JP2008143490A - Detected wheel specifying system and detected wheel specifying method for wheel condition detecting unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily specify which one of a plurality of wheels mounted on a vehicle a wheel condition detecting unit detects. <P>SOLUTION: In this detected wheel specifying system 300, an in-wheel motor 24 is provided adjacent to each of four wheels 14 for changing the temperature of the corresponding wheel with the operation. A TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) valve unit 16 transmits a detected tire air chamber temperature as tire air chamber temperature information to the outside without wires. A detected wheel specifying part 106 utilizes the tire air chamber temperature information received from each TPMS valve unit 16 for specifying the TPMS valve unit 16 which detects the temperature with the operation of the in-wheel motor 24 adjacent to the corresponding wheel, at a timing when the predetermined in-wheel motor 24 is operated, to specify the detected wheel of each TPMS valve unit 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a detection target wheel identification technique of a wheel state detection unit, and more particularly to a detection target wheel identification technique of a wheel state detection unit that detects a wheel state of a wheel.

  In recent years, in order to realize safer vehicle driving, tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS: Tire Pressure Monitoring System) has been developed to transmit information such as tire pressure and temperature wirelessly to the vehicle body to inform the driver. It has been. In such a tire pressure monitoring system, a wheel state detection unit that detects a wheel state such as tire pressure is provided for each wheel. This wheel state detection unit is generally provided on a rotating wheel, and the detected wheel information is transmitted to the vehicle body side wirelessly.

In such a tire pressure monitoring system, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for distinguishing between information transmitted from a wheel state detection unit provided in a mounted tire and information transmitted from a wheel state detection unit provided in a spare tire. Has proposed a tire air pressure monitoring device that distinguishes between a running tire and a spare tire by using a change tendency of the temperature inside the tire. Further, for example, Patent Document 2 proposes a tire state acquisition device that distinguishes between a mounted tire and a spare tire by comparing the temperature in the tire with a predetermined threshold value. In order to prevent the tire from slipping on an icy road surface, for example, Patent Document 3 proposes a tire heating system having a heating element attached to the tire and generating heat by the power supplied from the power supply circuit. Further, for example, in Patent Document 4, it is determined whether the detected tire pressure is the tire pressure of the front wheel or the rear wheel based on the acceleration state of the vehicle and the change of the tire pressure, or the turning of the vehicle There has been proposed a vehicle tire air pressure detection device that determines whether the detected air pressure is a tire air pressure of a right wheel or a left wheel based on a direction and a change in tire air pressure.
JP 2003-154824 A JP 2003-306016 A JP 2006-117144 A JP 2003-159920 A

  With the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above, it is difficult to specify the mounting position of each wheel state detection unit. Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 4, the vehicle must be accelerated / decelerated or turned, and it is difficult to easily grasp the mounting positions of the wheel state detection units.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object thereof is to easily specify which wheel is detected by the wheel state detection unit among a plurality of wheels mounted on the vehicle. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a detection target wheel identification system of a wheel state detection unit according to an aspect of the present invention is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of wheels, and the detected wheel state is externally provided as wheel state information. A plurality of wheel state detection units that transmit wirelessly, a receiver that is provided on a vehicle body to which a plurality of wheels are mounted, and that receives wheel state information, and each is provided in proximity to each of the plurality of wheels and is in proximity A plurality of motors for driving the wheels to be driven; drive control means for controlling the operation of each of the plurality of motors; and detection target wheel specifying means for specifying each detection target wheel of the plurality of wheel state detection units. The drive control means operates a predetermined motor among the plurality of motors, and the detection target wheel specifying means uses the wheel state information received from each of the plurality of wheel state detection units to operate the predetermined motor. By identifying the wheel state detection unit in which the motor adjacent to the corresponding wheel is actuated at a certain timing, the detection target wheels of the plurality of wheel state detection units are identified.

  In recent years, the development of in-wheel motors in which most of the wheels are included in the wheels has been developed. This in-wheel motor is usually provided corresponding to each of a plurality of wheels, and each of them is independently controlled. Thus, the state of the adjacent wheel can be changed by operating a plurality of motors that are provided in proximity to each of the plurality of wheels. Therefore, according to this aspect, it is possible to control a change in the state of the wheel by controlling the operation of such a motor, and it is possible to easily specify each detection target wheel of the plurality of wheel state detection units. .

  The wheel state detection unit wirelessly transmits the detected wheel temperature as temperature information to the outside, and the detection target wheel specifying unit uses the temperature information received from each of the plurality of wheel state detection units to generate a predetermined motor. Even if the detection target wheels of each of the plurality of wheel state detection units are specified by specifying the wheel state detection unit that detects the temperature when the motor adjacent to the corresponding wheel is operated at the timing when the Good.

  The motor generates heat when it operates. As described above, when the motor provided close to the wheel is operated, the heat generated by the motor is transmitted to the adjacent wheel. According to this aspect, the temperature change of a predetermined wheel can be made different from other wheels by controlling the operation of the motor, and the detection target wheels of the plurality of wheel state detection units are used by using this. It can be easily identified.

  Each of the plurality of wheel state detection units wirelessly transmits information related to the detected sound to the outside as sound information, and the detection target wheel specifying unit uses the sound information received from each of the plurality of wheel state detection units. Then, by specifying the wheel state detection unit that detects the operation sound of the motor adjacent to the corresponding wheel at the timing when the predetermined motor is operating, the detection target wheels of each of the plurality of wheel state detection units are specified. May be.

  The motor emits an operation sound when it operates. Thus, when the motor provided close to the wheel is operated, the operation sound generated by the motor is transmitted to the adjacent wheel. According to this aspect, the sound transmitted to the predetermined wheel can be made different from the sound transmitted to the other wheels by controlling the operation of the motor, and using this, each of the plurality of wheel state detection units can be differentiated. The detection target wheel can be easily specified.

  The detection target wheel specifying means uses the wheel state information received from each of the plurality of wheel state detection units, and detects the wheel state in which the transmission signal of the wheel state information is affected at the timing when the predetermined motor is operating. By specifying the unit, each detection target wheel of the plurality of wheel state detection units may be specified.

  The motor generates noise when it operates. When the motor provided close to the wheel operates in this manner, there is a possibility that noise may be included in the wheel state information transmitted from the wheel state detection unit provided corresponding to the wheel, and the receiving performance is improved. May be reduced. According to this aspect, it is possible to generate noise from a predetermined motor by controlling the operation of the motor, and it is possible to easily specify each detection target wheel of the plurality of wheel state detection units using this. it can.

