JP2006044448A - Wheel information recognition system, vehicle body side wheel information recognition device, and wheel side wheel information recognition device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wheel information recognition system capable of easily recognizing correspondence of a wheel to a wheel mounting position even after location or replacement of the wheel. <P>SOLUTION: An identification information providing unit 16 (16a) provides mounting identification information for each mounting position to an arbitrary wheel 14 (14a or the like) to be mounted. A wheel side device 18 (18a or the like) receiving mounting identification information transmits mounting identification information and information owned by itself to an ECU 32 functioning as a mounting recognition unit on the vehicle body side as wheel information. Information to be transmitted to the vehicle body side device by the identification information providing unit 16 is information with position information of a place to which the wheel 14 is mounted being updated, the ECU 32 can always recognize the mounting position of the wheel 14 and information on the wheel 14 in a set, and the mounted wheel can be control device thereby. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wheel information recognition system, a vehicle body side wheel information recognition device, and a wheel side wheel information recognition device, and more particularly to an improvement in technology for easily performing individual recognition of wheels mounted on a vehicle body.

  If the vehicle is run for a long time with the tire at a low pressure or a high temperature, the reliability of the tire may be impaired. Therefore, a technique for appropriately monitoring the air pressure, temperature and other conditions of each tire is desired. The monitoring results of individual tire conditions are considered to be applied to prediction of deterioration of reliability, tire replacement, prediction of tire rotation timing, optimal control of antilock brakes and identification of wheel types.

In order to know the state of each tire, a technique is known in which a sensor and a transmitter are provided in each tire, and information such as air pressure detected by the sensor is transmitted to a receiver on the vehicle body side by the transmitter. An ID, which is identification information, is assigned in advance to the transmitter provided in each tire. On the basis of the ID, the tire that has transmitted the information is the left front wheel, the right front wheel, the left rear wheel, and the right rear. It is possible to specify which is a ring. In order to specify the position, the ID relationship between each tire and the positional relationship between the tires is correctly associated when the vehicle is shipped from the factory. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a registration support technique capable of efficiently registering tire IDs in association with vehicle bodies at the time of factory shipment.
JP 2004-106570 A

  However, if the user, for example, a driver or the like rotates the tire or replaces the vehicle after the vehicle is sold, the correspondence between the ID and the tire position is lost. As a result, there is a problem in that it is not possible to determine from which tire the information sent from the tire transmitter is, and it becomes impossible to manage each tire. If you want to manage tires continuously after tire rotation or replacement, you must bring the vehicle to the factory or dealer again and register the ID of the newly installed tire according to the tire mounting position. It was. There is a problem that this registration work is troublesome and places a heavy burden on the user.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to easily recognize the correspondence between the wheel and the wheel mounting position even after the rotation of the wheel, that is, the tire, or replacement. The purpose is to provide a system. Moreover, it aims at providing the vehicle body side wheel information recognition apparatus and wheel side wheel information recognition apparatus which can be utilized for this wheel information recognition system.

  The present invention is a wheel information recognition system that recognizes wheel information by transmitting and receiving information between a vehicle body side device and a wheel side device, and is included in the vehicle body side device, and is a mounting identification that indicates a mounting position of a wheel on the vehicle body When the wheel is mounted on the vehicle body, the identification information providing unit for providing the wheel side for each mounting position and the wheel side device provided for each wheel include the mounting identification information provided from the vehicle body side. A wheel-side transmitter that transmits wheel information to the vehicle body side, and a mounting recognition unit that is included in the vehicle-side device and that recognizes the mounting position for each wheel based on the information transmitted from the wheel-side transmitter. It is characterized by.

  Here, the wheel includes a tire portion and a wheel portion. In addition to the front wheel left and right and rear wheel left and right, the wheel mounting position includes a spare tire storage part. Further, the mounting identification information provided by the identification information providing unit is information set for each wheel mounting position on the vehicle body side. For example, numbers, alphabets, combinations thereof, and arbitrary information forms can be used. It is. In addition, a waveform signal of a predetermined shape that can be individually identified, a conduction signal indicated by the presence or absence of conduction, a combination thereof, and the like can be used, such as a right front wheel, a left front wheel, a right rear wheel, a left rear wheel, a spare, etc. Identified. The wheel information is composed of at least two pieces of information including mounting identification information provided from the vehicle body side device and unique information for each wheel. Although the timing for providing the mounting identification information is arbitrary, it is provided at least on the side of the mounted wheel when the wheel is mounted at the mounting position on the vehicle body side. The timing for transmitting the wheel information from the wheel side to the vehicle body side is also arbitrary, but in order to sufficiently manage the wheel, it may be transmitted at a relatively short time interval, for example, 15 seconds or 30 seconds. desirable. In addition, a wheel side transmission part can be arrange | positioned at the valve position of a wheel, ie, a tire, for example.

  According to this configuration, the identification information providing unit provides the mounting identification information for each mounting position when the wheel is mounted on the vehicle body with respect to the arbitrary wheel to be mounted. Then, the mounting identification information and the wheel information of the vehicle itself are transmitted to the mounting recognition unit on the vehicle body side. As a result, the information transmitted from the wheel side device to the vehicle body side device is information in which the position information of the place where the wheel is mounted is updated, and the mounting recognition unit always includes information on the wheel mounting position and the mounted wheel. Can be recognized as a set, and the mounted wheels can be managed.

  Moreover, the said structure WHEREIN: The said wheel side transmission part transmits the state information of a wheel with the said mounting identification information to the said vehicle body side apparatus as the said wheel information, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Here, the wheel state information can include, for example, information on wheels, that is, tire air pressure, tire internal temperature, other tire size and tire ID, tire mounting time, etc. The state information of the wheel can be arbitrarily combined.

