JP2006123703A - Tire wear monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tire wear monitoring device capable of preventing a big accident due to bursting of a tire by monitoring tire wear while a vehicle travels and consequently, easily grasping timing of exchanging the tire while the vehicle travels. <P>SOLUTION: This tire wear monitoring device 1A to monitor wear of a tread surface 9 of the pneumatic tire 3 is constituted by burying a different color rubber member 6 for wear monitoring having a color different from rubber of a tread rubber layer 5 on a bottom part of the tread rubber layer 5. It is furnished with a picture image reading means 10 installed on the vehicle 2 and to read a picture image of the tread surface 9 and a display means 13 to display the picture image of the tread surface 9 read out by the picture image reading means 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a tire wear monitoring device, and more particularly, to a tire wear monitoring device that monitors tire wear while a vehicle is running.

  If the tread surface wears and the vehicle runs beyond the tire wear limit, the tire may burst and develop into a major accident. Therefore, conventionally, in order to easily inform the driver of the tire wear state, a technique has been proposed in which colored rubber having a color different from that of the tire is embedded in the rubber layer of the tread portion (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). 4). The colored rubber is exposed on the tread surface where the wear has progressed, so that it is easy to know that the tire has reached the wear limit.

However, the above-described technology can be confirmed only when the driver stops the vehicle, and cannot be confirmed during traveling. In particular, in circuit races, unexpected and unusual wear often occurs during running. If the driver keeps running without knowing the occurrence of abnormal wear, the tire will burst, causing a serious single vehicle accident or a serious multi-vehicle accident involving other racing vehicles, and further developing a catastrophe that loses human life To do. Therefore, a countermeasure for preventing such a major accident has been desired.
JP-A-55-84646 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-157104 Japanese Utility Model Publication No.59-117503 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-154904

  The object of the present invention is to enable monitoring of tire wear during traveling of a vehicle, thereby making it easy to grasp the replacement timing of a traveling tire and to prevent a major accident caused by a burst of tires. Is to provide a simple tire wear monitoring device.

  A first tire wear monitoring device of the present invention that achieves the above object is a pneumatic tire that is mounted on a vehicle and has a different color rubber member for wear monitoring embedded in the bottom of the tread rubber layer and having a color different from the rubber of the tread rubber layer. A tire wear monitoring device for monitoring wear on a tread surface of a tire, comprising: an image reading unit that reads an image of the tread surface; and a display unit that displays an image of the tread surface read by the image reading unit. It is characterized by.

  A second tire wear monitoring device according to the present invention is provided on a tread surface of a pneumatic tire that is mounted on a vehicle and in which a different color rubber member for wear monitoring having a color different from that of the rubber of the tread rubber layer is embedded at the bottom of the tread rubber layer. A tire wear monitoring device for monitoring wear, an image reading unit for reading an image of the tread surface, a tread surface image signal input from the image reading unit, and converting the image signal into image data. Arithmetic processing means for determining whether or not the data of the different color rubber member for wear monitoring is included, and a warning for issuing a warning when the arithmetic processing means determines that the data of the different color rubber member for wear monitoring is included Means are provided.

  According to the first tire wear monitoring device of the present invention described above, when the different color rubber member for wear monitoring is exposed on the tread surface where wear has progressed, the image reading means can read it and display it on the display means. As a result, the driver can easily check the wear state of the tread surface while the vehicle is running. For this reason, for example, even if unexpected abnormal wear occurs during running at a circuit race or the like, the driver can know the occurrence of the abnormal wear, so it is possible to easily grasp the tire replacement time. . Accordingly, tire bursts can be avoided and major accidents can be prevented.

  According to the above-described second tire wear monitoring device of the present invention, when the wear monitoring abnormal color rubber member embedded in the bottom of the tread rubber layer is exposed on the worn tread surface, a warning is issued. The driver can know it easily. Therefore, it is easy to grasp the tire replacement time, so that it is possible to avoid tire bursts and prevent major accidents.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a tire wear monitoring device of the present invention mounted on a vehicle, 1A is a tire wear monitoring device, 2 is a vehicle, and 3 is a pneumatic tire mounted on the vehicle 2. FIG.