  Each of the plurality of wheel state detection units holds identification information, wirelessly transmits the identification information in association with the wheel state information, the receiver also receives the identification information, Among the wheel state information transmitted from the wheel state detection unit, the wheel state information indicating that the motor has been operated at the timing at which the predetermined motor is operating is specified, and the predetermined motor that the drive control means is operated Based on the relationship, the identification information associated with the identified wheel state information is associated with the information indicating the mounting position of the wheel, thereby identifying each detection target wheel of the plurality of wheel state detection units. Good.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to easily identify which wheel state information received thereafter is transmitted from the wheel state detection unit that is a detection target. For this reason, when an abnormality occurs in the wheel state such as a decrease in tire air pressure, it is possible to easily identify which wheel has an abnormality.

  The plurality of wheels may include a plurality of right wheels and a plurality of left wheels. The drive control means may operate the motor adjacent to each wheel of the wheel combination including any of the plurality of right wheels and any of the plurality of left wheels in different combinations a plurality of times.

  According to this aspect, since the combination wheel including the left wheel and the right wheel is driven, the temperature of some of the plurality of wheels provided in the vehicle is easily changed while suppressing the influence on the traveling of the vehicle. Can be made.

  Yet another aspect of the present invention is a detection target wheel specifying system of a wheel state detection unit. The detection target wheel identification system of the wheel state detection unit is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of wheels, and includes a plurality of wheel state detection units that wirelessly transmit the detected wheel state to the outside as wheel state information, A receiver for receiving wheel state information, a temperature changing means for changing the temperature of each of the plurality of wheels, and a detection target wheel of each of the plurality of wheel state detecting units are provided on the vehicle main body to which the wheels are mounted. Detection target wheel specifying means. The temperature changing means changes the temperature of a predetermined wheel among the plurality of wheels, the wheel state detection unit wirelessly transmits the detected wheel temperature as temperature information to the outside, and the detection target wheel specifying means receives Detection of each of the plurality of wheel state detection units by using the temperature information to identify a wheel state detection unit that detects a change in the wheel temperature at the timing when the temperature change means changes the temperature of the predetermined wheel. Identify the target wheel.

  In a wheel state detection system that detects a wheel state such as a tire pressure, a tire air chamber temperature is also detected as a wheel state in the same manner as the tire pressure. According to this aspect, it is possible to easily specify which wheel is to be detected by the detected wheel state detection unit by effectively using the detected temperature of the wheel.

  According to the detection target wheel specifying technology of the wheel state detection unit of the present invention, it is possible to easily specify which wheel is to be detected by the wheel state detection unit among a plurality of wheels mounted on the vehicle.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a detection target wheel identification system 300 according to the first embodiment. The vehicle 10 includes a right front wheel 14FR, a left front wheel 14FL, a right rear wheel 14RR, a left rear wheel 14RL, a spare wheel 14SP (hereinafter collectively referred to as “wheel 14” as necessary), and a vehicle body 12.

  The right front wheel 14FR, the left front wheel 14FL, the right rear wheel 14RR, and the left rear wheel 14RL are mounted on the vehicle main body 12 and function as traveling wheels that run on the vehicle by being installed on the road surface and rotating. The spare wheel 14SP is attached to the vehicle main body 12, for example, below the trunk room in preparation for any abnormality occurring in any of these traveling wheels.

  Each wheel 14 has a tire (not shown) and a wheel (not shown). A wheel rim formed in a cylindrical shape is provided on the outer periphery of the wheel, and a tire is assembled on the outer periphery of the wheel rim. Thus, a tire air chamber is formed in a region surrounded by the inside of the tire and the outer periphery of the wheel rim. In the first embodiment, a so-called run-flat tire is employed as a tire provided on the wheel 14, and specifically, a side-reinforced run-flat tire that enables run-flat traveling when the air pressure decreases is employed. ing. However, general tires other than run-flat tires may be employed.

  Corresponding to each of the wheels 14, a right front wheel drive motor 24FR, a left front wheel drive motor 24FL, a right rear wheel drive motor 24RR, and a left rear wheel drive motor 24RL are provided. These motors are provided in the vehicle main body 12 so that most of the motors are accommodated in the recesses of the wheel 14. Hereinafter, these motors are collectively referred to as “in-wheel motor 24” as necessary.

  Although not shown in detail, each in-wheel motor 24 has a stator and a rotor. The stator is formed in an annular shape, and has an electromagnetic coil wound around each tooth portion of the iron core. The rotor is provided on the radially inner side of the stator, and a permanent magnet is disposed on the outer periphery thereof. The rotor is rotatably connected to the adjacent wheel 14 via a transmission mechanism such as a gear, and the stator is fixed to the vehicle body. When electric power is supplied to the electromagnetic coil of the rotor, the rotor rotates relative to the stator, and each of the in-wheel motors 24 drives the wheels 14. Since an in-wheel motor is a well-known technique, the further description is abbreviate | omitted. Of course, other types of in-wheel motors such as an outer rotor type may be employed. Each of the in-wheel motors 24 is connected to an amplifier 22, and the amplifier 22 is connected to an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as “ECU”) 100.

  The tire air pressure monitoring system 200 functions as a wheel state detection device that detects wheel states such as tire air pressure and tire air temperature, and includes a TPMS valve unit 16, a receiver 18, a display 20, and an ECU 100. In addition to the tire pressure monitoring system 200, the detection target wheel identification system 300 further includes an in-wheel motor 24 and the like.

  The TPMS valve unit 16 has a tire valve and a unit main body. The unit main body has a battery and a base therein, and the base is provided with a processing device to be described later. The battery supplies power to a base processing device or the like. For this reason, the TPMS valve unit 16 can detect the tire air pressure and the tire chamber temperature and transmit the wheel state information without receiving power from the vehicle body 12. The unit main body is fixed to one end of the tire valve. The TPMS valve unit 16 is attached to the wheel 14 by fixing the tire valve to the wheel rim of the wheel.

  Receiver 18, display 20, and ECU 100 are provided in vehicle body 12. The receiver 18 receives unit data transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 by radio. The receiver 18 is connected to the ECU 100, and the wheel state information received by the receiver 18 is output to the ECU 100. The display 20 is disposed at a location that can be visually recognized by the driver, such as an instrument panel in the vehicle compartment. The display 20 is connected to the ECU 100 and displays information on the screen according to display data output from the ECU 100.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the TPMS valve unit 16 according to the first embodiment. The TPMS valve unit 16 includes a transmitter 50, an air pressure sensor 52, a temperature sensor 54, and a processing device 60.