  According to this configuration, the vehicle body side device can always recognize the current state of the wheel together with the wheel mounting position.

  Moreover, the said structure WHEREIN: The said identification information provision part provides the said mounting identification information to the said wheel side apparatus, when the vehicle body side wheel connection part and the wheel side wheel fastening part are connected. .

  According to this configuration, since the mounting identification information is provided when the fastening connection between the vehicle body side and the wheel side is confirmed, the mounting identification information can be quickly and reliably provided to the target wheel. it can.

  Further, in the above configuration, the mounting identification information provided by the identification information providing unit is determined based on a conduction contact pattern formed by the vehicle body side wheel coupling unit and the wheel side wheel fastening unit. .

  Here, the conduction contact pattern is, for example, the presence or absence of conduction at the contact portion between the hub bolt that is the vehicle body side wheel connecting portion and the bolt hole that is the wheel side wheel fastening portion, that is, the position with conduction or the number with conduction. It is a pattern to be formed, and it is possible to form mounting identification information such as a right front wheel, a left front wheel, a right rear wheel, a left rear wheel, a spare, etc., and provide the mounting identification information to the wheel side device. Also, the attachment identification information can be formed by changing the magnitude of the resistance value at the time of connection at each connection position.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to easily form and provide the wearing identification information using the wheel connecting portion without greatly changing the existing configuration.

  Further, in the above configuration, the identification information providing unit is disposed in the vicinity of a wheel mounting position on the vehicle body side, and the wheel side device is configured to receive the mounting identification information from the identification information providing unit when the wheel rotates in the mounted state. It is characterized by receiving provision.

  According to this configuration, the wheel-side device can reliably receive the mounting identification information from the wheel mounting position with an easy configuration.

  Further, in the above configuration, the identification information providing unit is an information provider arranged in a different form for each wheel mounting position, and the wheel side device receives the mounting identification information by recognizing the arrangement form of the information provider. Can be acquired.

  According to this configuration, even with a simple information provider of the same form, a plurality of pieces of mounting identification information can be easily formed according to the arrangement form and provided to the wheel side device side.

  Moreover, the said structure WHEREIN: The said wheel side apparatus can acquire a positive signal or a negative signal according to arrangement | positioning of the said information provider.

  For example, with respect to the wheel side device, when the information provider is present on one side, the wheel side device acquires a positive signal. When the information provider is present on the other side, the wheel side device acquires a negative signal. By doing so, different mounting identification information can be formed by the mutual positional relationship between one information provider and the wheel side device. In addition, if two or more information providers and a wheel side device form a mutual positional relationship, a plurality of types of information providers can be used with a small number of information providers by considering the detection order of positive signals and negative signals. Mounting identification information can be formed.

  Moreover, the said structure WHEREIN: The said information provider is a magnet piece, The said wheel side apparatus acquires the signal which changes based on the magnetic field which the said magnet piece forms, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to this configuration, the wheel side device can easily recognize the number of information providers arranged in different forms for each wheel mounting position by detecting the magnetic field generated by the magnet.

  Further, in the present invention, the vehicle body side wheel information recognition device provides the identification information providing unit for providing the vehicle side with the vehicle identification information indicating the mounting position of the wheel on the vehicle body when the wheel is mounted on the vehicle body. An information receiving unit that receives wheel information of the wheel including the mounting identification information provided on the wheel side from the wheel side, a mounting recognition unit that recognizes a mounting position for each wheel based on the wheel information received by the information receiving unit, , May be included.

  In the present invention, the wheel-side wheel information recognition device acquires mounting identification information provided from the vehicle body side for each wheel mounting position when the wheel is mounted on the vehicle body, and the acquired mounting identification information and the wheel It is good also as what includes the information synthetic | combination part which synthesize | combines the wheel information containing this state information, and the wheel side transmission part which transmits the synthesize | combined wheel information to the said vehicle body side.

  In addition, what combined each element mentioned above suitably, what was rearranged, and what represented this invention in different expression forms, such as a method, can also be contained in the range of the invention which requires protection by a patent by this patent application.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system and an apparatus that can easily recognize the correspondence between a wheel and a wheel mounting position even after rotation or replacement of a wheel, that is, a tire.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of a vehicle 10 including a wheel information recognition system according to the present embodiment. The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 12, a left front wheel 14a provided on the left front (FL) of the vehicle body 12, a right front wheel 14b provided on the right front (FR) of the vehicle body 12, and a left rear (RL) of the vehicle body 12. A left rear wheel 14c, a right rear wheel 14d provided on the right rear (RR) of the vehicle body 12, and a spare wheel 14e loaded in the rear housing portion (SP) of the vehicle body 12. Hereinafter, the left front wheel 14a, the right front wheel 14b, the left rear wheel 14c, the right rear wheel 14d, and the spare wheel 14e are collectively referred to as “wheels 14” as necessary. Moreover, it may only call the wheels 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, and 14e. In addition, in this embodiment, a wheel shall mean what combined the tire part and the wheel part.

