JP2008269042A - Wheel bearing with bidirectional communication function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wheel bearing with a bidirectional communication function that has a tire abnormality sensor and that is capable of bidirectional communication between the rotating side and the fixed side, supplying power to the sensor, reducing the number of part items, and increasing the degree of flexibility in design, while eliminating the need to provide a transmission means or the like inside each tire. <P>SOLUTION: A bidirectional communication means 21 is provided for making bidirectional communication between an outer member 1 and an inner member 2 without making contact. A tire abnormality sensor S1 is provided for detecting any abnormality of a tire Ta on a wheel WL mounted to the inner member 2. The inner member 2 is provided with a rotating-side bidirectional communication assisting means 39 for supplying electric power to the tire abnormality sensor S1 via the bidirectional communication means 21 and sending sensor outputs. The outer member 1 and the inner member 2 are provided with respective connectors 31, 32 connected to the bidirectional communication means 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wheel bearing with a bidirectional communication function including a bidirectional communication function and a tire abnormality detection sensor for exchanging signals and electric power between a rotating wheel and a fixed wheel in a non-contact manner.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in order to improve the stability of automobiles, tire abnormality detection devices that detect abnormalities in tires and issue warnings to drivers as necessary have been actively developed. For example, a tire abnormality detection device that provides a non-contact temperature sensor that measures the surface temperature of the tire inner circumferential surface on the outer circumferential surface of the wheel and detects tire abnormality based on the distribution of temperature data (Patent Document 1) Another example is a road surface state estimation device (Patent Document 2) that provides a vibration sensor, a transmitter, and a power source in a tire and estimates the state of the road surface that is in contact with the tire. In addition, the tire wear detection that the sensor transmits a detection signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistance means changed by the wear of the tread rubber layer to the transmission unit, and determines the wear state of the tread rubber layer by the processing unit that has input the detection signal. An apparatus (Patent Document 3) has also been proposed.
JP 2005-212696 A JP-A-2005-59800 JP 2005-28950 A

  In the devices of Patent Documents 1 to 3, it is necessary to provide a power source and a sensor output signal transmission means in the tire. In addition, a technology for generating power using a power generation plate whose shape is deformed by fluctuations in tire air pressure has been proposed. However, this technology has a small amount of power generation, and it is necessary to provide a plurality of power generation plates to increase the power generation amount. There are problems that the number of parts increases, the number of assembly steps increases, and the manufacturing cost increases. Even if a plurality of power generation plates are provided, it is difficult to supply power to a plurality of sensors. In addition, it is necessary to provide a means for transmitting the sensor output separately by light, wireless, or the like, which increases the number of parts and reduces the degree of freedom in design.

  An object of the present invention is to have a tire abnormality detection sensor and to perform bidirectional communication between the rotating side and the stationary side, and to supply power to the sensor, reducing the number of parts and freedom of design. It is intended to provide a wheel bearing with a bidirectional communication function that can improve the degree of operation and that does not require a transmission means or the like in the tire.

  The wheel bearing with bidirectional communication function according to the present invention includes a fixed wheel having a double-row rolling surface, a rotating wheel having a rolling surface facing the rolling surface of the fixed wheel, and an opposing rolling wheel. In a wheel bearing having a double row rolling element interposed between running surfaces and rotatably supporting a wheel with respect to a vehicle body, non-contact communication is performed in a non-contact manner between the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel. A two-way communication means is provided, and a tire abnormality detection sensor for detecting an abnormality of a tire of the wheel mounted on the rotating wheel is provided. A power supply and a sensor are supplied to the tire abnormality detection sensor via the two-way communication means. Rotating-side bidirectional communication auxiliary means for transmitting output is provided in the rotating wheel, and a connector connected to the bidirectional communication means is provided in one or both of the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel. Features.

  According to this configuration, since the bidirectional communication means for performing bidirectional communication between the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel is provided, the signal of the tire abnormality detection sensor attached to the tire is transmitted to the fixed side via the bidirectional communication means. By doing so, it becomes unnecessary to provide means for wirelessly transmitting the signal of the tire abnormality detection sensor. Even if there are a large number of tire abnormality detection sensors or other sensors, it is possible to send data to the bus all together with a relay machine, so it is possible to connect as many tire abnormality detection sensors as necessary with less wiring. . In this case, for example, communication data may be exchanged by using an interface based on a serial communication protocol such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus.