  Four pneumatic tires 3 are mounted on the vehicle 2, and each pneumatic tire 3 has a different color from the rubber of the tread rubber layer 5 at the bottom of the tread rubber layer 5 of the tread portion 4 as shown in FIG. 2. The structure has a structure in which a different color rubber member 6 for wear monitoring is embedded. The different color rubber member 6 for wear monitoring is composed of at least two types of belt-like rubber sheets 7 and 8 of different colors laminated vertically so as to have different embedding depths, and the width W (see FIG. 3) is set to 20 mm or less. The tire extends substantially across the tire contact width in the tire width direction. The reason why the width w of the rubber sheets 7 and 8 is set to 20 mm or less is to prevent deterioration of the tire performance due to peeling of the rubber sheets 7 and 8 or the like. The lower limit value is not particularly limited because it can take various values according to the reading capability of the image reading unit 10 to be described later, and any lower limit value can be used as long as it can be read by the image reading unit 10.

  The lower rubber sheet 8 indicates that the tread surface 9 in which the wear has progressed has reached the wear limit region, and can be composed of, for example, a red rubber sheet. The upper rubber sheet 7 indicates that the tread surface 9 on which wear has progressed is close to the wear limit region, and can be composed of, for example, a yellow rubber sheet. Incidentally, the color of the tread rubber layer 5 is black.

  The tire wear monitoring device 1A for monitoring the wear of the tread surface 9 of the pneumatic tire 3 in which the different colored rubber members 6 for different wear monitoring are embedded in the bottom of the tread rubber layer 5 is a pneumatic tire mounted on the vehicle 2. There are provided image reading means 10 composed of ultra high-speed video cameras or the like (four in the figure) as many as the number of tires 3. Each image reading means 10 is mounted on the vehicle 2 so as to face the tread surface 9 of each pneumatic tire 3 and reads an image of the tread surface 9 of the pneumatic tire 3 of the traveling vehicle 2. . Each image reading means 10 is connected to a calculation processing means 11 for calculating the image of the tread surface 9 read by the image reading means 10.

  The arithmetic processing means 11 mounted on the vehicle 2 processes the image signal of the tread surface 9 input from the image reading means 10 and converts it into image data, and the data of the wear monitoring different color rubber member 6 is included in the image data. It is determined whether or not it is included.

  That is, when the wear of the tread surface 9 proceeds, the rubber sheet 7 of the different color rubber member 6 for monitoring the wear is first exposed on the worn tread surface 9. When the image of the tread surface 9 from which the rubber sheet 7 is exposed is read by the image reading unit 10 and input to the arithmetic processing unit 11, the data of the rubber sheet 7 is included in the image data of the tread surface 9 due to the difference in color. Is determined. If it is determined that it is included, a first warning signal is output to warning means 12 described later.

  As the wear further proceeds, the rubber sheet 8 of the different color rubber member 6 for wear monitoring is exposed to the worn tread surface 9. When the image signal is input to the arithmetic processing means 11, it is determined that the data of the rubber sheet 8 is included in the image data of the tread surface 9 from the difference in color. If it is determined that it is included, a second warning signal is output to warning means 12 described later. As described above, the arithmetic processing means 11 determines whether or not the data of the rubber sheets 7 and 8 are included.

  Further, when the rubber sheet 8, that is, the rubber sheet 8 at the deepest embedded depth indicating that the wear limit region has been reached is exposed at the worn tread surface 9, the exposure amount that is the length in the tire width direction is exposed. K (mm) is calculated sequentially. A ratio K / L between the calculated exposure amount K and a tire ground contact width value L (mm) set in advance is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the calculated ratio K / L exceeds a preset threshold value. . If it is determined that it has exceeded, a third warning signal is output to a warning means 12 described later, and the arithmetic processing means 11 determines whether or not to warn using the calculated exposure amount K.