  In the example of FIG. 1 in the vicinity of each wheel 14, for example, in the wheel house 12 a of the vehicle body 12, as a part of the vehicle body side device, the mounting identification information indicating the mounting position for each wheel 14 is attached to the mounted wheel 14. For example, identification information providing units 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e configured by transmitters are provided. The identification information providing unit 16a is for FL, the identification information providing unit 16b is for FR, the identification information providing unit 16c is for RL, the identification information providing unit 16d is for RR, and the identification information providing unit 16e is for SP. Hereinafter, when referring to an arbitrary identification information providing unit, it is referred to as an identification information providing unit 16. The identification information providing unit 16 provides the mounting identification information to the mounted wheels 14 at least when the wheels 14 are mounted on the vehicle body 12. The mounting identification information may be in any form as long as it has a function of identifying the mounting position. For example, the mounting identification information may be FL, FR, RL, RR, SP, etc. The FR position may be “2”, the RL position may be “3”, the RR position may be “4”, and the SP position may be “5”. Further, it may be identified by a signal having a predetermined waveform, a conduction signal obtained by contact, or the like.

  On the other hand, wheel-side devices 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, and 18e are disposed on each wheel 14, respectively. Hereinafter, when referring to an arbitrary wheel side device, it is referred to as a wheel side device 18. As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the wheel side device 18 includes a wheel side receiving unit 20 having an antenna 20 a that receives the mounting identification information transmitted from the identification information providing unit 16, and an air pressure sensor 22 a that detects the tire internal pressure. Or the sensor unit 22 configured by a temperature sensor 22b for detecting the temperature inside the tire, the information detected by the sensor unit 22, and the mounting identification information received by the wheel side receiving unit 20, And a wheel side transmission unit 26 including an antenna 26a for transmitting the synthesized vehicle body information to the vehicle body 12 side. The information synthesizing unit 24 has information such as tire size, tire ID, and tire mounting time, which is unique information of the wheel 14, and can be included in the wheel information when the mounting identification information is combined. Of course, when combining the wheel information, the information of the sensor unit 22 may not be included, and the specific information such as the tire size, the tire ID, and the tire mounting time may be combined with the mounting identification information. In this case, static management of the wheel 14 can be performed. Conversely, when the information of the sensor unit 22 is included, dynamic management of the wheel 14 can be performed.

  In addition, this wheel side apparatus 18 can be arrange | positioned in the part of the valve | bulb 28 provided in the wheel 14 similarly to TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system), for example. Of course, you may share the transmission part of TPMS, and the wheel side transmission part 26 mentioned above.

  As shown in an image in FIG. 1, in the information synthesizing unit 24, the wheel side receiving unit 20 acquires information “◯◯◯” as the mounting identification information from the identification information providing unit 16 b, and further, the tire 22 from the sensor unit 22. When the information “ΔΔΔ” is acquired as information on the air pressure and temperature of the vehicle, information “◯◯ ΔΔΔ” is synthesized and transmitted via the wheel-side transmitting unit 26.

  In addition, the vehicle body 12 includes a vehicle body side reception unit 30 that functions as an information reception unit as a part of the vehicle body side device, receives wheel information transmitted from the wheel side transmission unit 26, and is included in the vehicle body side device. This is provided to an electronic control unit (ECU) 32 that functions as a wear recognition unit. Based on the acquired wheel information, the ECU 32 mounts wheels and acquires information related to the wheels. Moreover, control regarding various wheels, which will be described later, can be performed as necessary.

  As described above, the wheel information recognition system according to this embodiment includes the vehicle body side device and the wheel side device. And the identification information provision part 16 of the vehicle body side apparatus transmits mounting identification information uniquely with respect to the wheel 14 mounted | worn at the mounting position in the mounting position where self is arrange | positioned. The wheel 14 mounted at a predetermined mounting position combines state information such as tire pressure and temperature recognized by itself, that is, tire information, with the received mounting identification information and sends it back to the vehicle body side device as wheel information. . Accordingly, no matter what wheel 14 is mounted on the vehicle body 12, the wheel side device provides the vehicle body 12 with wheel information formed by the mounting identification information corresponding to the mounting position and the tire information. It is possible to recognize which wheel is mounted at which position. Since the wheel 14 is mounted on the vehicle body 12, the mounting identification information is given, so that it is not necessary for the wheel side device to hold the ID for specifying the transmission source, etc., so the configuration of the wheel side device is simplified. can do. Further, it is not necessary to reset the correspondence relationship between the position of the wheel 14 and the vehicle body 12 when the wheel 14 is rotated or when a new wheel is mounted, and the management of the vehicle body 12 and the wheel 14 is facilitated.

  The operation of this embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3A shows the same state as that in FIG. 1, and the identification information providing unit 16b arranged at the FR position indicates that the identification information “XXX” is attached to the wheel 14b mounted at the FR position. Send. Then, the wheel 14b combines the tire information “ΔΔΔ” detected by the wheel 14b with the received mounting identification information “XXX”, and the wheel information “OOXXΔΔΔ” is combined with the ECU 32 of the vehicle body side device. To send back. As a result, the vehicle body 12 recognizes that the wheel 14 having the characteristic “ΔΔΔ” is mounted at the FR position.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), instead of the wheel 14b that has been mounted at the FR position until now, the wheel 14d that has been mounted at the RR position until now is mounted, that is, the rotation of the wheel 14 is performed. When it does, the identification information provision part 16b arrange | positioned at FR position will transmit mounting | wearing identification information "XXX" with respect to the wheel 14d mounted | worn at FR position as before. The wheel 14d synthesizes the tire information “XXX” detected by itself and the received mounting identification information “XXX”, and sends the wheel information “XXXXXX” back to the ECU 32 of the vehicle body side device. ing. As a result, the vehicle body 12 recognizes that the wheel 14 having the characteristic “xxx” is mounted at the FR position. Of course, at the RR position, the mounting identification information “***” is transmitted to the wheel 14b mounted at the RR position, and the wheel 14b receives the tire information “ΔΔΔ” detected by itself and the received mounting identification information. Combined with “***”, wheel information “*** ΔΔΔ” is sent back to the ECU 32 of the vehicle body side device.