  Further, by using the bidirectional communication means, it is possible to easily supply power from the fixed side to the rotating side. Unlike the generator, the bidirectional communication means can supply electric power without rotating. This eliminates the need for a wireless power feeding function, a battery, a single power generation function, and the like necessary for a tire abnormality detection sensor attached to a tire. The rotating wheel is provided with a rotation-side bidirectional communication assisting means. The bidirectional communication assisting means supplies power to the tire abnormality detection sensor and transmits sensor output via the bidirectional communication means. When such a bidirectional communication auxiliary means for supplying power and transmitting sensor output is provided in the rotating wheel without being provided in the tire body, wiring is facilitated and, for example, a general-purpose tire is applied. And cost reduction can be achieved.

In addition, one or both of the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel are provided with a connector connected to the bidirectional communication means, so that the wiring for the wheel bearing and the vehicle body side or the wiring for the wheel bearing and the tire or wheel side is easy. It becomes. Wiring can be performed even after the wheel bearing is incorporated into the vehicle body or wheel, so that assembly is facilitated. Since the bidirectional communication means performs non-contact communication, there is no problem of increased friction.
In this way, communication can be performed in both directions between the rotating side and the fixed side, reducing the number of parts and improving the degree of freedom of design. In addition, communication can be performed during rotation and when rotation is stopped, and wiring is easy. Also, the problem of increased friction for communication does not occur.

  In this invention, the bidirectional communication means includes a primary coil wound around a core provided on the fixed wheel and a secondary coil wound around a core provided on the rotating wheel, and the primary coil A magnetic circuit may be constituted by the coil and the secondary coil. A so-called rotary transformer is used. Thereby, it becomes a structure suitable for the wheel bearing which has the rotating wheel which is a rotary body.

  As described above, when the primary coil and the secondary coil are used, the bidirectional communication unit may perform data communication and power transmission at different frequencies. For example, power transmission is performed on the low frequency side, and data transmission is performed on the high frequency side. Thereby, communication of data and electric power can be performed using a common primary coil and secondary coil.

  In this invention, the tire abnormality detection sensor is provided in a tread portion of the tire, and a detection signal whose current value changes due to a resistance change of a pressure-sensitive conductor rubber body that deforms when the road surface portion of the tread portion contacts the road surface. It may be a sensor for output (hereinafter abbreviated as a pressure-sensitive sensor), a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of a tire, or a vibration sensor for detecting vibration of a tire or a wheel.

  The connector may be fixed to the rotating wheel or the fixed wheel. If the connector is fixed to the rotating wheel or the fixed wheel, the wiring does not get in the way when the wheel is assembled, and wiring to the tire side or the vehicle body side can be easily performed.

  The connector may have a connector for connecting wiring to the tire or wheel side, and this connector may be disposed on the inner diameter portion of the rotating wheel. This facilitates communication to the tire or wheel side. In addition, since the connector is disposed on the inner diameter portion of the rotating wheel, the connector does not interfere with peripheral components and wiring is easy.

  The connector may include a connector for connecting wiring to the tire or wheel side, and this connector may be disposed on a flange provided on the rotating wheel. In this case, the connector does not interfere with the peripheral parts and wiring is easy.

One or both of the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel may have a wiring hole or a wiring groove for drawing a wire from the peripheral surfaces of the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel to the outside of the bearing. Providing such wiring holes or wiring grooves facilitates drawing the wiring to the outside, and prevents the wiring from being disconnected when a constant velocity joint is assembled to the wheel bearing.
A part of the wiring hole or the wiring groove may be molded. By molding a part of the wiring hole or the wiring groove, foreign matter such as water can be prevented from entering the inside.

  In the present invention, the bidirectional communication unit may have a function of transmitting electric power, and may have a control circuit that stabilizes electric power to be transmitted to one or both of the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel. . This control circuit is, for example, a circuit including a rectifier circuit, a regulator, an inverter, and the like. By providing such a control circuit, stable power can be supplied.

  The wheel bearing with bidirectional communication function according to the present invention includes a fixed wheel having a double-row rolling surface, a rotating wheel having a rolling surface facing the rolling surface of the fixed wheel, and an opposing rolling wheel. In a wheel bearing having a double row rolling element interposed between running surfaces and rotatably supporting the wheel with respect to the vehicle body, the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel communicate with each other in a non-contact manner. A two-way communication means is provided, and a tire abnormality detection sensor for detecting an abnormality of a tire of the wheel mounted on the rotating wheel is provided. A power supply and a sensor are supplied to the tire abnormality detection sensor via the two-way communication means. A rotating-side bidirectional communication auxiliary means for transmitting output is provided in the rotating wheel, and a connector connected to the bidirectional communication means is provided in one or both of the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel.

