JP2005231519A - Air pressure sensor unit and air pressure display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air pressure sensor unit and an air pressure display device provided with a light emission display means allowing a person on the outside of a vehicle to visually recognize air pressure of a tire at one glance, even when the vehicle is traveling, or in a dark night periphery or the like, or viewed from a far position. <P>SOLUTION: The air pressure sensor unit 2 is installed on a wheel of the vehicle, detects the air pressure of the tire and visually displays the state of the air pressure of the tire (T). The air pressure sensor unit 2 has a pressure sensor for detecting the air pressure of the tire; a light emission display means (21c) provided on a surface at the outside of the vehicle of a central part of the wheel; and a light emission control means (CPU) for controlling the light emission of the light emission display means (21c) based on the air pressure of the tire detected by the pressure sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an air pressure sensor unit and an air pressure display device that monitor the air pressure of a tire of a vehicle and issue an alarm when the air pressure of the tire falls below a specified value.

Conventionally, as a system for detecting a decrease in tire air pressure (TPMS; Tire Pressure Monitoring System), indirect and direct tire pressure monitoring devices are generally known.
The indirect tire pressure monitoring device uses an existing so-called wheel speed sensor that detects the rotational speed of a wheel equipped in an ABS (Antilock Brake System) -equipped vehicle.
The ABS indirect system tire pressure monitoring device uses a wheel rotation speed signal from a wheel speed sensor to change the rotation that changes in accordance with the relative wheel rotation speed difference of the four wheels and the tire air pressure state of each wheel. This is a device that estimates the tire air pressure from the natural vibration frequency of the vehicle body spring vibration included in the speed signal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The direct tire pressure monitoring device is a wireless device that monitors tire pressure by transmitting air pressure information detected by the air pressure sensor unit from the sensor antenna to the vehicle body antenna by radio waves.

  The display means used in such an indirect and direct tire pressure monitoring device is attached to the instrument panel of the driver's seat as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. The display means includes lamps that turn on and display air pressure information detected by air pressure sensor units arranged on the four wheels. The lamp indicates that the tire pressure is normal (green lamp), that the tire pressure needs attention (yellow lamp), and that the tire pressure is abnormal. An abnormality display part (red lamp) for displaying is provided to display tire air pressure information.

  Moreover, as a vehicle exterior display other than the instrument panel of the driver's seat, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, display means are installed outside the rim flange of the rim on which the tire is mounted and at the center of the tire shaft of the rim cap. There are also things. The display means comprises a liquid crystal digital display and is connected to a pressure sensor via a lead wire.

JP-A-7-81338 (paragraph 0007, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) JP-A-7-266815 (paragraphs 0037 to 0044, FIGS. 1, 2 and 4)

  However, since the display means of the conventional indirect and direct tire pressure monitoring devices as disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like are installed in the vehicle interior, the alarm display cannot be visually recognized from outside the vehicle. There is a problem.

Further, the display means of the tire pressure monitoring device of Patent Document 2 can be confirmed from the outside of the vehicle, but the display character rotates together with the tire during traveling, so that there is a problem that the tire pressure cannot be visually recognized. In addition, when the display is dark or when viewed from a position away from the display, the display character is difficult to read and the tire air pressure cannot be visually confirmed.
Furthermore, in the tire pressure monitoring device of Patent Document 2, in order to install display means on the rim or rim cap, the display means must be connected to a pressure sensor installed on the rim flange by a lead wire. Therefore, in the tire pressure monitoring device, since the lead wire is installed in a state where it comes into contact with the outside air, the lead wire may be subjected to muddy water or gravel, and an electrical failure may occur. And since a lead wire is wired on the back surface of a rim cap etc., there exists a problem that the wiring operation | work is troublesome.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and the problem of the present invention is that the vehicle is running, at night when the surroundings are dark, or from a distant location. Even if it exists, it is providing the air pressure sensor unit and the air pressure display apparatus provided with the light emission display means which a vehicle outside person can visually recognize the air pressure of a tire at a glance.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the air pressure sensor unit according to claim 1 is an air pressure sensor unit that is mounted on a wheel of a vehicle and detects the air pressure of the tire and visually displays the state of the air pressure of the tire. The air pressure sensor unit is based on a pressure sensor that detects the air pressure of the tire, light emitting display means provided on the outer surface of the center of the wheel, and the air pressure of the tire detected by the pressure sensor. And a light emission control means for controlling the light emission of the light emission display means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the air pressure sensor unit includes a light emitting display means provided on the outer surface of the center of the wheel, and the light emitting display based on the tire air pressure detected by the pressure sensor. And a light emission control means for controlling the light emission of the means for emitting and displaying the tire air pressure state outside the vehicle. Thus, the outside person can recognize the light by the light emitting display of the light emitting display means at the center of the rotating wheel even when the vehicle where the light emitting display means rotates, at night or when the surroundings are dark. It becomes possible to confirm abnormality of tire air pressure.

A pneumatic sensor unit according to a second aspect of the present invention is the pneumatic sensor unit according to the first aspect, wherein the light emitting display means is caused to emit light in a plurality of patterns according to a state of air pressure of the tire.
Here, the pattern is to express a combination of a plurality of visually different displays so that an outsider can see the display and recognize the tire air pressure state. Expressions that change the display shape, expressions that change the illuminance, expressions that change the blinking cycle of the light emitter, expressions that change the light emitter that is lit.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the light emitting display means has a plurality of patterns according to the tire air pressure state, thereby changing the display color, display shape, illuminance, blinking, etc. It is possible to inform the outsider of the air pressure state. Further, the light emitting display means displays in a pattern according to the state of the tire air pressure, so that the outside person can visually recognize the abnormal state of the tire air pressure at a glance.

