JP2012236528A - Tire valve operation switching system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tire valve operation switching system that can easily switch the operation of a tire valve.SOLUTION: The tire valve operation switching system 6 switches the operation of the tire valve 3 that is mounted on each tire 2 and can wirelessly transmit a detection signal Stp of the tire air pressure. The tire valve operation switching system 6 includes: door LF wave transmitters 13 to 17 preliminarily mounted on a vehicle 1 and capable of transmitting a radio wave of the same frequency as the radio wave that can be received by the tire valve 3; a mode switching operation detection unit 11b detecting a trigger input by the vehicle 1 as a request to switch the operation of the tire valve 3; and a transmission control unit 11c, which controls, when the trigger is detected by the mode switching operation detection unit 11b, the door LF wave transmitters 13 to 17 to transmit an operation signal to the tire valve 3, the operation signal for setting the operations of the tire valve 3 in a range narrower than the range when the door LF wave transmitters 13 to 17 transmit a request signal Srq as the main function itself.

Description

  The present invention relates to a tire valve operation switching system that switches, for example, start and stop of a tire valve.

  Conventionally, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS: Tire Pressure Monitoring System) is known as an apparatus mounted on a vehicle. The tire pressure monitoring system is a system for monitoring tire abnormality by acquiring tire pressure and temperature by wireless communication from a sensor mounted on a tire of a vehicle during traveling. The sensor is integrally mounted on the tire valve (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The tire valve of the tire pressure monitoring system as described above is provided with a transmitter that transmits detection information such as air pressure and temperature detected by a mounted sensor using a radio signal. In addition, the vehicle is provided with a receiver that can receive a wireless signal including detection information transmitted from the transmitter, and a control device that displays air pressure, temperature, and the like from the received signal and warns when there is an abnormality. Most transmitters are built in tire valves.

  In the tire pressure monitoring system, a radio signal including valve identification information (valve ID) is transmitted from a tire valve transmitter in order to determine whether the radio signal is transmitted from a tire valve corresponding to the host vehicle. . Then, the control device of the tire pressure monitoring system authenticates whether or not the valve ID is registered in advance, and on the condition that the authentication is established, the air pressure and temperature based on the detection information included in the radio signal. Is displayed, and a warning is given when an abnormality occurs.

JP 2003-335115 A

  By the way, the tire valve used in the tire pressure monitoring system is in a sleep state (stopped state) when shipped from the factory. In order to activate the tire valve in the sleep state, it was necessary to activate it using a dedicated tool. In other words, this dedicated tool is indispensable for starting the tire valve, and if it is a factory or a dealer, the dedicated tool can be purchased and the tire valve can be started, but a small repair shop or dealer, or Even if an individual purchased a tire valve from a manufacturer, the tire valve could not be activated because it did not have a dedicated tool. Therefore, there has been a demand for a technology that can easily start the tire valve even if there is no dedicated tool.

  Further, when the tire valve is not used, battery consumption can be suppressed by putting the tire valve in a sleep state. Therefore, since one tire valve can be used for a long period of time, a technique that can easily perform operations such as starting and stopping of the tire valve has been demanded from this point.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a tire valve operation switching system capable of easily switching the operation of a tire valve.

Hereinafter, means for achieving the above-described object and its operation and effects will be described.
The invention according to claim 1 is a tire valve operation switching system that switches an operation state of a tire valve that is attached to each tire and that can wirelessly transmit a tire air pressure detection signal to a vehicle body, and is installed in a vehicle in advance. A transmission means capable of transmitting a radio wave having the same frequency as a radio wave that can be received by the tire valve; a detection means for detecting a trigger input in the vehicle as a request for switching the operating state of the tire valve; and When the trigger is detected, an operation signal for setting the operation state of the tire valve is transmitted from the transmission unit to the tire valve in a narrower range than when the transmission unit transmits a radio wave with its main function. The gist of the invention is that it comprises a control means.

