JP2005289116A - Tire air pressure detector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a driver program required when a tire air pressure detecting ECU 70 determines the tire air pressure. <P>SOLUTION: Each pressure sensor detects the tire air pressure of each tire and transmits each detection signal. A microcomputer 75 of the tire air pressure detecting ECU 70 determines the air pressure of each tire according to the detection signal from each pressure sensor. A communication ECU 100 receives a sensor format identifier of each pressure sensor from store PC 10 (step S200). The microcomputer 75 transmits a request signal for requesting a corresponding driver program to a contents server 30 via the communication ECU 100 (step S310). Then, the microcomputer 75, on receiving the corresponding driver program from the contents server 30, records the corresponding driver program in a memory 76 (step S320 and S330). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a tire air pressure detection device that detects tire air pressure.

Conventionally, a plurality of tire pressure sensors provided on each of a plurality of wheels and having a pressure sensor for detecting tire pressure for each tire and transmitting detection signals from the pressure sensors using radio waves as media, and the vehicle body side There is proposed a tire air pressure detecting device including a vehicle body side receiving unit provided with a microcomputer that obtains air pressure for each tire based on detection signals transmitted from a plurality of sensors attached to the vehicle (for example, patents) Reference 1).
JP-A-14-257661

  By the way, when the present inventor diligently studied the communication between the sensor and the receiving unit, the format of the detection signal (hereinafter referred to as the sensor format) and the communication protocol sent from the sensor to the receiving unit may be different for each sensor. I found out.

  For example, depending on the tire pressure sensor, in the sensor format of the detection signal, the number of bytes used for the tire pressure data is different, or the temperature data in the tire is added or the temperature data is not added. . Or, depending on the sensor format, an error determination code such as CRC is added, or an error determination code is not added.

  As described above, when the sensor format, communication protocol, etc. are different for each sensor, the microcomputer uses a computer program corresponding to the tire air sensor that is actually mounted when determining the air pressure for each tire based on the detection signal. As a driver program.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to store various types of driver programs so that the microcomputer of the vehicle body side receiving unit can cope with any tire pressure sensor, but a large-capacity memory is required. become.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tire air pressure detection device that can determine tire air pressure regardless of which sensor is attached to a wheel without increasing the memory capacity. .

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of wheels (1 to 4) each provided with a tire are provided, and the tire air pressure is detected for each tire. A plurality of sensors (80a to 80d) that transmit a detection signal corresponding to the detected air pressure for each tire;
A tire air pressure detecting device provided on a vehicle body side and provided with a microcomputer (75) for obtaining air pressure for each tire based on respective detection signals transmitted from the plurality of sensors during execution of a computer program. And
Prior to obtaining the air pressure for each tire, obtaining means (S200) for obtaining identification information of the sensor;
Transmitting means (S230) for transmitting a request signal for requesting the computer program corresponding to the identification information to the server (30);
Receiving means (S240) for receiving a computer program corresponding to the identification information from the server;
A tire pressure detecting device comprising: a registration unit (S330) for registering a computer program corresponding to the received identification information.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the computer program corresponding to the sensor identification information is received from the server and the received computer program is registered, it is not necessary to store various computer programs in advance. , You can get the necessary computer program. Therefore, the tire pressure can be obtained regardless of which sensor is attached to the wheel.

  Here, as in the invention according to claim 2, in the tire air pressure detecting device according to claim 1, the acquisition means includes a communication network (20) from a communication terminal (10) of a store where the user purchased the tire. ), The sensor identification information can be acquired without much trouble for the user.

  In the invention according to claim 3, in the tire air pressure detecting device according to claim 1, inquiry means (S220a) for inquiring to the user whether or not to approve the replacement of the computer program, and the computer Determining means (S220b) whether or not the user approves the replacement of the program, and when the determining means determines that the user has approved the replacement of the computer program, The transmission means transmits the request signal.