  The air pressure display device according to claim 3 is an air pressure signal that is mounted on a wheel of a vehicle and detects the air pressure of a tire and wirelessly transmits the air pressure signal, and the air pressure signal is received to determine the level of the air pressure of the tire. A receiving means for receiving an air pressure determination signal wirelessly transmitted by a monitoring unit on the vehicle body side, or an air pressure determination signal wirelessly transmitted by an indirect tire pressure monitoring device having a wireless transmission function; Light emission display means provided on the surface, light emission control means for controlling light emission of the light emission display means based on the air pressure signal or the air pressure determination signal, the reception means, the light emission display means, and the light emission control And a power supply for supplying power to the means.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the air pressure display device displays the tire air pressure state detected by the air pressure sensor unit of the indirect or direct tire pressure monitoring device on the outer surface of the wheel at the center of the wheel. Light emission display can be performed by the light emission display means provided. Thus, the air pressure display device is configured to display the tire air pressure with the light emitting display means at the center of the wheel rotating to the outside of the vehicle even when the vehicle is rotating, the night is dark, or from a distant position. This state can be displayed in a light-emitting manner so that a vehicle outsider can instantly check for abnormal tire air pressure.
The air pressure display device has a power supply for supplying power to the receiving means, the light emitting display means, and the light emission control means, and the light emitting display means emits light by receiving the air pressure signal wirelessly transmitted by the air pressure sensor unit or the monitoring unit. indicate. As a result, the pneumatic display device does not require wiring by a lead wire or the like, so that it is possible to eliminate a lead wire wiring work or an electrical failure due to the lead wire. The air pressure display device can be provided on the wheel cap or the wheel cover to display the state of the tire air pressure.

  According to the air pressure sensor unit and the air pressure display device according to the present invention, the light emitting display means located at the center of the wheel even when the vehicle is rotating, the night is dark, or from a distant position. By displaying the light emission, the state of the tire air pressure is displayed, so that an outsider can instantly see the tire air pressure state.

Next, the best mode (embodiment) for carrying out the present invention will be described by dividing it into first to third embodiments. The first and second embodiments are embodiments relating to an air pressure sensor unit that informs an outsider of the tire air pressure by a light emitting display. The third embodiment is an embodiment relating to an air pressure display device that informs an outsider of the tire air pressure by light emission display.
The air pressure sensor unit and the air pressure display device according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to all vehicles equipped with tires such as passenger cars and work vehicles. Hereinafter, as an example, one wheel of a four-wheel passenger car Will be described as an example. In addition, the type and shape of the tire and wheel in which the air pressure sensor unit and the air pressure display device are used are not particularly limited, and can be applied to all tires and wheels.

[First Embodiment]
First, an air pressure sensor unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Tire pressure monitoring device)
First, the tire pressure monitoring apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a passenger car including an air pressure sensor unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
A tire air pressure monitoring device 1 shown in FIG. 1 mainly includes an air pressure sensor unit 2 and a monitoring unit (an in-vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 6) and an in-vehicle display 5). The former air pressure sensor unit 2 is installed on each of four wheels, detects the air pressure and temperature of the tire T, and the voltage of the air pressure sensor unit 2 itself, and wirelessly transmits them. The in-vehicle ECU 6 and the in-vehicle display 5 are installed on the side of the vehicle body C, and the vehicle side antenna 4 provided in the side mirror 3 with air pressure, temperature, and voltage signals (air pressure information signals) wirelessly transmitted by the air pressure sensor unit 2. The information is received via the warning to the driver. The air pressure sensor unit 2 includes a light emitting display unit, and is configured to visually notify the air pressure to an outsider. This point will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the side mirror 3 includes door mirrors or fender mirrors disposed on the left and right side surfaces of the vehicle body C, and a vehicle body side antenna 4 described below is provided therein.

  The vehicle body side antenna 4 is a transmission / reception antenna for receiving a radio wave from the air pressure sensor unit 2 and transmitting a radio wave to the air pressure sensor unit 2, for example, a conductive wire or a conductive foil provided in the side mirror 3. Is formed by. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the vehicle body side antenna 4 is wired along the longitudinal direction of the housing 3a at a position near the lower end portion or the bottom surface portion in the housing 3a, and is electrically connected to the in-vehicle ECU 6. ing. The vehicle body side antenna 4 may be an antenna installed inside the vehicle body C, an antenna installed in a wheel house, an antenna installed in a door handle, or the like. The vehicle body side antenna 4 may be a loop antenna.

(In-vehicle ECU)
The in-vehicle ECU 6 includes a receiving circuit that converts a radio wave from the air pressure sensor unit 2 received by the vehicle body side antenna 4 into an electric signal, an amplifying circuit that amplifies the signal converted by the receiving circuit, and various driving conditions and disturbance conditions. The in-vehicle display 5 is operated by a memory circuit storing data such as a standard air pressure value of the tire T below, a comparison circuit that compares the data with the air pressure transmitted by the air pressure sensor unit 2, and a signal from the comparison circuit And a microcomputer including a circuit for transmitting a wakeup signal and a sleep signal for starting and stopping the air pressure sensor unit 2. The in-vehicle ECU 6 is electrically connected to an in-vehicle power source 7 made of a storage battery.
The in-vehicle ECU 6 corresponds to a “monitoring unit” described in the claims.

(In-vehicle display)
The in-vehicle display 5 shown in FIG. 1 includes the air pressure information of all the four wheels T transmitted from the air pressure sensor unit 2, the temperature information in all the tires T of the four wheels, and the power supply built in the air pressure sensor unit 2. This is a monitor device configured to perform a display such as a capacity display or an alarm based on an instruction of the in-vehicle ECU 6, and is disposed on, for example, an instrument panel (not shown).