  According to this configuration, when the detection unit detects the trigger, the operation signal is transmitted in a narrower range than when the radio wave is transmitted by the main function from the transmission unit mounted in advance in the vehicle. For this reason, when the user intentionally brings the tire valve into a narrow range where the operation signal is transmitted, the tire valve can receive the operation signal and switch the operation state of the tire valve. Note that a tire equipped with a tire valve may be brought into a narrow range where the operation signal is transmitted. Therefore, even if there is no dedicated tool, operations such as starting and stopping of the tire valve can be easily performed. In the present invention, it is not essential that the vehicle has a tire pressure monitoring system.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the tire valve operation switching system according to the first aspect, the vehicle performs an electronic key and ID authentication by narrow-band wireless communication triggered by communication from the vehicle. The transmission means is the transmission means on the vehicle side of the electronic key system.

  According to this configuration, since the electronic key system is attached to most vehicles, it is easy to apply the present invention. For example, an electronic key system in which a communication area is formed around the vehicle is easy to use when switching the operation state of the tire valve.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the tire valve operation switching system according to the first or second aspect, the transmission means transmits the operation signal within a range not reaching a tire mounted on the vehicle. It is a summary.

  According to this configuration, since an operation signal does not reach the tire mounted on the vehicle, for example, even if a tire valve for a tire pressure monitoring system is mounted on the tire, the tire valve mounted on the tire is operated. Therefore, only the tire valve that the user wants to operate can be operated.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the tire valve operation switching system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the tire valve is provided in the tire valve, and the tire valve is switched to an operation state based on the operation signal. And a notification means for transmitting a notification signal for notifying the vehicle to that effect, and when the notification signal is provided from the tire valve, the operation state of the tire valve is switched. The gist of the invention is that it is provided with notifying means for informing the vehicle.

  According to this configuration, the user recognizes that the tire valve has been operated because the user is brought in when the tire valve is brought into the range where the operation signal is transmitted, and the operation state of the tire valve is switched. It becomes possible to do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the tire valve operation switching system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the antenna of the transmitting means is installed in a bumper of the vehicle. It is a summary.

  According to this configuration, since the operation signal is transmitted from the transmitting antenna installed in the bumper, for example, when it is desired to operate the tire valve for the tire pressure monitoring system attached to the tire, the tire valve is not lifted. It is possible to operate the tire valve by receiving the operation signal.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the tire valve operation switching system according to the fifth aspect, the transmission means is capable of transmitting a radio signal used for the ID authentication of locking / unlocking of the luggage compartment door, to the rear bumper. The gist is that it is provided.

  According to this configuration, the transmission antenna used for locking and unlocking the luggage compartment door is provided on the rear bumper. For this reason, the mounting position of the transmitting antenna for locking / unlocking the luggage compartment door is set to the rear bumper, so that the tire valve receives the operation signal without lifting the tire on which the tire valve for the tire pressure monitoring system is mounted. Thus, the tire valve can be operated.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the tire valve operation switching system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the detection means is a specific operation performed on an operation means provided in advance in the vehicle. At that time, the gist is to recognize that there is a request for switching the operating state of the tire valve.

  According to this configuration, it becomes possible for the user to transmit an operation signal by performing a specific operation on the operation means, and the operation signal is intentionally transmitted without newly providing an operation means for transmitting the operation signal. It becomes possible to do.

  According to the present invention, the operation of the tire valve can be easily switched.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of a tire valve operation switching system. The figure which shows the communication area formed in the circumference | surroundings in a vehicle. The figure which shows the state which held the tire valve over the door. The figure which shows the state which brought the tire close to the rear bumper.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a vehicle including an electronic key system and a tire pressure monitoring system will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 is an electronic device that can perform door lock locking / unlocking, engine start / stop, etc. by mutual wireless communication with an electronic key 40 carried by a driver or the like. A key system 4 is mounted. The electronic key system 4 uses an electronic key 40 capable of transmitting a key-specific ID code by wireless communication as a vehicle key, and executes ID collation with the vehicle 1 by narrow area wireless communication (communication range: several m).

  Further, the vehicle body of the vehicle 1 is provided with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS: Tire Pressure Monitoring System) 5 for monitoring the air pressure of the tire 2. In this embodiment, the control unit and the radio wave transmission / reception unit of the electronic key system 4 and the tire pressure monitoring system 5 are shared.