  Further, FIG. 3C shows that when a new wheel 14f is mounted instead of the wheel 14b that has been mounted at the FR position until now, that is, when the wheel 14 is replaced, the wheel 14b is disposed at the FR position. The identification information providing unit 16b transmits the mounting identification information “XXX” to the wheel 14f mounted at the FR position as before. The wheel 14f combines the tire information “◇◇◇” detected by itself with the received mounting identification information “XXX”, and sends the wheel information “XXX” to the ECU 32 of the vehicle body side device. ing. As a result, the vehicle body 12 recognizes that the wheel 14 having the feature “◇◇◇” is mounted at the FR position. The same applies when the spare wheel 14e is mounted. Of course, the same applies to other positions, that is, the FL position, the RL position, the RR position, and the SP position, and different pieces of mounting identification information are used to identify each wheel information.

  The identification information providing unit 16 may transmit the mounting identification information at least once, for example, when the wheel 14 is mounted. However, since the tire air pressure, temperature, and the like acquired by the wheel 14 are constantly changing, the information is constantly or It is desirable to update and acquire intermittently and combine it with the mounting identification information and transmit it to the vehicle body 12 side, for example, at intervals of 15 seconds or 30 seconds. Thus, by regularly updating the wheel information, it is possible to satisfactorily recognize the change in the state of the wheel while the vehicle body 12 is traveling. As a result, for example, when the tire air pressure decreases for some reason, or when the tire internal pressure increases, the wheel 14 that has changed is identified, and a signal or the like that promptly alerts the user is output. It can be performed.

  Moreover, since the mounting | wearing of the wheel 14 can be grasped | ascertained correctly, the vehicle body 12 can recognize the traveling distance from mounting | wearing of the wheel 14 correctly. As a result, for example, the rotation timing of the wheel 14 can be guided. Further, it is possible to predict the wear of the wheel 14 from the travel distance, for example, the wear amount of the tire groove, and it is possible to guide the replacement time of the wheel 14 and the like.

  Further, as tire information, inch information or tire specification information, for example, information such as a normal tire or a studless tire may be provided. In this case, it is also possible to prevent mismounting of the wheels 14 such as different types. In addition, it is possible to provide guidance regarding replacement from a normal tire to a studless tire and vice versa.

  In the above-described embodiment, the wireless method is used as a method of providing the mounting identification information from the vehicle body side device to the wheel side device, but a wired method can also be used. As shown in FIG. 4, the identification information providing unit 16 is built in the vehicle body side wheel connecting unit, that is, the hub 34 on the side surface of the brake rotor, and the terminal 36 a extending from the identification information providing unit 16 is disposed on the surface of the hub 34. . On the other hand, the terminal 36b connected to the wheel side device 18 is disposed in the wheel side wheel fastening portion, that is, the disk portion of the wheel 14 wheel. Then, the attachment identification information is provided from the identification information providing unit 16 to the wheel side device 18 in response to the contact of the terminals 36a and 36b. In this case, the provided mounting identification information is information indicating a mounting position prepared in advance in the identification information providing unit 16.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably provide the mounting identification information only to the mounted wheel 14 at the mounting position where the predetermined identification information providing unit 16 is disposed, and the vehicle body 12 side is appropriately mounted. Wheel information to which identification information is attached can be received. And the wheel side apparatus 18 which received provision identification information synthesize | combines wheel information similarly to the example shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and transmits the wheel information synthesize | combined to ECU32 of a vehicle body side apparatus. Then, the ECU 32 of the vehicle body side device recognizes the mounted wheel 14, and based on the state of the mounted wheel 14, the above-described management of the wheel 14 and signal control for prompting attention can be performed.

  Further, another method for providing the mounting identification information using the same vehicle body side wheel connecting portion and wheel side wheel fastening portion will be described with reference to FIGS. For example, a plurality of hub bolts of about 4 to 6 are erected on the vehicle body side wheel connecting portion of the vehicle body 12, that is, the hub, and the number of bolt holes corresponding to the number of hub bolts is formed in the disk portion of the wheel of the wheel 14. Is formed. Therefore, by using a plurality of hub bolts and bolt holes, different conduction contact patterns are formed for each mounting position of the wheel 14, and the contact between the vehicle body side wheel connecting portion and the wheel side wheel fastening portion is used as a trigger. The formed identification information can be provided to the wheel 14 side.

  FIG. 5 shows a conceptual configuration diagram of a pair of hub bolts and bolt holes. As described above, the hub bolt 40 is erected on the hub 34. Inside the hub 34, a power source 42 is disposed, and a pair of movable contacts 44 a and 44 b are connected to both ends thereof, and the movable contacts 44 a and 44 b are disposed around the hub bolt 40.

  On the other hand, around the bolt hole 38a formed on the wheel 38 side, fixed contacts 46a and 46b are arranged at positions corresponding to the aforementioned movable contacts 44a and 44b. The fixed contacts 46 a and 46 b are connected to an ECU 48 disposed in the wheel 14. The movable contacts 44a and 44b can be pressed to the hub 34 side by an urging means such as a spring or an elastic material so that the movable contacts 44a and 44b and the fixed contacts 46a and 46b can be in close contact with each other. . Therefore, when the vehicle body side wheel connecting portion and the wheel side wheel fastening portion are in contact, that is, when the hub 34 and the wheel 38 are in contact, the movable contacts 44a, 44b and the fixed contacts 46a, 46b are in contact, and the power source 42 is turned on. A circuit including the same is formed, and a predetermined voltage is provided to the ECU 48.

