JP2007253709A

JP2007253709A - Tire pneumatic pressure monitoring system

Info

Publication number: JP2007253709A
Application number: JP2006078946A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Manabu Kato; 加藤　　学; Eiji Fujioka; 英二藤岡
Original assignee: Aisin Seiki Co Ltd
Current assignee: Aisin Corp
Priority date: 2006-03-22
Filing date: 2006-03-22
Publication date: 2007-10-04

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tire pneumatic pressure monitoring system which precisely receives recognition information and measurement result information with a vehicle body side transceiver device while simplifying system constitution. <P>SOLUTION: This tire pneumatic pressure monitoring system is furnished with the plurality of tire side transceiver devices 10 and vehicle body side transceiver devices 20, each of the tire side transceiver devices 10 has: a pneumatic pressure measuring means to measure pneumatic pressure in a tire inside space 4; a tire side transmitting means to wireless-transmit the intrinsic recognition information and the measurement result information by the pneumatic pressure measuring means; a tire side receiving means to receive a transmission demand of the recognition information and the measurement result information; and a tire side control means to carry out information transmission process to transmit the recognition information and the measurement result information to the tire side transmitting means when it receives the transmission demand. Each of the tire side control means changes a stand-by period of time while the tire side transmitting means receives the recognition information and the measurement result information after the tire side receiving means receives the transmission demand at random at each time of the information transmission process. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、車両のタイヤとホイールとによって形成されるタイヤ内空間の空気圧を測定するタイヤ空気圧監視システムに関する。 The present invention relates to a tire air pressure monitoring system for measuring air pressure in a tire inner space formed by a vehicle tire and a wheel.

車両に設けられた複数のタイヤ及び複数のホイールによって形成される複数のタイヤ内空間の空気圧を測定して、その空気圧が正常であるか否かを監視可能にしたタイヤ空気圧監視システムがある。特許文献１に記載のタイヤ空気圧監視システムは、複数のタイヤ内空間に各別に設置され、タイヤ内空間の空気圧を測定する空気圧測定手段を有する複数のタイヤ側送受信装置と、車両の車体側に設置される車体側送受信装置とを備える。特許文献１に記載のタイヤ空気圧監視システムにおいて、先ず車体側送受信装置は、タイヤ側送受信装置毎に固有の識別情報と空気圧測定手段を用いた測定結果情報とを送信するよう、タイヤ側送受信装置に対して送信要求を無線送信する。そして、送信要求を受信したタイヤ側送受信装置は、車体側送受信装置に対して、自身の識別情報と測定結果情報を無線送信する。このとき、車体側送受信装置から各タイヤ側送受信装置に対して順番に送信要求を送信して、各タイヤ側送受信装置から順番に上記情報を受信する方式と、車体側送受信装置から全てのタイヤ側送受信装置に対して同時に送信要求を送信して、全タイヤ側送受信装置から同時に上記情報を受信する方式とが考えられる。 2. Description of the Related Art There is a tire pressure monitoring system that measures the air pressure in a plurality of tire spaces formed by a plurality of tires and a plurality of wheels provided in a vehicle and can monitor whether or not the air pressure is normal. A tire pressure monitoring system described in Patent Document 1 is installed in each of a plurality of tire spaces, and is installed on a vehicle body side of a plurality of tire side transmission / reception devices each having air pressure measuring means for measuring the air pressure in the tire space. A vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device. In the tire pressure monitoring system described in Patent Document 1, first, the vehicle body side transmission / reception device transmits to the tire side transmission / reception device so as to transmit identification information unique to each tire side transmission / reception device and measurement result information using the air pressure measurement means. A transmission request is transmitted by radio. And the tire side transmission / reception apparatus which received the transmission request wirelessly transmits its identification information and measurement result information to the vehicle body side transmission / reception apparatus. At this time, a transmission request is sequentially transmitted from the vehicle body side transmission / reception device to each tire side transmission / reception device, and the above information is received in order from each tire side transmission / reception device, and all tire sides from the vehicle body side transmission / reception device It can be considered that the transmission request is simultaneously transmitted to the transmission / reception device, and the above information is received simultaneously from all the tire-side transmission / reception devices.

特開２００４−２６８６１２号公報JP 2004-268612 A

前者の方式の場合、車体側送受信装置は、各タイヤ側送受信装置に対して個別に送信要求を無線送信するために、各タイヤ側送受信装置の近傍に上記送信要求を送出するための送信アンテナを設ける必要がある。そして、特定のタイヤ側送受信装置に対しては送信要求の電波は到達するものの、他のタイヤ側送受信装置に対して送信要求の電波が到達しないように構成し、車体側送受信装置からの上記送信要求の送信を各送信アンテナから順番に行う必要がある。その結果、各タイヤ側送受信装置の近傍に上記送信要求を送出するための送信アンテナを設けることが必須となり、更に、各送信アンテナから順番に送信要求を送信するという煩雑な制御を行わねばならなかった。 In the case of the former method, the vehicle body side transmission / reception device has a transmission antenna for transmitting the transmission request in the vicinity of each tire side transmission / reception device in order to wirelessly transmit a transmission request individually to each tire side transmission / reception device. It is necessary to provide it. The transmission request radio wave reaches the specific tire side transmission / reception device, but the transmission request radio wave does not reach the other tire side transmission / reception device, and the transmission from the vehicle body side transmission / reception device is performed. It is necessary to transmit the request sequentially from each transmitting antenna. As a result, it is essential to provide a transmission antenna for sending the transmission request in the vicinity of each tire-side transmission / reception device, and it is necessary to perform complicated control of transmitting the transmission request in order from each transmission antenna. It was.

また、後者の方式の場合、複数のタイヤ側送受信装置から一つの車体側送受信装置に対して識別情報及び測定結果情報が同時に無線送信されるため、電波の混信が発生することがある。そのため、車体側送受信装置は、識別情報及び測定結果情報を正確に受信できなくなる可能性がある。 In the case of the latter method, radio wave interference may occur because identification information and measurement result information are simultaneously transmitted from a plurality of tire-side transmitting / receiving devices to one vehicle-side transmitting / receiving device. Therefore, the vehicle body side transmission / reception device may not be able to accurately receive the identification information and the measurement result information.

本発明は、上記の課題に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的は、システム構成を簡単にしながら、識別情報及び測定結果情報を車体側送受信装置で正確に受信できるタイヤ空気圧監視システムを提供する点にある。 The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a tire pressure monitoring system capable of accurately receiving identification information and measurement result information by a vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device while simplifying the system configuration. In the point.