  As a result, bidirectional communication between the rotating side and the stationary side can be performed and power can be supplied to the tire abnormality detection sensor, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the degree of freedom in design can be improved. A wheel bearing with a bidirectional communication function that does not require transmission means or the like can be realized. Further, it is possible to perform communication regardless of whether the rotation is stopped or not, the wiring is easy, and there is an effect that the problem of increased friction for communication does not occur.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows an assembly diagram in which a wheel bearing with bidirectional communication function according to a first embodiment of the present invention is fixed to a knuckle. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-O-I 'of FIG. This embodiment is a third generation inner ring rotating type and is applied to a wheel bearing for driving wheel support. In this specification, the side closer to the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle when attached to the vehicle is referred to as the outboard side, and the side closer to the center of the vehicle is referred to as the inboard side. In the wheel bearing device shown in FIG. 1, the inner ring 10 of the inner member 2 is caulked and fixed by the caulking portion 9c at the end of the hub wheel 9, but the non-caulking type as shown in FIG. It is also good. Other configurations are the same.

  In the wheel bearing with bidirectional communication function, the outer member 1 which is a fixed wheel is connected to the knuckle NK with a bolt BT1. The inner member 2 that is a rotating wheel is inserted through the stem portion JRa of the outer ring JR of the constant velocity joint TJ, and the inner member 2 is placed between the stepped surface around the proximal end of the stem portion JRa and the nut NT at the distal end. By sandwiching, the wheel bearing and the constant velocity joint TJ are connected. In the inward member 2, the brake rotor BR and the wheel WL are overlapped on the hub flange 9 a of the hub wheel 9 and fixed by the hub bolt HBT. A tire Ta is attached to the wheel WL.

  As shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 2, the bearing for the wheel bearing with bidirectional communication function is opposed to the outer member 1 in which a double row rolling surface 3 is formed on the inner periphery, and the respective rolling surfaces 3. The inner member 2 in which the rolling surface 4 to be formed is formed, and the outer member 1 and the double row rolling elements 5 interposed between the rolling surfaces 3 and 4 of the inner member 2. This wheel bearing is a double-row angular ball bearing type, and the rolling elements 5 are made of balls and are held by a cage 6 for each row. The rolling surfaces 3 and 4 have a circular arc shape in cross section, and the rolling surfaces 3 and 4 are formed so that the contact angles are aligned with the back surface. Both ends of the bearing space between the outer member 1 and the inner member 2 are respectively sealed by seals 7 and 8 serving as sealing devices.

The outer member 1 is a fixed wheel, and has a vehicle body mounting flange 1a to be mounted on a knuckle NK in a vehicle body suspension device (not shown) on the outer periphery, and the whole is an integral part. Bolt holes 14 for mounting the vehicle body are provided in the flange 1a at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction.
The inner member 2 is a rotating wheel, and includes a hub wheel 9 having a hub flange 9a for attaching the wheel, and an inner ring 10 fitted to the outer periphery of the inboard side end of the shaft portion 9b of the hub wheel 9. The hub wheel 9 and the inner ring 10 are formed with the rolling surfaces 4 of the respective rows. An inner ring fitting surface 12 having a small diameter with a step is provided on the outer periphery of the inboard side end of the hub wheel 9, and the inner ring 10 is fitted to the inner ring fitting surface 12. A through hole 11 is provided at the center of the hub wheel 9. The hub flange 9a is provided with press-fit holes 16 for hub bolts HBT at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction. In the vicinity of the base portion of the hub flange 9a of the hub wheel 9, a cylindrical pilot portion 13 for guiding the wheel and the brake rotor BR protrudes toward the outboard side.

  The wheel bearing is provided with bidirectional communication means 21 that transmits electric power in a non-contact manner between the outer member 1 that is a fixed wheel and the inner member 2 that is a rotating wheel. The bidirectional communication means 21 is disposed between the double row rolling surfaces 3 and 3 (4, 4).