  The vehicle 1 is provided with a verification ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 11 that controls the electronic key system 4 and the tire pressure monitoring system 5, and a main body ECU 21 that manages the power supply system of the vehicle 1. The verification ECU 11 includes a vehicle interior LF transmitter 12 embedded in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 1 and capable of transmitting LF (Low Frequency) band radio waves, and installed in the vicinity of each door of the vehicle 1 to transmit LF band radio waves. A right front door LF transmitter 13, a right rear door LF transmitter 14, a left front door LF transmitter 15, a left rear door LF transmitter 16, and a trunk door LF transmitter 17 that can transmit to the outside are connected. The right front door LF transmitter 13, the right rear door LF transmitter 14, the left front door LF transmitter 15, and the left rear door LF transmitter 16 are installed at positions substantially opposite to the outside door handles 7 of the respective doors ( (See FIG. 3). The trunk door LF transmitter 17 is installed inside the rear bumper 8 (see FIG. 4). Each door LF transmitter 13-17 is provided integrally with the transmitting antenna. In addition, each door LF transmitter 13-17 comprises a transmission means.

  The verification ECU 11 is connected to an integrated tuner 18 that is installed behind the passenger compartment and can receive UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band radio waves. For example, a main body ECU 21 and an engine ECU 22 that manage door locking / unlocking and the like are connected to the verification ECU 11 via an in-vehicle LAN (Local Area Network) 20.

  On the other hand, the electronic key 40 used in the electronic key system 4 is provided with a communication control unit 41 as a control unit. The communication control unit 41 includes a memory 41a in which an ID code is stored as a unique key code. Connected to the communication control unit 41 are an LF receiving unit 42 capable of receiving externally transmitted LF band radio waves and a UHF transmitting unit 43 capable of transmitting UHF band radio waves in accordance with instructions from the communication control unit 41. Yes.

  Each door of the vehicle 1 is provided with a lock sensor 24 that is operated when the user locks the door lock of the vehicle 1 and an unlock sensor 25 that is operated when the door lock is unlocked.

  When the user is located outside the vehicle compartment, the verification ECU 11 intermittently transmits a request signal Srq from the door LF transmitters 13 to 17 to the outside of the vehicle compartment and attempts to establish smart communication. At this time, each door LF transmitter 13-17 transmits the request signal Srq to the range of several meters from each door, and forms the vehicle interior communication area Ao around the vehicle 1 (refer FIG. 2). When the electronic key 40 receives the request signal Srq by the LF receiver 42, the electronic key 40 returns an ID code signal Sid including the ID code registered in its own memory 41a from the UHF transmitter 43. When the collation ECU 11 compares the ID code of the ID code signal Sid with the ID code registered in its own memory 11a and confirms that the ID collation outside the passenger compartment is established, the electronic key 40 is Assuming that the vehicle is located outside the vehicle compartment, processing is performed assuming that the vehicle compartment verification is established. Therefore, the main body ECU 21 is caused to execute the unlocking operation of the door lock. That is, the door lock is unlocked simply by holding the electronic key 40 and approaching the vehicle 1 and touching the unlock sensor 25.

  When the user gets off, the verification ECU 11 attempts to establish smart communication with the operation of the lock sensor 24 as a trigger. When the verification outside the vehicle compartment is established, the verification ECU 11 causes the main body ECU 21 to perform a door lock locking operation. That is, the door lock is locked only by holding the electronic key 40 and getting off and touching the lock sensor 24. At this time, when it is detected that the lock sensor 24 is touched, the verification ECU 11 first performs a vehicle exterior verification to check whether the electronic key 40 exists outside the vehicle cabin. The verification ECU 11 causes the main body ECU 21 to lock the door when confirming that the vehicle exterior verification is established.

  The vehicle 1 is provided with an engine ECU 22 that performs engine ignition control and fuel injection control based on the fact that ID verification in the passenger compartment of the verification ECU 11 is established. The engine ECU 22 is connected to various ECUs such as the verification ECU 11 through the in-vehicle LAN 20. The driver's seat of the vehicle 1 is provided with an engine switch 23 that is operated when switching the power state (power position) of the vehicle 1. The engine switch 23 is connected to the verification ECU 11 and the main body ECU 21.