  Therefore, since the transmission means transmits the request signal when the determination means determines that the user has approved the replacement of the computer program, it is possible to prevent the replacement of the computer program by mistake.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an operation unit (91) operated by a user is provided, and when the operation unit is operated by a user, the transmission unit transmits the request signal. Features.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, for example, when exchanging a snow-free season tire and a snow-covered season tire, the user can operate the operation unit to replace the computer program. .

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each said means shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

  1 to 3 show an embodiment of a tire pressure detecting device of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state when the tire pressure detection device according to the present embodiment is attached to a vehicle 60. The left direction in FIG. 1 corresponds to the front of the vehicle 60, and the right direction in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the tire pressure detecting device, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a communication system to which the tire pressure detecting device is applied.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tire air pressure detection device is attached to a vehicle 60 and includes pressure sensors 80 a to 80 d, a tire air pressure detection ECU 70, and a communication ECU 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure sensors 80 a to 80 d are respectively attached to the wheels 1 to 4 in the vehicle 60. The pressure sensors 80a to 80d have the same configuration, and the configuration of the pressure sensor 80a will be described below. That is, as shown in FIG. 2 (only the pressure sensor 80a is shown and the pressure sensors 80b to 80d are omitted in the figure), the pressure sensor 80a includes a communication unit 81, a transmission antenna 82, a power supply capacitor. 83 and a receiving antenna 84, respectively.

  The communication unit 81 includes a sensor element 800 and a control unit 801. The sensor element 800 is arranged so as to be exposed to the inside of the tire by an air injection valve in the tire wheel, and the sensor element 800 detects the tire air pressure for each tire. As the sensor element 800, for example, a diaphragm type pressure sensor is used.

  When receiving the request signal from the tire pressure detection ECU 70 via the reception antenna 84, the control unit 801 generates a detection signal including the tire pressure detected by the sensor element 800 and transmits the radio wave from the transmission antenna 82 as a medium. Is.

  The power supply capacitor 83 receives a power signal from the tire air pressure detection ECU 70 via the receiving antenna 84, accumulates electric charges based on the power signal, and supplies power to the communication unit 81. Note that a request signal and a power signal are superimposed and transmitted from the tire pressure detection ECU 70 to the communication unit 81.

  On the other hand, the tire air pressure detection ECU 70 is provided on the vehicle body side, and includes transmission antennas 71a to 71d, a reception antenna 72, a transmission unit 73, a reception unit 74, a microcomputer 75, and a memory 76. .

  The transmission unit 73 superimposes the power signal on the request signal from the microcomputer 75 and transmits the signal from the transmission antennas 71a to 71d. The transmission antennas 71a to 71d are disposed in the vicinity of the wheels 1 to 4, respectively. The receiving unit 74 receives detection signals from the pressure sensors 80 a to 80 d via the receiving antenna 72 and outputs them to the microcomputer 75.

  The radio frequency used when transmitting the request signal (power signal) is different from the radio frequency used when transmitting the detection signal.

  The microcomputer 75 is supplied with power from the in-vehicle battery Ba via the ignition switch IG, transmits a request signal to each of the pressure sensors 80a to 80d in a time-sharing manner, and detects the detection signal for each pressure sensor. Transmission / reception processing for receiving a message, warning processing for giving a warning based on a detection signal received by the transmission / reception processing, acquisition processing for acquiring a driver program used in the transmission / reception processing from a content server described later, etc. Execute.

  Further, a display panel 90 such as a liquid crystal panel and an operation unit 91 are connected to the microcomputer 75.

  The memory 76 includes a RAM, a flash memory, and the like, and stores data associated with the processing of the microcomputer 75 in addition to the computer program.

  The communication ECU 100 is supplied with power from the in-vehicle battery Ba via the ignition switch IG, and performs wireless communication with the base station 50 of the mobile communication network as shown in FIG.

  Here, the base station 50 is connected to the Internet 20 via the gateway server 40 while generating a communication area 51 that can be wirelessly communicated with the communication ECU 100, a mobile phone, and the like. Further, a computer 10 (hereinafter referred to as a store PC 10) of a tire store and a content server 30 are connected to the Internet 20.