  The air pressure sensor 52 detects the air pressure of the tire chamber (hereinafter referred to as “tire pressure”) as a wheel state. The temperature sensor 54 detects the temperature of the tire chamber as a wheel state. Therefore, the TPMS valve unit 16 functions as a wheel state detection unit that detects a wheel state. The air pressure sensor 52 and the temperature sensor 54 are connected to the processing device 60, and detection results from the air pressure sensor 52 and the temperature sensor 54 are output to the processing device 60.

  The processing device 60 is configured by a microprocessor and includes an information processing unit 62, a timer 64, and a storage unit 66. The timer 64 measures time. The storage unit 66 stores a unit ID used as identification information for identifying the TPMS valve unit 16.

  The information processing unit 62 refers to the time measured by the timer 64 and uses the detection results of the air pressure sensor 52 and the temperature sensor 54 at predetermined time intervals such as every 10 seconds, for example, tire air pressure information and tire air chamber temperature information. To get. The information processing unit 62 generates unit data including the acquired tire pressure information and tire chamber temperature information.

  The data structure of the unit data 70 according to the first embodiment is shown in FIG. The information processing unit 62 generates detection timing information 80 using the detection time measured by the timer 64. The information processing unit 62 generates wheel state information 74 by combining the generated tire timing information 80 in addition to the tire pressure information 76 acquired from the air pressure sensor 52 and the tire air chamber temperature information 78 acquired from the temperature sensor 54. The information processing unit 62 acquires the unit ID 72 from the storage unit 66 and generates a series of unit data 70 by combining the unit ID 72 and the wheel state information 74. Therefore, the unit data 70 is composed of a unit ID 72 and wheel state information 74, and the wheel state information 74 is composed of tire air pressure information 76, tire air chamber temperature information 78, and detection timing information 80.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the transmitter 50 transmits the unit data 70 generated by the information processing unit 62 of the processing device 60 to the vehicle body 12 at predetermined time intervals. However, in consideration of battery power saving, the transmission time interval of the unit data 70 by the transmitter 50 is set longer than the detection time interval by the air pressure sensor 52 and the temperature sensor 54. The unit data 70 is transmitted to the vehicle body 12 every time. Therefore, until the transmission by the transmitter 50 is performed, the storage unit 66 of the processing device 60 stores tire pressure information 76, tire chamber temperature information 78, and detection timing information 80 for several detections. These are included in the wheel state information 74.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the detection target wheel identification system 300 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, the ECU 100 is realized by cooperation of hardware such as a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM that stores various control programs, a RAM that is used as a work area for data storage and program execution, and software. The function block to be performed is drawn. Therefore, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software. The ECU 100 includes a drive control unit 102, a tire air pressure determination unit 104, a detection target wheel specifying unit 106, a display control unit 108, and a storage unit 110.

  The drive control unit 102 controls each drive of the in-wheel motor 24. Specifically, the drive control unit 102 is a stroke sensor (not shown) that detects an operation amount of an accelerator pedal (not shown) or a steering angle sensor (not shown) that detects a steering angle of a wheel steering (not shown). A torque to be generated by each of the in-wheel motors 24 is calculated using a detection result such as (not shown), and a control current corresponding to the calculated torque is output to the amplifier 22. The amplifier 22 supplies current to a corresponding in-wheel motor 24 from a battery (not shown) according to the input control current. The drive control unit 102 thus controls the drive of each in-wheel motor 24 so as to apply an appropriate torque to each wheel 14.

  The tire air pressure determination unit 104 determines whether the tire air pressure of each vehicle body 12 has decreased to a predetermined value or less using the tire air pressure information 76 included in the wheel state information 74 of the received unit data 70. To do.

  The display control unit 108 uses the tire air pressure information 76 and the tire air chamber temperature information 78 to generate display data for displaying the tire air pressure and the tire air chamber temperature on the display 20. When the tire air pressure determination unit 104 determines that the tire air pressure is higher than a predetermined threshold pressure, the display control unit 108 generates display data for displaying a warning on the display 20. The display 20 displays information such as a warning message using the display data generated by the display control unit 108. Therefore, the display control unit 108 and the display 20 function as an air pressure decrease notification unit that notifies the vehicle occupant that the tire air pressure is decreasing.

  The storage unit 110 is a generic term for storage devices provided in the ECU 100, such as ROM, RAM, or other rewritable storage media. The storage unit 110 stores a temperature change map, which will be described later.

  Each of the TPMS valve units 16 only transmits the unit data 70 to the vehicle main body 12. With this alone, each of the TPMS valve units 16 detects the tire pressure, the temperature in the tire chamber, and the like with any wheel 14 as a detection target. It is difficult for the tire air pressure determination unit 104 to recognize whether or not For this reason, for example, when the tire air pressure determination unit 104 determines that the tire air pressure is decreasing based on the tire air pressure information 76 included in the received unit data 70, the tire air pressure determination unit 104 has the unit ID 72 included in the unit data 70. It is difficult to specify which wheel 14 the TPMS valve unit 16 is attached to, that is, which wheel 14 has a reduced tire air pressure.

  Therefore, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 specifies each detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16. In other words, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 specifies which wheel 14 the received unit data 70 is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 that is the detection target.

  Each of the in-wheel motors 24 generates heat by operating. Since most of each in-wheel motor 24 is contained in each wheel of the wheel 14, heat generated by the operation of the in-wheel motor 24 is transmitted to the tire chamber of the wheel 14. In the detection target wheel identification system 300 according to the present embodiment, the unit data 70 transmitted from each of the TPMS valve units 16 using this is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 whose detection target is the wheel 14. Identify what it is.

  Since the drive control unit 102 can control each operation of the in-wheel motor 24, each of the in-wheel motor 24 and the drive control unit 102 functions as a temperature changing unit that changes the temperature of each of the wheels 14. The drive control unit 102 operates the in-wheel motor 24 corresponding to some of the wheels 14 to change the temperature in the tire chamber of some of the wheels 14.

  The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 uses the tire air chamber temperature information 78 included in the unit data 70 transmitted from each of the TPMS valve units 16 so that the drive control unit 102 determines the in-wheel motor 24 of some wheels. By identifying the TPMS valve unit 16 that has detected a change in the temperature in the tire chamber at the time of activation, the detection target wheels of the TPMS valve unit 16 are identified. The procedure for specifying the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for specifying the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 in the detection target wheel specifying system 300 according to the first embodiment.

