tire air chamber communicate with the tire valve. In a previous application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-38889 (unpublished)), a vehicle wheel including an air flow passage and a pneumatic sensor arranged to face the air flow passage has been proposed.

  In this vehicle wheel, since the air pressure sensor is arranged on the wheel disc, the influence on the dynamic balance of the wheel is reduced compared with the conventional vehicle wheel in which the air pressure sensor is attached to the rim. And the effect of centrifugal force on the air pressure sensor during wheel rotation is reduced.

  By the way, in this vehicle wheel, the air pressure sensor is arranged so as to face the air flow path, and the air pressure sensor detects the air pressure in the air flow path, so that the air pressure of the tire air chamber substantially equal to this air pressure is obtained. Detected.

  However, for example, when air flow occurs in the air flow passage as in adjusting the air pressure of the air chamber of the tire, the dynamic pressure is generated in the air flow passage, so the air pressure detected by the air pressure sensor, that is, the static pressure Will decline. Therefore, it is desirable that such a vehicle wheel detects the air pressure of the tire air chamber more accurately without being affected by the air flow in the air flow passage.

  Therefore, the present invention can reduce the influence on the dynamic balance of the wheel and the influence of the centrifugal force on the air pressure sensor when the wheel rotates, and the air pressure sensor detects the air pressure of the tire air chamber more accurately. It is an object to provide a vehicle wheel that can be used.

  The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-described problems includes a wheel disc, a rim provided on the outer peripheral side of the wheel disc, to which a tire is mounted, and a tire valve attached to an axis of the wheel disc. An air flow passage formed in the wheel disc so that the tire air chamber and the tire valve communicate with each other, an air chamber formed in the wheel disc so as to be connected to the air flow passage, and the air chamber A vehicle wheel including an air pressure sensor disposed so as to face the air disk, wherein the air chamber is formed around an axis of the wheel disk, and the air pressure sensor extends from the air flow path around the axis. It arrange | positions so that it may face the area | region of the said air chamber away in the direction, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In this vehicle wheel, a tire valve is attached to the axis of the wheel disc, and the tire valve and the tire air chamber communicate with each other through an air flow passage. The air pressure sensor faces an air chamber formed so as to be connected to the air flow passage. As a result, in this vehicle wheel, when there is no air flow in the air flow passage, the air pressure sensor detects the air pressure of the air chamber equal to the air pressure of the tire air chamber.

  In this vehicle wheel, when air flows in the air flow passage, air flows from the flow passage into the air chamber. And since the flow velocity of the air that has flowed into the air chamber from the air flow passage decreases, the generation of dynamic pressure in the air chamber is suppressed. As a result, in this vehicle wheel, a decrease in air pressure, that is, static pressure in the air chamber detected by the air pressure sensor can be suppressed. Therefore, in this vehicle wheel, the air pressure sensor accurately detects the air pressure of the tire air chamber without being affected by the air flow generated in the air flow path.

  Further, in this vehicle wheel, the area of the air chamber that the air pressure sensor faces is away from the air flow path in the direction around the axis of the wheel disk. As a result, in this vehicle wheel, the air pressure sensor is not easily affected by the air flowing from the air flow passage into the air chamber. Therefore, according to the vehicle wheel, the air pressure sensor detects the air pressure of the tire air chamber more accurately than the vehicle wheel arranged so that the air pressure sensor faces the air chamber near the air flow path. To do.

  Further, in this vehicle wheel, the air pressure sensor is disposed on the wheel disk by being disposed so as to face the air chamber formed on the wheel disk. As a result, the influence on the dynamic balance of the wheel and the influence of the centrifugal force on the air pressure sensor during the rotation of the wheel are reduced as compared with the conventional vehicle wheel in which the air pressure sensor is attached to the rim.

  In this vehicle wheel, since the air flow passage and the air chamber are formed in the wheel disc, the air flow passage portion and the air chamber portion of the wheel disc are hollow. As a result, the vehicle wheel is reduced in weight.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle wheel according to the first aspect, the air chamber is formed in an annular shape or a cylindrical shape centering on an axis of the wheel disc.

  In such a vehicle wheel, the air chamber is formed in an annular shape or a cylindrical shape centering on the axis of the wheel disc, so that the weight balance around the axis of the wheel disc becomes uniform. As a result, according to this vehicle wheel, the influence on the dynamic balance of the wheel is further reduced.

  Further, in a vehicle wheel having a cylindrical air chamber, it is possible to form an air chamber having a maximum volume in the wheel disk by adjusting the diameter of the cylindrical air chamber.

  Further, in a vehicle wheel having an annular air chamber, an air chamber (space) is formed around a column positioned at the center of the wheel disk. As a result, in this vehicle wheel, the strength of the air chamber forming portion of the wheel disk is increased by the support column, and the diameter of the annular air chamber is adjusted to adjust the diameter of the air chamber having the maximum volume in the wheel disk. Formation is possible.

  In a vehicle wheel having an annular air chamber, the tire valve is disposed on the above-mentioned support column. As a result, according to this vehicle wheel, since the tire valve is supported by the support column, the fixing strength of the tire valve is improved.

  According to the vehicle wheel of the present invention, the influence on the dynamic balance of the wheel and the influence of the centrifugal force on the air pressure sensor during the rotation of the wheel can be reduced, and the air pressure sensor reduces the air pressure of the tire air chamber. It can be detected accurately.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle wheel (hereinafter simply referred to as “wheel”) of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. 1 is an overall perspective view of a wheel assembled with a wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is indicated by B in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the valve holder unit, the expansion unit, and the cover are sequentially removed from the wheel disc body in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a view in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the valve holder unit taken along the line DD, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an electrical connection terminal disposed on the valve holder unit side and its cap. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the expansion unit taken along line E-E in FIG. 4, FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing the state of the back side of the expansion unit, and FIG. It is the elements on larger scale of an electrical connection terminal, Comprising: In Fig.9 (a), In enlarged view of the portion shown, FIG. 9 (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G in FIG. 9 (b).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wheel 1 includes a wheel disc 11 fastened to a hub (not shown) of the vehicle, a rim 12 provided on the outer peripheral side of the wheel disc 11 and fitted with a tire 2, a tire valve 8, An expansion unit 7 and a cover 14 are provided.