上記目的を達成するための本発明に係るタイヤ空気圧監視システムの特徴構成は、車両に設けられた複数のタイヤ及び複数のホイールによって形成される複数のタイヤ内空間に各別に設置される複数のタイヤ側送受信装置と、前記車両の車体側に設置される車体側送受信装置とを備え、
前記タイヤ側送受信装置の夫々は、前記タイヤ内空間の空気圧を測定する空気圧測定手段と、前記タイヤ側送受信装置毎に付与された固有の識別情報及び前記空気圧測定手段による測定結果情報を前記タイヤ内空間の外部に無線送信するタイヤ側送信手段と、外部からの前記識別情報及び前記測定結果情報の送信要求を受信するタイヤ側受信手段と、前記タイヤ側受信手段が前記送信要求を受信すると前記タイヤ側送信手段に対して前記識別情報及び前記測定結果情報を外部に送信させる情報送信処理を行うタイヤ側制御手段と、を有するタイヤ空気圧監視システムであって、
前記複数のタイヤ側送受信装置が有する前記タイヤ側制御手段の夫々は、前記タイヤ側受信手段が前記送信要求を受信してから前記タイヤ側送信手段が前記識別情報及び前記測定結果情報を送信するまでの待機期間を、前記情報送信処理の度にランダムに変更するように構成されている点にある。 In order to achieve the above object, the tire air pressure monitoring system according to the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of tires installed separately in a plurality of tire inner spaces formed by a plurality of tires and a plurality of wheels provided in a vehicle. A side transmission / reception device, and a vehicle body side transmission / reception device installed on the vehicle body side of the vehicle,
Each of the tire side transmission / reception devices includes an air pressure measurement means for measuring the air pressure in the tire inner space, unique identification information given to each tire side transmission / reception device, and measurement result information by the air pressure measurement means. Tire-side transmission means for wireless transmission to the outside of the space; tire-side reception means for receiving a transmission request for the identification information and the measurement result information from outside; and when the tire-side reception means receives the transmission request, the tire Tire pressure control system for performing information transmission processing for transmitting the identification information and the measurement result information to the outside with respect to the side transmission means,
Each of the tire-side control means included in the plurality of tire-side transmission / reception devices is from when the tire-side receiving means receives the transmission request until the tire-side transmitting means transmits the identification information and the measurement result information. The waiting period is configured to be randomly changed every time the information transmission process is performed.

上記特徴構成によれば、複数のタイヤ側送受信装置が有するタイヤ側制御手段の夫々は、上記待機期間を上記情報送信処理の度にランダムに変更するので、タイヤ側送受信装置からの識別情報及び測定結果情報の送信タイミングは、タイヤ側送受信装置毎に異なる可能性が高くなる。つまり、車体側送受信装置が各タイヤ側送受信装置から受信する識別情報及び測定結果情報を含む電波に混信が生じる可能性が低くなる。たとえ、二つ以上のタイヤ側送受信装置の上記待機期間が同時になることで、車体側送受信装置がタイヤ側送受信装置から受信する識別情報及び測定結果情報に混信が生じたとしても、次の上記情報送信処理においても上記待機期間がランダムに変更されるため、その時には、上記二つ以上のタイヤ側送受信装置の上記待機期間は異なる可能性が高い。その結果、車体側送受信装置が各タイヤ側送受信装置から受信する識別情報及び測定結果情報を含む電波に混信が生じる可能性が低くなる。
従って、システムの装置構成及び制御が複雑にならないようにしながら、タイヤ側送受信装置から測定結果情報を正確に受信できるタイヤ空気圧監視システムを提供できる。 According to the above characteristic configuration, each of the tire-side control means included in the plurality of tire-side transmission / reception devices changes the waiting period at random every time the information transmission process is performed. The transmission timing of the result information is likely to be different for each tire-side transmitting / receiving device. That is, the possibility that interference is generated in the radio wave including the identification information and the measurement result information received by the vehicle body side transmission / reception device from each tire side transmission / reception device is reduced. Even if interference occurs in the identification information and the measurement result information that the vehicle body side transmission / reception device receives from the tire side transmission / reception device because the standby period of two or more tire side transmission / reception devices becomes simultaneous, the following information In the transmission process, the standby period is randomly changed. At that time, the standby periods of the two or more tire-side transmission / reception apparatuses are likely to be different. As a result, the possibility of interference in radio waves including identification information and measurement result information received by the vehicle body side transmission / reception device from each tire side transmission / reception device is reduced.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a tire pressure monitoring system that can accurately receive measurement result information from the tire-side transmitting / receiving device while preventing the system configuration and control of the system from becoming complicated.

本発明に係るタイヤ空気圧監視システムの別の特徴構成は、前記タイヤ側制御手段の夫々は、前記待機期間を所定の時間以下で変更するように構成されている点にある。 Another characteristic configuration of the tire pressure monitoring system according to the present invention is that each of the tire-side control means is configured to change the waiting period within a predetermined time.

上記特徴構成によれば、車体側送受信装置にとって、上記識別情報及び上記測定結果情報が送られてくるまでの待ち時間が限定されるので、車体側送受信装置における処理が長時間停止しないようにできる。 According to the above characteristic configuration, since the waiting time until the identification information and the measurement result information are sent is limited for the vehicle body side transmission / reception device, the processing in the vehicle body side transmission / reception device can be prevented from stopping for a long time. .

本発明に係るタイヤ空気圧監視システムの別の特徴構成は、前記タイヤ側制御手段の夫々は、前記情報送信処理の度に、互いに大きさの異なる複数個の候補値のうちの一つを前記待機期間としてランダムに選択するように構成されている点にある。 Another characteristic configuration of the tire pressure monitoring system according to the present invention is that each of the tire-side control means waits for one of a plurality of candidate values having different sizes each time the information transmission processing is performed. The point is that the period is selected at random.

上記特徴構成によれば、一つのタイヤ側送受信装置が決定した待機期間と、他のタイヤ側送受信装置が決定した待機期間とが異なる候補値を選択したものであった場合、車体側送受信装置が上記一つのタイヤ側送受信装置から識別情報及び測定結果情報を受信するタイミングと上記他のタイヤ側送受信装置から識別情報及び測定結果情報を受信するタイミングとが互いに離れた値になる。その結果、車体側送受信装置が複数のタイヤ側送受信装置から受信する識別情報及び測定結果情報を含む電波に混信が生じないようにできる。 According to the above characteristic configuration, when the waiting period determined by one tire-side transmitting / receiving device and the waiting period determined by the other tire-side transmitting / receiving device are different candidate values, the vehicle-body-side transmitting / receiving device The timing at which the identification information and the measurement result information are received from the one tire-side transmission / reception device is different from the timing at which the identification information and the measurement result information are received from the other tire-side transmission / reception device. As a result, it is possible to prevent interference between radio waves including identification information and measurement result information received by the vehicle body side transmission / reception device from the plurality of tire side transmission / reception devices.

本発明に係るタイヤ空気圧監視システムの別の特徴構成は、前記車体側送受信装置は、前記タイヤ側送受信装置から送信される前記識別情報及び前記測定結果情報を受信する車体側受信手段と、前記複数のタイヤ側送受信装置に対して同時に同じ前記送信要求を送信する車体側送信手段と、前記車体側受信手段を用いた前記識別情報及び前記測定結果情報の情報受信処理と前記車体側送信手段を用いた前記送信要求の要求送信処理とを行うように構成されている車体側制御手段と、を有し、
前記車体側制御手段は、前記要求送信処理を行ってから設定時間内に前記車体側受信手段が受信した前記識別情報の数が前記車両に設けられた前記タイヤ側送受信装置の数未満であるとき、再度、前記要求送信処理を行うように構成されている点にある。 Another characteristic configuration of the tire pressure monitoring system according to the present invention is that the vehicle body side transmission / reception device includes a vehicle body side reception unit that receives the identification information and the measurement result information transmitted from the tire side transmission / reception device, Vehicle body side transmission means for simultaneously transmitting the same transmission request to the tire side transmission / reception device, information reception processing of the identification information and measurement result information using the vehicle body side reception means, and the vehicle body side transmission means. Vehicle body side control means configured to perform request transmission processing of the transmission request that was,
The vehicle body side control means, when the number of the identification information received by the vehicle body side reception means within a set time after performing the request transmission process is less than the number of the tire side transmission / reception devices provided in the vehicle The request transmission process is performed again.