(Pneumatic sensor unit)
Next, the air pressure sensor unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 (see FIG. 1 as appropriate). FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air pressure sensor unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, the air pressure sensor unit 2 includes a CPU 2a, a power source 2b, a pressure sensor 2c, a temperature sensor 2d, and a light emitter (light emitting display means) L.
Among these, the pressure sensor 2 c is a sensor that detects the pressure of the air chamber inside the tire T. The temperature sensor 2d is a sensor that detects the temperature of the air chamber inside the tire T. The power source 2b is a power source for the CPU 2a and the light emitter L, and a voltage is detected by a voltage sensor (not shown). The light emitter L will be described in detail later. The CPU 2a transmits the detected pressure, temperature and voltage to the in-vehicle ECU 6 (vehicle body side antenna 4) via the sensor side antenna 2e, turns on a main switch (not shown) by receiving a wake-up signal, or sleep signal The air pressure drop is uniquely determined based on the function as a general TPMS that turns off the main switch by receiving the air pressure and the reference air pressure stored separately from the detected air pressure and temperature. And a function of instructing light emission of the light emitter L in a plurality of patterns. Since the former function as a TPMS is general, a description thereof will be omitted. For the latter function of instructing light emission, for example, the CPU 2a has a light emission pattern table in which the air pressure value and the light emission pattern are linked as shown in the following table, and the CPU 2a follows the light emission pattern table. A lamp driving circuit (not shown) is operated to cause the light emitter L to emit light. The detailed state of light emission (light emission pattern) will be described in detail later with reference to the drawings. The CPU 2a corresponds to “light emission control means” described in the claims.

Next, the air pressure sensor unit will be further described with reference to FIG. 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 as appropriate). FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the air pressure sensor unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention and showing a wheel provided with the air pressure sensor unit.
As shown in FIG. 3, the air pressure sensor unit 2 and a light emitting display portion 21c to be described later are arranged at the center of each wheel W holding the tire T so that the light emitting display portion 21c can be seen well from outside the vehicle. Yes. In FIG. 3, reference numeral O <b> 1 is an O-ring, reference numeral Wa is a rim, Wb is a wheel disk, and reference numeral Wd is a hollow portion communicating with the air chamber Ta of the tire T. Reference numeral 2e denotes a sensor-side antenna, reference numeral 8 denotes an outer cover of the pneumatic sensor unit 2, reference numeral 8a denotes a display window for the light emitting display portion 21c (21d, 21e, 21f), and reference numeral 10 denotes a cap of the center valve 9 described later. , 21d is a normal display part, 21e is a caution display part, and 21f is an abnormal display part.

Next, the air pressure sensor unit 2 will be further described with reference to FIG. 4 (see FIGS. 1 to 3 as appropriate). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the air pressure sensor unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing a vehicle equipped with the air pressure sensor unit.
As shown in FIG. 4, the light emitting display unit 21c of the air pressure sensor unit 2 is an axle (not shown) whose light emitting display unit 21c is the center of rotation of the tire T even when the vehicle travels and the tire T rotates. Therefore, the air pressure state of the tire T is notified to the outside person by light-emitting display in a ring shape in the same manner as when the vehicle is stopped.
In recent years, the quality and rigidity of the tire T have increased, and even if the air pressure of the tire T decreases, deformation, vibration, and abnormal noise of the tire T are less likely to occur, and the vehicle vibrates due to a decrease in the air pressure of the tire T. Since the vehicle structure is such that the occupant does not feel any noise or noise, it may be difficult for the driver to notice even if the in-vehicle display 5 (see FIG. 1) warns of a decrease in the air pressure of the tire T. .
The light-emitting display unit 21c of the air pressure sensor unit 2 can notify the driver of the decrease in the air pressure of the tire T when an outside person views the light-emitting display unit 21c while the vehicle is running. It is what I did.
Further, the light emitting display portion 21c is arranged on the wheel W so that an operator who checks the air pressure of the tire T can adjust the air pressure while checking the air pressure state of the tire T. It is also a thing.

Next, the air pressure sensor unit 2 will be further described with reference to FIG. 5 (see FIGS. 1 to 4 as appropriate). FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG.
The pneumatic sensor unit 2 is attached as shown in FIG. The air pressure sensor unit 2 is installed outside the center valve 9 to be described later so that the valve body 9e in the sensor housing portion 9h is closed in a sealed state by a coupling valve 23 provided on the inner surface of the vehicle. Covered by a cover 8 (see FIG. 6).

Supplementally, in FIG. 5, the wheel W is formed of a cast product made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. The wheel W is composed of a rim Wa on which a tire T is mounted and a wheel disc Wb to be attached to an axle (not shown).
The wheel disc Wb has a hollow portion Wd having one end communicating with the air chamber Ta in the tire T and the other end communicating with the center valve installation hole Wc.
The center valve installation hole Wc is a hole for crimping (or fitting) the center valve 9 to the wheel W, and is a circular hole formed in the center of the wheel W.
As shown in FIG. 5, the air pressure sensor unit 2 has a light emitting display portion 21c (21d, 21e, 21f) on the center valve (center valve holder) 9 fitted in the center valve installation hole Wc of the wheel W. It is supposed to be held towards.

Next, the air pressure sensor unit 2 will be further described with reference to FIG. 6 (see FIGS. 1 to 5 as appropriate). FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing an installation state of the air pressure sensor unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 6, a center valve (center valve holder) 9 is fitted into a circular center valve installation hole Wc drilled in the center of the wheel W, and a casing 21 that houses the air pressure sensor unit 2 in the center valve 9. Screwed by the screw portions 21k and 9j. Further, the outer cover 8 is screwed by an outer peripheral screw portion 9 i provided on the outer periphery of the center valve 9.