  Fixed contacts 46a and 46b similar to those described above are formed around a plurality of bolt holes 38a existing on the wheel 38. In this case, the pair of fixed contacts 46a and 46b formed corresponding to the respective bolt holes 38a are all connected to the ECU 48. On the other hand, movable contacts 44 a and 44 b are selectively formed around other hub bolts 40 formed on the hub 34. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the presence or absence of the movable contacts 44a and 44b is determined for each mounting position of the wheel 14, and each mounting position, that is, the FL position, Conductive contact patterns at the FR position, RL position, RR position, and SP position are formed. FIG. 6A shows an arrangement pattern of the movable contacts 44a and 44b of the hub 34a in which four hub bolts 40 are erected. The hub bolt 40 in which the movable contacts 44a and 44b are present is hatched. The hub 34a has a positioning projection 50 formed at the center thereof. In the present embodiment, movable contacts 44a and 44b are also arranged around the protrusion 50. As for the spare SP, movable contacts 44a and 44b are arranged on the stay 52a for fixing the spare wheel 14 in the same manner as the hub 34a, and the mounting identification information when the wheel 14 is mounted is used as the wheel side device. To be able to provide.

  As described above, the fixed contacts 46a and 46b are all disposed in the bolt holes 38a of the wheel 14, but the movable contacts 44a and 44b are selectively disposed on the hub 34a side. The voltage signal for each mounting position is input to the ECU 48 in the ECU 48. In the case of four types, fixed contacts 46a and 46b are also arranged in the central positioning hole. For example, the ECU 48 of the wheel 14 mounted at the FL position has a voltage signal input via the movable contacts 44 a and 44 b arranged around the hub bolt 40 and a movable contact 44 a arranged around the protrusion 50. , 44b, and a voltage signal inputted through 44b. As a result, the ECU 48 receives the mounting identification information indicating the FL position defined by the two voltage signals at the same time when the wheel 14 is mounted on the hub 34a. Similarly, in the FR position, a voltage signal based on two adjacent hub bolts 40 and the protrusion 50 is supplied, and in the RL position, a voltage signal based on two non-adjacent hub bolts 40 and the protrusion 50 is supplied. Is done. In the RR position, voltage signals based on the three hub bolts 40 and the protrusions 50 are supplied, and in the SP position, voltage signals based on all the four hub bolts 40 and the protrusions 50 are supplied. As a result, the wheel 14 at the FL position, the wheel 14 at the FR position, the wheel 14 at the RL position, the wheel 14 at the RR position, and the wheel 14 at the SP position can be provided with different mounting identification information.

  6B is an arrangement pattern of the movable contacts 44a and 44b of the hub 34b in which five hub bolts 40 are erected, and FIG. 6C is a movable pattern of the hub 34c in which six hub bolts 40 are erected. The arrangement pattern of the contacts 44a and 44b is shown. In FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C as well, the hub bolt 40 having the movable contacts 44a and 44b is hatched. In addition, although the protrusions for positioning exist in both the hubs 34b and 34c, they are not used for the arrangement of the movable contacts 44a and 44b in the present embodiment. Similarly to the above, for the spare SP, the movable contacts 44a and 44b are arranged on the stays 52b and 52c for fixing the spare wheel 14, and the mounting identification information when the wheel 14 is mounted is used as the wheel side device. Can be provided to.

  Thus, by changing the arrangement pattern of the movable contacts 44a, 44b for each of the mounting positions FL, FR, RL, RR, SP, it is possible to provide the wheel 14 with the mounting identification information easily and reliably. Become. The wheel side device 18 that has received the provision identification information synthesizes the wheel information and transmits the synthesized wheel information to the ECU 32 of the vehicle body side device, as in the example shown in FIGS. Then, the ECU 32 of the vehicle body side device recognizes the mounted wheel 14 and performs the control of the wheel 14 and the control for calling attention as described above based on the state of the mounted wheel 14. Note that the conductive contact patterns shown in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C are examples, and can be changed as appropriate, and the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained. In FIG. 5 described above, the power supply 42 is arranged on the hub 34 side, the mounting identification information is provided to the ECU 48 on the wheel 38 side, and a predetermined voltage for driving the ECU 48 is supplied. Can also be arranged, which can contribute to an improvement in design freedom. In the example of FIG. 6, the example in which the movable contacts 44a and 44b having the same configuration are arranged on the plurality of hub bolts 40 has been described. For example, the magnitude of the resistance value of the contact at the time of connection is changed at each wheel position. Thus, for each mounting position, even one hub bolt 40 contact structure can form mounting identification information that expresses the wheel position, which can contribute to simplification of the structure of the hub 34 and reduction in the number of parts. .

  FIG. 7 further shows an explanatory diagram for explaining another method of transmitting and receiving the mounting identification information. In this example, the identification information providing unit includes a plurality of information providing elements arranged near the wheel mounting position on the vehicle body side, specifically, a plurality of magnets 54 arranged on the wheel house 12a of the vehicle body 12. Yes. In the case of the present embodiment, the plurality of information providers includes zero information providers. On the other hand, the wheel side device 18 (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) includes a sensor unit 22 including an air pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, an information synthesis unit 24, and a wheel side transmission unit 26, similarly to the configuration shown in FIG. However, instead of the wheel side receiving unit 20, a magnet sensor (hereinafter referred to as “M sensor”) 56 that detects the presence of the magnet 54 disposed on the vehicle body 12 side is included. The M sensor 56 detects the magnetic field generated by the magnet 54 when the wheel 14 (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) rotates in the mounted state, and determines the number of the magnets 54 arranged at the mounting position of the wheel 14. Recognize as mounting identification information and receive provision of identification information.