  The verification ECU 11 transmits a request signal Srq from the vehicle interior LF transmitter 12 when the user's boarding is confirmed, for example, with a courtesy switch (not shown) or when the engine switch 23 is pressed, and the ID in the vehicle interior is confirmed. Perform verification. At this time, the vehicle interior LF transmitter 12 transmits a request signal Srq to the vehicle interior to form a vehicle interior communication area Ai (see FIG. 2). When the verification ECU 11 confirms that the ID verification is established, the verification process is performed on the assumption that the electronic key 40 is located in the vehicle compartment.

  When the verification ECU 11 confirms that the vehicle interior verification is established, the verification ECU 11 allows the main body ECU 21 to operate the engine switch 23. When the electronic key 40 exists in the passenger compartment, the main body ECU 21 repeatedly changes the power state in the order of ACC on → IG on → power off every time the engine switch 23 is pressed. In addition, when the electronic key 40 is present in the vehicle interior, the verification ECU 11 causes the engine ECU 22 to start the engine when the engine switch 23 is operated while the brake pedal is depressed when the engine is stopped.

  Each tire 2 of the vehicle 1 is provided with a tire valve 3 capable of detecting a state such as tire air pressure. The tire valve 3 is equipped with a valve control unit 31 that controls the operation of the tire valve 3. Connected to the valve control unit 31 is a UHF transmission unit 33 that transmits a detection signal Stp including the air pressure of the tire 2 by UHF radio waves (about 315 MHz) in Japan. The valve control unit 31 is provided with a memory 31a that stores a valve ID.

  The tire valve 3 includes a pressure sensor 34 that detects the pressure of the tire 2, a temperature sensor 35 that detects the temperature of the tire 2, an acceleration sensor 36 that detects acceleration applied in the radial direction of the tire 2, and the like. . These sensors output detection signals to the valve control unit 31.

  The detection signal Stp transmitted by the UHF transmission unit 33 includes the air pressure and temperature of the tire 2, the unique ID (valve ID) of the tire valve 3, and the like. The tire valve 3 transmits a detection signal Stp from the UHF transmission unit 33 in order from each tire valve 3 when the acceleration sensor 36 detects acceleration.

  In the driver's seat of the vehicle 1, a display device 27 that displays the air pressure and the like of the tire 2 to the driver is installed. When the verification signal Stp transmitted from the tire valve 3 is received by the integrated tuner 18, the verification ECU 11 compares the valve ID registered in its own memory 11a with the valve ID. Then, when the valve verification is established, the verification ECU 11 displays the air pressure and the temperature on the display device 27 regarding the tire for which the valve verification is established.

  A tire valve operation switching system 6 is provided in the electronic key system 4 of the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment. For example, when the vehicle 1 is operated in an arbitrary manner, the tire valve operation switching system 6 of the present example shifts the tire valve operation switching system 6 to a mode according to the operation, and from each door LF transmitter 13-17. Operation signals such as a start signal Swk and a stop signal Ssp for operating the tire valve 3 are transmitted. Then, the tire valve 3 is caused to receive the start signal Swk and the stop signal Ssp, and the tire valve 3 is set to an operation state (start / stop) corresponding to each signal.

  In this case, the verification ECU 11 is provided with a mode switching operation detection unit 11b that detects various operations performed when setting the operation state of the tire valve 3. When a specific operation is performed on the operation means provided in the vehicle 1, the mode switching operation detection unit 11b determines which mode the specific operation is in. For example, when the engine switch 23 and the driver's seat window opening / closing switch 28 or the passenger seat window opening / closing switch 29 are operated simultaneously, the mode switching operation detection unit 11b shifts the tire valve operation switching system 6 to the tire valve activation mode. Judge that it should. Further, when the passenger seat window opening / closing switch 29 is operated while the engine switch 23 is being pressed, the mode switching operation detecting unit 11b determines that the tire valve operation switching system 6 should be shifted to the tire valve stop mode. The mode switching operation detection unit 11b functions as detection means.