上記特徴構成によれば、車体側送受信装置は、受信した識別情報の数が、車両に設けられたタイヤ側送受信装置の数未満であれば、再度、上記要求送信処理を行って、複数のタイヤ側送受信装置に対して識別情報及び測定結果情報の送信を行わせる。つまり、車体側送受信装置は、車両に設けられたタイヤの空気圧に関する測定結果情報を全てのタイヤに関して受信するように、上記要求送信処理を再度行う。その結果、車両に設けられた全てのタイヤに関する測定結果情報が、車体側送受信装置において確実に受信されるようになる。 According to the above characteristic configuration, if the number of pieces of identification information received is less than the number of tire-side transmission / reception devices provided in the vehicle, the vehicle body-side transmission / reception device performs the request transmission process again, and a plurality of tires The identification information and the measurement result information are transmitted to the side transmitting / receiving device. That is, the vehicle body side transmission / reception device performs the request transmission process again so as to receive measurement result information regarding the air pressure of tires provided in the vehicle for all tires. As a result, measurement result information regarding all tires provided in the vehicle is reliably received by the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device.

本発明に係るタイヤ空気圧監視システムの別の特徴構成は、前記車体側送受信装置は、前記車体側受信手段が受信した前記識別情報及び前記測定結果情報を記憶する車体側記憶手段を有し、
前記車体側制御手段は、前記車体側記憶手段に記憶されている前記識別情報の受信回数に基づいて、前記識別情報に対応する前記タイヤ側送受信装置が前記車両に設けられているか否かを推定するように構成されている点にある。 Another characteristic configuration of the tire pressure monitoring system according to the present invention is such that the vehicle body side transmission / reception device has vehicle body side storage means for storing the identification information and the measurement result information received by the vehicle body side reception means,
The vehicle body side control means estimates whether or not the tire side transmission / reception device corresponding to the identification information is provided in the vehicle based on the number of times of reception of the identification information stored in the vehicle body side storage means. The point is that it is configured to do.

上記特徴構成によれば、車体側送受信装置は、車体側記憶手段に記憶されている識別情報の受信回数を参照すれば、何度も識別情報を受信しているタイヤ側送受信装置と、殆ど識別情報を受信していないタイヤ側送受信装置とを判別できる。ここで、殆ど識別情報を受信していないタイヤ側送受信装置は、自車と併走又は隣接して停車していた車両のタイヤ側送受信装置から受信したものであると推測できる。その結果、車体側送受信装置は、識別情報の受信回数に基づいて、その識別情報に対応するタイヤ側送受信装置が自車両に設けられているか否かを適切に推定できる。 According to the above characteristic configuration, the vehicle body side transmission / reception device is almost discriminated from the tire side transmission / reception device receiving the identification information many times by referring to the number of times of reception of the identification information stored in the vehicle body side storage means. It can be distinguished from a tire-side transmitting / receiving device that has not received information. Here, it can be presumed that the tire-side transmission / reception device that has received almost no identification information is received from the tire-side transmission / reception device of a vehicle that is running side by side with the host vehicle or is adjacent to the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle body side transmission / reception device can appropriately estimate whether or not the tire side transmission / reception device corresponding to the identification information is provided in the own vehicle based on the number of times the identification information is received.

本発明に係るタイヤ空気圧監視システムの別の特徴構成は、前記車体側送受信装置が、前記車体側受信手段が受信した前記識別情報及び前記測定結果情報を記憶する車体側記憶手段と、前記車体側記憶手段に記憶されている前記識別情報及び前記測定結果情報の消去指示を受け付ける消去指示受付手段とを有する点にある。 Another characteristic configuration of the tire pressure monitoring system according to the present invention is that the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device stores the identification information and the measurement result information received by the vehicle body side receiving unit, and the vehicle body side storage unit. There is an erasure instruction receiving means for receiving an erasure instruction for the identification information and the measurement result information stored in the storage means.

上記特徴構成によれば、自車に新たなタイヤ、ホイール及びタイヤ側送受信装置を装着する際などに、車体側送受信装置の車体側記憶手段に記憶されている測定結果情報及び識別情報の消去を行える。その結果、車体側送受信装置の車体側記憶手段に記憶されている識別情報及び測定結果情報が、現時点で自車両に設けられているタイヤ側送受信装置から受信したものであることが確実になる。 According to the above characteristic configuration, when new tires, wheels, and tire side transmission / reception devices are mounted on the host vehicle, the measurement result information and the identification information stored in the vehicle body side storage means of the vehicle body side transmission / reception device are deleted. Yes. As a result, it is ensured that the identification information and measurement result information stored in the vehicle body side storage means of the vehicle body side transmission / reception device are received from the tire side transmission / reception device currently provided in the host vehicle.

＜第１実施形態＞
以下に図面を参照して第１実施形態のタイヤ空気圧監視システムについて説明する。
図１は、タイヤ空気圧監視システムの機能ブロック図である。タイヤ空気圧監視システムは、車両１に設けられた複数のタイヤ２（２ａ〜２ｄ）及び複数のホイール３（３ａ〜３ｄ）によって形成される複数のタイヤ内空間４（４ａ〜４ｄ）に各別に設置される複数のタイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）と、車両１の車体５側に設置される車体側送受信装置２０とを備える。図２は、タイヤ側送受信装置１０の機能ブロック図である。但し、複数のタイヤ内空間４（４ａ〜４ｄ）に設置される各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の構成は同様であるため、一つのタイヤ側送受信装置１０の機能ブロック図のみの説明を行う。 <First Embodiment>
A tire pressure monitoring system according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a tire pressure monitoring system. The tire pressure monitoring system is separately installed in a plurality of tire inner spaces 4 (4a to 4d) formed by a plurality of tires 2 (2a to 2d) and a plurality of wheels 3 (3a to 3d) provided in the vehicle 1. A plurality of tire side transmitting / receiving devices 10 (10a to 10d) and a vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device 20 installed on the vehicle body 5 side of the vehicle 1 are provided. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the tire side transceiver 10. However, since the structure of each tire side transmission / reception apparatus 10 (10a-10d) installed in the plurality of tire inner spaces 4 (4a to 4d) is the same, only the functional block diagram of one tire side transmission / reception apparatus 10 will be described. I do.

タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）は、タイヤ側送受信装置毎に付与された固有の識別情報及びセンサ部１７による測定結果情報を、タイヤ内空間４（４ａ〜４ｄ）の外部に無線送信するための送信回路部１３及び送信アンテナ１４と、外部からの測定結果情報の送信要求を受信する受信アンテナ１６及び受信回路部１５とを備え、外部との間で情報の送受信が行えるように構成されている。また、タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）は、タイヤ内空間４（４ａ〜４ｄ）の空気圧を測定する空気圧センサとしてのセンサ部１７と、タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の内部で取り扱われる情報（識別情報や測定結果情報など）を記憶する記憶部１１と、受信アンテナ１６及び受信回路部１５が外部から送信要求を受信すると、送信アンテナ１４及び送信回路部１３に対して自車の識別情報及び上記測定結果情報を外部に送信させる情報送信処理を行う制御回路部１２とを備えている。本実施形態において、上記測定結果情報は、センサ部１７によって測定される空気圧のことである。
以上のように、センサ部１７は本発明の空気圧測定手段に相当し、送信回路部１３及び送信アンテナ１４は本発明のタイヤ側送信手段に相当し、受信回路部１５及び受信アンテナ１６は本発明のタイヤ側受信手段に相当し、制御回路部１２は本発明のタイヤ側制御手段に相当する。 The tire side transmitting / receiving device 10 (10a to 10d) wirelessly transmits the unique identification information given to each tire side transmitting / receiving device and the measurement result information by the sensor unit 17 to the outside of the tire inner space 4 (4a to 4d). And a receiving antenna 16 and a receiving circuit unit 15 for receiving a measurement result information transmission request from the outside, and configured to be able to transmit and receive information to and from the outside. ing. The tire-side transmitting / receiving device 10 (10a to 10d) includes a sensor unit 17 as an air pressure sensor that measures the air pressure in the tire inner space 4 (4a to 4d), and the tire-side transmitting / receiving device 10 (10a to 10d). When the storage unit 11 that stores information to be handled (identification information, measurement result information, etc.) and the reception antenna 16 and the reception circuit unit 15 receive a transmission request from the outside, the vehicle is sent to the transmission antenna 14 and the transmission circuit unit 13. And a control circuit unit 12 for performing an information transmission process for transmitting the identification information and the measurement result information to the outside. In the present embodiment, the measurement result information is an air pressure measured by the sensor unit 17.
As described above, the sensor unit 17 corresponds to the air pressure measurement unit of the present invention, the transmission circuit unit 13 and the transmission antenna 14 correspond to the tire side transmission unit of the present invention, and the reception circuit unit 15 and the reception antenna 16 of the present invention. The control circuit unit 12 corresponds to the tire side control means of the present invention.

車体側送受信装置２０は、各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）から送信される識別情報及び測定結果情報を受信する受信アンテナ２１（２１ａ〜２１ｄ）及び受信回路部２３と、複数のタイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）に対して同時に同じ送信要求を送信する送信アンテナ２２（２２ａ〜２２ｄ）及び送信回路部２４とを備える。また、車体側送受信装置２０は、車体側送受信装置２０の内部で取り扱われる情報（タイヤ側送受信装置１０から受信した識別情報や測定結果情報など）を記憶する記憶部２６と、受信アンテナ２１（２１ａ〜２１ｄ）及び受信回路部２３を用いた識別情報及び測定結果情報の情報受信処理と送信アンテナ２２（２２ａ〜２２ｄ）及び送信回路部２４を用いた送信要求の要求送信処理とを行うＥＣＵ（電子制御ユニット）２５とを備える。
以上のように、受信アンテナ２１（２１ａ〜２１ｄ）及び受信回路部２３は本発明の車体側受信手段に相当し、送信アンテナ２２（２２ａ〜２２ｄ）及び送信回路部２４は本発明の車体側送信手段に相当し、記憶部２６は本発明の車体側記憶手段に相当し、ＥＣＵ２５は本発明の車体側制御手段に相当する。 The vehicle body side transmission / reception device 20 includes a reception antenna 21 (21a-21d) and a reception circuit unit 23 that receive identification information and measurement result information transmitted from each tire side transmission / reception device 10 (10a to 10d), and a plurality of tire sides. A transmission antenna 22 (22a to 22d) and a transmission circuit unit 24 that simultaneously transmit the same transmission request to the transmission / reception device 10 (10a to 10d) are provided. In addition, the vehicle body side transmission / reception device 20 includes a storage unit 26 that stores information (identification information and measurement result information received from the tire side transmission / reception device 10) handled inside the vehicle body side transmission / reception device 20, and a reception antenna 21 (21a). 21d) and an information processing unit for receiving identification information and measurement result information using the receiving circuit unit 23, and a request for transmitting a transmission request using the transmitting antenna 22 (22a to 22d) and the transmitting circuit unit 24 (electronic) Control unit) 25.
As described above, the receiving antenna 21 (21a to 21d) and the receiving circuit unit 23 correspond to the vehicle body side receiving means of the present invention, and the transmitting antenna 22 (22a to 22d) and the transmitting circuit unit 24 of the present invention are transmitted on the vehicle body side. The storage unit 26 corresponds to the vehicle body side storage means of the present invention, and the ECU 25 corresponds to the vehicle body side control means of the present invention.

以下に、車体側送受信装置２０及びタイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の具体的な構成について説明する。
車体側送受信装置２０は、各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）に対して識別情報及び測定結果情報の送信要求を同時に送信し、各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）から返信された識別情報及び測定結果情報を受信することで、車両１のタイヤ空気圧に関する情報を取得する。そして、車体側送受信装置２０が取得した測定結果情報は、車両１の乗員が認識可能であるように、車両１に設けられた表示装置６において表示される。また、測定結果情報に加えて、識別情報を表示装置６において表示してもよい。 Below, the specific structure of the vehicle body side transmission / reception apparatus 20 and the tire side transmission / reception apparatus 10 (10a-10d) is demonstrated.
The vehicle body side transmission / reception device 20 transmits the transmission request of identification information and measurement result information simultaneously to each tire side transmission / reception device 10 (10a-10d), and was returned from each tire side transmission / reception device 10 (10a-10d). By receiving the identification information and the measurement result information, information on the tire pressure of the vehicle 1 is acquired. And the measurement result information which the vehicle body side transmission / reception apparatus 20 acquired is displayed on the display apparatus 6 provided in the vehicle 1 so that the passenger | crew of the vehicle 1 can recognize. In addition to the measurement result information, the identification information may be displayed on the display device 6.