  For example, in a circuit race, the tread surface 9 often wears unevenly in the width direction without being evenly worn. When the uneven wear proceeds, the uneven wear occurs before the entire rubber sheet 8 is exposed to the worn tread surface 9, that is, the wear limit region end of the bottom surface of the rubber sheet 8, that is, the bottom surface (inner peripheral surface) of the tread rubber layer 5. Proceeding close, the risk of bursting tires becomes extremely high. Therefore, after the exposure of the rubber sheet 8 is detected, the exposure amount K is further calculated and determined as described above. The threshold value set here is preferably 0.05.

  Similarly, warning means 12 mounted on the vehicle 2 is connected to the arithmetic processing means 11. The warning means 12 issues a warning when it is determined by the arithmetic processing means 11 that the data of the different color rubber member 6 for wear monitoring is included, and a first warning signal is input from the arithmetic processing means 11 to the warning means 12. Then, a first warning sound is generated, and the yellow lamp 12a is turned on. The generation of the first warning sound and the lighting of the yellow lamp 12a notify the traveling driver that the tread surface 9 on which the wear has progressed is close to the wear limit region.

  When the second warning signal is input from the arithmetic processing unit 11 to the warning unit 12, a second warning sound different from the first warning sound is generated, and the red lamp 12b is turned on. The generation of the second warning sound and the lighting of the red lamp 12b notify the driver who is traveling that the tread surface 9 in which wear has progressed has entered the wear limit region. As described above, the warning unit 12 issues a different warning for each of the rubber sheets 7 and 8 determined to be included in the arithmetic processing unit 11.

  When a third warning signal is further input from the arithmetic processing means 11 to the warning means 12, a third warning sound different from the first and second warning sounds is generated, and the vermilion lamp 12c is turned on. Due to the generation of the third warning sound and lighting of the vermilion lamp 12c, the wear of the tread surface 9 progresses to near the end of the wear limit area for the driver who is running, and the risk of tire bursting is extremely high. Let them know.

  The arithmetic processing unit 11 further includes a display unit 13 for displaying the image of the tread surface 9 read by the image reading unit 10 and a storage unit for storing data of the image of the tread surface 9 read by the image reading unit 10. 14 are connected to each other.

  The display means 13 displays the image of the tread surface 9 read by the image reading means 10 on a display (not shown) installed in the passenger compartment that can be seen from the driver's seat, and the traveling driver sequentially indicates the wear status of the tread surface 9. You can check and monitor.

  The storage unit 14 sequentially stores image data, calculation results, and determination results obtained by processing the image signal of the tread surface 9 read by the image reading unit 10 by the calculation processing unit 11.

  According to the present invention described above, the pneumatic tire 3 in which the different color rubber member 6 for wear monitoring is embedded is used, while the image of the tread surface 9 read by the image reading means 10 is displayed on the display means 13. The driver can confirm and monitor the wear state of the tread surface 9 while traveling. For this reason, for example, even if unexpected abnormal wear occurs during running at a circuit race, etc., the driver can immediately know the occurrence of the abnormal wear, making it easy to grasp the timing of tire replacement, Therefore, it is possible to avoid tire bursts and prevent major accidents.

  Further, since the wear monitoring different color rubber member 6 embedded in the bottom of the tread rubber layer 5 is exposed to the worn tread surface 9 by using the arithmetic processing means 11 and the warning means 12, the wear has progressed. The driver can be surely notified.

  Further, the different color rubber member 6 for wear monitoring is composed of at least two types of rubber sheets 7 and 8 having different embedment depths and colors, and different warnings are given when the rubber sheets 7 and 8 are exposed on the worn tread surface 9. , The driver can be informed of the degree of progress of the wear in a step-by-step manner and encourage early tire replacement.

  In addition, since the rubber sheets 7 and 8 are configured to extend in the tire width direction, it is possible to easily cope with wear that is biased in the width direction on the tread surface 9 during racing on the circuit. Can do.