  In FIG. 7, in the FL position, one magnet 54 is arranged. That is, the M sensor 56 detects that one magnet 54 exists when the wheel 14a is mounted and rotated once. In this case, the wheel 14a is supplied with the mounting identification information indicating the FL position, and the wheel side device 18a recognizes that the wheel 14a is mounted at the FL position. Similarly, in the case of the FR position, two information providers, that is, identification information providing units, that is, two magnets 54 are arranged. Accordingly, when the wheel side device 18b detects the two magnets 54, it recognizes that it has been provided with the mounting identification information indicating that the wheel 14b is mounted at the FR position. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which three magnets 54 are arranged at the RL position and four magnets 54 are arranged at the RR position. Of course, the magnet 54 as an information provider is arbitrary as long as it is arranged in a different form for each wheel mounting position, that is, in a different number of configurations, and the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since the spare wheel accommodated in the trunk room or the like does not rotate, it cannot receive the provision identification information by the rotation of the wheel. Therefore, in the case of the wheel 14 mounted at the spare position, the magnet 54 is not arranged on the vehicle body 12 side. Further, although the wheel side device 18 has the same configuration as described above, the presence of the magnet 54 cannot be confirmed because the wheel 14 does not rotate. Accordingly, by recognizing that the attachment identification information indicating the SP position attachment is received in a state where the presence of the magnet 54 cannot be confirmed, it is possible to identify the other attachment position.

  And the wheel side apparatus 18 which received provision identification information synthesize | combines wheel information similarly to the example shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and transmits the wheel information synthesize | combined to ECU32 of a vehicle body side apparatus. Then, the ECU 32 of the vehicle body side device recognizes the mounted wheel 14 and performs the control of the wheel 14 and the control for calling attention as described above based on the state of the mounted wheel 14. In the above-described example, the magnet 54 is used as the information provider. However, as long as a signal for identifying the individual is output and the wheel side device 18 can recognize the signal while individually identifying the information provider. Other information providers can be used. For example, a transmitter that transmits weak radio waves may be used, and the same effects as described above can be obtained.

  By the way, in the above-mentioned example, since the magnetic field of the magnet 54 is only detected by the M sensor 56, the configuration itself is simple. However, it is necessary to change the number of information providers, that is, the number of the magnets 54 for each wheel arrangement position. As a result, the total number of information providers increases, leading to an increase in the number of parts, an increase in parts costs, an increase in assembly man-hours, and the like. Therefore, a configuration capable of obtaining the same effect as the above-described example while reducing the number of parts and the number of assembling steps will be described with reference to FIGS.

  8A shows a state in which the vehicle body 12 is viewed from the left side, FIG. 8B shows a top view of the vehicle body 12, and FIG. 8C shows a state in which the vehicle body 12 is viewed from the right side. As shown in FIG. 8A, in the FL position, one magnet 54, which is an information provider, is disposed in the wheel house 12a as an information provider of the vehicle body side device. Further, at the RL position, one magnet 54 is disposed, for example, on the front side of the wheel house 12a, and a magnet 54 that is an information provider is provided on the rear side of the caliper 58 of the disc brake that is a part of the vehicle body 12. One is arranged. Further, as shown in FIG. 8C, in the case of the FR position, one magnet 54 is arranged on the caliper 58, and in the case of the RR position, one magnet 54 is arranged, for example, on the rear side of the wheel house 12a. One magnet 54 is disposed on the front side of the caliper 58.

  On the other hand, a switching unit 60 that operates under the influence of magnetism of a magnet 54 as shown in FIG. The switching unit 60 includes a swing contact 64 connected to a power source 62, for example, + EV, a fender side fixed contact 68 having a resistor 66a on the ground side, and a caliper side fixed contact 70 having a resistor 66b on the ground side. It is out. Further, a resistor 66 c is connected between the fender side fixed contact 68 and the caliper side fixed contact 70, and both ends thereof are connected to the ECU 72 of the wheel side device 18. The swing contact 64 is supported by an elastic material such as a spring plate material. The resistors 66a, 66b, 66c can be used having the same resistance value.

  The operation of the switching unit 60 having such a configuration will be described. For example, when the wheel 14 is mounted at the FL position and rotates with traveling, the rotation of the wheel 14 causes the switching unit 60 included in the wheel side device 18 to approach the magnet 54 disposed in the wheel house 12a. As a result, the swing contact 64 is pulled by the magnet 54 of the wheel house 12a and contacts the fender-side fixed contact 68 to close the circuit. Then, a voltage of + E / 2 appears at both ends of the resistor 66c.

  Further, when the wheel 14 is mounted at the FR position and rotates as the vehicle travels, the switching unit 60 included in the wheel-side device 18 approaches the magnet 54 disposed in the caliper 58 due to the rotation of the wheel 14. As a result, the swing contact 64 is pulled by the magnet 54 of the caliper 58 and contacts the caliper side fixed contact 70 to close the circuit. Then, a voltage of −E / 2 appears at both ends of the resistor 66c.

  Further, when the wheel 14 is mounted at the RL position, the switching unit 60 included in the wheel side device 18 approaches the magnet 54 disposed in the caliper 58 by the rotation of the wheel 14. As a result, the swing contact 64 is pulled by the magnet 54 of the caliper 58 and contacts the caliper side fixed contact 70 to close the circuit. A voltage of −E / 2 appears at both ends of the resistor 66c. Subsequently, when the wheel 14 continues to rotate, the switching unit 60 approaches the magnet 54 disposed in the wheel house 12a, and the swing contact 64 comes into contact with the fender-side fixed contact 68. As a result, a voltage of + E / 2 appears across the resistor 66c.