  Next, the air pressure sensor unit 2 will be further described with reference to FIG. 7 (see FIGS. 1 to 6 as appropriate). FIG. 7 is an enlarged exploded sectional view showing an installation state of the air pressure sensor unit according to the first embodiment.

(Outer cover)
The outer cover 8 shown in FIG. 7 is a bottomed cylindrical member for covering and protecting the air pressure sensor unit 2 and the center valve 9. The outer cover 8 is formed in two colors with a resin material comprising a display window 8a formed of a transparent body and an opaque body 8b so that the light emitting display portion 21c installed on the outer surface of the housing 21 can be seen. Has been.
The outer cover 8 is formed of a cap nut-like member having a female threaded portion 8c (see FIG. 7) formed on the inner wall thereof that is screwed with an outer peripheral threaded portion 9i formed on the outer peripheral edge of the center valve 9 on the vehicle outer side. The outer cover 8 and the center valve 9 forming the air pressure sensor unit 2 are formed of a reinforced resin such as ABS resin or modified PPE resin.

(Display window)
The display window 8a is, for example, arranged on the vehicle exterior side of the light-emitting display unit 21c composed of a normal display unit 21d, a caution display unit 21e, and an abnormal display unit 21f each formed in a ring shape. Even when attached to the bulb 9, the light-emitting display portion 21 c covered by the outer cover 8 can be viewed from the outside of the outer cover 8. The display window 8a is formed of, for example, a transparent acrylic resin formed in a ring shape in accordance with the shape of the light emitting display portion 21c. In the outer cover 8, portions other than the display window 8a are formed by an opaque body 8b.
The outer cover 8 only needs to be able to cover the air pressure sensor unit 2 and protect from the external force so that the light emitting display portion 21c can be visually recognized from the outside, and may be entirely formed of a transparent body.

(Center valve [Center valve holder])
As shown in FIG. 7, the center valve 9 is a substantially bottomed cylindrical valve having a valve body 9e with a valve core 9d inserted in the center, and communicates with the valve body 9e and the hollow portion Wd on the outer peripheral surface 9a. A valve port 9b is formed.

(Outer peripheral surface)
The outer peripheral surface 9a of the center valve 9 is formed, for example, in a stepped taper shape so as to match the center valve installation hole Wc formed in the center portion of the wheel W. The center valve 9 has a tapered surface 9c on the outer peripheral surface 9a, and a seal material SE for tightly attaching the center valve 9 to the center valve installation hole Wc is interposed on the taper surface 9c. It is fitted.

(Valve port)
The valve port 9b of the center valve 9 has a substantially L-shaped through-hole that communicates with the hollow portion Wd at one end, and a valve body 9e that feeds air into the tire T by a pump or the like at the other end. And a branch hole 9k for sending air in the tire T to the pressure sensor 2c through the air introduction hole 21q.

(Valve body)
The valve body 9e is a cylindrical member in which a male thread portion 9f that engages with a female thread portion 23a of the coupling valve 23 of the pneumatic sensor unit 2 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 9a, and a valve core 9d and a rubber seal 9g are provided therein. The valve body 9e is integrated with a vertical hole portion of a valve port 9b provided at the center of the center valve 9 by screwing or insert molding.

(Casing)
The housing 21 is made of a disk-shaped member having a diameter of about 65 mm to 75 mm and a thickness of about 25 mm to 30 mm, for example (see FIG. 6). The housing 21 includes a thick disc-shaped storage case main body 21a and a lid 21b that closes the upper surface of the storage case main body 21a. The casing 21 is fixed to the center valve 9 by setting the lid 21b fixed with the screw B1 to the outside of the vehicle and screwing the screw portion 21k formed on the outer periphery of the storage case main body 21a to the inner peripheral screw portion 9j. Then, the cap 10 is attached to the coupling valve 23, and the female screw portion 8 c of the outer cover 8 is screwed to the outer peripheral screw portion 9 i, whereby the sensor housing portion 9 h is sealed and installed inside the center valve 9.
The casing 21 includes a pressure sensor 2c, a temperature sensor 2d (see FIG. 2), a CPU 2a, a power source 2b, a sensor-side antenna 2e, a light emitter L, and a terminal 24.

(Storage case body)
The storage case main body 21a is made of a reinforced resin such as ABS resin or modified PPE resin, and is formed in a disc shape from a non-transparent material that does not transmit light from the light emitter L. On the vehicle exterior side of the storage case main body 21a, a coupling valve 23 formed at the center and coupled to the valve body 9e, a terminal 24 connected to the CPU 2a, and a different color light connected to the terminal 24, respectively. A plurality of light emitters L (L1 to L3) that emit light, a sensor-side antenna 2e formed in an annular shape in accordance with the outer peripheral shape of the storage case main body 21a, and an annular groove into which the O-ring O1 is fitted are provided. Yes. On the vehicle inner side (bottom side) of the storage case main body 21a, for example, a power supply storage portion 21i for storing the power supply 2b and a power supply case 25 for closing the power supply storage portion 21i are provided. A threaded portion 21k for attaching the air pressure sensor unit 2 to the center valve 9 is engaged with an inner circumferential threaded portion 9j formed on the inner wall of the sensor accommodating portion 9h on the outer peripheral surface on the inner side of the storage case body 21a. Is formed.

(Lid)
The lid 21b is formed at the center with a through hole 21j through which the coupling valve 23 passes, and a normal display unit 21d, a caution display unit 21e, and an abnormality that are arranged around the through hole 21j in a triple manner with a predetermined interval. A light emitting display portion 21c composed of a display portion 21f, partition walls 21g and 21h made of a light-impermeable member respectively interposed between a normal display portion 21d, a caution display portion 21e, and an abnormal display portion 21f, and the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion And a screw through-hole 21j for inserting a waterproof washer in the opening, and a screw B1 for attaching the lid 21b to the storage case main body 21a. The lid 21b is formed by two-color molding of a light emitting display portion 21c made of a translucent member such as a ring-shaped acrylic resin arranged in a triple color with an opaque translucent resin such as an ABS resin or a modified PPE resin. It is formed in a shape. The lid 21b is screwed to the storage case main body 21a via an O-ring O1 to seal the outer surface of the storage case main body 21a.