  The verification ECU 11 is provided with a transmission control unit 11c that transmits an operation signal corresponding to each mode of the tire valve operation switching system 6 from each door LF transmitter 13-17. When the tire valve operation switching system 6 is shifted to the tire valve activation mode, the transmission controller 11c of the present example continuously transmits the activation signal Swk from the door LF transmitters 13 to 17 for a predetermined time. Further, the transmission control unit 11c continuously transmits a stop signal Ssp from each door LF transmitter 13 to 17 for a predetermined time when the tire valve operation switching system 6 is shifted to the tire valve stop mode. The transmission control unit 11c functions as a control unit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the door LF transmitters 13 to 17 has an operation signal such as a start signal Swk or a stop signal Ssp smaller than the communication area Ao outside the vehicle when transmitting the request signal Srq outside the vehicle. The range is transmitted to form a valve operation communication area Av. That is, the door LF transmitters 13 to 17 operate the start signal Swk, the stop signal Ssp, and the like in a narrower range (for example, about 10 cm) than the operation of the main function of transmitting the request signal Srq outside the vehicle compartment. Send a signal. The operation signal is transmitted in a narrow area that does not reach each tire of the vehicle 1.

  The tire valve 3 is provided with an LF receiver 32 capable of receiving LF band radio waves. When receiving the LF band radio wave, the LF receiving unit 32 extracts data included in the radio wave and outputs the data to the valve control unit 31. Each door LF transmitter 13-17 which transmits request signal Srq transmits operation signals, such as starting signal Swk which operates tire valve 3, and stop signal Ssp.

  When the tire signal is received by the LF receiver 32, the tire valve 3 operates according to the operation content of the operation signal. For example, when the tire valve 3 receives the activation signal Swk, the tire valve 3 transitions from the sleep state to the activation state. Further, when the tire valve 3 receives the stop signal Ssp, the tire valve 3 transitions from the activated state to the sleep state. The tire valve 3 in the sleep state is in a state where the valve control unit 31 is in a stopped state and only the LF receiving unit 32 is activated and only radio waves can be received. In the tire valve 3, when the LF receiving unit 32 receives the activation signal Swk, the LF receiving unit 32 activates the valve control unit 31 from the stopped state.

  The tire valve 3 is provided with a notification unit 31b that receives the operation signal and notifies the vehicle 1 that the operation state is switched based on the operation signal. When the notification unit 31 b switches to the operation state based on the operation signal, the notification unit 31 b returns the reception signal Sre from the UHF transmission unit 33. The notification unit 31b functions as a notification unit.

  The verification ECU 11 is provided with a notification unit 11d that notifies that the operation state of the tire valve 3 has been switched. When the notification unit 11d receives the reception signal Sre, the notification unit 11d performs a so-called answerback in which the blinker 19 and the like are turned on via the main body ECU 21 to notify that the operation state of the tire valve 3 has been switched. The notification unit 11d functions as a notification unit.

  Next, the operation of the tire valve 3 by the door LF transmitters 13 to 17 of this example will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows the starting operation of the tire valve 3. FIG. 4 shows a stop operation of the tire valve 3 attached to the tire 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tire valve 3 shipped from the factory is in a stopped state, and usually needs to be activated using a dedicated tool. Therefore, when starting the tire valve 3 that is not attached to the tire 2, the tire valve operation switching system 6 is operated by first operating the driver's seat window opening / closing switch 28 while the engine switch 23 is pressed. When the collation ECU 11 detects the simultaneous operation of the engine switch 23 and the driver's seat window opening / closing switch 28, the verification ECU 11 switches the tire valve operation switching system 6 to the tire valve activation mode and transmits the activation signal Swk from each door LF transmitter 13-17. Let Each of the door LF transmitters 13 to 17 transmits an activation signal Swk to the valve operation communication area Av that is smaller than the communication area Ao outside the vehicle when transmitting the request signal Srq.

  When the user brings the tire valve 3 in the sleep state close to the outside door handle 7 of the driver's seat door, the tire valve 3 enters the valve operation communication area Av, and the LF receiving unit 32 receives the activation signal Swk. When the tire valve 3 receives the activation signal Swk, the valve control unit 31 is activated.