  On the other hand, in the case of the RR position, since the magnets 54 arranged in the wheel house 12a and the caliper 58 are opposite to the arrangement in the RF position, the voltage of −E / 2 and the voltage of + E / 2 are the RF positions. Appears in the reverse order at the time of and at the RF position.

  FIG. 10 shows these relationships. When the ECU 72 detects only + E / 2 voltage, the wheel 14 is mounted at the FL position, and the wheel side device 18 is mounted identification information indicating the FL position from the identification information providing unit 16 included in the vehicle body side device. Recognize that you have been provided. When only the voltage of −E / 2 is detected, the wheel 14 is mounted at the FR position, and the wheel side device 18 recognizes that the mounting identification information indicating the FR position is received. On the other hand, when the voltage of + E / 2 is detected following the voltage of −E / 2, the wheel 14 is mounted at the RL position, and the wheel side device 18 provides the mounting identification information indicating the RL position. We recognize that we received. Conversely, when the voltage of -E / 2 is detected following the voltage of + E / 2, the wheel 14 is mounted at the RR position, and the wheel side device 18 provides the mounting identification information indicating the RR position. We recognize that we received.

  In addition, regarding the RL position and the RR position, it may be difficult to determine the order of appearance of the + E / 2 voltage and the −E / 2 voltage depending on the detection start timing of the magnet 54. In this case, since the distance between the magnet 54 disposed in the wheel house 12a and the magnet 54 disposed in the caliper 58 is relatively close to each other and is disposed at a position biased on the circumference of the wheel 14, + E / 2 ( Or, the time until the voltage −E / 2 (or + E / 2) appears after the voltage −E / 2), and the time until the voltage + E / 2 (or −E / 2) appears. Are compared, the latter is set to be longer. Therefore, the RL position and the RR position can be identified by recognizing the interval.

  Further, the appearance order of the voltage + E / 2 and the voltage −E / 2 is reversed between when the vehicle body 12 is moving forward and when the vehicle body 12 is moving backward. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the advancement and the reverse in the vehicle body side device or the wheel side device based on a signal from an automatic transmission range, an active wheel speed sensor, or the like. In the case of the wheel 14 mounted at the spare position, since the magnet 54 cannot be detected by rotation as described above, it is assumed that the mounting identification information at the spare position is received when the magnet 54 cannot be detected. Consider.

  According to the configuration as described above, it is possible to receive the mounting identification information in the same manner as each configuration described above while reducing the number of magnets 54 that are information providers. And the wheel side apparatus 18 which received provision identification information synthesize | combines wheel information similarly to the example shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and transmits the wheel information synthesize | combined to ECU32 of a vehicle body side apparatus. Then, the ECU 32 of the vehicle body side device recognizes the mounted wheel 14 and performs the control of the wheel 14 and the control for calling attention as described above based on the state of the mounted wheel 14.

  In the description of FIG. 7, FIG. 8, etc., the example in which the mounting identification information is provided by detecting the number of magnets 54 is shown, but it is also possible to change the arrangement interval of two or more magnets 54. A plurality of types of identification information that can be identified can be formed. Also in this case, it is possible to provide and receive good wearing identification information. In addition, by changing the size of the magnet 54 to be arranged and the positional relationship with the M sensor 56 for each wheel position, information on the mounting position is acquired by the difference in the magnitude of the induced power generated on the M sensor 56 side. In the same manner as in the above-described example, it is also possible to perform a good transmission / reception operation of the attachment identification information.

  By the way, in the case of the above-described method of detecting the number of information providers, that is, the number of magnets 54 by the rotation of the wheel 14 as in the configuration described in FIGS. 7 and 8 to 10, the magnet 54 detected by one rotation of the wheel. It is necessary to accurately recognize the number of However, when the vehicle travels, there is a possibility that slip, locking of the wheels 14 or the like may occur depending on the road surface condition. Therefore, all four wheels are not necessarily rotating at the same speed. That is, when the detection of the magnet 54 is performed by detection per unit time, the rotational speed varies, which causes a detection error. Therefore, by making the information transmitted from the wheel side device 18 to the ECU 32 of the vehicle body side device “the number of magnets / the number of rotations”, the error due to the difference in the number of rotations or the rotation speed as described above can be prevented.

As shown in FIG. 11A, in the present embodiment, the wheel side device 18 includes an acceleration sensor 74 in order to obtain the number of magnets / the number of rotations. If the radius of the wheel 14 and the r, angular acceleration outputted from the acceleration sensor 74 becomes G = rω ^2. Therefore, the angular velocity ω = √ (G / r). That is, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the measurement time is T, n times of switching, that is, switching of the number of detected magnets 54 occurs at (ωT / 2π) rotation. Therefore, by transmitting the information “2πn / ωT” from the wheel side device 18 to the ECU 32 of the vehicle body side device, the vehicle body side device receives the information provided by the information provider, that is, the magnet 54 as an identification information providing unit. It is possible to accurately receive wheel information including the wheel position and accurately recognize the mounting position of the wheel 14.