  The processing in this flowchart starts when an ignition switch (not shown) of the vehicle 10 is turned on and the speed of the vehicle 10 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. The reason for starting when the speed of the vehicle 10 is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed is to suppress the influence on the traveling of the vehicle 10 when the wheels 14 to be driven are switched in the processing in this flowchart.

  The drive control unit 102 operates the vehicle 10 by operating all the wheels 14 during normal traveling. On the other hand, the drive control unit 102 operates the right front wheel drive motor 24FR and the left front wheel drive motor 24FL for a predetermined time in order to temporarily increase the temperature in the tire chamber of the right front wheel 14FR and the left front wheel 14FL (S10). Next, the drive control unit 102 operates the left front wheel drive motor 24FL and the right rear wheel drive motor 24RR in order to temporarily increase the temperature in the tire chamber of the left front wheel 14FL and the right rear wheel 14RR (S12). Next, the drive control unit 102 operates the right rear wheel drive motor 24RR and the left rear wheel drive motor 24RL for a predetermined time in order to temporarily increase the temperature in the tire chamber of the right rear wheel 14RR and the left rear wheel 14RL (S14). ). At this time, the drive control unit 102 stores the time at which each process of S10 to S14 is performed in the storage unit 110. By switching from driving all the wheels 14 to driving some of the wheels 14 in this manner, the output of the motor of the in-wheel motor 24 that operates is increased, so the tire chamber of the wheel 14 corresponding to the in-wheel motor 24 is increased. The temperature can be increased.

  Thus, the drive control unit 102 is an in-wheel motor corresponding to each wheel 14 of the combination of wheels 14 including either the right front wheel 14FR or the right rear wheel 14RR, and the left front wheel 14FL or the left rear wheel 14RL. 24 are operated in different combinations multiple times. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress only one of the left and right wheels 14 from being driven by the in-wheel motor 24 and to suppress the influence on the traveling of the vehicle 10 in the process of specifying the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16.

  Note that the processing of S10 to S14 is performed when the depression operation of the accelerator pedal is detected by the stroke sensor. When the driver cancels the depression operation of the accelerator pedal and the accelerator pedal depression operation is no longer detected by the stroke sensor during the processing of S10 to S14, the drive control unit 102 performs the processing of S10 to S14. , And when the accelerator pedal depression operation is detected again by the stroke sensor, the interrupted process is resumed.

  When the processing of S10 to S14 ends, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 specifies each detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 (S16). Specifically, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 includes a plurality of unit data 70 received from each of the TPMS valve units 16, and the drive control unit 102 operates the in-wheel motor 24 in the processes of S <b> 10 to S <b> 14. First, the unit data 70 including the tire chamber temperature information 78 indicating that the tire chamber temperature has increased by a predetermined threshold temperature or more is specified at the timing when the temperature 14 is increased.

  As described above, the unit data 70 is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 as the wheel state information 74 acquired every few minutes. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 uses the detection timing information 80 included in the unit data 70 to determine whether one unit data 70 includes the wheel state information 74 at the timing when the processing of S10 to S14 is performed. If it is included, it is determined using only the unit data 70 whether or not the temperature in the tire chamber has increased at the timing when the processing of S10 to S14 is performed. When not all of the wheel state information 74 at the timing at which the processing of S10 to S14 is performed in one unit data 70, the unit data 70 having the same unit ID 72 received continuously is used to perform S10 to S14. It is determined whether or not the temperature in the tire chamber has increased at the timing when the above process is performed.

  Next, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 refers to the temperature change map stored in the storage unit 110, and these results and the drive control unit 102 operate the in-wheel motor 24 to increase the temperature in the tire chamber. Based on the relationship with the wheel 14, the unit ID 72 included in each of the received plurality of unit IDs 72 is associated with the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 having the unit ID 72. This will be described in more detail in connection with FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a temperature change map used in the detection target wheel specifying system 300 according to the first embodiment. In the temperature change map, it is indicated which wheel 14 the temperature in the tire chamber of the wheel 14 is increased by the drive control unit 102 in the processing of S10 to S14. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 acquires the tire air chamber temperature information 78 and the detection timing information 80 included in each of the received unit data 70, and at each timing of S10 to S14, the tire air of a predetermined threshold temperature or higher. Unit ID 72 of unit data 70 including tire air temperature information 78 indicating an increase in the indoor temperature, and unit of unit data 70 including tire air temperature information 78 not indicating an increase in the tire air temperature above a predetermined threshold temperature ID 72 is specified.

  The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 indicates that the unit data 70 in which the tire chamber temperature information 78 indicates a temperature increase in S10 and does not indicate a temperature increase in S12 and S14 is the TPMS valve unit 16 whose detection target is the right front wheel 14FR. The unit ID 72 is associated with information indicating the right front wheel 14FR.

  Further, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 is a TPMS valve in which the tire chamber temperature information 78 indicates a temperature increase in S10 and S12, and the unit data 70 that does not indicate a temperature increase in S14 is a detection target for the left front wheel 14FL. It identifies that it was transmitted from the unit 16, and associates the unit ID 72 with information indicating the left front wheel 14FL.

  In addition, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 does not indicate that the tire chamber temperature information 78 indicates a temperature increase in S10, and unit data 70 indicating a temperature increase in S12 and S14 is a TPMS whose right rear wheel 14RR is a detection target. It identifies that it was transmitted from the valve unit 16, and associates the unit ID 72 with information indicating the right rear wheel 14RR.

  Further, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 does not indicate that the tire chamber temperature information 78 indicates a temperature increase in S10 and S12, and unit data 70 indicating a temperature increase in S14 is a TPMS in which the left rear wheel 14RL is a detection target. It identifies that it was transmitted from the valve unit 16, and associates the unit ID 72 with information indicating the left rear wheel 14RL.

  Finally, in the detection target wheel specifying unit 106, the unit data 70 in which the tire chamber temperature information 78 does not indicate an increase in temperature in S10 to S14 is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 whose detection target is the spare wheel 14SP. And the unit ID 72 is associated with information indicating the spare wheel 14SP.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of unit data 70 received. FIG. 7 shows whether or not the tire chamber temperature information 78 included in the received plurality of unit data 70 indicates an increase in temperature at the timings S10 to S14.

  The tire chamber temperature information 78 of the unit data 70 with the unit ID 72 of “A” indicates a temperature increase in S10 and does not indicate a temperature increase in S12 and S14. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 refers to the temperature change map, the unit data 70 specifies that the left front wheel 14FL is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 that is the detection target, and the unit ID 72 “A” and the left front wheel 14FL are Correlate with the information shown.