  The bidirectional communication means 21 includes a primary coil 22, a stator core 23, a secondary coil 24, a rotor core 25, and wirings 26 and 27. The primary coil 22 and the secondary coil 24 are provided so as to constitute one magnetic circuit. The stator core 23 is made of a ring-shaped member having a groove on the inner diameter surface, and a primary coil 22 is wound in the groove. The rotor core 25 is made of a ring-shaped member having a groove on the outer diameter surface, and a secondary coil 24 is wound in the groove. A part of the stator core 23 and the rotor core 25 is provided with a wiring hole (not shown) for passing wiring. The stator core 23 and the primary coil 22 are in the radial direction on the inner diameter surface of the outer member 1 that is a fixed ring, and the rotor core 25 and the secondary coil 24 are on the outer diameter surface of the inner member 2 that is a rotating wheel. It is installed so as to face. The stator core 23 and the rotor core 25 are fixed to the outer member 1 and the inner member 2 by a method such as press fitting or adhesion. In order to position the stator core 23 and the rotor core 25 in the axial direction, a step, a protrusion (not shown), or the like may be provided on the inner diameter surface of the outer member 1 or the outer diameter surface of the inner member 2.

  The outer member 1 that is a fixed ring is provided with a wiring hole 28 through which the wiring 26 connected to the primary coil 22 passes from the inner diameter surface to the outer diameter surface. The hub wheel 9 of the inner member 2 that is a rotating wheel is provided with a wiring hole 29 through which the wiring 27 connected to the secondary coil 24 passes from the outer diameter surface to the inner diameter surface. A wiring groove 30 is provided in a part of the wiring groove 27 so as to extend the wiring 27 in the axial direction. When assembling the primary coil 22 and the stator core 23, the wire 26 may be fitted to the inner diameter surface of the outer member 1 from the axial direction in a state where the wire 26 is passed through the wire hole 28 in advance.

  Connectors 31 and 32 for connecting the wirings 26 and 27 to the vehicle body side and the tire Ta or wheel WL side are provided at the ends of the wirings 26 and 27, respectively. The connector 32 connected to the tire Ta or the wheel WL side is fixed to the end face on the outboard side of the hub wheel 9 in the inner member 2 at the inner diameter portion than the pilot portion 13. The connector 31 for connecting to the vehicle body side is provided in a state where it is not fixed to the outer diameter surface of the outer member 1.

  The connectors 31 and 32 are the above-described wirings 26 and 27, respectively, such as a power line when supplying power from the fixed side to the rotating side, and a signal line when transmitting output signals from the tire abnormality detecting sensor S1 and the like from the rotating side to the fixed side. Is connected. Both the power line and the signal line may be connected. The tire abnormality detection sensor S1 is at least one of a pressure sensor at the tread portion of the tire Ta, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the tire Ta, and a vibration sensor that detects vibration of the tire Ta or the wheel WL. .

Of the tire abnormality detection sensor S1, the temperature sensor is realized by a device that detects a temperature and converts it into a voltage signal, and may be either a contact measurement type device or a non-contact measurement type device.
Of the tire abnormality detection sensor S1, the vibration sensor is realized by, for example, an acceleration detector that generates a voltage output proportional to the input acceleration, and may be any device such as a piezoelectric type or a strain gauge sensor type.
This tire abnormality detection sensor S1 is used in combination with an abnormality determination means (not shown). This abnormality determination means always monitors a voltage value or a current value based on the temperature sensor, the vibration sensor, or the pressure sensor, and determines whether or not a predetermined threshold value is exceeded. Specifically, the abnormality determination unit is provided in an ECU provided on the vehicle side, and when the abnormality determination unit determines that the predetermined threshold is exceeded, the ECU issues an alarm or alerts the driver or the like, for example. Outputs a signal to However, it is not limited to such a function. The threshold value may be stored in a memory (not shown) of the vehicle-side ECU, or may be stored in a memory (not shown) on the wheel bearing side. You may make it rewrite this threshold value as needed.
Further, instead of providing abnormality determination means in the vehicle-side ECU, the abnormality determination means may be provided in an electronic circuit or a microcomputer in the rotating wheel or fixed wheel of the wheel bearing.

The connectors 31 and 32 are one of plug-in connector pairs in which a pair of connectors are inserted and connected to each other, and may be either a plug type or a socket type. The connectors 31 and 32 may be multipolar or coaxial.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the connector 32 fixed to the hub wheel 9 and the connector 33 of the tire-side wiring 34 connected to the connector 32.

  The fixed-side connector 31 and the rotary-side connector 32 are connected to the fixed-side bidirectional communication auxiliary means 38 and the rotation via connectors 35 and 33 and their wirings 37 and 34 inserted and connected to the connectors 31 and 32, respectively. Side bidirectional communication auxiliary means 39. Via these two-way communication auxiliary means 38, 39, it is connected to the power source, the tire abnormality detection sensor S1, and the like.