  The activated valve control unit 31 transmits a reception signal Sre from the UHF transmission unit 33. When the integrated tuner 18 receives the reception signal Sre, the verification ECU 11 lights the blinker 19 and the like to notify that the operation state of the tire valve 3 has been switched.

  In addition, the tire 2 to which the tire valve 3 is attached may be brought close to the outside such as the driver's seat door to perform operations such as starting and stopping. When the tire valve 3 cannot be operated simply by bringing the tire 2 fitted with the tire valve 3 close to the tire valve 3, it is necessary to lift it up.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, it is desirable to stop the tire valve 3 when the winter tire is replaced with the summer tire. Therefore, when the tire valve 3 mounted on the tire 2 is stopped, the passenger seat window opening / closing switch 29 is first operated while the engine switch 23 is pressed. When the collation ECU 11 detects simultaneous operation of the engine switch 23 and the passenger seat window opening / closing switch 29, the verification ECU 11 switches the tire valve operation switching system 6 to the tire valve stop mode and transmits a stop signal Ssp from each door LF transmitter 13-17. Let Each of the door LF transmitters 13 to 17 transmits a stop signal Ssp to the valve operation communication area Av that is smaller than the communication area Ao outside the vehicle when transmitting the request signal Srq.

  If the user rolls and moves closer to the rear bumper 8 without lifting the tire 2 to which the activated tire valve 3 is attached, the tire valve 3 enters the valve operation communication area Av, and the LF receiver 32 receives a stop signal. Receive Ssp. When the tire valve 3 receives the stop signal Ssp, the valve control unit 31 stops.

  The valve control unit 31 to stop transmits the reception signal Sre from the UHF transmission unit 33 before stopping. When the integrated tuner 18 receives the reception signal Sre, the verification ECU 11 lights the blinker 19 and the like to notify that the operation state of the tire valve 3 has been switched.

  Note that the tire valve 3 may be brought close to the rear bumper 8 to perform operations such as starting and stopping. When the tire valve 3 cannot be operated simply by bringing the tire 2 on which the tire valve 3 is mounted close, it is necessary to rotate the tire 2.

  As described above, in this example, the operation signals such as the start signal Swk and the stop signal Ssp are transmitted from the door LF transmitters 13 to 17 used in the electronic key system 4 and the tire valve 3 receives the operation signals. The tire valve 3 can be operated without using a dedicated tool.

  Further, by reducing the range of operation signals transmitted from the door LF transmitters 13 to 17, the user intentionally operates the valve operation communication area Av without reaching the tire valve 3 of the tire 2 mounted on the vehicle 1. Only the tire valve 3 that has entered can be operated.

As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) An operation signal is transmitted in a narrower valve operation communication area Av than when the request signal Srq is transmitted by the main function from the door LF transmitters 13 to 17 mounted in advance in the vehicle 1. For this reason, when the user intentionally brings the tire valve 3 into the valve operation communication area Av to which the operation signal is transmitted, the tire valve 3 receives the operation signal and switches the operation state of the tire valve 3. It becomes possible. Note that the same effect can be obtained even if the tire 2 to which the tire valve 3 is attached is brought into the valve operation communication area Av. Therefore, even if there is no dedicated tool, operations such as starting and stopping of the tire valve 3 can be easily performed. Even if the vehicle 1 is not equipped with the tire pressure monitoring system 5, operations such as starting and stopping the tire valve 3 can be performed.

  (2) Since the electronic key system 4 is attached to most vehicles 1, it is easy to apply the present invention. In addition, since the electronic key system 4 is formed with the vehicle exterior communication area Ao around the vehicle 1, it is easy to use when switching the operation state of the tire valve 3.

  (3) Since the operation signal does not reach the tire 2 mounted on the vehicle 1, even if the tire valve 3 for the tire pressure monitoring system 5 is mounted on the tire 2, the tire valve 3 mounted on the tire 2 Only the tire valve 3 that the user wants to operate can be operated without operating the.

  (4) The user recognizes that the tire valve 3 has been operated because a notification is given when the operation state of the tire valve 3 is switched by bringing the tire valve 3 into the range where the operation signal is transmitted. can do.