  Further, when the rubber sheet 8 at the deepest position indicating that it has reached the wear limit region is exposed to the worn tread surface 9, it is further determined using the exposure amount K. Even when wear that is biased in the width direction proceeds, the wear limit can be reliably notified to the driver.

  4 and 5 show examples of other pneumatic tires 3 used in the tire wear monitoring device 1A of the present invention. The pneumatic tires 3 have different depths of embedding the above-mentioned different color rubber members 6 for wear monitoring. In this way, it is composed of at least three types of truncated cone rubber layers 15, 16, 17 of different colors stacked one above the other. The diameter (the diameter at the lower end) D of the frustoconical rubber layer 17 having the largest embedding depth and the largest diameter is set to 20 mm or less for the same reason as described above.

  The frustoconical rubber layer 17 at the deepest embedding depth indicates that the tread surface 9 where wear has progressed has reached the wear limit region, and is composed of, for example, a vermilion frustoconical rubber layer. be able to. The intermediate frustoconical rubber layer 16 indicates that the tread surface 9 where wear has progressed is close to the wear limit region, and can be composed of, for example, an orange frustoconical rubber layer. The frustoconical rubber layer 15 located at the shallowest position indicates that the wear of the tread surface 9 has progressed to some extent, and can be composed of, for example, a blue frustoconical rubber layer.

  The wear monitoring different color rubber member 6 formed by laminating the frustoconical rubber layers 15, 16, and 17 is used when the position where the tread surface 9 is worn is known in advance by experience and tests. The

  In the tire wear monitoring apparatus 1B for monitoring the wear of the tread surface 9 of the pneumatic tire 3 in which the wear monitoring different color rubber member 6 constructed by laminating the truncated cone rubber layers 15, 16, and 17 is embedded, the arithmetic processing described above is performed. The means 11 determines whether the image data of the tread surface 9 includes the data of the frustum-shaped rubber layers 15, 16, and 17, respectively.

  That is, when wear of the tread surface 9 progresses, an image of the tread surface 9 with the truncated cone rubber layer 15 exposed is read by the image reading means 10 and input to the arithmetic processing means 11. It is determined that the data of the mold rubber layer 15 is included in the image data of the tread surface 9. If it is determined that it is included, a first warning signal is output to the warning means 12.

  When the wear progresses further and the image of the tread surface 9 from which the truncated cone-shaped rubber layer 16 is exposed is read by the image reading means 10 and input to the arithmetic processing means 11, the truncated cone-shaped rubber layer 16 is caused by the difference in color. Is included in the image data of the tread surface 9. If it is determined that it is included, a second warning signal is output to the warning means 12.

  When the wear progresses further and the image of the tread surface 9 from which the truncated cone-shaped rubber layer 17 is exposed is read by the image reading means 10 and inputted to the arithmetic processing means 11, the truncated cone-shaped rubber layer 17 is caused by the difference in color. Is included in the image data of the tread surface 9. If it is determined that it is included, a third warning signal is output to the warning means 12.

  When the truncated cone-shaped rubber layer 17 is exposed on the worn tread surface 9, the exposure amount M, which is the exposed diameter, is sequentially calculated. The difference (D−M) between the calculated exposure amount M (mm) and the diameter D (mm) at the lower end of the truncated cone rubber layer 17 is calculated, and the calculated difference (D−M) is preset. It is determined whether or not the threshold value has been reached. If it is determined that the threshold value has been reached, a fourth warning signal is output to the warning means 12, and the arithmetic processing means 11 determines whether or not to warn using the calculated exposure amount M. As a threshold value set here, 5 mm can be mentioned preferably, for example, when the diameter D is 20 mm.

  The warning unit 12 is configured to include four different color lamps, for example, blue, orange, red, and vermilion lamps, and when the first warning signal is input from the arithmetic processing unit 11 to the warning unit 12. The first warning sound is generated and the blue lamp is turned on. The generation of the first warning sound and the lighting of the blue lamp inform the traveling driver that the wear of the tread surface 9 has progressed to some extent.