The bidirectional communication auxiliary means 38, 39 is an electric circuit or the like for performing bidirectional communication by causing the bidirectional communication means 21 to function, for example, means for generating an alternating voltage for transmitting electric power, or transmitting data. Processing such as generation of a carrier wave to be performed and superimposition of a signal on the carrier wave are performed.
For example, an example in which electric power is transmitted from the fixed side to the rotating side and data of the tire abnormality detection sensor S1 is transmitted from the rotating side will be described. In this case, the fixed-side bidirectional communication assisting means 38 includes an alternating current generating function unit that converts a direct current of a power source (not shown) into an alternating current having a frequency for transmission via the bidirectional communication means 21. , And a demodulating means for extracting a signal component from the received current. The bidirectional communication means 39 on the rotation side is provided on a part of the hub wheel 9 of the inner member 2 as shown in FIG. The bidirectional communication means 39 includes a rectifying means for converting the received alternating current into a direct current for use as a power source for the tire abnormality detection sensor S1, and a modulation means for superimposing the output signal of the tire abnormality detection sensor S1 on a carrier wave. It is supposed to have.
In this example, the two-way communication auxiliary means 38 and 39 perform data communication and power transmission at different frequencies. In this case, power is performed on the low frequency side and data is performed on the high frequency side.

When a large number of tire abnormality detection sensors S1 or other types of sensors are provided on the rotation side, a relay device 39a is provided in the bidirectional communication auxiliary means 39 on the rotation side, and communication such as a plurality of sensor outputs is provided to the relay device 39a. An interface I / F for receiving data by serial communication is provided. As this interface I / F, for example, a serial communication protocol such as the CAN is used. The fixed-side bidirectional communication auxiliary means 38 is provided with means for extracting signals transmitted by serial communication as outputs of individual sensors.
The fixed-side bidirectional communication auxiliary means 38 may be provided independently, or may be incorporated in an electric control unit (ECU) of an automobile. Further, the two-way communication assisting means 39 on the rotation side may be provided independently or may be assembled as an integral part of the tire abnormality detection sensor S1.

  Further, a confirmation means 49 for confirming whether or not the communication by the bidirectional communication means 21 is normally established may be provided. The confirmation means 49 may be provided, for example, in the fixed-side bidirectional communication auxiliary means 38, or may be provided in the fixed-side connector 31 or between the connector 31 and the primary coil 22.

  According to the wheel bearing with a bidirectional communication function configured as described above, since the bidirectional communication means 21 is provided, for example, power is supplied from the outer member 1 side that is a fixed wheel to the inner member 2 side that is a rotating wheel. When an AC voltage is applied to the primary coil 22, it is transmitted to the secondary coil 24 as inductive power by the magnetic flux generated in the cores 23 and 25. Therefore, power can be supplied without contact. In this case, unlike the generator, the bidirectional communication means 21 can supply electric power without rotating. Therefore, a wireless power feeding function, a battery, a single power generation function, and the like necessary for the tire abnormality detection sensor S1 attached to the tire Ta or the wheel WL can be made unnecessary.

  Further, the bidirectional communication means 21 transmits the signal of the tire abnormality detection sensor S1 attached to the rotating side of the tire Ta, for example, to the fixed side via the bidirectional communication means 21, thereby the tire abnormality detection sensor S1. It is not necessary to provide a means for transmitting a signal wirelessly. Even if there are a large number of tire abnormality detection sensors S1 or other types of sensors, it is possible to send data to the bus collectively by the repeater 39a as described above, so that only the necessary number of sensors are connected with less wiring. be able to. In that case, communication data may be exchanged by using an interface I / F or the like based on a serial communication protocol such as a CAN bus as described above. When such an interface I / F is provided on the inner member 2 as in this embodiment, for example, a general-purpose tire can be applied, and cost reduction can be achieved.

  Further, by connecting to the tire Ta or the wheel WL via the connector 32, the wiring does not get in the way when the wheel bearing is installed on the wheel WL, and the wiring within the tire Ta is also installed before the wheel bearing is installed. It becomes possible to do. As the connectors 31 and 32, it is preferable to use a connector that is waterproof in a plugged connection state that is in a fitted state. By doing so, it can be used even under poor conditions such as undercarriage of automobiles. The wiring 27 on the hub wheel 9 side is preferably fixed in the wiring groove 30. Then, when the constant velocity joint TJ is assembled, the wiring 27 does not get in the way and can be assembled without being disconnected. If parts of the wiring holes 28 and 29 and the wiring groove 30 are molded with a molding resin (not shown) or the like, water or the like can be prevented from entering the bearing. The primary coil 22 and the secondary coil 24 may be covered with a cover (not shown) made of resin or the like that serves as a protective partition, thereby protecting the coils 22 and 24.