  The tire chamber temperature information 78 of the unit data 70 with the unit ID 72 “B” does not indicate an increase in temperature in S10, but indicates an increase in temperature in S12 and S14. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 refers to the temperature change map, and this unit data 70 specifies that the right rear wheel 14RR is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 as a detection target, and the unit ID 72 “B” and the right rear wheel are detected. The information indicating 14RR is associated.

  The tire air chamber temperature information 78 of the unit data 70 having the unit ID 72 of “C” does not indicate an increase in temperature in S10 and S12, but indicates an increase in temperature in S14. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 refers to the temperature change map, the unit data 70 specifies that the left rear wheel 14RL is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16, and the unit ID 72 “C” and the left rear wheel are detected. 14RL is associated with information indicating 14RL.

  The tire chamber temperature information 78 of the unit data 70 with the unit ID 72 of “D” does not indicate an increase in temperature in S10 to S14. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 refers to the temperature change map, the unit data 70 specifies that the spare wheel 14SP is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 that is the detection target, and sets the unit ID 72 “D” and the spare wheel 14SP. Correlate with the information shown.

  The tire air chamber temperature information 78 of the unit data 70 having the unit ID 72 of “E” indicates a temperature increase in S10 and does not indicate a temperature increase in S12 and S14. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 refers to the temperature change map, and this unit data 70 specifies that the right front wheel 14FR is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16, and the unit ID 72 “E” and the right front wheel 14FR are set. Correlate with the information shown.

  Returning to FIG. For each unit ID 72, the storage unit 110 associates the unit ID 72 with information indicating the mounting position of the wheel 14 associated with the unit ID 72, that is, the wheel 14 provided with the TPMS valve unit 16 having the unit ID 72. (S18).

  When the tire air pressure determination unit 104 determines that the tire air pressure of any one of the wheels 14 has decreased to a predetermined value or less, unit data including tire air pressure information 76 that is the basis for determining that the tire air pressure has decreased. A unit ID 72 included in 70 is specified. Next, the tire pressure determination unit 104 refers to the correspondence between the unit ID 72 stored in the storage unit 110 and the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 having the unit ID 72, and transmits the unit data 70 of the TPMS valve. By specifying the detection target wheel of the unit 16, the wheel 14 in which the tire air pressure is reduced is specified. The display control unit 108 causes the display 20 to display the wheel 14 that has been determined that the tire air pressure has decreased, along with the fact that the tire air pressure has decreased. As a result, the vehicle occupant can easily know which wheel 14 the tire air pressure is decreasing.

  In the detection target wheel specifying process of the TPMS valve unit 16 in the detection target wheel specifying system 300 according to the first embodiment, a part of the wheels 14 of the wheel 14 is driven by a combination shown in S10 to S14. However, the wheels 14 may be driven in some other combination, or some of the wheels 14 may be driven in an order different from the order described above.

(Second Embodiment)
The configuration of the detection target wheel identification system 300 according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the detection target wheel identification system 300 according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the location similar to 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the TPMS valve unit 16 according to the second embodiment. The TPMS valve unit 16 according to the first embodiment has a microphone 56. The microphone 56 is disposed in the TPMS valve unit 16 and detects sound in the tire chamber. The microphone 56 is connected to the processing device 60, and the information processing unit 62 records the detected sound and stores it in the storage unit 66 as recorded data. In order to reduce the volume of the recording data at this time, the information processing unit 62 records the sound in the tire chamber for a very short time.

  FIG. 9 shows the data structure of the unit data 70 transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 according to the second embodiment. The processing device 60 generates unit data 70 including the recorded data 79 in the wheel state information 74. For this reason, the wheel state information 74 of the unit data 70 includes tire air pressure information 76, tire air chamber temperature information 78, recording data 79, and detection timing information 80.

  Next, the procedure for specifying the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 of the detection target wheel specifying system 300 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The processing of S10 to S14 is the same as that of the detection target wheel specifying system 300 according to the first embodiment. When the processing of S10 to S14 ends, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 specifies each detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 (S16).

  Specifically, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106, among the plurality of unit data 70 received from each of the TPMS valve units 16, is a timing at which the drive control unit 102 operates the in-wheel motor 24 in the processes of S10 to S14. Thus, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 uses the recording data 79 received from the five TPMS valve units 16 to detect whether the operation sound of the in-wheel motor 24 adjacent to the wheel corresponding to the TPMS valve unit 16 is detected. Determine whether. As a result, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 operates the in-wheel motor 24 adjacent to the wheel 14 corresponding to the TPMS valve unit 16 at the timing when the in-wheel motor 24 is operated for each of the five TPMS valve units 16. Determine whether or not.

  The storage unit 110 stores a motor operation sound map to be described later. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 refers to the motor operation sound map and associates the unit ID 72 included in each of the received plurality of unit IDs 72 with the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 having the unit ID 72. Thus, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 specifies the detection target wheel of each of the five TPMS valve units 16. This will be described in more detail in connection with FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a motor operation sound map used in the detection target wheel identification system 300 according to the second embodiment. The motor operation sound map indicates which wheel 14 the in-wheel motor 24 of the wheel 14 has operated in the processing of S10 to S14 and generated the motor operation sound. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 analyzes the recording data 79 included in the received unit data 70, and determines, for example, whether or not there is a volume equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, thereby transmitting the recording data 79. It is determined whether or not the in-wheel motor 24 close to the wheel 14 provided with the unit 16 is operating. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 uses the determination result and the detection timing information 80, and at each timing of S10 to S14, the TPMS valve unit in which the in-wheel motor 24 adjacent to the corresponding wheel 14 is operating. 16 and the in-wheel motor 24 in which the in-wheel motor 24 was not operating are specified.

  The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 detects that the motor operation sound is detected in S10, and the unit data 70 in which the motor operation sound is not detected in S12 and S14 is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 whose detection target is the right front wheel 14FR. The unit ID 72 is identified and associated with information indicating the right front wheel 14FR.

  Further, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 detects that the motor operation sound is detected in S10 and S12, and the unit data 70 in which the motor operation sound is not detected in S14 is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 whose detection target is the left front wheel 14FL. The unit ID 72 is associated with information indicating the left front wheel 14FL.

  Further, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 detects that the motor operation sound is not detected in S10, and the unit data 70 in which the motor operation sound is detected in S12 and S14 is obtained from the TPMS valve unit 16 that detects the right rear wheel 14RR. The transmitted information is identified and the unit ID 72 is associated with information indicating the right rear wheel 14RR.