  (5) Since the operation signal is transmitted from the trunk door LF transmitter 17 installed in the bumper, when the tire valve 3 attached to the tire 2 is desired to be operated, the tire valve 3 is operated without lifting the tire 2 The tire valve 3 can be operated by receiving a signal.

  (6) The operation signal is received by the tire valve 3 without lifting the tire 2 to which the tire valve 3 is mounted by setting the mounting position of the trunk door LF transmitter 17 for locking / unlocking the trunk door to the rear bumper 8. Thus, the tire valve 3 can be operated.

  (7) The user can cause the engine switch 23 and the window opening / closing switches 28 and 29 to perform a specific operation so that an operation signal can be transmitted, and the operation signal can be transmitted without newly providing an operation means for transmitting the operation signal. Can be sent intentionally.

  (8) Even if the vehicle is not equipped with the tire valve operation switching system 6, if there is a vehicle equipped with the tire valve operation switching system 6 nearby, the vehicle can be used to start and stop the tire valve 3. can do.

  (9) Since the operation signals such as the start signal Swk and the stop signal Ssp are transmitted in a narrow range, even if the electronic key 40 is placed nearby, the possibility that radio waves reach the electronic key 40 is reduced. Therefore, it is not necessary to wastefully consume the power source of the electronic key 40.

In addition, the said embodiment can be implemented with the following forms which changed this suitably.
In the above embodiment, the engine switch 23 and the window opening / closing switches 28 and 29 are used as operation means for operating the tire valve operation switching system 6. However, any switch provided on the vehicle 1 can be selected. Also good. Alternatively, one switch provided in the vehicle 1 may be selected and an operation different from the normal operation may be set as the specific operation.

  In the above embodiment, the tire valve operation switching system 6 is operated by a specific operation on the operation means, but the specific operation on the operation means is omitted, and operation signals are periodically transmitted from the door LF transmitters 13 to 17. You may make it do.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation signal is transmitted from any of the door LF transmitters 13 to 17, but the operation signal may be transmitted from at least one. For example, the operation signal may be transmitted only from the right front door LF transmitter 13 and the trunk door LF transmitter 17.

In the above embodiment, the tire valve 3 that has received the operation signal returns the reception signal Sre, but the transmission of the reception signal may be omitted.
-In above-mentioned embodiment, although each door LF transmitter 13-16 was installed in the vicinity of the outside handle of each door, as long as it is the vicinity of a door, you may install in any.

In the above embodiment, the trunk door LF transmitter 17 is installed on the rear bumper. However, if the trunk door LF transmitter 17 does not need to be installed at a low position, it may be installed at another position.
In the above embodiment, the valve operation communication area Av is set to a range that does not reach the tire 2 mounted on the vehicle 1. However, if the tire pressure monitoring system 5 is not provided on the vehicle 1, the valve operation communication area Av may reach the tire 2. .

  In the above configuration, a configuration in which the tire pressure monitoring system 5 is omitted from the vehicle 1 may be adopted. That is, it is possible to perform operations such as starting and stopping the tire valve 3 even in the vehicle 1 that does not include the tire pressure monitoring system 5.

In the above embodiment, the operation of the tire valve 3 is not limited to starting and stopping, but may be other operations such as initialization and ID code rewriting.
In the above embodiment, the electronic key system 4 has the LF transmitters outside and inside the vehicle interior, but the LF transmitters installed inside the vehicle interior may be shared outside and inside the vehicle interior.

In the above embodiment, the arrangement of the door LF transmitters 13 to 17 may be arbitrarily changed as long as a desired outside communication area Ao can be obtained.
In the above embodiment, the frequency at which the request signal Srq is transmitted from the vehicle 1 to the electronic key 40 may be different from the frequency at which the operation signal is transmitted from the vehicle 1 to the tire valve 3. In this case, it is necessary to change the frequency in accordance with transmission to the electronic key 40 and the tire valve 3.

  In the above embodiment, the frequency of the radio signal used in the electronic key system 4 is not necessarily limited to LF or UHF, and other frequencies can be used. Further, the frequency when the radio signal is transmitted from the vehicle 1 to the electronic key 40 and the frequency when the radio signal is returned from the electronic key 40 to the vehicle 1 are not necessarily limited to different ones. Also good.