  In this embodiment, a rotary transformer structure composed of a primary coil 22 and a secondary coil 24 is shown as the bidirectional communication means 21, but the bidirectional communication means 21 is non-contact data communication and power supply. In addition, the power may be transmitted using infrared rays, light, radio waves, ultrasonic waves, capacitive coupling, magnetic coupling, or the like. However, in the case of a rotating body such as a wheel bearing, a rotary transformer structure like this embodiment is considered suitable.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is an assembly view in which a wheel bearing with bidirectional communication function according to a second embodiment of the present invention is fixed to a knuckle. In the following description, portions corresponding to the matters described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described, the other parts of the configuration are the same as those described in the preceding section. Not only the combination of the parts specifically described in each embodiment, but also the embodiments can be partially combined as long as the combination does not hinder.

This second embodiment includes first and second bidirectional communication means sections 211 and 212 as the bidirectional communication means 21. The first bidirectional communication means 21 1 is the same as the bidirectional communication means 21 described above.
In the second two-way communication means 21 2, the primary coil 22B and the secondary coil 24B are positioned on the outer periphery of the outer member 1 which is a fixed ring and are opposed to each other in the axial direction. The stator core 23B is fixed to the outer diameter surface of the outer member 1, and the rotor core 25B is fixed to the side surface of the hub flange 9a. The stator core 23B and the rotor core 25B are ring-shaped with grooves on the side surfaces, and the primary coil 22B and the secondary coil 24B are accommodated in the grooves, respectively. Primary coil 22B is connected to connector 31 'attached to stator core 23B by wiring (not shown). The secondary coil 24B is connected to the connector 32 'via the wiring 27'. The wiring 27 'is inserted into a wiring hole 42 provided in the hub flange 9a, and the connector 32' is fixed to the side surface of the hub flange 9a. Note that a relief groove (not shown) into which the connector 32 ′ enters is formed in the wheel WL and the brake rotor BR that are attached to the hub flange 9 a in an overlapping manner. The tire abnormality detection sensor S1 and the like are connected to the connector 32 ′ via the connector 33 ′.

As described above, when the two-way bidirectional communication means portions 21 1 and 21 2 are provided as the bidirectional communication means 21, both of the two are set according to various tire abnormality detection sensors S 1 provided on the rotation side of the wheel WL or the like. You may make it use the direction communication means part 211,212 separately. Further, either one, for example, the second bidirectional communication means 21 2 may be used for power transmission, and the other first bidirectional communication means 211 may be used for data transmission and reception. In this case, the frequency may be different between power transmission and data communication so that power is transmitted on the low frequency side and data is transmitted on the high frequency side. As described above, when the core of the bidirectional communication means 21 is provided with two systems of bidirectional communication means portions 211 and 212, and divided into a low frequency for power transmission and a low frequency for data communication, the efficiency Can make a good communication.
As the bidirectional communication means 21, only the second bidirectional communication means section 21 2 in the example of FIG. 6 may be provided.

  According to the second embodiment described above, by providing the two systems of bidirectional communication means 21 1, 21 2, power can be easily supplied from the fixed side to the rotating side. Unlike the generator, these two-way communication means 21 1 and 21 2 can supply electric power without rotating. Therefore, a wireless power feeding function, a battery, a single power generation function, and the like necessary for the tire abnormality detection sensor S1 attached to the tire Ta or the like can be eliminated. In addition, a bidirectional communication auxiliary means 39 is provided on the inner member 2, and a relay machine 39a is provided in the bidirectional communication auxiliary means 39. The relay machine 39a receives communication data such as a plurality of sensor outputs by serial communication or the like. An interface I / F is provided. When such an interface I / F is provided in the inner member 2 without being provided in the tire body, wiring is facilitated, and for example, a general-purpose tire can be applied, and cost reduction can be achieved. it can. Other operations and effects similar to those of the first embodiment are exhibited.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the primary coil 22 and the secondary coil 24 in the bidirectional communication means 21 are installed so as to face each other in the axial direction. Stator core 23A and rotor core 25A are ring-shaped members having an L-shaped cross section, and primary coil 22 and secondary coil 24 are wound therein.
A magnetic path, that is, a magnetic circuit when an alternating voltage is applied to the primary coil 22 or the secondary coil 24 includes a part of the hub wheel 9 constituting the rotating wheel. If the magnetic circuit is configured to include a part of the hub wheel 9 in this way, the magnetic circuit can be easily configured, and the shapes of the rotor core 25A and the stator core 23A can be simplified. Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the embodiment of FIGS.