(Wheel disc and rim)
As shown in FIG. 1, the wheel disc 11 in this embodiment is composed of a wheel disc body 4 and a valve holder unit 5.
The wheel disc body 4 has four connecting portions 13 that connect the rim 12 on the outer peripheral side thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, hollow portions 17 a are formed in these connecting portions 13. These hollow portions 17a open to the air chamber 21 (see FIG. 2) of the tire 2 and extend in the wheel disc body 4 and open to the valve holder mounting hole 16 (see FIG. 2) as will be described later. . The hollow portion 17a, together with a later-described communication hole 64 (see FIG. 6) formed in the valve holder unit 5, constitutes an “air flow passage” in the claims.

  An annular wall 15 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the rim 12 as shown in FIG. The annular wall 15 defines an air chamber 21 together with the inner surface of the tire 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a valve holder mounting hole 16 in which the valve holder unit 5 is mounted is formed in the axial center of the wheel disc body 4. The valve holder mounting hole 16 has a circular cross-sectional shape when viewed from the axial center direction of the wheel disc body 4, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first inner peripheral surface 16a and the first inner peripheral surface 16a. The inner diameter of the second inner peripheral surface 16b is smaller than that of the second inner peripheral surface 16b. A step surface 16c is formed between the first inner peripheral surface 16a and the second inner peripheral surface 16b, so as to be orthogonal to the first inner peripheral surface 16a and the second inner peripheral surface 16b. One end of the hollow portion 17a is opened on the second inner peripheral surface 16b. In addition, the wheel disk main body 4 and the rim | limb 12 in this embodiment are the integral casting molded products which use an aluminum alloy as a raw material.

As shown in FIG. 3, the valve holder unit 5 mainly includes a valve holder main body 51, an air pressure sensor unit 3, and an electrical connection terminal 34. Hereinafter, the valve holder body 51, the air pressure sensor unit 3, and the electrical connection terminal 34 will be described in this order.
The valve holder body 51 is a disk-shaped member having a thickness, and the outer peripheral surface thereof has a first outer peripheral surface 61a and an outer diameter compared to the first outer peripheral surface 61a, as shown in FIG. A small second outer peripheral surface 61b and a step surface 61c formed between the first outer peripheral surface 61a and the second outer peripheral surface 61b and orthogonal to the first outer peripheral surface 61a and the second outer peripheral surface 61b. ing. The first outer peripheral surface 61a, the second outer peripheral surface 61b, and the step surface 61c correspond to the first inner peripheral surface 16a, the second inner peripheral surface 16b, and the step surface 16c of the valve holder mounting hole 16, respectively. The first outer peripheral surface 61a and the second outer peripheral surface 61b of the valve holder main body 51 are fitted into the first inner peripheral surface 16a and the second inner peripheral surface 16b of the valve holder mounting hole 16 with a predetermined tightening allowance. It is press-fitted into.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an annular groove 18 is formed in the second outer peripheral surface 61 b of the valve holder main body 51 so as to go around the second outer peripheral surface 61 b. One end of a communication hole 64 described later formed in the valve holder main body 51 is opened in the annular groove 18. The annular groove 18 mediates air flow between the communication hole 64 and the hollow portion 17a (see FIG. 3) of the wheel disc body 4.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a pair of annular seal grooves 19 that circulate around the second outer peripheral surface 61b are formed on the second outer peripheral surface 61b of the valve holder body 51 at positions where the annular groove 18 is sandwiched from both sides thereof. ing. An O-ring S1 is fitted in the annular seal groove 19. As shown in FIG. 3, the O-ring S <b> 1 maintains airtightness between the second inner peripheral surface 16 b of the wheel disc body 4 and the second outer peripheral surface 61 b of the valve holder main body 51. Examples of the material of the O-ring S1 include elastic materials such as silicone rubber.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the valve holder main body 51 is formed with a recess 5a into which the expansion unit 7 is fitted. The recess 5a in the present embodiment forms a substantially cylindrical space. As is apparent when referring to FIG. 5 together, a tire valve holding hole 5b for holding the tire valve 8 is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 5a. The tire valve holding hole 5b is formed in the shaft center of the valve holder main body 51 and communicates with a communication hole 64 (see FIG. 6) described below.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the communication hole 64 is formed in the valve holder main body 51 (the wheel disc 11) so as to communicate the tire valve holding hole 5 b, the air chamber 52 described later, and the air chamber 52 and the annular groove 18. Yes. The communication hole 64, together with the hollow portion 17a formed in the wheel disc body 4 (wheel disc 11), constitutes an “air flow passage” in the claims. In the present embodiment, the opening of the communication hole 64 and the opening of the hollow portion 17a are arranged so as to face each other via the annular groove 18, but the opening of the communication hole 64 and the opening of the hollow portion 17a are arranged in the circumferential direction. Even if it deviates, the circulation of air is maintained through the annular groove 18.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, a holding groove 53 for holding the expansion unit 7 in the recess 5a is formed in the recess 5a of the valve holder body 51 when the extension unit 7 is fitted. As shown in FIG. 5, the holding groove 53 is an annular groove having a rectangular cross section and formed around the inner peripheral surface of the recess 5 a. A protrusion 78 (see FIG. 8) of a locking piece 72, which will be described later, provided on the extension unit 7 (see FIG. 4) side is fitted into the holding groove 53. And the holding | maintenance groove | channel 53 latches the projection part 78, and the valve holder main body 51 hold | maintains the expansion unit 7 in the recessed part 5a.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the valve holder main body 51 is formed with an annular cover mounting groove 14 a so as to surround the opening of the recess 5 a. An edge of a cover 14 (see FIG. 4) to be described later is fitted into the cover mounting groove 14a. The cover 14 is for protecting the expansion unit 7 fitted in the recess 5a.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an air chamber 52 is formed in the valve holder main body 51. The air chamber 52 is an annular (doughnut-shaped) space centered on the axis of the valve holder body 51 (wheel disk 11) that is equal to the axis of the wheel disc body 4, and is positioned at the axis of the valve holder body 51. It is formed around the supporting column 51a. The air chamber 52 is formed so as to be connected to a communication hole 64 (air flow passage) extending in the valve holder main body 51. That is, the air flow between the hollow portion 17a of the wheel disc body 4 and the tire valve 8 is performed through the air chamber 52. The air chamber 52 has a flow velocity of air flowing from the communication hole 64. Sufficient volume is secured to reduce