In the above embodiment, the control unit of the electronic key system 4 and the control unit of the tire air pressure monitoring system 5 are shared by the verification ECU 11, but may be separate control units.
In the above embodiment, the reception unit of the electronic key system 4 and the reception unit of the tire pressure monitoring system 5 are shared by the integrated tuner 18, but separate reception units may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the transition to the mode is not limited to manually operating the operation device of the vehicle 1, and may be set by sending a switching signal to the vehicle 1 from a wireless terminal such as an electronic key, for example.

In the above embodiment, the transmission antenna of the electronic key system 4 is used as the transmission means. However, the transmission antenna is not limited to the transmission antenna of the electronic key system 4.
-The mode in the said embodiment is not limited to starting and a stop.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 2 ... Tire, 3 ... Tire valve, 4 ... Electronic key system, 5 ... Tire pressure monitoring system, 6 ... Tire valve operation switching system, 7 ... Outside door handle, 8 ... Rear bumper, 11 ... Verification ECU 11a ... Memory, 11b ... Mode switching operation detection unit, 11c ... Transmission control unit, 11d ... Notification unit, 12 ... Vehicle interior LF transmitter, 13 ... Right front door LF transmitter, 14 ... Right rear door LF transmitter, 15 ... left front door LF transmitter, 16 ... left rear door LF transmitter, 17 ... trunk door LF transmitter, 18 ... integrated tuner, 19 ... winker, 20 ... in-vehicle LAN, 21 ... main body ECU, 22 ... engine ECU, 23 ... engine switch, 24 ... lock sensor, 25 ... unlock sensor, 26 ... door lock device, 27 ... display device, 28 ... driver's seat window opening / closing switch 29 ... Passenger window open / close switch, 31 ... Valve control unit, 31a ... Memory, 31b ... Notification unit, 32 ... LF reception unit, 33 ... UHF transmission unit, 34 ... Pressure sensor, 35 ... Temperature sensor, 36 ... Acceleration sensor 40 ... electronic key 41 ... communication control unit 41a ... memory 42 ... LF reception unit 43 ... UHF transmission unit Sre ... reception signal Srq request signal Ssp stop signal Stp detection signal Swk ... Activation signal.

Claims (7)

A tire valve operation switching system for switching an operation state of a tire valve that can be attached to each tire and wirelessly transmit a tire air pressure detection signal to a vehicle body,
Transmitting means mounted in advance in a vehicle and capable of transmitting radio waves having the same frequency as radio waves that can be received by the tire valve;
Detection means for detecting a trigger input in the vehicle as a request for switching the operating state of the tire valve;
When the detection means detects the trigger, an operation signal for setting the operating state of the tire valve is transmitted from the transmission means to the tire in a narrower range than when the transmission means transmits radio waves with its main function. And a control means for transmitting to the valve. In the tire valve operation switching system according to claim 1,
The vehicle includes an electronic key system that performs electronic key and ID authentication by narrow-band wireless communication triggered by communication from the vehicle,
The tire valve operation switching system, wherein the transmission means is a transmission means on the vehicle side of the electronic key system. In the tire valve operation switching system according to claim 1 or 2,
The tire valve operation switching system, wherein the transmission means transmits the operation signal within a range not reaching a tire mounted on the vehicle. In the tire valve operation switching system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A notification means that is provided in the tire valve and transmits a notification signal to notify the vehicle to that effect when the tire valve is switched to an operation state based on the operation signal;
A tire that is provided in the vehicle and that notifies the vehicle that the operation state of the tire valve has been switched when the notification signal is received from the tire valve. Valve operation switching system. In the tire valve operation switching system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The tire valve operation switching system, wherein an antenna of the transmitting means is installed in a bumper of the vehicle. In the tire valve operation switching system according to claim 5,
The tire valve operation switching system, wherein the transmission means is capable of transmitting a radio signal used for the ID authentication for locking / unlocking the luggage compartment door, and is provided in a rear bumper. In the tire valve operation switching system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The tire valve operation switching system according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit recognizes that there is a request for switching the operation state of the tire valve when a specific operation is performed on an operation unit provided in advance in the vehicle.

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