  The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 detects the motor operation sound in S10 and S12, and the unit data 70 in which the motor operation sound is detected in S14 is obtained from the TPMS valve unit 16 that detects the left rear wheel 14RL. The transmitted information is identified and the unit ID 72 is associated with information indicating the left rear wheel 14RL.

  Finally, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 specifies that the unit data 70 in which the motor operation sound is not detected in S10 to S14 is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 whose detection target is the spare wheel 14SP, and its unit ID 72 Is associated with information indicating the spare wheel 14SP. Returning to FIG. 5, for each unit ID 72, the storage unit 110 indicates the unit ID 72 and the wheel associated with the unit ID 72, that is, the mounting position of the wheel 14 provided with the TPMS valve unit 16 having the unit ID 72. Information is stored in association with each other (S18).

(Third embodiment)
The configuration of the detection target wheel identification system 300 according to the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the detection target wheel identification system 300 according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the location similar to 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Each of the in-wheel motors 24 emits radio noise when activated. Therefore, when the unit data 70 is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16, if the in-wheel motor 24 that drives the wheels 14 to be detected by the TPMS valve unit 16 is operating, the unit data 70 is caused by radio noise. to be influenced. Therefore, since the drive control unit 102 can control each operation of the in-wheel motor 24, each of the in-wheel motor 24 and the drive control unit 102 transmits the unit data 70 transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16. It functions as a radio noise transmission means that affects the signal due to radio noise. The detection target wheel specifying system 300 according to the third embodiment uses this to specify each detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16.

  The procedure for specifying the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 of the detection target wheel specifying system 300 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The processing of S10 to S14 is the same as that of the detection target wheel specifying system 300 according to the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, in the processes of S <b> 10 to S <b> 14, the drive control unit 102 corresponds to the predetermined in-wheel motor 24 by operating the predetermined in-wheel motor 24 among the five in-wheel motors 24. The radio wave noise transmitted from the in-wheel motor 24 is superimposed on the transmission signal of the unit data 70 transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 whose target is the wheel 14 to be detected.

  As described above, the TPMS valve unit 16 transmits unit data 70 every few minutes. Therefore, the drive control unit 102 performs each process of S10 to S14 for the transmission interval of the unit data 70. Since the TPMS valve unit 16 transmits the unit data 70 at a predetermined time interval, the ECU 100 can also predict the timing at which the unit data 70 is transmitted next. For this reason, the drive control part 102 may implement each process of S10-S14 at the timing at which the unit data 70 is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16. This makes it possible to avoid a state in which only some of the wheels 14 are driven for a long time.

  When the processing of S10 to S14 ends, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 specifies each detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 (S16). Specifically, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 extracts a noise component from the transmission signal of the unit data 70 received from each of the five TPMS valve units 16, thereby operating the predetermined in-wheel motor 24. The TPMS valve unit 16 that is affected by the transmission signal of the unit data 70 transmitted when the in-wheel motor 24 close to the corresponding wheel 14 is activated at the timing is specified.

  The storage unit 110 stores a noise map described later. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 refers to the noise map and associates the unit ID 72 included in each of the received plurality of unit IDs 72 with the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 having the unit ID 72. Thus, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 specifies the detection target wheel of each of the five TPMS valve units 16. This will be described in more detail in connection with FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a noise map used in the detection target wheel identification system 300 according to the third embodiment. In the noise map, in the processes of S10 to S14, the drive control unit 102 activates the in-wheel motor 24 adjacent to which wheel 14 and the transmission signal of the unit data 70 transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 corresponding to the wheel 14 is transmitted. Is associated with whether radio noise is included. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 specifies the unit ID 72 of the unit data 70 that includes radio noise in the transmission signal and the unit ID 72 of the unit data 70 that does not include radio noise in the transmission signal among the received unit data 70.

  The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 specifies that the transmission data includes noise in S10 and the unit data 70 that does not include noise in S12 and S14 is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 whose detection target is the right front wheel 14FR. The unit ID 72 is associated with information indicating the right front wheel 14FR.

  Further, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 is configured such that the transmission data includes noise in S10 and S12, and the unit data 70 including no noise in S14 is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 whose detection target is the left front wheel 14FL. The unit ID 72 is associated with information indicating the left front wheel 14FL.

  In addition, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 transmits the unit data 70 whose transmission signal does not include noise in S10 and includes noise in S12 and S14, which is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 whose detection target is the right rear wheel 14RR. And the unit ID 72 is associated with information indicating the right rear wheel 14RR.

  In addition, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 does not include noise in the transmission signal in S10 and S12, and the unit data 70 including noise in S14 is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 whose detection target is the left rear wheel 14RL. And the unit ID 72 is associated with information indicating the left rear wheel 14RL.

  Finally, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 specifies that the unit data 70 whose transmission signal does not include noise in S10 to S14 is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 whose detection target is the spare wheel 14SP. The ID 72 is associated with information indicating the spare wheel 14SP. Returning to FIG. 5, for each unit ID 72, the storage unit 110 indicates the unit ID 72 and the wheel associated with the unit ID 72, that is, the mounting position of the wheel 14 provided with the TPMS valve unit 16 having the unit ID 72. Information is stored in association with each other (S18).

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and an appropriate combination of the elements of each embodiment is also effective as an embodiment of the present invention. Various modifications such as design changes can be added to each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and embodiments to which such modifications are added can also be included in the scope of the present invention. Here are some examples.

  The process in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 may be started by a user pressing a location start switch (not shown) provided on an instrument panel in the cabin of the vehicle main body 12. Thereby, the specific process of the detection object wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 can be implemented by a user's will.

  In another modified example, the drive control unit 102 activates some in-wheel motors 24, so that the tire air pressures of some other wheels 14 other than the wheels 14 corresponding to the some in-wheel motors 24 are obtained. Reduce the room temperature. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 uses the tire air chamber temperature information 78 included in the received unit data 70 to determine the tire air chamber temperature at the timing when the in-wheel motor 24 activates some of the in-wheel motors 24. By specifying the lowered TPMS valve unit 16, the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 is specified.

  When the vehicle 10 reaches a predetermined speed at which the detection target wheel specifying process of the TPMS valve unit 16 can be started, since all the in-wheel motors 24 are operating, the tire air chamber temperature is also raised to some extent. it is conceivable that. For this reason, it is considered that by operating some in-wheel motors 24, the temperature in the tire chamber of the wheels 14 corresponding to the in-wheel motors 24 that are not operating decreases. Even if this is utilized, the detection object wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 can be specified similarly to the above-described embodiment.