  Examples of the material of the valve holder body 51 include synthetic resins such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resin and modified PPE (PolyPhenilene Ether) resin. Among them, a modified PPE resin such as Noryl (registered trademark) resin is preferable.

  The air pressure sensor unit 3 detects air pressure and temperature in the air chamber 52, and includes an air pressure sensor 31 and a temperature sensor 32. That is, the air pressure sensor unit 3 faces the air chamber 52 through the window 33 so that the air pressure sensor 31 detects the air pressure in the air chamber 52 and the temperature sensor 32 detects the temperature in the air chamber 52. It is out.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the air pressure sensor unit 3 is disposed so as to be positioned between the recess 5 a formed in the valve holder main body 51 and the air chamber 52. As shown in FIG. 6, the air pressure sensor 31 of the air pressure sensor unit 3 is provided in an air chamber separated from the communication hole 64 (air flow passage) in the direction around the axis of the valve holder main body 51 (wheel disk 11). It arrange | positions so that the area | region R may be faced. The region R corresponds to an “air chamber region” in the claims. The region R facing the air pressure sensor 31 extends in the valve holder body 51 (wheel disk 11) on the opposite side of the communication hole 64 (air flow passage) extending from the tire valve 8 as a base point. An angle AG formed with respect to the direction Z from the center AX (equal to the central axis of the tire valve 8) toward the communication hole 64 (air flow passage) is defined in the region of the air chamber 52 in the range of 90 degrees to 270 degrees. . In the present embodiment, the arrangement position of the air pressure sensor 31 is set such that the angle AG is 180 degrees.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the air pressure sensor unit 3 is loaded in a unit loading hole 5 d formed in the bottom of the recess 5 a of the valve holder main body 51. A lid body 5e for closing the opening is detachably attached to the unit loading hole 5d, and the air pressure sensor unit 3 is held in the unit loading hole 5d by the lid body 5e. In the present embodiment, the lid 5e is screwed into the opening of the unit loading hole 5d. Further, a sealing material S3 is provided between the lid 5e and the valve holder main body 51, and this sealing material S3 maintains an airtightness between the lid 5e and the valve holder main body 51. Examples of the material of the sealing material S3 include elastic rubber materials such as silicone rubber.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the electrical connection terminal 34 electrically connects the expansion unit 7 and the air pressure sensor unit 3 when the expansion unit 7 is fitted in the recess 5 a of the valve holder main body 51. It is.

  The electrical connection terminal 34 is provided on the bottom surface of the recess 5a, and is formed so as to protrude from the bottom surface of the recess 5a into the recess 5a. As shown in FIG. 5, the electrical connection terminal 34 is formed on a lid 5e that closes the opening of the unit loading hole 5d. As shown in FIG. 7, the electrical connection terminal 34 includes a power supply terminal 41 for supplying power to the air pressure sensor 31 (see FIG. 5) and the temperature sensor 32 (see FIG. 5), and a pressure detection output from the air pressure sensor 31. A signal terminal 42 for extracting a signal and a temperature detection signal output from the temperature sensor 32 and a ground terminal 43 for setting a ground potential are provided. The power terminal 41 includes a power terminal 41 a for the air pressure sensor 31 and a power terminal 41 b for the temperature sensor 32, and the signal terminal 42 includes a signal terminal 42 a for the air pressure sensor 31 and a signal terminal for the temperature sensor 32. The grounding terminal 43 is composed of a grounding terminal 43a for the air pressure sensor 31 and a grounding terminal 43b for the temperature sensor 32. The power terminal 41, the signal terminal 42, and the ground terminal 43 are a power terminal 91, a signal terminal 92, and a power terminal 91 that are disposed on the electrical connection terminal 75 (see FIG. 9A) on the expansion unit 7 (see FIG. 4) side. It arrange | positions so that it may respond | correspond to the ground terminal 93 (refer FIG.9 (b)).

  As shown in FIG. 7, a cap insertion groove 35 is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 5 a, which is formed by digging a lid 5 e in an annular shape so as to surround the electrical connection terminal 34. An edge of a bottomed cylindrical cap 36 is fitted into the cap insertion groove 35. The cap 36 is for protecting the electrical connection terminal 34 when the expansion unit 7 is removed from the recess 5a.