(Power supply)
The power supply 2b is mounted in a power supply case 25 having a rubber packing P1 for waterproof and washer fitted on the outer periphery, and a screw portion formed on the outer peripheral portion of the power supply case 25 is screwed to the power storage portion 21i. The air pressure sensor unit 2 is housed. When the power supply case 21i is closed by the power supply case 25, the power supply 2b is respectively connected to a power supply terminal (not shown) and a ground terminal (not shown) of the terminal 24 arranged on the bottom surface of the power supply case 21i. It is comprised so that it may contact.

(Pressure sensor)
The pressure sensor 2c is provided in the storage case main body 21a so as to close the air introduction hole 21q formed in the bottom surface of the storage case main body 21a in a sealed state. This pressure sensor 2c takes in air communicating with the tire T in the valve port 9b by attaching the air pressure sensor unit 2 to the center valve 9 so as to connect the air introduction hole 21q to the branch hole 9k. The air pressure in the tire T is detected.

(Sensor antenna)
The sensor-side antenna 2e is composed of, for example, an annular loop antenna formed of a conductive wire or the like that is insert-molded on the outer surface of the storage case body 21a.

(Terminal)
The terminal 24 is a conductive metal plate or wiring for connecting the pressure sensor 2c, temperature sensor 2d (see FIG. 2), power source 2b, light emitter L, sensor side antenna 2e, and CPU 2a provided in the storage case body 21a. It consists of a substrate and is insert-molded in the storage case body 21a.
The terminal 24 has connection terminal portions (not shown) for welding the normal display light emitter L1, the caution display light emitter L2, and the abnormal display light emitter L3 to the outer surface of the storage case main body 21a by soldering. Have.

(Luminous body)
The light emitter L is composed of, for example, a plurality of light emitting elements such as light emitting diodes that illuminate the light emitting display portion 21c with different colors of light, and is installed on the surface of the air pressure sensor unit 2 on the outside of the vehicle. The illuminant L includes, for example, a normal display illuminant L1 that shines blue, a caution display illuminant L2 that shines yellow, and an abnormal display illuminant L3 that shines red. It is configured to light up in three stages. In addition, the color of the light which each light-emitting body L diverges should just be a different color, respectively, The color is not specifically limited. Moreover, the light-emitting body L can also use surface emitting elements, such as a surface emitting diode and EL (Electro Luminescence).
The normal display illuminator L1 is turned on by a signal from the CPU 2a when the air pressure of the tire T (see FIG. 1) detected by the pressure sensor 2c is a normal air pressure value between a specified pressure value and less than minus 25%. The normal display portion 21d is configured to emit blue light.
The caution indicator illuminant L2 is output from the CPU 2a when the air pressure of the tire T (see FIG. 1) detected by the pressure sensor 2c is an air pressure value requiring attention between minus 25% and less than minus 50% of the specified pressure value. It is lit by a signal and is configured to emit yellow light to the attention display unit 21e.
The abnormality indicating light-emitting body L3 is turned on by a signal from the CPU 2a when the air pressure of the tire T (see FIG. 1) detected by the pressure sensor 2c has decreased to an abnormal air pressure value that is minus 50% or less of the specified pressure value. The red light is emitted to the abnormality display portion 21f.
In addition, the light emission body L comprised from the normal display light-emitting body L1, the caution display light emission body L2, and the abnormal display light emission body L3, and the light emission display part comprised from the normal display part 21d, the caution display part 21e, and the abnormality display part 21f. 21c corresponds to “light emitting display means” recited in the claims.
The illuminant L includes a normal display illuminant L1, a caution display illuminant L2, and an abnormal display illuminant L3. When these are collectively referred to below, they are simply referred to as “illuminant L” and omitted.

(Light emission display)
FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the air pressure sensor unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 8, each light-emitting display portion 21c is formed in a ring shape, and is illuminated with a light-emitting body L to emit light with different colors (for example, blue, yellow, and red). It consists of members. The light emitting display portion 21c includes a plurality of ring-shaped translucent member normal display portions 21d, a caution display portion 21e, and an abnormality display portion 21f, which have different diameters, which are overlapped in the radial direction, depending on the degree of air pressure of the tire T. A plurality of light emitting display patterns to be displayed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a light emitting display unit and a light emitter of the pneumatic sensor unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 9, for example, each light emitting display portion 21c is formed in a ring shape with a transparent acrylic resin or the like, and forms a flat display surface 21m outside the vehicle from which light from the light emitting body L is emitted, The bottom surface 21n inside the vehicle is formed to be inclined so as to reflect the light emitted from the light emitter L to the display surface 21m. The thickness of each light emitting display portion 21c in the vehicle width direction is the longest at the light collecting portion 21o where each light emitter L is disposed, and the shortest thickness is 180 ° opposite to the light collecting portion 21o. ing.
For this reason, each light-emitting display portion 21c insert-molded on a disc-shaped lid 21b having a uniform thickness is formed by exposing the portion where the light collecting portion 21o having the longest thickness is formed from the bottom surface 21n. The portions other than the light collecting portion 21o and the display surface 21m are buried in an opaque resin. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitter L enters each light emitting display unit 21c from the light collecting unit 21o and is emitted to the outside from each display surface 21m without leaking light.