  Here, the store PC 10 is connected to a reading device that reads various data from a credit card or the like, and the content server 30 plays a role of distributing a driver program to be described later.

  Next, as a specific example of the operation of the present embodiment, after the user purchases a snow season tire (studless tire) as a tire with a pressure sensor from a tire store, the tire air pressure detection ECU 70 causes the tire air pressure of the snow season tire to be increased. The operations of the store PC 10, the communication ECU 100, and the tire air pressure detection ECU 70 until the detection of the above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the store PC, the communication ECU 100, and the tire pressure detection ECU 70.

  First, a user purchases a tire with a pressure sensor using a credit card at a tire store. This credit card stores the user's e-mail address. When the e-mail address is read from the credit card by the reading device, the store PC 10 designates the e-mail address and transmits an e-mail (step S100). This mail includes the sensor format identifier and the mail address of the content server 30, and the sensor format identifier is identification information for identifying the pressure sensors 80a to 80d.

  Then, this mail is sent to the communication ECU 100 of the user's vehicle 60 via the Internet 20, the gateway server 40, and the base station 50. When this mail is received by the communication ECU 100 (step S200), the communication ECU 100 tires this mail. The data is transferred to the air pressure detection ECU 70 (step S201).

  On the other hand, in the tire pressure detection ECU 70, the microcomputer 75 determines whether or not the sensor format identifier included in the mail matches the sensor format identifier registered in advance in the memory 76 (step S300).

  Here, the sensor format identifier registered in advance in the memory 76 is identification information for identifying each pressure sensor mounted on a current tire (specifically, a snowless tire).

  If the sensor format identifier included in the mail does not match the sensor format identifier registered in advance in the memory 76, the microcomputer 75 determines NO in step S300.

  In this case, the microcomputer 75 transmits to the communication ECU 100 a request signal for requesting a driver program corresponding to the sensor format identifier included in the mail (hereinafter simply referred to as a corresponding driver program) (step S310). .

  Here, when the communication ECU 100 receives the request signal, the communication ECU 100 controls the display panel 90 via the tire air pressure detection ECU 70 to “character information for inquiring the user whether or not to approve the replacement of the driver program”. ”(For example, do you accept the replacement of the driver program?) Is displayed on the display panel 90.

  When the user responds that he / she agrees to replace the driver program by operating the operation unit 91, the communication ECU 100 determines that the user is based on an operation signal input from the operation unit 91 via the tire air pressure detection ECU 70. Assuming that the driver program is to be replaced, YES is determined in step 220b.

  Along with this, the communication ECU 100 designates the mail address of the content server 30 and transmits a mail including a request signal for requesting the driver program (step S210).

  This mail is sent to the content server 30 via the base station 50, the gateway server 40, and the Internet 20. The content server 30 stores driver programs respectively corresponding to various pressure sensors (tire pressure sensors).

  Here, the content server 30 sends back the corresponding driver program based on the request signal. The corresponding driver program is sent to the communication ECU 100 via the Internet 20, the gateway server 40, and the base station 50.

  On the other hand, when receiving the corresponding driver program (step S240), the communication ECU 100 returns this corresponding driver program to the tire pressure detection ECU 70 (step S250).

  In the tire pressure detection ECU 70, when the microcomputer 75 receives the corresponding driver program (step S320), the corresponding driver program, the sensor format identifier corresponding to the corresponding driver program, and the mail address of the content server 30 are registered in the memory 76. (Step S330), tire pressure detection processing is executed (Step S340).

  Specifically, the microcomputer 75 transmits a request signal for requesting detection of tire air pressure in a time-sharing manner for each tire during execution of the corresponding driver program. The transmission unit 73 superimposes the power signal on the request signal from the microcomputer 75 and causes the transmission antennas 71a to 71d to transmit the transmission signals in a time division manner for each tire.