(Tire valve)
As shown in FIG. 5, the tire valve 8 includes a tire valve main body 81 and an outer cylinder portion 82 that holds the tire valve main body 81 on its inner peripheral surface. The tire valve main body 81 may be of a known structure, for example, a tubular body member 81a, a shaft member 81b inserted into the body member 81a and projecting a part thereof from the tip of the body member 81a, A valve 81c that is attached to the shaft member 81b and closes the rear end of the body member 81a, and a spring (not shown) that is provided in the body member 81a and biases the shaft member 81b toward the front end of the body member 81a. Mainly prepared.

  In the tire valve body 81, when the shaft member 81b protruding from the front end of the body member 81a is pressed against the rear end of the body member 81a against the biasing force of the spring, the valve 81c that closes the rear end of the body member 81a is opened. It is supposed to be. Further, in the tire valve main body 81, when the shaft member 81b is released from the pressing force, the shaft member 81b moves in the distal direction of the body member 81a by the biasing force of the spring, so that the valve 81c is moved to the rear of the body member 81a. It is designed to close the edges. The tire valve body 81 is held in the outer cylinder portion 82, and a seal material S2 is provided between the tire valve body 81 and the outer cylinder portion 82. Examples of the material of the sealing material S2 include elastic rubber materials such as silicone rubber.

  In such an outer cylinder portion 82 that holds the tire valve body 81, the front end of the body member 81a of the tire valve body 81 is located on the opening side of the recess 5a, and the rear end of the body member 81a is on the communication hole 64 side. The tire valve holding hole 5b is press-fitted and held so as to be positioned. The tire valve 8 extending in the recess 5a is inserted into an insertion hole 71 (see FIG. 4) formed in the expansion unit 7 (see FIG. 4) described below.

(Expansion unit)
As shown in FIG. 4, the extension unit 7 has an outer shape that is substantially the same as the space of the recess 5a of the valve holder unit 5 (valve holder body 51). In this embodiment, the outer shape is high. It is formed in a low cylindrical shape. An insertion hole 71 through which the tire valve 8 of the valve holder unit 5 is inserted is formed in the axial center of the expansion unit 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, the expansion unit 7 includes a transmission / reception device 70 and an electrical connection terminal 75.
The transmitting / receiving device 70 wirelessly transmits a pressure detection signal output from the air pressure sensor 31 and a temperature detection signal output from the temperature sensor 32 to a vehicle body side transmitter / receiver (not shown) arranged on the vehicle body side, and for example, TPMS (described later) It receives various signals wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle body side transmitter / receiver such as a start signal of a tire pressure monitoring system. The transmission / reception device 70 in this embodiment is mainly configured by a battery 74, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 73a, a memory IC 73b, a transmission / reception device 73c, and an antenna 73d.

  The battery 74 includes an air pressure sensor 31 (see FIG. 3) and a temperature sensor 32 (see FIG. 3) of the air pressure sensor unit 3, and a CPU 73a, a memory IC 73b and a transceiver 73c (see FIG. 8) disposed in the expansion unit 7. It supplies power to

  As shown in FIG. 8, the battery 74 is loaded into a battery loading hole 74a formed on the back side of the expansion unit 7, that is, the side facing the valve holder unit 5 (see FIG. 4). The battery 74 is held in the battery loading hole 74a by a lid 74b that is detachably attached to the opening of the battery loading hole 74a. The battery 74 can be replaced by removing the lid 74b. In the present embodiment, as described above, the battery 74 is used as a power source for the air pressure sensor unit 3 or the like. However, instead of the battery 74, the battery 74 is received from the outside like an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system. A power source that converts radio waves into electric power may be used.

  The CPU 73a, the memory IC 73b, the transmitter / receiver 73c, and the antenna 73d constitute a TPMS together with the air pressure sensor unit 3 (see FIG. 5) of the valve holder unit 5 and a vehicle body side transmitter / receiver (not shown) arranged on the vehicle body side. That is, the CPU 73a that has input the pressure detection signal from the air pressure sensor 31 (see FIG. 5) and the temperature detection signal from the temperature sensor 32 refers to the identification ID of the tire 2 (see FIG. 1) recorded in the memory IC 73b. An identification ID flag is given to the pressure detection signal and the temperature detection signal, and a command signal for instructing the transceiver 73c to transmit the pressure detection signal and the temperature detection signal to the vehicle body side transceiver is output. It is like that. The transmitter / receiver 73c that receives this command signal transmits the pressure detection signal and the temperature detection signal to the vehicle body side transmitter / receiver via the antenna 73d. The activation of this TPMS may be the same as that of a known TPMS. For example, when an ignition switch (not shown) is turned on, an activation signal transmitted from the vehicle body side transceiver is received by the transceiver 73c via the antenna 73d. Done by receiving.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the electrical connection terminal 75 is provided on the back side of the expansion unit 7 at a position corresponding to the electrical connection terminal 34 (see FIG. 4) on the valve holder unit 5 side. As is apparent from FIGS. 9B and 9C, the electrical connection terminal 75 includes a receiving hole 75a for receiving the electrical connection terminal 34 on the valve holder unit 5 side, and the receiving hole 75a. The terminal part 76 provided in the bottom part and the elastic member 75b (refer FIG.9 (c)), such as elastic rubber, are provided so that this terminal part 76 may protrude toward the receiving hole 75a.

  The receiving hole 75a forms a space having substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the electrical connection terminal 34 (see FIG. 7) on the valve holder unit 5 side. The receiving hole 75a is configured to stop the movement of the expansion unit 7 in the circumferential direction of the valve holder unit 5 by receiving the electrical connection terminal 34 on the valve holder unit 5 side.