  In this way, the information transmitted from the wheel side device 18 to the ECU 32 of the vehicle body side device is set to “number of magnets / number of rotations”, so that the number of information providers is detected by the rotation of the wheels 14 and the provision identification information is provided. Even when the wheel side device 18 is received, the wheel side device 18 accurately acquires the wheel information including the mounting identification information from the mounted wheel 14, and can identify and recognize the wheel 14 accurately and easily.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications such as design changes can be added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and the identification information providing unit is attached. Provide the wheel identification information for each wheel position for any wheel, and the wheel side device that received the information will synthesize the wheel identification information and the information it has and send it as wheel information to the body recognition unit. If it is the structure of doing, it is possible to acquire the effect similar to this embodiment, and can be included in the scope of the present invention.

It is a conceptual explanatory view of a vehicle provided with a wheel information recognition system according to the present embodiment. It is a composition conceptual diagram of the wheel side device of the wheel information recognition system concerning this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of wheel recognition by the wheel information recognition system which concerns on this embodiment. In the wheel information recognition system which concerns on this embodiment, it is explanatory drawing explaining the example which uses a vehicle body side wheel connection part and a wheel side connection part as a provision form of mounting | wearing identification information. In the wheel information recognition system which concerns on this embodiment, it is explanatory drawing explaining the example which uses a hub bolt and a bolt hole as a provision form of mounting | wearing identification information. It is explanatory drawing explaining the conduction contact pattern based on the structure shown in FIG. In the wheel information recognition system which concerns on this embodiment, it is explanatory drawing explaining the example which uses a magnet and a magnet sensor as a provision form of mounting | wearing identification information. In the wheel information recognition system which concerns on this embodiment, it is explanatory drawing explaining the other example using a magnet and a magnet sensor as a provision form of mounting | wearing identification information. In the structure of FIG. 8, it is a structure conceptual diagram of the switching unit incorporated in a wheel side apparatus. It is explanatory drawing explaining the pattern of the voltage which shows mounting | wearing identification information by the structure of FIG. In the wheel information recognition system which concerns on embodiment, it is explanatory drawing explaining the method of eliminating a detection error, when using a magnet and a magnet sensor as a provision form of mounting | wearing identification information.

Explanation of symbols

10 vehicle, 12 vehicle body, 12a wheel house, 14, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f wheel, 16, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e identification information providing unit, 18, 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d , 18e Wheel side device, 20 Wheel side receiving unit, 22 Sensor unit, 22a Air pressure sensor, 22b Temperature sensor, 24 Information combining unit, 26 Wheel side transmitting unit, 28 Valve, 30 Car body side receiving unit, 32 ECU, 34, 34a , 34b, 34c Hub, 36a, 36b Terminal, 38 Wheel, 38a Bolt hole, 40 Hub bolt, 42, 62 Power supply, 44a, 44b Movable contact, 46a, 46b Fixed contact, 50 Projection, 52a, 52b, 52c Stay, 54 Magnet, 56 Magnet sensor (M sensor), 58 Caliper, 60 Switching unit DOO, 64 rocking contacts, 66a, 66b, 66c resistors, 68 fender fixed contact, 70 caliper fixed contact, 74 acceleration sensor.

Claims (10)

A wheel information recognition system that recognizes wheel information by transmitting and receiving information between a vehicle body side device and a wheel side device,
An identification information providing unit that is included in the vehicle body side device and provides the wheel identification information indicating the mounting position of the wheel in the vehicle body to the wheel side for each mounting position when the wheel is mounted on the vehicle body;
A wheel-side transmission unit that is included in a wheel-side device provided for each wheel and transmits wheel information including mounting identification information provided from the vehicle body side to the vehicle body;
A mounting recognition unit that is included in the vehicle body side device and recognizes a mounting position for each wheel based on information transmitted from the wheel side transmission unit;
A wheel information recognition system comprising:   2. The wheel information recognition system according to claim 1, wherein the wheel side transmission unit transmits, as the wheel information, wheel state information together with the mounting identification information to the vehicle body side device.   The said identification information provision part provides the said mounting identification information to the said wheel side apparatus, when the vehicle body side wheel connection part and the wheel side wheel fastening part are connected. 2. The wheel information recognition system according to 2.   The wheel according to claim 3, wherein the mounting identification information provided by the identification information providing unit is determined based on a conduction contact pattern formed by the vehicle body side wheel connecting unit and a wheel side wheel fastening unit. Information recognition system.   The identification information providing unit is disposed near a wheel mounting position on a vehicle body side, and the wheel side device receives provision identification information from the identification information providing unit when the wheel rotates in a mounted state. The wheel information recognition system according to claim 1 or 2.   The identification information providing unit is an information provider arranged in a different form for each wheel mounting position, and the wheel side device acquires mounting identification information by recognizing the arrangement form of the information provider. The wheel information recognition system according to claim 5.   The wheel information recognition system according to claim 6, wherein the wheel side device acquires a positive signal or a negative signal according to the arrangement of the information provider.   The wheel information recognition system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the information provider is a magnet piece, and the wheel side device acquires a signal that changes based on a magnetic field formed by the magnet piece. An identification information providing unit that provides the wheel side with the mounting identification information indicating the mounting position of the wheel in the vehicle body to the wheel side for each mounting position;
An information receiving unit for receiving wheel information of the wheel including the mounting identification information provided to the wheel side from the wheel side;
Based on the wheel information received by the information receiving unit, a mounting recognition unit that recognizes the mounting position for each wheel,
The vehicle body side wheel information recognition device characterized by including. An information combining unit that acquires mounting identification information provided from the vehicle body side for each wheel mounting position when a wheel is mounted on the vehicle body, and combines wheel information including the acquired mounting identification information and wheel state information. When,
A wheel-side transmitter that transmits the synthesized wheel information to the vehicle body side;
Including a wheel-side wheel information recognition device.

Images