  For example, in the pressure sensor 80 a, when a signal from the transmission unit 73 is received by the reception antenna 84, the power supply capacitor 83 accumulates charges and supplies power to the communication unit 81 based on the reception signal. The communication unit 81 generates a detection signal including tire air pressure detected by the sensor element 800 and transmits the detection signal from the transmission antenna 82.

  In the tire pressure detection ECU 70, when the reception unit 74 receives a detection signal from the pressure sensor 80 a via the reception antenna 72, the detection signal is output to the microcomputer 75.

  The microcomputer 75 obtains the tire air pressure based on the detection signal, and determines whether the tire air pressure is within the reference range. When the tire air pressure is within the reference range, it is determined to be normal, while when the tire air pressure deviates from the reference range, it is determined to be abnormal. In this case, an indication that the tire air pressure is abnormal is displayed on the display panel 90 to inform the user.

  Also, in the pressure sensors 80b to 80d, as in the case where the communication unit 81 is the pressure sensor 80a, when a request signal is sent, the detection signal is sent back to the tire pressure detection ECU 70. Accordingly, the tire air pressure detection ECU 70 determines for each pressure sensor whether the tire air pressure is abnormal based on the detection signal. As described above, the tire air pressure detection ECU 70 can detect the tire air pressure via wireless communication with the pressure sensors 80a to 80d.

  Thereafter, when replacing the snow-covered tire with the snow-tired tire that was previously mounted, it is necessary to acquire a driver program for the snow-free tire from the content server 30 again. Hereinafter, an example in which the driver program for the snowless season tire is acquired from the content server 30 will be described. However, it is assumed that the memory 76 of the tire air pressure detection ECU 70 stores the mail address of the content server 30 and the sensor format identifier for the snow-free season tire.

  First, when the user operates the operation unit 91 in order to request a driver program for a snowless season tire, the microcomputer 75 of the tire air pressure detection ECU 70 detects the mail address of the content server 30 and the sensor for the snowless season tire. The format identifier is called from the memory 76.

  Furthermore, the microcomputer 75 designates the address and transmits a request signal for requesting the driver program. This request signal includes a sensor format identifier of a tire pressure sensor attached to the snowless tire.

  Accordingly, when the communication ECU 100 receives a request signal from the microcomputer 75, the driver program for the snowless tire is executed from the content server 30 by executing the processing of steps S210 to S2250 in substantially the same manner as described above. Is received and transferred to the tire pressure detection ECU 70.

  Then, when the microcomputer 75 of the tire pressure detection ECU 70 receives this driver program via the communication ECU 100 (step S320), the driver program is registered in the memory 76 (step S330). Then, the microcomputer 75 can detect the tire air pressure of the tire for the snow-free period through wireless communication with the pressure sensors 80a to 80d during the execution of the driver program (step S320).

  Next, the effect of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  That is, in the tire air pressure detection device according to the present embodiment, the pressure sensors 80a to 80d are provided in the wheels 1 to 4 respectively including the tires, and the tire air pressure is detected for each tire, and the detected air pressure is determined. The detected signal is transmitted for each tire. The microcomputer 75 of the tire air pressure detection ECU 70 obtains the air pressure for each tire based on the respective detection signals transmitted from the pressure sensors 80a to 80d.

  Prior to obtaining the air pressure for each tire, the communication ECU 100 acquires the sensor format identifiers of the pressure sensors 80a to 80d from the store PC 10 of the tire store. Then, the microcomputer 75 transmits a request signal for requesting the content server 30 for a corresponding driver program corresponding to the sensor format identifier to the content server 30 via the communication ECU 100. Thereafter, when the microcomputer 75 receives the corresponding driver program from the content server 30 via the communication ECU 100, the microcomputer 75 registers the corresponding driver program in the memory 76.

  Therefore, a necessary driver program can be acquired from the content server 30 without previously storing various driver programs corresponding to various pressure sensors (tire pressure sensors). For this reason, the tire pressure can be obtained regardless of which pressure sensor is attached to the wheel.