本実施形態では、車体側送受信装置２０の送信アンテナ２２（２２ａ〜２２ｄ）は、車両１に装着されているタイヤ２（２ａ〜２ｄ）の近傍の車体５側に設けられている。これは、送信アンテナ２２（２２ａ〜２２ｄ）から送出される電波の到達距離が短いからである。つまり、車体側送受信装置２０の各送信アンテナ２２（２２ａ〜２２ｄ）から無線送信される送信要求は、それらの近傍に設置されているタイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）のうちの一つに対して個別に送信されることになる。また、車体側送受信装置２０の受信アンテナ２１（２１ａ〜２１ｄ）も、車両１に装着されているタイヤ２（２ａ〜２ｄ）の近傍の車体５側に設けられている。これも、タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）から無線送信される電波の到達距離が短いからである。つまり、車体側送受信装置２０の各受信アンテナ２１（２１ａ〜２１ｄ）は、タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）のうちの一つから識別情報及び測定結果情報を受信するように設けられている。また、送信回路部２４は上記送信要求の変調処理を行い、受信回路部２３は各受信アンテナ２１（２１ａ〜２１ｄ）で受信された信号の復調処理を行う。 In the present embodiment, the transmission antenna 22 (22a to 22d) of the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device 20 is provided on the vehicle body 5 side in the vicinity of the tire 2 (2a to 2d) attached to the vehicle 1. This is because the reach distance of the radio wave transmitted from the transmission antenna 22 (22a to 22d) is short. That is, the transmission request transmitted wirelessly from each transmission antenna 22 (22a to 22d) of the vehicle body side transmission / reception device 20 is sent to one of the tire side transmission / reception devices 10 (10a to 10d) installed in the vicinity thereof. It will be sent separately. The receiving antenna 21 (21a to 21d) of the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device 20 is also provided on the vehicle body 5 side in the vicinity of the tire 2 (2a to 2d) attached to the vehicle 1. This is also because the reach distance of radio waves transmitted wirelessly from the tire-side transmitting / receiving device 10 (10a to 10d) is short. That is, each receiving antenna 21 (21a to 21d) of the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device 20 is provided so as to receive the identification information and the measurement result information from one of the tire side transmitting / receiving devices 10 (10a to 10d). . The transmission circuit unit 24 performs modulation processing of the transmission request, and the reception circuit unit 23 performs demodulation processing of signals received by the reception antennas 21 (21a to 21d).

タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の制御回路部１２は、所定のタイミングでセンサ部１７によって測定されたタイヤ内空間４（４ａ〜４ｄ）の空気圧に関する測定結果情報を記憶部１１に蓄積させる。そして、制御回路部１２は、受信アンテナ１６を介して車体側送受信装置２０から送信要求を受け取ると、記憶部１１に記憶されている測定結果情報と自身のタイヤ側送受信装置の識別情報とを送信アンテナ１４を介して外部に無線送信させる情報送信処理を行う。また、タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の受信回路部１５及び送信回路部１３は、受信した信号の復調処理及び送信する信号の変調処理を行っている。 The control circuit unit 12 of the tire-side transmitting / receiving device 10 (10a to 10d) causes the storage unit 11 to accumulate measurement result information regarding the air pressure of the tire inner space 4 (4a to 4d) measured by the sensor unit 17 at a predetermined timing. . When the control circuit unit 12 receives a transmission request from the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device 20 via the receiving antenna 16, the control circuit unit 12 transmits the measurement result information stored in the storage unit 11 and the identification information of its own tire side transmitting / receiving device. Information transmission processing for wireless transmission to the outside via the antenna 14 is performed. In addition, the reception circuit unit 15 and the transmission circuit unit 13 of the tire-side transmission / reception device 10 (10a to 10d) perform demodulation processing of received signals and modulation processing of signals to be transmitted.

本実施形態において、タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の制御回路部１２は、受信アンテナ１６が送信要求を受信してから直ぐに識別情報及び測定結果情報を送信アンテナ１４から送出させるのではなく、受信アンテナ１６が送信要求を受信してから送信アンテナ１４が測定結果情報及び識別情報を送信するまでの待機期間を、情報送信処理の度にランダムに変更するように構成されている。各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の記憶部１１には、待機期間の候補値として、例えば、１０ｍｓ、２０ｍｓ、３０ｍｓ、４０ｍｓ、５０ｍｓ、６０ｍｓ、７０ｍｓというように複数の値が記憶されている。そして、各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の制御回路部１２は、複数の候補値のうちの一つを待機期間としてランダムに選択する。その後、各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の制御回路部１２は、自身が選択した待機期間が経過すると、測定結果情報及び識別情報を外部の車体側送受信装置２０に対して送信する情報送信処理を行う。但し、上記候補値の数は適宜設定可能であり、各タイヤ側送受信装置１０が選択する待機期間が重複しない程度に多い方が好ましい。例えば、候補値の数が１６〜２０個程度あればよい。 In the present embodiment, the control circuit unit 12 of the tire-side transmitting / receiving apparatus 10 (10a to 10d) does not send the identification information and the measurement result information from the transmission antenna 14 immediately after the reception antenna 16 receives the transmission request. The standby period from when the reception antenna 16 receives the transmission request until the transmission antenna 14 transmits the measurement result information and the identification information is randomly changed every time the information transmission process is performed. A plurality of values such as 10 ms, 20 ms, 30 ms, 40 ms, 50 ms, 60 ms, and 70 ms are stored in the storage unit 11 of each tire-side transmitting / receiving device 10 (10a to 10d) as candidate values for the standby period. Yes. And control circuit part 12 of each tire side transceiver 10 (10a-10d) chooses one of a plurality of candidate values at random as a waiting period. Thereafter, the control circuit unit 12 of each tire-side transmitting / receiving device 10 (10a to 10d) transmits the measurement result information and the identification information to the external vehicle-side transmitting / receiving device 20 when the standby period selected by itself has elapsed. Perform transmission processing. However, the number of the candidate values can be appropriately set, and it is preferable that the waiting periods selected by the tire-side transmitting / receiving devices 10 are large enough not to overlap. For example, the number of candidate values may be about 16-20.

次に、本実施形態のタイヤ空気圧監視システムにおいて、車体側送受信装置２０が送信要求を複数のタイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）に対して送信した後での、タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）及び車体側送受信装置２０の動作について説明する。
上述したように、車体側送受信装置２０から複数のタイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）に対して同時に同じ送信要求が送信される。つまり、送信要求は複数のタイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）において同時に受信される。各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）では、その送信要求に応じた識別情報及び測定結果情報を送信する情報送信処理を行うにあたって、上記待機期間の決定が各別に行われる。そして、各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）は、自身のタイヤ内空間４（４ａ〜４ｄ）の空気圧に関する測定結果情報及び識別情報を、待機期間の経過後に外部に無線送信する。このとき、各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の制御回路部１２は、待機期間を情報送信処理の度にランダムに変更するので、各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の制御回路部１２が選択した待機期間は、一部で重複する可能性はあるものの、互いに異なる値となる可能性が高い。 Next, in the tire pressure monitoring system of the present embodiment, the tire-side transceiver 10 (10a) after the vehicle body-side transceiver 20 transmits a transmission request to the plurality of tire-side transceivers 10 (10a to 10d). 10d) and the operation of the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device 20 will be described.
As described above, the same transmission request is simultaneously transmitted from the vehicle body side transmission / reception device 20 to the plurality of tire side transmission / reception devices 10 (10a to 10d). That is, the transmission request is simultaneously received by the plurality of tire side transmitting / receiving devices 10 (10a to 10d). In each tire-side transmitting / receiving apparatus 10 (10a to 10d), the determination of the waiting period is performed separately when performing information transmission processing for transmitting identification information and measurement result information corresponding to the transmission request. And each tire side transmission / reception apparatus 10 (10a-10d) carries out radio transmission of the measurement result information and identification information regarding the air pressure of its own tire inner space 4 (4a-4d) to the outside after the elapse of the standby period. At this time, the control circuit unit 12 of each tire-side transmitting / receiving device 10 (10a to 10d) randomly changes the standby period for each information transmission process, so the control circuit of each tire-side transmitting / receiving device 10 (10a to 10d). The waiting periods selected by the unit 12 may overlap with each other, but are likely to have different values.