  As shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the terminal portion 76 includes a power terminal 41, a signal terminal 42, and a ground terminal 43 (see FIG. 7) in the electrical connection terminal 34 on the valve holder unit 5 side. Correspondingly, a power supply terminal 91, a signal terminal 92, and a ground terminal 93 are provided. 9B, the power supply terminal 91 includes a power supply terminal 91a for the air pressure sensor 31 and a power supply terminal 91b for the temperature sensor 32, and the signal terminal 92 is a signal for the air pressure sensor 31. The terminal 92a is composed of a signal terminal 92b for the temperature sensor 32, and the ground terminal 93 is composed of a ground terminal 93a for the air pressure sensor 31 and a ground terminal 93b for the temperature sensor 32. The power terminal 91, the signal terminal 92, and the ground terminal 93 are formed so as to protrude into the receiving hole 75a. 8 again, the power terminal 91 is electrically connected to the battery 74, the signal terminal 92 is electrically connected to the CPU 73a, and the ground terminal 93 is grounded. Thus, the ground potential is set.

  Since such a terminal portion 76 is biased toward the valve holder unit 5 by the elastic member 75b, when the electric connection terminal 34 on the valve holder unit 5 side is fitted into the receiving hole 75a, the power terminal 91, the signal terminal 92, and the ground terminal 93 are urging forces of the elastic member 75b on the power terminal 41, the signal terminal 42, and the ground terminal 43 of the electrical connection terminal 34 disposed on the valve holder unit 5 side shown in FIG. Can be pressed. That is, in the electrical connection terminal 75, when the electrical connection terminal 34 on the valve holder unit 5 side is fitted, the power terminal 91 and the power terminal 41, the signal terminal 92 and the signal terminal 42, and the ground terminal 93 and the ground terminal 43 are connected. The electrical connection is surely made.

  As shown in FIG. 8, locking pieces 72 are formed on the peripheral surface of the extension unit 7. The locking piece 72 includes a leaf spring portion 77 formed along the peripheral surface of the expansion unit 7 and a protrusion 78 formed on the leaf spring portion 77. The locking piece 72 is locked in a holding groove 53 (see FIG. 4) formed in the concave portion 5a of the valve holder unit 5, and holds the expansion unit 7 in the concave portion 5a.

(cover)
As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 14 is a substantially dish-like body having one side formed in a concave shape and the other side formed in a convex shape, and the one side formed in a concave shape has the extension unit 7 on the valve holder unit 5. It is arranged to cover. The cover 14 is attached to the valve holder unit 5 by fitting an edge 14b of the cover 14 into a cover mounting groove 14a formed in the valve holder unit 5. Examples of the material of the cover 14 include synthetic resins such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resin and modified PPE (PolyPhenilene Ether) resin. Among them, a modified PPE resin such as Noryl (registered trademark) resin is preferable.

  The cover 14 covers the expansion unit 7 on the valve holder unit 5 so as to protect the expansion unit 7 from a jumping stone and the like, waterproof, and protect the expansion unit 7 from a sudden change in the outside air temperature. It has become. Further, the cover 14 covers the extension unit 7 on the valve holder unit 5, so that even if the extension unit 7 is removed from the recess 5 a of the valve holder unit 5, the removed extension unit 7 is removed from the wheel disc body 4. So as not to detach from it. The cover 14 protects the electrical connection terminal 34 and the tire valve 8 provided on the valve holder unit 5 side when the expansion unit 7 is removed from the valve holder unit 5. At this time, the cap 36 (see FIG. 7) is attached to the electrical connection terminal 34 as described above. A cap (not shown) may be attached to the tip of the tire valve 8.

  Next, the operation of the wheel 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 10A is a partial cross-sectional view showing the operation of the locking piece 72 of the expansion unit 7, and FIG. 10B shows the state of the expansion unit 7 attached to the valve holder unit 5. It is a fragmentary sectional view.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the wheel 1 of the present embodiment is assembled by attaching an expansion unit 7 and a cover 14 to a valve holder unit 5 fitted in a valve holder mounting hole 16 of the wheel disc body 4. . When the expansion unit 7 is attached to the valve holder unit 5, the expansion unit 7 is inserted into the recess 5 a of the valve holder unit 5 so that the tire valve 8 attached to the valve holder unit 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 71. It is inserted. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10A, the protrusion 78 of the locking piece 72 provided in the expansion unit 7 contacts the opening edge 5c of the recess 5a, but the leaf spring portion 77 is located inside the recess 5a. The protrusion 78 is pushed into the recess 5a by being bent toward.

  And as shown in FIG.10 (b), the electric connection terminal 34 by the side of the valve holder unit 5 fits in the receiving hole 75a of the electric connection terminal 75 formed in the expansion unit 7 side, and thereby the bottom face of the recessed part 5a. When the height of the protruding portion 78 from the height coincides with the height of the holding groove 53 of the recess 5 a, the bent leaf spring portion 77 is restored, so that the protruding portion 78 fits into the holding groove 53.

  When the protrusion 78 is fitted in the holding groove 53 in this way, the expansion unit 7 is held in the recess 5a while the movement of the valve holder unit 5 in the direction of coming out from the recess 5a is stopped. Further, in the expansion unit 7 held in the recess 5a, since the electrical connection terminal 34 on the valve holder unit 5 side is fitted in the receiving hole 75a of the electrical connection terminal 75, the expansion unit 7 is connected to the valve holder unit 5 The movement in the circumferential direction is restrained.

  In the expansion unit 7 fitted in the recess 5a in this way, as shown in FIG. 10B, the terminal portion 76 of the electrical connection terminal 75 is connected to the electrical connection terminal on the valve holder unit 5 side by the elastic member 75b. 34, and the electrical connection between the electrical connection terminal 75 and the electrical connection terminal 34 is electrically connected to the power terminal 91 and the power terminal 41, the signal terminal 92 and the signal terminal 42, and the ground terminal 93 and the ground terminal 43 Is surely done. The air pressure sensor 31 of the air pressure sensor unit 3 is electrically connected to the power terminal 91 and the power terminal 41, the signal terminal 92 and the signal terminal 42, and the ground terminal 93 and the ground terminal 43. The temperature sensor 32 is supplied with electric power from the battery 74 (see FIG. 8), and the pressure detection signal output from the air pressure sensor 31 and the temperature detection signal output from the temperature sensor 32 are output to the CPU 73a. Is done.