  In yet another modification, the drive control unit 102 drives some of the wheels 14 with higher torque than the other wheels 14, thereby causing some of the tire compartment temperatures of the wheels 14 to be higher than those of the other wheels 14. Change suddenly. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 uses the tire air chamber temperature information 78 included in the received unit data 70 to cause the drive control unit 102 to drive some of the wheels 14 with higher torque than the other wheels 14. Thus, the detection target wheel of each TPMS valve unit 16 is specified by specifying the TPMS valve unit 16 that has detected a change in the temperature in the tire chamber that is larger than a predetermined value. As described above, the driving torque is applied to all the wheels 14, and the change in the temperature of the tire chamber in each of the wheels 14 is moderated by the strength thereof, thereby suppressing the influence on the traveling of the vehicle 10 while suppressing the influence on the traveling of the vehicle 10. The detection target wheel can be identified.

  In another modification of the third embodiment, the detection target wheel specifying unit 106 uses the unit data 70 received from each of the TPMS valve units 16 at a timing at which a predetermined in-wheel motor 24 is operating. Each of the TPMS valve units 16 is detected by identifying the TPMS valve unit 16 whose reception of the transmitted unit data 70 is hindered due to the influence of noise caused by the operation of the in-wheel motor 24 close to the corresponding wheel 14. Identify the target wheel. Depending on the frequency and output of noise emitted from the in-wheel motor 24, reception of the unit data 70 by the receiver 18 may be hindered. By specifying the TPMS valve unit 16 that has transmitted the unit data 70 whose reception has been inhibited in this manner, it is possible to specify each detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16.

  In yet another modification, the TPMS valve unit 16 includes a vibration sensor such as an acceleration sensor that detects vibration, includes the detected vibration as vibration information in the unit data 70, and transmits the vibration to the vehicle body 12 wirelessly. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 uses the vibration information included in the unit data 70 received from each of the TPMS valve units 16, and uses the vibration information included in the unit data 70 received at the timing at which the predetermined in-wheel motor 24 is operating. The TPMS valve unit 16 in which the wheel motor 24 is operated is specified. When the in-wheel motor 24 is operated, the vibration is transmitted to the wheel 14. Thus, the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 can also be specified by operating the predetermined in-wheel motor 24 and specifying the TPMS valve unit 16 that has detected the vibration.

  In yet another modification, each tire of the wheel 14 is provided with a drive torque sensor capable of detecting a drive torque applied to the tire, such as a strain sensor. The TPMS valve unit 16 includes the detected drive torque as drive torque information in the unit data 70 and transmits it to the vehicle body 12 wirelessly. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 uses the drive torque information included in the unit data 70 received from each of the TPMS valve units 16 to approach the corresponding wheel at the timing when the predetermined in-wheel motor 24 is operating. The TPMS valve unit 16 in which the in-wheel motor 24 is operated is specified. When the in-wheel motor 24 is operated, the driving torque is transmitted to the wheel 14. Thus, the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 can also be specified by operating the predetermined in-wheel motor 24 and specifying the TPMS valve unit 16 that has detected its driving torque.

  In yet another modification, the detection target wheel identification system 300 includes a brake unit (not shown), a hydraulic actuator, and a braking control unit (not shown). The brake unit is provided in the vehicle main body 12 corresponding to each of the wheels 14 and applies a braking force to each of the wheels 14. The brake unit may be a disc brake or a drum brake. The braking control unit is included in the ECU 100, and opens and closes the electromagnetic control valve included in the hydraulic actuator to increase and decrease the wheel cylinder pressure of each brake unit, whereby the braking force of each wheel 14 is increased. To control. Since the brake unit, the hydraulic actuator, and the braking control unit are well-known techniques, further explanation is omitted.

  The braking control unit changes the temperature in the tire chamber of the wheel 14 corresponding to the operated brake unit by operating any one of the plurality of brake units. Therefore, the brake unit, the hydraulic actuator, and the braking control unit also function as temperature changing means for changing the temperature of the wheel 14. The braking control unit changes the temperature of some of the wheels 14 by applying a braking force to some of the wheels 14. The detection target wheel specifying unit 106 uses the tire air chamber temperature information 78 included in the received unit data 70 and uses the tire air chamber temperature information 78 at a timing when the braking control unit applies a braking force to some of the wheels 14. By specifying the TPMS valve unit 16 that has detected the change in temperature, each detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 is specified. Thereby, the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 can be easily specified using the brake system provided in the vehicle 10. In this case, some of the wheels 14 that apply the braking force may be the same as some of the wheels 14 that the drive control unit 102 drives in S10 to S14 in FIG. The subsequent procedure for specifying the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 is the same as S16 and S18 of FIG.

  At this time, the braking control unit applies a braking force higher than that of the other wheels 14 to some of the wheels 14 so that the temperature of some of the tire chambers among the wheels 14 is changed more rapidly than the other wheels 14. Also good. Thereby, it is possible to specify the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 while suppressing the influence of braking of the vehicle 10.

  The vehicle 10 may employ a regenerative braking brake system. Since the regenerative braking brake system is a known technique, a detailed description thereof is omitted. In this case, the braking control unit adjusts the distribution between the friction braking force by the brake unit and the regenerative braking force when the power is regenerated from the rotation of the wheel 14 in each of the wheels 14. The braking control unit changes the temperature of some of the wheels 14 by applying a friction braking force to some of the wheels 14 by the brake unit so as to specify the detection target wheels of the TPMS valve unit 16. At this time, the braking control unit applies the regenerative braking force to the other wheels 14 to which no braking force is applied by the brake unit. The subsequent procedure for specifying the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 is the same as S16 and S18 of FIG. Thus, by adjusting the distribution of the friction braking force and the regenerative braking force in each of the wheels 14, the influence on the braking of the vehicle 10 can be suppressed in the process of specifying the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16.

  In yet another modification, a heating element such as a heating wire is provided in the tire chamber of each wheel 14 or in the vicinity of the temperature sensor 54. The ECU 100 is provided with heat generation control means for controlling heat generation by these heat generating elements. The heat generation control unit controls heat generation by the heat generating element by controlling power supply from the battery or the battery to the heat generating element by wire or wirelessly. The heat generation control means changes the temperature of some of the wheels 14 by causing the heating elements provided on some of the wheels 14 to generate heat. The subsequent procedure for specifying the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 is the same as S16 and S18 of FIG. Thus, the detection target wheel of the TPMS valve unit 16 can also be specified by directly heating the tire chamber or the vicinity of the temperature sensor 54.