車体側送受信装置２０のＥＣＵ２５は、複数のタイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）に対して上記送信要求を送信する要求送信処理を行った後、各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）から送信されてくる識別情報及び測定結果情報を受信する情報受信処理を行う。また、車体側送受信装置２０のＥＣＵ２５は、要求送信処理を行ってから設定時間内に受信アンテナ２１（２１ａ〜２１ｄ）及び受信回路部２３が受信した識別情報の数が車両１に設けられたタイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の数未満であるとき、再度、要求送信処理を行う。ここで、タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の制御回路部１２では、待機期間の候補値には上限値（上述の例では、７０ｍｓが上限値に相当）がある。その結果、タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）から車体側送受信装置２０への識別情報及び測定結果情報の送信が正常に行われていれば、車体側送受信装置２０は、要求送信処理を行ってから設定時間内（例えば、上限値よりも長い９０ｍｓなど）において、自身の車両１に設けられたタイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の数と同数の種類の識別情報を受信している。尚、車体側送受信装置２０が、自車に併走する又は隣接して停車している車両１のタイヤ側送受信装置からも識別情報及び測定結果情報を受信した場合には、自車に設けられたタイヤ２の数以上の種類の識別情報を受信していることもある。 ECU25 of the vehicle body side transmission / reception apparatus 20 performs the request transmission process which transmits the said transmission request with respect to several tire side transmission / reception apparatus 10 (10a-10d), Then, from each tire side transmission / reception apparatus 10 (10a-10d). An information reception process for receiving the transmitted identification information and measurement result information is performed. In addition, the ECU 25 of the vehicle body side transmission / reception device 20 is a tire in which the number of pieces of identification information received by the reception antenna 21 (21a to 21d) and the reception circuit unit 23 is set in the vehicle 1 within a set time after performing the request transmission process. When the number is less than the number of the side transmission / reception devices 10 (10a to 10d), the request transmission process is performed again. Here, in the control circuit unit 12 of the tire-side transmitting / receiving device 10 (10a to 10d), there is an upper limit value (in the above example, 70 ms corresponds to the upper limit value) as the candidate value for the standby period. As a result, if transmission of identification information and measurement result information from the tire-side transceiver 10 (10a to 10d) to the vehicle-side transceiver 20 is normally performed, the vehicle-side transceiver 20 performs a request transmission process. Within the set time (for example, 90 ms longer than the upper limit value), the same number of types of identification information as the number of tire-side transmitting / receiving devices 10 (10a to 10d) provided in the vehicle 1 is received. . In addition, when the vehicle body side transmission / reception apparatus 20 received identification information and measurement result information also from the tire side transmission / reception apparatus of the vehicle 1 which is running parallel to the own vehicle or stopped adjacently, it was provided in the own vehicle. The identification information of the kind more than the number of the tires 2 may be received.

以上のことから、車体側送受信装置２０のＥＣＵ２５は、要求送信処理を行ってから設定時間内に受信アンテナ２１（２１ａ〜２１ｄ）及び受信回路部２３が受信した識別情報の数が車両１に設けられたタイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の数未満であるとき、混信などの問題でタイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）から送信された識別情報及び測定結果情報が正常に受信できなかったと判定して、再度、要求送信処理を行うのである。混信の原因として、例えば、上記待機期間が重複していたため、同時刻に二つのタイヤ側送受信装置１０から識別情報及び測定結果情報の送信が行われた場合が考えられる。この場合、二つのタイヤ側送受信装置１０からは正常な測定結果情報を受信できており、残り二つのタイヤ側送受信装置１０からは測定結果情報を受信できていないことになる。 From the above, the ECU 25 of the vehicle body side transmission / reception device 20 provides the vehicle 1 with the number of identification information received by the reception antenna 21 (21a to 21d) and the reception circuit unit 23 within the set time after performing the request transmission process. When the number of tire-side transmitting / receiving devices 10 (10a to 10d) is less than the number, the identification information and measurement result information transmitted from the tire-side transmitting / receiving devices 10 (10a to 10d) cannot be received normally due to problems such as interference. The request transmission process is performed again. As a cause of the interference, for example, there is a case in which the waiting period is overlapped, so that the identification information and the measurement result information are transmitted from the two tire-side transmission / reception devices 10 at the same time. In this case, normal measurement result information can be received from the two tire-side transmission / reception devices 10, and measurement result information cannot be received from the remaining two tire-side transmission / reception devices 10.

車体側送受信装置２０のＥＣＵ２５が、再度、要求送信処理を行った場合、各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）は、再度、待機期間の変更を行うので、先に待機期間が重複していた二つのタイヤ側送受信装置１０の新しい待機期間は異なるものと期待される。その結果、車体側送受信装置２０は、先の情報受信処理では正常な測定結果情報が受信できなかったタイヤ側送受信装置１０に関しても、識別情報及び測定結果情報を正常に受信できることになる。このように、車体側送受信装置２０のＥＣＵ２５は、要求送信処理と情報受信処理とを繰り返し行うことで、自車のタイヤ内空間４（４ａ〜４ｄ）の空気圧に関する測定結果情報を監視し続けることができる。また、上述したように、各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）において待機期間が所定の時間以下（例えば、上述した７０ｍｓ以下）に設定されているので、車体側送受信装置２０のＥＣＵ２５にとっては、識別情報及び測定結果情報が送られてくるまでの待ち時間が限定される。そして、車体側送受信装置２０における要求送信処理や情報送信処理の実行が長時間停止しないようにできる。 When the ECU 25 of the vehicle body side transmission / reception device 20 performs the request transmission process again, each tire side transmission / reception device 10 (10a to 10d) again changes the standby period, so that the standby period overlaps first. The new waiting periods of the two tire-side transmitting / receiving devices 10 are expected to be different. As a result, the vehicle body side transmission / reception device 20 can normally receive the identification information and the measurement result information even for the tire side transmission / reception device 10 for which normal measurement result information could not be received in the previous information reception process. Thus, ECU25 of the vehicle body side transmission / reception apparatus 20 continues monitoring the measurement result information regarding the air pressure in the tire inner space 4 (4a to 4d) of the host vehicle by repeatedly performing the request transmission process and the information reception process. Can do. Further, as described above, in each tire side transmitting / receiving device 10 (10a to 10d), the standby period is set to a predetermined time or less (for example, 70 ms or less described above), so for the ECU 25 of the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device 20 The waiting time until the identification information and the measurement result information are sent is limited. And execution of the request transmission process and the information transmission process in the vehicle body side transmission / reception apparatus 20 can be prevented from stopping for a long time.