  In such a wheel 1, as described above, the shaft member 81b (see FIG. 5) of the tire valve 8 is normally provided by the spring (not shown) provided in the drum member 81a (see FIG. 5). It is urged so that it may protrude from the tip. As a result, the tire valve 8 is closed by a valve 81c (see FIG. 5) provided at the rear end of the shaft member 81b. Therefore, the air filled in the air chamber 21 (see FIG. 2) of the tire 2 does not leak through the tire valve 8. When the air chamber 21 is filled with air or when air is extracted from the air chamber 21 of the tire 2, the shaft member 81 b is pushed down against the biasing force of the spring, so that the tire valve 8 The valve 81c is opened. As a result, the air can be filled and deaerated in the air chamber 21 of the tire 2 via the tire valve 8.

  When air is filled in the air chamber 21 of the tire 2, the air chamber 21 and the communication hole 64 of the valve holder unit 5 communicate with each other via the hollow portion 17 a of the connecting portion 13 as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, the air pressure in the air chamber 21 of the tire 2 is equal to the air pressure in the communication hole 64 and the air chamber 52 of the valve holder unit 5. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, since the air pressure sensor unit 3 faces the air chamber 52 through the window 33, the air pressure sensor 31 detects the air pressure in the air chamber 52 and sends the pressure detection signal to the CPU 73a. Output to. The temperature sensor 32 detects the temperature in the air chamber 52 and outputs the temperature detection signal to the CPU 73a. The CPU 73a that has input these pressure detection signal and temperature detection signal gives an identification ID flag to the pressure detection signal and the temperature detection signal with reference to the identification ID of the tire 2 (see FIG. 1) recorded in the memory IC 73b. And while outputting the pressure detection signal and temperature detection signal which gave identification ID flag to the transceiver 73c, these pressure detection signals and temperature detection signals are directed to the vehicle body side transceiver (not shown) with respect to the transceiver 73c. Output a command signal to command transmission. On the other hand, the transmitter / receiver 73c to which the command signal is input transmits the input pressure detection signal and temperature detection signal to the vehicle body side transmitter / receiver via the antenna 73d. Based on the wirelessly transmitted pressure detection signal and temperature detection signal, the vehicle body side transmitter / receiver monitors the air pressure and temperature in the air chamber 52. Whether or not the air pressure of the tire 2 (see FIG. 1) is a normal value is determined based on the air pressure in the air chamber 52 thus monitored. Therefore, the air pressure and temperature changes in the air chamber 52 to be monitored not only instantly determine whether or not the tire 2 is punctured when the vehicle is traveling, but also the puncture in which air gradually leaks. Is also judged.

  In the wheel 1, for example, when adjusting the air pressure of the air chamber 21 (see FIG. 2) of the tire 2 (see FIG. 2), between the air chamber 21 and the tire valve 8 (see FIG. 2), that is, In addition, an air flow is generated in an air flow path constituted by the hollow portion 17a and the communication hole 64. When air flows in the air flow passage in this way, the air flowing from the tire valve 8 toward the hollow portion 17a or the air flowing from the hollow portion 17a toward the tire valve 8 passes through the communication hole 64. Into the air chamber 52. Since the flow rate of the air flowing into the air chamber 52 decreases, the generation of dynamic pressure in the air chamber 52 is suppressed. As a result, in the wheel 1, a decrease in the air pressure of the air chamber 52 detected by the air pressure sensor 31, that is, the static pressure is suppressed. Therefore, in the wheel 1, the air pressure sensor 31 accurately detects the air pressure of the air chamber 21 of the tire 2 without being affected by the air flow generated in the communication hole 64 (air flow passage).

  Moreover, in this wheel 1, as shown in FIG. 6, the air pressure sensor 31 is arranged in the air chamber 52, that is, the region R that extends in the wheel disk 11 on the opposite side of the hollow portion 17a and the communication hole 64 (air flow passage). Has been. As a result, in the wheel 1, the air pressure sensor 31 is less affected by the air flowing into the air chamber 52 from the communication hole 64 (air flow passage). Therefore, according to the wheel 1, the air pressure sensor 31 can more accurately adjust the static pressure of the air chamber 21 of the tire 2 than the wheel disposed so that the air pressure sensor 31 faces the air chamber near the air flow path. To detect.

  In such a wheel 1, when removing the expansion unit 7 from the valve holder unit 5, first, the cover 14 fitted in the cover mounting groove 14 a (see FIG. 4) of the valve holder unit 5 is removed. Next, when the leaf spring portion 77 (see FIG. 10B) of the locking piece 72 formed on the expansion unit 7 is moved toward the inside of the recess 5 a of the valve holder unit 5, the valve holder unit 5 is held. The protrusion 78 (see FIG. 10B) of the locking piece 72 fitted in the groove 53 (see FIG. 10B) comes out of the holding groove 53. As a result, the extension unit 7 can be detached from the valve holder unit 5 by releasing the locking of the extension unit 7 with respect to the valve holder unit 5.

  When the expansion unit 7 is removed from the valve holder unit 5 in this way, a cap 36 (see FIG. 7) is attached to the electrical connection terminal 34 of the valve holder unit 5. Further, a cap (not shown) is attached to the tip of the tire valve 8 (see FIG. 4) as desired. Then, the cover 14 is attached to the cover mounting groove 14a (see FIG. 4) of the valve holder unit 5 again, and the removal of the expansion unit 7 is completed.