  In the present embodiment, when the microcomputer 75 acquires the corresponding driver program, the sensor format identifier is required, but the sensor format identifier is acquired from the store PC 10. For this reason, the sensor format identifier can be acquired without the user having to write down or input the sensor format identifier.

  On the other hand, prior to acquiring the driver program from the content server 30, the communication ECU 100 inquires the user about the replacement of the driver program, and determines that the user accepts the replacement of the driver program. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the driver program from being mistakenly replaced.

  Further, for example, when changing from a snowy season tire to a snowless season tire, a driver program for the snowless season tire is required. In this case, when the user operates the operation unit 91 to request a driver program for a snowless tire, the microcomputer 75 acquires the driver program from the content server 30 and registers it in the memory 76. Even if it is not, the driver program can be replaced.

  In the above-described embodiment, each of the pressure sensors 80a to 80d has not been built in a battery, but has been described based on an electric power signal sent from a tire air pressure detection ECU 70 provided on the vehicle body side. Instead, as the pressure sensors 80a to 80d, ones each incorporating a battery may be used.

  The correspondence relationship between the above embodiment and the configuration of the scope of the claims will be described below. The driver program corresponds to a computer program, the pressure sensors 80a to 80d correspond to a plurality of sensors, and the sensor format identifier is a sensor. Corresponding to the identification information, the content server 30 corresponds to the server 30, the reception process (step S200) of the communication ECU 80 corresponds to the acquisition means, and the request transmission process (step S230) of the communication ECU 80 corresponds to the transmission means. The reception process (step S240) of the communication ECU 80 corresponds to the reception unit, and the registration process (step S330) of the microcomputer 75 of the tire pressure detection ECU 70 corresponds to the registration unit. The store PC 10 corresponds to the communication terminal of the store, the Internet 20 corresponds to the communication network, the confirmation display means (step S220a) of the communication ECU 80 corresponds to the inquiry means, and the exchange approval determination process (step S220b) serves as the determination means. Equivalent to.

It is a figure showing a schematic structure of a tire air pressure detection device in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of tire-pressure detection ECU of FIG. 1, and a pressure sensor. It is a figure for demonstrating the communication system with which communication ECU of FIG. 1 is connected. It is a flowchart which shows each process of store PC in FIG. 3, communication ECU, and tire air pressure detection ECU. It is a figure for demonstrating each process of store PC, communication ECU, and tire pressure detection ECU.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Store PC, 30 ... Content server, 70 ... Tire pressure detection ECU,
75 ... Microcomputer, 76 ... Memory, 80a-80d ... Pressure sensor,
100: Communication ECU.

Claims (4)

It is provided in each of a plurality of wheels (1 to 4) each having a tire, detects the air pressure of the tire for each tire, and transmits a detection signal corresponding to the detected air pressure for each tire. A plurality of sensors (80a-80d),
A tire air pressure detecting device provided on a vehicle body side and provided with a microcomputer (75) that obtains air pressure for each tire based on respective detection signals transmitted from the plurality of sensors during execution of a computer program. And
Prior to obtaining the air pressure for each tire, obtaining means (S200) for obtaining identification information of the sensor;
Transmission means (S230) for transmitting a request signal for requesting a computer program corresponding to the identification information to the server (30);
Receiving means (S240) for receiving a computer program corresponding to the identification information from the server;
Registration means (S330) for registering a computer program corresponding to the received identification information;
A tire air pressure detection device comprising: The tire pressure according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires the identification information of the sensor from a communication terminal (10) of a store where the user purchased the tire via a communication network (20). Detection device. Inquiry means (S220a) for inquiring the user whether or not to approve the replacement of the computer program;
Determining means (S220b) whether or not the user approves the replacement of the computer program,
3. The tire pressure detection device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the request signal when the determination unit determines that the user approves the replacement of the computer program. 4. . An operation unit (91) operated by a user;
The tire pressure detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmission unit transmits the request signal when the operation unit is operated by a user.

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