  FIG. 8 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the two-way communication means 21 is disposed between the proximal end of the hub flange 9a of the hub wheel 9 constituting the rotating wheel and the inner diameter surface of the outer side end of the outer member 1 serving as a fixed ring. Has been. The primary coil 22 and the secondary coil 24 are arranged so as to face each other in the axial direction. A sealing device 7B is provided between the hub flange 9a of the rotating wheel and the end face of the outer member 1 on the outboard side. A part of the hub flange 9a in the circumferential direction is provided with a wiring groove 36 for passing the wiring 27 of the secondary coil 24, and the connector 32 connected to the wiring 27 is externally connected from the outer diameter surface of the hub flange 9a. Out. The portion of the wiring 27 that protrudes from the hub flange 9a is preferably provided with a wiring hole 41 in a part of the brake rotor BR and pulled out to the outer diameter side. Other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment described above with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, control circuits 53 and 54 are installed on the hub wheel 9 of the inner member 2 constituting the rotating wheel and the outer member 1 which is a fixed wheel, respectively. The control circuits 53 and 54 are formed by mounting circuit elements on a circuit board or a circuit chip, and are fixed to the side surface of the hub flange 9 a of the hub wheel 9 and the outer diameter surface of the outer member 1. These control circuits 53 and 54 stabilize the transmitted power and include a rectifier circuit, a regulator, an inverter, and the like. For example, an inverter is provided in the control circuit 54 on the outer member 1 side which is a fixed wheel, and a rectifier circuit and a regulator are provided on the hub wheel 9 side constituting the rotating wheel.

Thereby, the DC voltage from the vehicle body side is converted into an AC voltage, and the AC voltage is applied to the primary coil 22. When an AC voltage is applied to the primary coil 22, it is transmitted as inductive power to the secondary coil 24. Therefore, the AC voltage generated in the secondary coil 24 is converted into a DC voltage by a rectifier circuit, and smoothed and made constant by a regulator. Can output stable power to sensors installed on tires and wheels. The guide groove 36 of the wiring 27 provided in the hub flange 9 a extends from the inner diameter portion of the hub flange to the mounting position of the control circuit 53. Other configurations in this embodiment are the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIG.
The control circuits 53 and 54 may have the functions of the bidirectional bidirectional communication auxiliary means 39 and the stationary bidirectional bidirectional communication auxiliary means 38 described above with reference to FIGS. In this case, as compared with the configuration in which the control circuits 53 and 54 and the bidirectional communication auxiliary means 38 and 39 are provided independently, it is possible to reduce the number of assembling steps and reduce the manufacturing cost.

FIG. 10 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In this wheel bearing with bidirectional communication function, the bidirectional communication means 21 includes a primary coil for transmission 22 a and a primary coil for reception 22 b provided on the stator core 23, and a secondary coil for transmission provided on the rotor core 25. 24a and the receiving secondary coil 24b.
The stator core 23 is a ring-shaped member having two grooves on the inner periphery, and a primary coil for transmission 22a and a primary coil for reception 22b are accommodated in each groove, and the primary for transmission and reception are contained therein. The coils 22a and 22b are common. The rotor core 25 is a ring-shaped member having two grooves on the outer periphery, and a secondary coil for transmission 24a and a secondary coil for reception 24b are accommodated in each groove, and these secondary coils for transmission and reception are accommodated. 24a and 24b are common.

  The stator core 23 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the outer member 1 that is a fixed wheel, and the rotor core 25 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the hub wheel 9 constituting the rotating wheel. The primary coil for transmission 22a of the stator core 23 and the secondary coil for transmission 24a of the rotor core 25 are opposed to each other to form a magnetic circuit, and the primary coil for reception 22b of the stator core 23 and the secondary coil for reception of the rotor core 25 are received. 24b face each other to constitute a magnetic circuit.

  The fixed-side wiring 26 has a power wiring and a data wiring. The power wiring is connected to the transmission primary coil 22a, and the data wiring is connected to the reception primary coil 22b. The wiring 27 on the rotation side has a power line and a signal line, the power line is connected to the secondary coil for transmission 24a, and the signal line is connected to the secondary coil for reception 24b.