  When the second warning signal is input from the arithmetic processing means 11 to the warning means 12, a second warning sound different from the first warning sound is generated, and the orange lamp is turned on. The generation of the second warning sound and the lighting of the orange lamp inform the traveling driver that the tread surface 9 on which wear has progressed is close to the wear limit region.

  When the third warning signal is input from the arithmetic processing means 11 to the warning means 12, a third warning sound different from the first and second warning sounds is generated, and the red lamp is turned on. The generation of the third warning sound and the lighting of the red lamp inform the traveling driver that the tread surface 9 where wear has progressed has entered the wear limit region.

  When the fourth warning signal is further input from the arithmetic processing means 11 to the warning means 12, a fourth warning sound different from the first, second and third warning sounds is generated, and the vermilion lamp is turned on. To do. Due to the generation of this fourth warning sound and lighting of the vermilion lamp, the wear of the tread surface 9 progressed to near the end of the wear limit area for the driver who was running, and the risk of bursting the tires became extremely high. To inform.

  Thus, you may make it comprise the tire wear monitoring apparatus 1A and the pneumatic tire 3 used for it.

  FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the tire wear monitoring device of the present invention. This tire wear monitoring device 1B is configured such that the wear of the pneumatic tire 3 can be monitored even outside the vehicle 2 in the above-described tire wear monitoring device 1A. In particular, it can be preferably used when notifying a manager who manages a vehicle in a circuit race of a tire wear state.

  The tire wear monitoring device 1B includes a transmission unit 18 for transmitting an image of the tread surface 9 read by the image reading unit 10 and a vehicle outside unit 19 installed outside the vehicle in the tire wear monitoring device 1A. I have.

  The transmission means 18 mounted on the vehicle 2 includes a transmitter 20 connected to the arithmetic processing means 11 and an antenna 21 connected to the transmitter 20, and the image data processed by the arithmetic processing means 11 is transmitted to the antenna 21. It transmits to the unit 19 outside a vehicle via.

  The vehicle exterior unit 19 includes a receiving unit 24 that receives the image data transmitted from the transmitting unit 18 via the antenna 22, an arithmetic processing unit 25 connected to the receiver 24, and the arithmetic processing unit 25. Each has warning means 26, display means 27, and storage means 28 connected thereto.

  The arithmetic processing means 25 makes each determination in the same manner as the arithmetic processing means 11 described above, and the warning means 26 issues a warning similar to the above. The display unit 27 displays the image of the image data of the tread surface 9 received by the receiving unit 24, and the storage unit 28 sequentially stores the image data, the calculation result by the calculation processing unit 25, and the determination result.

  By adopting the configuration including the vehicle outside unit 19 in this way, a vehicle manager other than the driver, for example, can also monitor the wear of the tire while the vehicle is running.

  In the present invention, in the above embodiment, the different color rubber member 6 for wear monitoring is composed of a plurality of rubber sheets 7, 8 or a plurality of truncated cone rubber layers 15, 16, 17, respectively, but at least reaches the wear limit region. What is necessary is just to have the rubber sheet 8 of the one layer and the truncated cone type rubber layer 17 which show having performed. Further, the different color rubber member 6 for monitoring the wear may be provided at least one place on the tire circumference.

  The warning means 12 and 25 are configured to generate a warning sound and turn on the lamp, but may be either one. Further, the color of the lamp is not limited to the color described above, and can be appropriately selected.

  Each of the tire wear monitoring devices 1A and 1B described above includes an image reading unit 10, an arithmetic processing unit 11, a warning unit 12, and a display unit 13, and can visually check the wear state of the tread surface 9 and further issue a warning. However, only the image reading means 10 and the display means 13 are provided so that the wear state of the tread surface 9 can be visually confirmed through the display means 13, or the image reading means 10 and the arithmetic processing means are used. 11. It may be configured to have only the warning means 12 and the tire wear may be monitored by issuing a warning.