  Each of the light emitting display portions 21c formed in this way is arranged in a triple manner at predetermined intervals in the radial direction via the partition walls 21g and 21h (see FIG. 7) on the storage case body 21a (see FIG. 7) made of an opaque resin. Therefore, the light from the normal display illuminant L1, the caution display illuminant L2, and the abnormal display illuminant L3 having different emission colors is emitted from the respective light emission display units 21c (normal display unit 21d, caution display unit 21e). In addition, light is not leaked from other than the display surface 21m of the abnormal display portion 21f), and the light is clearly displayed in a ring shape.

(Operation)
Next, operations of the tire air pressure monitoring device 1 and the light emitting display unit 21c will be described with reference to FIG. 10 and other drawings as appropriate.
FIG. 10 is a view showing the air pressure sensor unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 (a) is a front view showing a state when the air pressure of the tire is reduced to a predetermined air pressure value of less than −25%. , (B) is a front view showing a state when the tire air pressure falls to a value of minus 25% to less than minus 50% from the specified value, and (c) is a tire pressure of minus 50% or more from the specified value. It is a front view which shows a state when it falls to an air pressure value.

  For example, when the driver turns on an ignition switch (not shown), the in-vehicle ECU 6 shown in FIG. 1 transmits a wake-up signal to the air pressure sensor unit 2 via the vehicle body side antenna 4. The entire tire pressure monitoring device 1 is activated.

  Then, when the air pressure of the tire T is an air pressure value less than a prescribed value to minus 25%, the pressure sensor 2c shown in FIG. 2 detects the air pressure value, and an activation signal is sent from the CPU 2a to the normal display light emitter L1. Then, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), the blue normal display light emitter L1 is turned on, the ring-shaped normal display portion 21d is displayed in blue, and the air pressure value of the tire T is a normal value. Is displayed. At the same time, a normal signal of the air pressure value is sent from the CPU 2a to the in-vehicle ECU 6 via the sensor side antenna 2e and the vehicle body side antenna 4, and the in-vehicle display 5 also displays that the tire T has a normal air pressure value. (See FIGS. 1 and 2).

  Further, when the air pressure of the tire T falls to a value of minus 25% to less than minus 50% from the specified value, the pressure sensor 2c detects the air pressure value and sends an activation signal from the CPU 2a to the caution display light emitter L2. It is done. Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, for example, the yellow caution display light-emitting body L2 is turned on, the ring-shaped caution display portion 21e is lit yellow, and the air pressure value of the tire T is within a specified value range. It shows that it is decreasing more. At the same time, an air pressure warning signal is sent from the CPU 2a to the in-vehicle ECU 6 via the sensor side antenna 2e and the vehicle body side antenna 4, and the in-vehicle display 5 also displays that the air pressure value of the tire T is less than the specified value. (See FIGS. 1 and 2).

  When the air pressure of the tire T falls to a value of minus 50% or more from the specified value, the pressure sensor 2c detects the air pressure value, and an activation signal is sent from the CPU 2a to the caution display light emitter L2. Then, as shown in FIG. 10C, for example, the red abnormality display light-emitting body L3 is lit, the ring-shaped abnormality display portion 21f is light-emittingly displayed in red, and the air pressure value of the tire T is within a specified value range. Display that the state is greatly reduced. At the same time, an abnormal air pressure signal is sent from the CPU 2a to the in-vehicle ECU 6 via the sensor side antenna 2e and the vehicle body side antenna 4, and the in-vehicle display 5 also displays that the air pressure value of the tire T is an abnormal value. (See FIGS. 1 and 2).

As shown in FIG. 3, the air pressure sensor unit 2 is installed outside the vehicle at the center of the wheel W, and the normal display portion 21d, the caution display portion 21e, and the abnormality display portion 21f are formed in a ring shape. Even when the vehicle is stopped or running, the light-emitting display portion 21c is always visible to the outside person in a ring shape. For this reason, the person outside the vehicle can visually recognize the air pressure state of the tire T instantaneously by the display color on the light emitting display portion 21c. Further, even when the surroundings are dark at night, in a tunnel, or in rainy weather, the light emitting display portion 21c is brightly lit and displayed, so it is easy to visually recognize the air pressure state of the tire T. Then, the outside person can inform the driver of the state of the air pressure of the tire T.
In addition, an inspector and a driver of the tire T can also adjust the air pressure while confirming the state of the tire T by the display color on the light emitting display portion 21c.

  The light emitter L is turned off when a sleep signal is sent from the in-vehicle ECU 6 to the air pressure sensor unit 2 via the vehicle body side antenna 4 and the sensor side antenna 2e by turning off an ignition switch (not shown). The flash display stops in conjunction with.

  According to the first embodiment, it is possible to reliably notify the outsider of the determination result of the air pressure, and thus, even if the occupant misses the alarm by the in-vehicle ECU 6 and the in-vehicle display 5, for example, the outsider You can be alerted verbally, by gestures, hand gestures, etc., and you can be sure of a drop in air pressure. Furthermore, when a driver driving a patrol team on an expressway or another vehicle witnesses an alarm on the light emitting display portion 21c, the alarm can be notified by passing or the like. In addition, it is easy to check the air pressure outside the vehicle by crew members and maintenance personnel. Further, according to the first embodiment, since the center valve system is adopted (because the air pressure sensor unit 2 is positioned on the outer surface of the wheel W), the power source (battery for supplying light to display light) ) 2b can be easily replaced. Therefore, it is possible to cause the light emitter L to emit light with a strong light as compared with a normal TPMS air pressure sensor unit located in a place where the power supply cannot be easily replaced. it can. In addition, since the air pressure sensor unit 2 is positioned on the outer surface of the wheel W, it is easy to balance the wheel even when a large capacity power supply 2b is used, that is, the large capacity power supply 2b can be used without any trouble. Also from this point, it is possible to cause the light emitter L to emit light with strong light, and to reliably notify the outsider of the air pressure. In addition, since the light emission display is performed at a position where the wheel balance can be easily adjusted, the light emission display portion 21c can be widened. From this point, the air pressure can be reliably notified to the outside person. Moreover, it will also enhance the design.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an air pressure sensor unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11 is a view showing a modified example of the air pressure sensor unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 (a) shows a state when the tire air pressure is lowered to a prescribed value to less than minus 25%. FIG. 5B is a front view showing a state when the tire air pressure drops to a value less than minus 25% to less than minus 50% from the specified value, and FIG. It is a front view which shows a state when it falls to the air pressure value more than%.