  In this embodiment, electric power is transmitted between the primary coil 22a and the secondary coil 24a, and data is transmitted between the primary coil 22b and the secondary coil 24b. Other configurations in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, the two-way communication means 21 is disposed between the double row rolling surfaces 3 and 3 or at the outboard side end of the wheel bearing device. Bi-directional communication means 21 may be provided to supply power and transmit output signals to the sensor installed at the constant velocity joint. In that case, the primary coil 22 may be provided on the inboard side end surface of the outer member 1 serving as a fixed ring, and the secondary coil 24 may be provided on the inner ring 10.
In each of the above embodiments, the outer member 1 is a fixed ring, but the present invention can also be applied to a wheel bearing device in which the inner member is a fixed ring and the outer member is a rotating wheel.
Furthermore, this invention can be applied not only to wheel bearings for driving wheels but also to wheel bearings for driven wheels.

It is an assembly drawing which shows the state which attached the wheel bearing with a bidirectional | two-way communication function concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention to the knuckle, and assembled | attached the wheel. It is sectional drawing of the bearing for wheels with the same bidirectional communication function. It is the side view which looked at the same bearing for wheels with a bidirectional communication function from the inboard side. It is the schematic which shows an example of a connector. It is an assembly drawing which shows the state which attached the wheel bearing with a bidirectional | two-way communication function concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention to the knuckle, and assembled | attached the wheel. It is sectional drawing of the bearing for wheels with the same bidirectional communication function. It is sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1. Outer member (fixed ring)
2 ... Inward member (rotating wheel)
3, 4 ... rolling surface 5 ... rolling element 21 ... bi-directional communication means 22 ... primary coil 23 ... stator core 24 ... secondary coil 25 ... rotor cores 26, 27 ... wiring 28, 29 ... wiring hole 30 ... wiring groove 31, 32 ... Connectors 38, 39 ... Bidirectional communication auxiliary means 53, 54 ... Control circuit S1 ... Tire abnormality detection sensor I / F ... Interface

Claims (11)

A fixed ring having a double row rolling surface, a rotating wheel having a rolling surface facing the rolling surface of the fixed wheel, and a double row rolling element interposed between the facing rolling surfaces. In the wheel bearing that supports the wheel rotatably with respect to the vehicle body,
A two-way communication means that performs two-way communication without contact between the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel is provided, and a tire abnormality detection sensor that detects an abnormality of a tire of the wheel attached to the rotating wheel is provided. A rotating-side bidirectional communication auxiliary means for supplying power and transmitting sensor output to the abnormality detection sensor via the bidirectional communication means is provided on the rotating wheel, and either the fixed wheel or the rotating wheel is provided. Or the both are provided with the connector connected to the said bidirectional communication means, The bearing for wheels with a bidirectional communication function characterized by the above-mentioned.   2. The bidirectional communication means according to claim 1, wherein the bidirectional communication means includes a primary coil wound around a core provided on the fixed wheel and a secondary coil wound around a core provided on the rotating wheel. A bearing for a wheel with a bidirectional communication function, wherein a magnetic circuit is constituted by a secondary coil and the secondary coil.   3. The wheel bearing with bidirectional communication function according to claim 2, wherein the bidirectional communication means performs data communication and power transmission at different frequencies.   The tire abnormality detection sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tire abnormality detection sensor is provided in a tread portion of the tire, and the resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductor rubber body that is deformed when the road surface portion of the tread portion contacts the road surface. A wheel bearing with a bidirectional communication function, characterized in that the sensor outputs a detection signal whose current value changes due to a change.   4. The wheel bearing with bidirectional communication function according to claim 1, wherein the tire abnormality detection sensor is a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the tire. 5.   4. The wheel bearing with bidirectional communication function according to claim 1, wherein the tire abnormality detection sensor is a vibration sensor that detects vibration of a tire or a wheel. 5.   The wheel bearing with bidirectional communication function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the connector is fixed to the rotating wheel or the fixed wheel.   8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes a connector for connecting a wiring to a tire or a wheel, and the connector is disposed on an inner diameter portion of the rotating wheel. Bearing for wheel with communication function.   8. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes a connector for connecting wiring to a tire or a wheel, and the connector is disposed on a flange provided on the rotating wheel. Wheel bearing with bidirectional communication function.   10. The wiring according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the fixed ring and the rotating ring are provided with a wiring outside the bearing from the opposed peripheral surfaces of the fixed ring and the rotating ring. A bearing for a wheel with a bidirectional communication function, characterized by having a hole or a wiring groove.   11. The stabilization of electric power to be transmitted to one or both of the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel, wherein the bidirectional communication means has a function of transmitting electric power according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A wheel bearing with a bidirectional communication function, comprising a control circuit for performing

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