  The present invention can be preferably used as a tire wear monitoring device particularly mounted on a race vehicle, but is not limited thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory plan view showing a tire wear monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention mounted on a vehicle. It is principal part sectional drawing of the tread part which shows the different color rubber member for abrasion monitoring with a tread rubber layer. It is a top view of the different color rubber member for wear monitoring of FIG. In other examples of the pneumatic tire used for the tire wear monitoring device of the present invention, it is a principal section sectional view of a tread part showing a different color rubber member for wear monitoring with a tread rubber layer. It is a top view of the different color rubber member for wear monitoring of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows other embodiment of the tire wear monitoring apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A, 1B Tire wear monitoring apparatus 2 Vehicle 3 Pneumatic tire 4 Tread part 5 Tread rubber layer 6 Wear different color rubber member 7, 8 Rubber sheet 9 Tread surface 10 Image reading means 11, 25 Arithmetic processing means 12, 26 Warning means 13, 27 Display means 14, 28 Storage means 15, 16, 17 Frustum-shaped rubber layer 18 Transmitting means 19 Unit outside vehicle 24 Receiving means

Claims (10)

  A tire wear monitoring device for monitoring wear on a tread surface of a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle and having a different color rubber member for wear monitoring having a color different from that of the rubber of the tread rubber layer embedded in the bottom of the tread rubber layer, A tire wear monitoring apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that reads an image of the tread surface; and a display unit that displays an image of the tread surface read by the image reading unit.   A processing unit that processes the image signal of the tread surface input from the image reading unit, converts the image signal into image data, and determines whether or not the wear monitoring different color rubber member data is included in the image data; 2. The tire wear monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising a warning means for issuing a warning when it is determined by the arithmetic processing means that the data of the different color rubber member for wear monitoring is included.   A tire wear monitoring device for monitoring wear on a tread surface of a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle and having a different color rubber member for wear monitoring having a color different from that of the rubber of the tread rubber layer embedded in the bottom of the tread rubber layer, Image reading means for reading the image of the tread surface, and processing the tread surface image signal input from the image reading means to convert it into image data, and the image data includes the data of the different color rubber member for wear monitoring A tire wear monitoring device comprising: an arithmetic processing unit that determines whether or not the data is included, and a warning unit that issues a warning when it is determined by the arithmetic processing unit that the data of the different color rubber member for wear monitoring is included.   The wear monitoring different color rubber member is composed of at least two types of rubber sheets extending in the tire width direction and having different embedment depths and colors, and the arithmetic processing means stores data of the at least two types of rubber sheets. The tire wear monitoring device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein whether or not each is included is determined, and a different warning is issued for each rubber sheet for which the warning means is determined to be included in the arithmetic processing means.   The arithmetic processing means calculates the exposure amount when the rubber sheet at the deepest embedded depth is exposed on the worn tread surface, and determines whether or not to warn using the calculated exposure amount. 5. The tire wear monitoring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the warning means further issues a warning different from the different warning when the arithmetic processing means determines that the warning is issued.   The wear monitoring different color rubber member includes at least three types of truncated cone type rubber layers having different embedment depths and colors, and the arithmetic processing means includes data of the at least three types of truncated cone type rubber layers, respectively. The tire wear monitoring device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a different warning is generated for each frustum-type rubber layer that is determined whether or not the warning means is included in the arithmetic processing means.   The arithmetic processing means calculates the exposure amount when the truncated cone rubber layer located at the deepest embedded position is exposed on the worn tread surface, and whether or not to warn using the calculated exposure amount The tire wear monitoring device according to claim 6, wherein the warning means further issues a warning different from the different warning when it is determined that the arithmetic processing means warns.   The tire wear monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising storage means for storing data of an image of a tread surface read by the image reading means.   Transmitting means for transmitting the image signal of the tread surface read by the image reading means, receiving means for receiving the image signal of the tread surface transmitted from the transmitting means, and image signal of the tread surface received by the receiving means The tire wear monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising display means for displaying the image of the display, wherein the display means and the receiving means are installed outside the vehicle.   The tire wear monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the vehicle is a race vehicle.

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