また、車体側送受信装置２０のＥＣＵ２５は、記憶部２６に記憶されている識別情報の受信回数に基づいて、識別情報に対応するタイヤ側送受信装置が自車に設けられているか否かを推定するように構成されている。つまり、車体側送受信装置２０のＥＣＵ２５は、記憶部２６に記憶されている識別情報の受信回数を参照すれば、何度も識別情報を受信しているタイヤ側送受信装置１０と、殆ど識別情報を受信していないタイヤ側送受信装置１０とを判別できる。ここで、自車と併走又は隣接して停車している車両１のタイヤ側送受信装置からも上記識別情報及び上記測定結果情報が送られてくる機会があったとしても、その回数は自車のタイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）から送られてくる回数よりも少ないことは確実である。よって、車体側送受信装置２０のＥＣＵ２５は、受信回数の少ない識別情報と共に受信した測定結果情報は、他車のタイヤ内空間の空気圧に関する測定結果情報であると判断して、その情報を自車のものとは認めないように除外する。 Moreover, ECU25 of the vehicle body side transmission / reception apparatus 20 estimates whether the tire side transmission / reception apparatus corresponding to identification information is provided in the own vehicle based on the frequency | count of reception of the identification information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 26. FIG. It is configured as follows. That is, the ECU 25 of the vehicle body side transmission / reception device 20 refers to the number of times of reception of the identification information stored in the storage unit 26, and almost identifies the identification information with the tire side transmission / reception device 10 that has received the identification information many times. It can be distinguished from the tire-side transmitting / receiving device 10 that is not receiving. Here, even if there is an opportunity for the identification information and the measurement result information to be sent from the tire-side transmitting / receiving device of the vehicle 1 running side by side or adjacent to the own vehicle, the number of times of the vehicle It is certain that it is less than the number of times sent from the tire-side transmitting / receiving device 10 (10a to 10d). Therefore, the ECU 25 of the vehicle body side transmission / reception device 20 determines that the measurement result information received together with the identification information with a small number of receptions is measurement result information related to the air pressure in the tire space of the other vehicle, and uses the information of the own vehicle. Exclude it so as not to allow it.

＜第２実施形態＞
第２実施形態のタイヤ空気圧監視システムは、車体側送受信装置の送信アンテナ及び受信アンテナの構成が第１実施形態と異なっている。以下に、図３を参照して第２実施形態のタイヤ空気圧監視システムについて説明するが、第１実施形態と同様の構成については説明を省略する。 Second Embodiment
The tire air pressure monitoring system of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the transmission antenna and the reception antenna of the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device. Hereinafter, the tire pressure monitoring system of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3, but the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

図３は、第２実施形態のタイヤ空気圧監視システムの機能ブロック図である。本実施形態では、車体側送受信装置３０の送信アンテナ２２及び受信アンテナ２１は夫々一つずつ設けられている。そして、車体側送受信装置３０の送信アンテナ２２から送信される送信要求は、全てのタイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の受信アンテナ１６で受信可能であるように、車体側送受信装置３０の送信アンテナ２２の出力や指向性が設定されている。また、各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の送信アンテナ１４から送信された識別情報及び測定結果情報は、車体側送受信装置３０の受信アンテナ２１で受信可能であるように、各タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の送信アンテナ１４の出力や指向性が設定されている。このように構成することで、車体側送受信装置３０の送信アンテナ２２及び受信アンテナ２１を車両１に装着するための施工が簡単になる。また、図３には、車体側送受信装置３０の送信アンテナ２２及び受信アンテナ２１が夫々一つずつ設けられている場合について例示したが、それらの設置数は適宜変更可能である。例えば、車体側送受信装置３０の送信アンテナ２２及び受信アンテナ２１を夫々二つずつ設けてもよい。或いは、車体側送受信装置３０の送信アンテナ２２を第１実施形態と同様に四つ設け、受信アンテナ２１を図３に示したように一つ設けてもよい。 FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the tire pressure monitoring system according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, one transmitting antenna 22 and one receiving antenna 21 of the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device 30 are provided. The transmission request transmitted from the transmission antenna 22 of the vehicle body side transmission / reception device 30 is transmitted from the vehicle body side transmission / reception device 30 so as to be received by the reception antennas 16 of all the tire side transmission / reception devices 10 (10a to 10d). The output and directivity of the antenna 22 are set. Further, the identification information and the measurement result information transmitted from the transmission antennas 14 of the respective tire side transmission / reception devices 10 (10a to 10d) are transmitted / received by the respective tire side transmission / reception so that the reception antenna 21 of the vehicle body side transmission / reception device 30 can receive the identification information. The output and directivity of the transmission antenna 14 of the device 10 (10a to 10d) are set. With this configuration, the construction for mounting the transmitting antenna 22 and the receiving antenna 21 of the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device 30 to the vehicle 1 is simplified. 3 illustrates a case where one transmitting antenna 22 and one receiving antenna 21 of the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device 30 are provided, but the number of them can be changed as appropriate. For example, two transmitting antennas 22 and two receiving antennas 21 of the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device 30 may be provided. Alternatively, four transmitting antennas 22 of the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device 30 may be provided similarly to the first embodiment, and one receiving antenna 21 may be provided as shown in FIG.

＜別実施形態＞
＜１＞
上記実施形態では、センサ部１７が、タイヤ空間内の空気圧を測定する空気圧センサである場合について説明したが、温度センサ、電圧センサ、などが追加で設けられていてもよい。この場合、タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の制御回路部１２は、温度センサの測定結果に基づいて、空気圧センサで測定された空気圧を補正できる。その場合、タイヤ側送受信装置１０の制御回路部１２は、温度センサの測定結果に基づいて補正した後の空気圧を記憶部１１に記憶する。また、電圧センサは、タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の内部電源（図示せず）の電圧値を測定する。そして、タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）から車体側送受信装置２０、３０へ、空気圧値や電圧値などを空気圧値と共に測定結果情報として送信することで、それらの情報が表示装置６において表示される。 <Another embodiment>
<1>
In the above embodiment, the case where the sensor unit 17 is an air pressure sensor that measures the air pressure in the tire space has been described, but a temperature sensor, a voltage sensor, and the like may be additionally provided. In this case, the control circuit unit 12 of the tire side transceiver 10 (10a to 10d) can correct the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor based on the measurement result of the temperature sensor. In that case, the control circuit unit 12 of the tire-side transmitting / receiving apparatus 10 stores the corrected air pressure in the storage unit 11 based on the measurement result of the temperature sensor. Moreover, a voltage sensor measures the voltage value of the internal power supply (not shown) of the tire side transmission / reception apparatus 10 (10a-10d). Then, by transmitting the air pressure value and the voltage value together with the air pressure value as measurement result information from the tire side transmitting / receiving device 10 (10a to 10d) to the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device 20, 30, the information is displayed on the display device 6. Is done.