  According to the wheel 1 according to the present embodiment as described above, as described above, the air pressure sensor faces the air chamber 52 formed so as to be connected to the communication hole 64 (air flow passage), Since the air pressure sensor 31 is disposed in the region R that is not easily affected by the air flow, the air pressure sensor 31 accurately determines the air pressure of the air chamber 21 of the tire 2 as compared with the wheel that detects the air pressure of the air flow passage. Can be detected. In the present embodiment, the arrangement position of the air pressure sensor 31 is set to a position where the angle AG (see FIG. 6) is 180 degrees in the region R as described above, that is, a position where the influence of the air flow is least affected. Therefore, the wheel 1 can detect the static pressure of the air chamber 21 of the tire 2 more accurately.

  Further, in the wheel 1, an air flow path constituted by the hollow portion 17 a and the communication hole 64 is formed so as to pass through the wheel disc 11 including the wheel disc main body 4 and the valve holder unit 5, and the air chamber 52. Is formed in the valve holder unit 5, so that the air flow passage portion and the air chamber 52 portion in the wheel disc 11 (the wheel disc main body 4 and the valve holder unit 5) are hollow. As a result, according to the wheel 1, the weight of the wheel can be reduced.

  In the wheel 1, the air chamber 52 is formed in an annular (doughnut-shaped) space centered on the axis of the wheel disc body 4 (wheel disc 11). As a result, according to the wheel 1, the weight balance around the axis of the wheel disk 11 becomes uniform, so that the influence on the dynamic balance of the wheel can be further reduced.

  Further, in the wheel 1, an air chamber 52 is formed around a support column 51 a located at the axis of the wheel disc body 4 (wheel disc 11). As a result, in this wheel 1, the strength of the formation portion of the air chamber 52 in the wheel disc 11 is increased by the support column 51 a, and the maximum volume in the wheel disc 11 is adjusted by adjusting the diameter of the annular air chamber 52. The air chamber 52 can be formed.

  Moreover, in this wheel 1, the tire valve 8 will be arrange | positioned at the support | pillar 51a. As a result, according to this wheel 1, since the tire valve 8 is supported by the support column 51a, the fixing strength of the tire valve 8 is improved.

  Further, according to the wheel 1, the transmission / reception device 70 mainly including the battery 74, the CPU 73 a, the memory IC 73 b, the transmission / reception device 73 c, and the antenna 73 d is incorporated in the expansion unit 7. The expansion unit 7 is detachably attached to the valve holder unit 5. As a result, in this wheel 1, the battery 74 can be easily replaced by replacing the expansion unit 7 without removing the tire, as in a conventional wheel in which a transmitter including a battery is installed in the air chamber of the tire. be able to. The battery 74 of the expansion unit 7 removed from the valve holder unit 5 can be replaced by removing the lid 74b. Further, since the tire valve 8 of the wheel 1 from which the expansion unit 7 is removed in this way can be used as a normal tire valve, the wheel 1 from which the expansion unit 7 has been removed is used as a normal wheel. be able to.

  Further, according to this wheel 1, by exchanging the expansion unit 7, the CPU 73a, the memory IC 73b, the transceiver 73c, and the antenna 73d can be easily replaced.

  Moreover, in this wheel 1, since the valve holder unit 5 provided with the air pressure sensor 31 is attached to the wheel disk 11, compared with the conventional wheel in which the air pressure sensor is attached to the rim, the rotation of the wheel during traveling of the vehicle is increased. The influence of centrifugal force due to is reduced. Therefore, according to this wheel 1, compared with the conventional wheel, the attachment structure of the air pressure sensor 31 does not need to be strengthened or the durability of the air pressure sensor 31 does not need to be increased.

  Further, in this wheel 1, since the air pressure sensor 31 is disposed on the wheel disk 11, when the tire 2 is exchanged with the rim 12 when the tire 2 is replaced like the conventional wheel in which the air pressure sensor is attached to the rim. In addition, there is no fear that a jig used for detaching the tire 2 will come into contact with the air pressure sensor 31.

  Moreover, in this wheel 1, since the air pressure sensor 31 is arrange | positioned at the wheel disc 11, compared with the conventional wheel with which the air pressure sensor was attached to the rim, the weight of the air pressure sensor 31 gives to the dynamic balance of a wheel. There is little influence.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. For example, in the present embodiment, the air chamber 52 is formed in an annular space, but the present invention is not limited to the shape of the air chamber, and the air chamber 52 is formed in a space such as a cylinder, a rectangular parallelepiped, a sphere, etc. It may be what was done. In particular, in the wheel 1 having the cylindrical air chamber 52, the influence on the dynamic balance of the wheel is reduced, and by adjusting the diameter of the cylindrical air chamber 52, the maximum volume in the wheel disk 11 is obtained. The air chamber 52 can be formed.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the valve holder unit 5 (valve holder main body 51) is attached to the wheel disc main body 4 by press-fitting in the valve holder mounting hole 16, this invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, another attachment structure may be used. As another mounting structure, for example, like the mounting structure of the extension unit 7 to the valve holder unit 5 (see FIG. 10A), the inner peripheral surface of the valve holder mounting hole 16 is similar to the valve holder unit 5. The holding groove 53 (see FIG. 10A) is formed, and a locking piece 72 (see FIG. 10A) similar to the expansion unit 7 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve holder unit 5, and the holding groove 53 is formed. For example, a structure in which the locking piece 72 is locked.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the attachment of the expansion unit 7 to the valve holder unit 5 is performed by making the holding piece 53 by the side of the recessed part 5a lock the locking piece 72 by the side of the expansion unit 7 (FIG. 10 (a)), the present invention has no limitation on the mounting structure of the expansion unit 7 to the valve holder unit 5, and other mounting structures may be adopted. As another mounting structure, for example, as shown in FIG. 11A, a male screw 7f formed on the outer peripheral surface of the expansion unit 7 is connected to a female screw 5f formed on the inner peripheral surface of the recess 5a of the valve holder body 51. One that is screwed is mentioned.