  The light emitting display unit 21c according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of normal display units 21d, a caution display unit 21e, and an abnormal display unit 21f as shown in FIGS. 10 (a), 10 (b), and 10 (c). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the partition walls 21g and 21h (see FIG. 7) are removed, and a single ring shape as in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 (a), 11 (b), and 11 (c). The light emitting display part 21p formed of the translucent member may be used.

In this case, when the air pressure of the tire T falls to a specified value or less than minus 25%, as shown in FIG. 11A, the blue normal display light emitter L1 is turned on and the light emitting display portion 21p is turned on. Lights up in a blue ring shape.
Then, when the air pressure of the tire T falls to a value of minus 25% to less than minus 50% from the specified value, as shown in FIG. 11B, the yellow caution display light-emitting body L2 is turned on and the light emission display is performed. The portion 21p turns yellow and displays light.
Further, when the air pressure of the tire T drops to a value of minus 50% or more from the specified value, as shown in FIG. 11C, the red abnormality display light emitter L3 is turned on and the light emission display portion 21p is red. The color changes to and flashes.
As described above, even if there is only one light emitting display portion 21p, it is possible to display the state of air pressure of the tire T by displaying in three colors.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, an air pressure display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing an air pressure display device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, the CPU 2a of the air pressure sensor unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 determines the air pressure and controls the light emission of the light emitter L based on the determination result, and the air pressure, temperature, etc. Although the CPU having the normal function of the TPMS for wireless transmission is also used, the CPU having the function of controlling the light emitter L may be a CPU separate from the CPU 2a of the air pressure sensor unit 2.
In this case, for example, as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12, for example, the air pressure sensor unit 26 is provided on the rim Wa like the generally known air pressure sensor unit of TPMS, and the tire T The pneumatic light emitting display (air pressure display device 27) 27a is installed at the center of the wheel W. Both the CPUs (not shown) are connected wirelessly so as to send the air pressure detection signal of the air pressure sensor unit 26 to the light emitting display portion 27a side.

The pneumatic display device 27 includes a transmission / reception antenna 27d, a control board 27c, a light emitting display unit 27a, and a power source 27e. The air pressure display device 27 displays the air pressure state by the light emitting display unit 27a based on the air pressure signal from the air pressure sensor unit 26 disposed at a position away from the housing 27f or the in-vehicle ECU 6.
The control board 27c and the transmitting / receiving antenna 27d are an indirect tire having a pneumatic pressure signal transmitted by the pneumatic sensor unit 26, a pneumatic pressure determination signal wirelessly transmitted by a vehicle-side monitoring unit (not shown), or a wireless transmission function. An air pressure determination signal or the like wirelessly transmitted by an air pressure monitoring device (not shown) is received.
The light emitting display unit 27a is installed on a wheel cap We provided on the outer surface of the vehicle at the center of the wheel W, and displays the air pressure state of the tire T in a light emitting manner.
The wheel cap We forms a casing 27f of the pneumatic display device 27 with the bottom cover 27b, and a control board 27c, a power source 27e, and a transmission / reception antenna 27d are accommodated in the casing 27f.
The control board 27c is provided with the CPU for controlling the light emission of the light emitting display unit 27a based on the air pressure signal or the air pressure determination signal.
The power source 27e includes a battery that supplies power to the control board 27c, the transmission / reception antenna 27d, and the light emitting display unit 27a.
The control board 27c and the transmission / reception antenna 27d correspond to “reception means” described in the claims, the light emission display portion 27a corresponds to “light emission display means”, and the control board 27c corresponds to “light emission control means”. .

  The light emission control is not performed based on the air pressure detection signal transmitted wirelessly, but the determination results such as “normal”, “caution”, and “abnormal” as shown in Table 1 are shown in the in-vehicle ECU 6 (vehicle body) shown in FIG. The wireless transmission may be performed from the side antenna 4), and the light emission control may be performed based on the determination result. In this case, the CPU that controls the light emission does not particularly need a function of performing a determination of a decrease in air pressure. Incidentally, the determination result is not necessarily a determination result wirelessly transmitted from the in-vehicle ECU 6 of the direct TPMS. For example, an in-vehicle TPMS in-vehicle ECU using a wheel speed sensor may be equipped with a wireless transmission function so that a determination result can be transmitted wirelessly, and light emission display can be performed using this determination result.

Note that the air pressure display device 27 is not limited to being disposed on the wheel cap We as shown in FIG. 12, for example, at the center of a wheel cover (not shown) attached to the wheel W. It may be arranged.
The light emitting display unit 27a shown in FIG. 12 may be the light emitter itself.
In addition, the air pressure display device 27 may receive an air pressure determination signal wirelessly transmitted by an indirect tire pressure monitoring device having a wireless transmission function, and cause the light emitting display unit 27a to emit light.

  The present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea, and the present invention has been modified and changed. It goes without saying that the invention also extends.

For example, the light emitting body L that illuminates the light emitting display portions 21c and 21p shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11 is not limited to the lighting display, and may be a blinking display, for example.
The number of colors displayed by the light emitting display portions 21c and 21p and the number of colors of the light emitters L are not limited to three, but may be one or more.
For example, when the number of colors displayed by the light emitting display portions 21c and 21p and the number of colors of the light emitter L are one, for example, the light emitter only when the air pressure of the tire T is reduced from a specified value to a predetermined value. L is turned on to emit light.
Further, the number of colors of the light emitting display portion 21c and the light emitting body L may be increased to 3 or more, and the air pressure of the tire T may be displayed in more detail by using different colors.