＜２＞
車体側送受信装置を、記憶部２６に記憶されている識別情報及び測定結果情報などの情報の消去が可能に構成してもよい。上記第１実施形態及び上記第２実施形態では、車体側送受信装置のＥＣＵ２５は、受信回数の少ない識別情報と共に受信した測定結果情報は、他車のタイヤ内空間の空気圧に関する測定結果情報であると判断して、その情報を自車のものとは認めないように除外するように構成されていた。ところが、例えば、新たなタイヤ及びホイール（つまり、新たな識別情報を有するタイヤ側送受信装置１０）を車両１に装着した場合、車体側送受信装置が受信する新たな識別情報は、当然のことながら記憶部２６に記憶されている識別情報の受信回数が少ない。その結果、新たな識別情報と共に受信した測定結果情報は、自車のものとは認められないことになる。そこで、図３のタイヤ空気圧監視システムの改変例として図４の機能ブロック図に示すように、車体側送受信装置４０は、記憶部２６に記憶されている識別情報及び測定結果情報などの情報の消去指示を受け付けるスイッチなどの消去指示受付手段４１を備えておき、タイヤ及びホイールを交換する際に交換者がその消去指示受付手段４１を操作することで、記憶部２６に記憶されている識別情報及び測定結果情報などの情報の消去が可能にすればよい。或いは、図１に例示したタイヤ空気圧監視システムに上記消去指示受付手段４１を設けるように改変しても同様である。 <2>
The vehicle body side transmission / reception device may be configured to be able to erase information such as identification information and measurement result information stored in the storage unit 26. In the said 1st Embodiment and the said 2nd Embodiment, ECU25 of the vehicle body side transmission / reception apparatus WHEREIN: The measurement result information received with the identification information with few reception frequency is measurement result information regarding the air pressure of the tire interior space of another vehicle. Judging, it was configured to exclude the information so that it was not recognized as that of the own vehicle. However, for example, when a new tire and wheel (that is, the tire-side transmitting / receiving device 10 having new identification information) is mounted on the vehicle 1, the new identification information received by the vehicle-body-side transmitting / receiving device is naturally stored. The number of receptions of the identification information stored in the unit 26 is small. As a result, the measurement result information received together with the new identification information is not recognized as that of the own vehicle. Therefore, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 4 as a modified example of the tire pressure monitoring system of FIG. 3, the vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device 40 erases information such as identification information and measurement result information stored in the storage unit 26. An erasing instruction receiving means 41 such as a switch for receiving an instruction is provided, and when the tire and the wheel are exchanged, the exchanger operates the erasing instruction receiving means 41 so that the identification information stored in the storage unit 26 and Information such as measurement result information may be deleted. Or it is the same even if it changes so that the said deletion instruction | indication reception means 41 may be provided in the tire pressure monitoring system illustrated in FIG.

＜３＞
上記実施形態では、タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）の制御回路部１２が、上記待機期間を複数の候補値のうちの一つからランダムに選択する例について説明したが、複数の候補値から選択する形態でなくてもよい。例えば、タイヤ側送受信装置１０（１０ａ〜１０ｄ）に乱数発生手段を持たせておき、制御回路部１２が、ランダムに発生した乱数に基づいて上記待機期間を変更するように構成してもよい。 <3>
In the said embodiment, although the control circuit part 12 of the tire side transmission / reception apparatus 10 (10a-10d) demonstrated the example which selects the said waiting period at random from one of several candidate values, several candidate values It is not necessary to select from the form. For example, the tire-side transmitting / receiving device 10 (10a to 10d) may be provided with random number generating means, and the control circuit unit 12 may be configured to change the waiting period based on randomly generated random numbers.

第１実施形態のタイヤ空気圧監視システムの機能ブロック図Functional block diagram of the tire pressure monitoring system of the first embodiment タイヤ側送受信装置の機能ブロック図Functional block diagram of tire side transceiver 第２実施形態のタイヤ空気圧監視システムの機能ブロック図Functional block diagram of the tire pressure monitoring system of the second embodiment 別実施形態のタイヤ空気圧監視システムの機能ブロック図Functional block diagram of a tire pressure monitoring system according to another embodiment

Explanation of symbols

１車両
２タイヤ
３ホイール
４タイヤ内空間
１０タイヤ側送受信装置
１２制御回路部（タイヤ側制御手段）
１３送信回路部（タイヤ側送信手段）
１４送信アンテナ（タイヤ側送信手段）
１５受信回路部（タイヤ側受信手段）
１６受信アンテナ（タイヤ側受信手段）
１７センサ部（空気圧測定手段）
２０車体側送受信装置
２１受信アンテナ（車体側受信手段）
２２送信アンテナ（車体側送信手段）
２３受信回路部（車体側受信手段）
２４送信回路部（車体側送信手段）
２５ＥＣＵ（電子制御ユニット、車体側制御手段）
２６記憶部（車体側記憶手段） DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 2 Tire 3 Wheel 4 Tire internal space 10 Tire side transmission / reception apparatus 12 Control circuit part (tire side control means)
13 Transmitting circuit section (tire transmitting means)
14 Transmitting antenna (tire transmitting means)
15 Receiving circuit section (tire side receiving means)
16 Receiving antenna (tire side receiving means)
17 Sensor part (Air pressure measurement means)
20 Car body side transmitting / receiving device 21 Receiving antenna (vehicle body side receiving means)
22 Transmitting antenna (vehicle body side transmitting means)
23 Receiving circuit (vehicle body side receiving means)
24 Transmission circuit section (vehicle body side transmission means)
25 ECU (electronic control unit, vehicle body side control means)
26 Storage part (vehicle body side storage means)

Claims

A plurality of tire-side transmitting / receiving devices respectively installed in a plurality of tire inner spaces formed by a plurality of tires and a plurality of wheels provided in the vehicle; and a vehicle-body-side transmitting / receiving device installed on the vehicle body side of the vehicle Prepared,
Each of the tire side transmission / reception devices includes an air pressure measurement means for measuring the air pressure in the tire inner space, unique identification information given to each tire side transmission / reception device, and measurement result information by the air pressure measurement means. Tire-side transmission means for wireless transmission to the outside of the space; tire-side reception means for receiving a transmission request for the identification information and the measurement result information from outside; and when the tire-side reception means receives the transmission request, the tire Tire pressure control system for performing information transmission processing for transmitting the identification information and the measurement result information to the outside with respect to the side transmission means,
Each of the tire-side control means included in the plurality of tire-side transmission / reception devices is from when the tire-side receiving means receives the transmission request until the tire-side transmitting means transmits the identification information and the measurement result information. The tire pressure monitoring system is configured to randomly change the waiting period for each time the information transmission process is performed.

2. The tire pressure monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein each of the tire side control means is configured to change the waiting period within a predetermined time. 3.

2. Each of the tire-side control means is configured to randomly select one of a plurality of candidate values having different sizes as the waiting period each time the information transmission process is performed. Or the tire pressure monitoring system according to 2.

The vehicle body side transmission / reception device simultaneously transmits the same transmission request to the vehicle body side reception means for receiving the identification information and the measurement result information transmitted from the tire side transmission / reception device, and the plurality of tire side transmission / reception devices. Vehicle body side transmission means, information reception processing of the identification information and measurement result information using the vehicle body side reception means, and request transmission processing of the transmission request using the vehicle body side transmission means. Vehicle body side control means,
The vehicle body side control means, when the number of the identification information received by the vehicle body side reception means within a set time after performing the request transmission process is less than the number of the tire side transmission / reception devices provided in the vehicle The tire pressure monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tire pressure monitoring system is configured to perform the request transmission process again.

The vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device has vehicle body side storage means for storing the identification information and the measurement result information received by the vehicle body side reception means,
The vehicle body side control means estimates whether or not the tire side transmission / reception device corresponding to the identification information is provided in the vehicle based on the number of times of reception of the identification information stored in the vehicle body side storage means. The tire pressure monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein the tire pressure monitoring system is configured to.

The vehicle body side transmitting / receiving device includes a vehicle body side storage unit that stores the identification information and the measurement result information received by the vehicle body side reception unit, and the identification information and the measurement result information stored in the vehicle body side storage unit. The tire pressure monitoring system according to claim 4, further comprising an erasing instruction receiving means for receiving an erasing instruction.