  In such an attachment structure, as shown in FIG. 11A, the electrical connection terminal 34 on the valve holder unit 5 side is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 5 a around the tire valve 8. As shown in FIG. 11 (b), which is an arrow view in the J direction in FIG. 11 (a), the electrical connection terminal 34 has a power terminal 41, a signal terminal 42 and a ground terminal 43 centered on the tire valve 8. As a concentric circle. The power supply terminal 41 includes a power supply terminal 41 a for the air pressure sensor 31 and a power supply terminal 41 b for the temperature sensor 32, and the signal terminal 42 includes a signal terminal 42 a for the air pressure sensor 31 and a signal terminal for the temperature sensor 32. The grounding terminal 43 is composed of a grounding terminal 43a for the air pressure sensor 31 and a grounding terminal 43b for the temperature sensor 32.

  Further, on the extension unit 7 side, as shown in FIG. 11A, an electrical connection terminal 75 is formed around the insertion hole 71 on the surface facing the valve holder unit 5. As shown in FIG. 11C, which is an arrow view in the K direction in FIG. 11A, the electrical connection terminal 75 includes a power supply terminal 91, a signal terminal 92, and a ground terminal 93. The power terminal 41, the signal terminal 42, and the ground terminal 43 (see FIGS. 11A and 11B) are arranged concentrically so as to correspond to the power terminal 91, the signal terminal 92, and the ground. Each of the terminals 93 protrudes from the surface of the expansion unit 7 facing the valve holder unit 5 toward the valve holder unit 5 as shown in FIG. The power supply terminal 91 includes a power supply terminal 91a for the air pressure sensor 31 and a power supply terminal 91b for the temperature sensor 32. The signal terminal 92 is a signal terminal 92a for the air pressure sensor 31 and a signal terminal for the temperature sensor 32. The grounding terminal 93 is composed of a grounding terminal 93a for the air pressure sensor 31 and a grounding terminal 93b for the temperature sensor 32.

  In such an attachment structure of the expansion unit 7 to the valve holder unit 5, when the male screw 7 f of the expansion unit 7 is screwed into the female screw 5 f on the valve holder unit 5 side, the rotation angle of the expansion unit 7 with respect to the valve holder unit 5 is set. Regardless, each of the power supply terminal 91, the signal terminal 92, and the ground terminal 93 on the expansion unit 7 side accurately corresponds to each of the power supply terminal 41, the signal terminal 42, and the ground terminal 43 on the valve holder unit 5 side. Connected.

  Further, this mounting structure is configured such that the male screw 7f formed on the outer peripheral surface of the expansion unit 7 is screwed into the female screw 5f formed on the inner peripheral surface of the recess 5a of the valve holder body 51. In the invention, a male screw (not shown) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder portion 82 (see FIG. 5) of the tire valve 8 and a female screw (not shown) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 71 of the expansion unit 7 are provided. ) May be screwed together.

  In the embodiment, the air pressure sensor unit 3 is disposed so as to face the air chamber 52 through the window 33. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the air pressure sensor unit 3 opens the window 33. The air chamber 52 may be directly faced without being interposed. The pressure sensing part of the air pressure sensor 31 and the temperature sensing part of the temperature sensor 32 may be disposed in the air chamber 52.

It is the whole wheel perspective view with which the wheel concerning the embodiment of the present invention was assembled. It is sectional drawing in the AA line in FIG. It is the elements on larger scale which expanded the part shown by B in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a mode that the valve holder unit, the expansion unit, and the cover were removed sequentially from the wheel disc in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the valve holder unit in the DD line | wire in FIG. It is sectional drawing in the CC line in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the electrical connection terminal arrange | positioned at the valve holder unit side, and its cap. It is sectional drawing of the expansion unit in the EE line in FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing a state of the back side of the expansion unit, and FIG. 9B is a partially enlarged view of the electrical connection terminal on the expansion unit side, which is indicated by F in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. 9B. FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are conceptual diagrams showing a state when the expansion unit is fitted into the recess of the valve holder unit. FIG. 11A is a partial cross-sectional view of a valve holder unit and an expansion unit of a wheel according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11B is a diagram showing an electrical connection terminal on the valve holder unit side. FIG. 11A is an arrow view in the J direction in FIG. 11A, and FIG. 11C is a view showing the electrical connection terminal on the expansion unit side, and is an arrow view in the K direction in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wheel 2 Tire 3 Air pressure sensor unit 5 Valve holder 5a Recessed part 8 Tire valve 11 Wheel disk 12 Rim 17a Hollow part (air flow path)
21 Air chamber 31 Air pressure sensor 51 Air chamber 64 Communication hole (air flow passage)
71 Insertion hole

Claims (2)

Wheel discs,
A rim provided on the outer peripheral side of the wheel disc and fitted with a tire;
A tire valve attached to the axis of the wheel disc;
An air flow passage formed in the wheel disc so that the tire air chamber and the tire valve communicate with each other;
An air chamber formed in the wheel disc to connect to the air flow passage;
A vehicle wheel comprising an air pressure sensor arranged to face the air chamber,
The air chamber is formed around the axis of the wheel disc, and the air pressure sensor is disposed so as to face a region of the air chamber away from the air flow path in the direction around the axis. A wheel for vehicles.   The vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein the air chamber is formed in an annular shape or a cylindrical shape centering on an axis of the wheel disc.

Images