The luminous body L is not limited to those that emit colored light, and may emit colorless light. In this case, for example, the normal display portion 21d of the light emitting display portion 21c is formed of a blue translucent translucent member, the caution display portion 21e is formed of a yellow translucent translucent member, and the abnormal display portion 21f is formed. Each of the light emitting display portions 21c is configured to emit light in a different color by being formed of a red translucent translucent member.
Further, instead of using the light emitting body L that illuminates the light emitting display portion 21c, the light emitting display portion 21c may be configured by an electronic element that emits light such as EL.
Furthermore, the light emitter L is not limited to providing a plurality of light emitting elements that emit monochromatic light. For example, the light emitting body L may be various types such as a multicolor light emitting element including LED chips of three colors of blue, yellow, and red. One light-emitting element that emits colored light may be provided, and the light-emitting display unit 21c may display light in a plurality of colors.
Furthermore, the light emitters L for causing each of the light emitting display portions 21c and 21p to emit light are not limited to one light source. For example, a plurality of light sources are arranged in a ring shape at appropriate intervals. Further, the display may be brighter and luminescent.

  Further, the light emitting display portions 21c (see FIG. 10) and 21p (see FIG. 11) of the first and second embodiments are not limited to those formed in a ring shape. For example, FIG. As shown in the light emitting display portion 27a shown in the figure, an appropriate shape may be arranged in a ring shape at an appropriate interval.

  As described above, the display patterns of the light emitting display portions 21c (see FIG. 10), 21p (see FIG. 11), and 27a (see FIG. 12) are tires when the vehicle outsider sees the display arranged at the center of the wheel W. Any expression that combines a plurality of visually different displays so as to recognize the state of the air pressure of T can be used. The expression for changing the display color as described above (see FIGS. 10 to 12) or lighting. In addition to the means for changing the light emitters, for example, an expression for changing the display shape, an expression for changing the illuminance, or an expression for changing the blinking period of the light emitters may be used.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a passenger car including an air pressure sensor unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the air pressure sensor unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the wheel provided with the air pressure sensor unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the air pressure sensor unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and is a perspective view which shows the vehicle provided with the air pressure sensor unit. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in the XX line direction of FIG. 3. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the installation state of the air pressure sensor unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded disassembled sectional view which shows the installation state of the air pressure sensor unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an expansion perspective view of the air pressure sensor unit concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the light emission display part and light-emitting body of the air pressure sensor unit which concern on 1st Embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the air pressure sensor unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a front view which shows a state when the air pressure of a tire falls to the air pressure value below a regulation value-minus 25%, (b) Is a front view showing a state in which the tire air pressure drops to a value of minus 25% to less than minus 50% from the specified value, and (c) is a tire pressure lowering to a value of minus 50% or more from the specified value. FIG. It is a figure which shows the air pressure sensor unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a front view which shows a state when the air pressure of a tire falls to the air pressure value below a regulation value-minus 25%, (b) Is a front view showing a state in which the tire air pressure drops to a value of minus 25% to less than minus 50% from the specified value, and (c) is a tire pressure lowering to a value of minus 50% or more from the specified value. FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the pneumatic display apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tire pressure monitoring apparatus 2,26 Air pressure sensor unit 2a CPU (air pressure level determination part)
2b, 27e Power supply 2c Pressure sensor 6 On-vehicle ECU (monitoring unit)
21, 27f Housing 21c, 21p, 27a Light emitting display (light emitting display means)
21d Normal display part (light emitting display means)
21e Caution display (light emitting display means)
21f Abnormal display section (light emission display means)
27 Pneumatic display device 27c Control board (reception means) (light emission control means)
27d Transmitting and receiving antenna (receiving means)
C body L light emitter (light emission display means)
L1 Normal display light emitter (light emission display means)
L2 Caution display light emitter (light emission display means)
L3 Abnormal display light emitter (light emission display means)
T tire W wheel

Claims (3)

An air pressure sensor unit (2) mounted on a vehicle wheel (W) for detecting the air pressure of the tire (T) and visually displaying the air pressure state of the tire (T),
The air pressure sensor unit (2)
A pressure sensor (2c) for detecting the air pressure of the tire (T);
Luminescent display means (21c) provided on the outer surface of the center of the wheel (W);
A light emission control means (CPU) for controlling light emission of the light emission display means (21c) based on the air pressure of the tire (T) detected by the pressure sensor (2c);
An air pressure sensor unit comprising:   2. The air pressure sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the light emission control means (CPU) causes the light emission display means (21 c) to emit light in a plurality of patterns according to a state of air pressure of the tire (T). A pneumatic pressure sensor unit (26) mounted on the wheel (W) of the vehicle and detecting the air pressure of the tire (T) wirelessly transmits the air pressure signal, and receives the air pressure signal to determine the air pressure level of the tire (T). Receiving means (27c, 27d) for receiving an air pressure determination signal wirelessly transmitted by the vehicle body side monitoring unit (6) or an air pressure determination signal wirelessly transmitted by an indirect tire air pressure monitoring device having a wireless transmission function;
Luminescent display means (27a) provided on the vehicle outer surface at the center of the wheel (W);
A light emission control means (27c) for controlling light emission of the light emission display means (27a) based on the air pressure signal or the air pressure determination signal;
A power supply (27e) for supplying power to the receiving means (27c, 27d), the light emitting display means (27a), and the light emission control means (27c);
A pneumatic display device characterized by comprising:

Images