  In yet another modification, a warning light (not shown) is used instead of the display 20. In this case, an air pressure warning light for notifying that the air pressure has decreased is provided on the instrument panel in the vehicle compartment. Four pneumatic warning lights corresponding to each of the four wheels are provided. When it is determined that the tire air pressure has decreased below a predetermined value, the display control unit 108 turns on the air pressure warning light corresponding to the wheel 14 that has been determined that the tire air pressure has decreased. Even if the warning light is used in this way, it is possible to notify the vehicle occupant of a decrease in tire air pressure.

  In yet another modification, a speaker (not shown) is provided in the vehicle 10. The ECU 100 has a voice control unit. When it is determined that the tire air pressure has decreased to a predetermined value or less, the sound control unit outputs from the speaker which wheel 14 the tire air pressure is decreasing. In this way, a decrease in tire air pressure can be notified to the vehicle occupant also by voice.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a detection target wheel identification system according to a first embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the TPMS valve unit concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the unit data which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the detection object wheel specific system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the identification procedure of the detection object wheel of a TPMS valve unit in the detection object wheel specific system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the temperature change map used in the detection object wheel specific system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the received some unit data. It is a functional block diagram of the TPMS valve unit concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the unit data which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the motor operation sound map used in the detection object wheel specific system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the noise map used in the detection object wheel specific system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle, 12 Vehicle main body, 14 Wheel, 16 TPMS valve unit, 18 Receiver, 20 Display, 24 In-wheel motor, 52 Air pressure sensor, 54 Temperature sensor, 100 ECU, 102 Drive control part, 104 Tire pressure determination part, 106 Detection target wheel identification unit, 108 display control unit, 110 storage unit, 200 tire pressure monitoring system, 300 detection target wheel identification system.

Claims (8)

A plurality of wheel state detection units that are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of wheels and wirelessly transmit the detected wheel state to the outside as wheel state information;
A receiver that is provided in a vehicle body to which the plurality of wheels are mounted, and that receives the wheel state information;
A plurality of motors, each being provided proximate to each of the plurality of wheels and driving the adjacent wheels;
Drive control means for controlling the operation of each of the plurality of motors;
Detection target wheel specifying means for specifying each detection target wheel of each of the plurality of wheel state detection units,
The drive control means operates a predetermined motor among the plurality of motors,
The detection target wheel specifying means uses the wheel state information received from each of the plurality of wheel state detection units, and the wheel operated by the motor adjacent to the corresponding wheel at the timing when the predetermined motor is operating. A detection target wheel specifying system for a wheel state detection unit, wherein a detection target wheel of each of the plurality of wheel state detection units is specified by specifying a state detection unit. The wheel state detection unit wirelessly transmits the detected wheel temperature as temperature information to the outside,
The detection target wheel specifying means uses the temperature information received from each of the plurality of wheel state detection units, and when a motor close to the corresponding wheel is operated at a timing when the predetermined motor is operated. The detection target wheel specification of the wheel state detection unit according to claim 1, wherein a detection target wheel of each of the plurality of wheel state detection units is specified by specifying a wheel state detection unit that detects the temperature. system. Each of the plurality of wheel state detection units transmits information regarding the sound in the detected wheel wirelessly as sound information to the outside,
The detection target wheel specifying means detects the operation sound of the motor adjacent to the corresponding wheel at the timing when the predetermined motor is operating, using sound information received from each of the plurality of wheel state detection units. The detection target wheel specifying system of the wheel state detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the detection target wheel of each of the plurality of wheel state detection units is specified by specifying the wheel state detection unit.   The detection target wheel specifying means uses the wheel state information received from each of the plurality of wheel state detection units, and the transmission signal of the wheel state information is affected at the timing when the predetermined motor is operating. The detection target wheel specifying system of the wheel state detection unit according to claim 1, wherein a detection target wheel of each of the plurality of wheel state detection units is specified by specifying a wheel state detection unit. Each of the plurality of wheel state detection units holds identification information, wirelessly transmits the identification information in association with the wheel state information,
The receiver also receives the identification information;
The detection target wheel specifying means specifies wheel state information indicating that the motor is operated at a timing at which the predetermined motor is operated among wheel state information transmitted from the plurality of wheel state detection units, Based on the relationship with the predetermined motor operated by the drive control means, the identification information associated with the identified wheel state information is associated with the information indicating the mounting position of the wheel, whereby the plurality of wheel states The detection target wheel specifying system for a wheel state detection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each detection target wheel of the detection unit is specified. The plurality of wheels includes a plurality of right wheels and a plurality of left wheels,
The drive control means operates a motor adjacent to each wheel of a combination of wheels including any of the plurality of right wheels and any of the plurality of left wheels in a different combination over a plurality of times. The detection object wheel specific system of the wheel state detection unit in any one of Claim 1 to 5. A detection target wheel of the wheel state detection unit that is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of wheels and that specifies each detection target wheel of the plurality of wheel state detection units that wirelessly transmits the detected wheel state as wheel state information to the outside. In a specific way,
A step of operating a predetermined motor among a plurality of motors each provided close to each of the plurality of wheels;
In each of the plurality of wheels, wirelessly transmitting the detected wheel state to the outside as wheel state information;
Receiving the transmitted wheel status information;
By using the wheel state information received from each of the plurality of wheel state detection units, by identifying the wheel state detection unit in which the motor adjacent to the corresponding wheel is operated at the timing when the predetermined motor is operating Identifying a detection target wheel of each of the plurality of wheel state detection units;
A method of identifying a wheel to be detected by a wheel state detection unit. A plurality of wheel state detection units that are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of wheels and wirelessly transmit the detected wheel state to the outside as wheel state information;
A receiver that is provided in a vehicle body to which the plurality of wheels are mounted, and that receives the wheel state information;
Temperature changing means for changing the temperature of each of the plurality of wheels;
Detection target wheel specifying means for specifying each detection target wheel of each of the plurality of wheel state detection units,
The temperature changing means changes the temperature of a predetermined wheel among the plurality of wheels,
The wheel state detection unit wirelessly transmits the detected wheel temperature as temperature information to the outside,
The detection target wheel specifying unit uses the received temperature information to specify a wheel state detection unit that detects a change in wheel temperature at a timing when the temperature changing unit changes the temperature of the predetermined wheel. The detection target wheel specifying system of the wheel state detection unit, wherein the detection target wheel of each of the plurality of wheel state detection units is specified.

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