JP2017001556A - Tire pressure gauge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tire pressure gauge which enables continuous use over a long period without needing charging or replacement of batteries for enabling the tire pressure gauge to function.SOLUTION: The invention relates to an air pressure sensor which measures an air pressure in a tire and functions with electric power from a power generation element which receives heat energy to generate electric power. It is preferable that the invention relate to a tire pressure gauge which includes a rechargeable battery for storing the electric power generated by the power generation element and functions with the electric power from the rechargeable battery.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a tire pressure gauge equipped with a power generation element.

  In tires used in automobiles, motorcycles, etc., when the tire air pressure decreases, the tire shoulders wear or the tire shoulders generate heat, causing bursts, ie, punctures.

  Also, even if it does not lead to a burst, the tire air pressure decreases, the steering stability decreases, the fuel consumption deteriorates, and the aquaplaning phenomenon occurs in the rain, Risk of serious accidents.

  Therefore, it is very important to constantly monitor the tire air pressure from the viewpoint of ensuring the safety of driving an automobile or a motorcycle or the safety of other drivers.

  Therefore, in order to understand the condition of tire pressure and secure driving safety, install a tire pressure gauge in the tire, measure the tire pressure and temperature, etc., and provide the measured values to the driver Is becoming common, and technological developments to achieve this are in progress.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tire air pressure detecting means formed so as to be integrated with a tire valve. Patent Document 2 discloses means for transmitting a signal to a vehicle by installing an antenna on an inner liner of a tire and connecting an air pressure monitoring device thereto.

  However, the conventional tire pressure gauge as described above has a problem that the storage battery for functioning the tire pressure gauge must be periodically charged or replaced.

  To charge or replace the battery of the tire pressure gauge, remove the tire from the vehicle, collect the tire pressure gauge from the removed tire, charge or replace the storage battery, reattach the tire pressure gauge to the tire, Since it is necessary to reattach the tire to the vehicle, a large amount of labor is required only for charging or replacing the storage battery of the tire pressure gauge.

JP 2005-186658 A JP 2001-013042 A

  In order to solve the above problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a tire pressure gauge that can be used continuously for a long period of time without the need to charge or replace a battery for functioning the tire pressure gauge. .

  The present invention relates to a tire pressure gauge that measures the air pressure in a tire and functions with electric power from a power generation element that generates power by receiving thermal energy.

  The present invention is preferably a tire pressure gauge that further includes a storage battery that stores electric power generated by the power generation element, and that functions with electric power from the storage battery.

  The present invention further includes a tire pressure gauge that includes a temperature sensor that measures the temperature in the tire, and detects an abnormality in the tire pressure from the temperature information calculated by the temperature sensor and the air pressure information calculated by the air pressure sensor. It is preferable that

  The present invention further includes a power generation amount sensor for measuring the power generation amount in the power generation element, and detects an abnormality in air pressure in the tire from the power generation amount information calculated by the power generation amount sensor and the air pressure information calculated by the air pressure sensor. A tire pressure gauge is preferable.

  The present invention is preferably a tire pressure gauge including a wireless transmitter that transmits abnormality information relating to an abnormality in air pressure as a warning signal.

  The present invention is preferably a tire pressure gauge characterized in that the operation of transmitting a warning signal by a wireless communication device is executed continuously or every predetermined time.

  The present invention is preferably a tire pressure gauge in which a power generation element is installed in a tire.

  In the present invention, it is further preferable that the power generation element is a tire pressure gauge having a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor between a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

  The present invention relates to a wheel in which the tire pressure gauge is installed on a rim.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the need to charge or replace the battery for operating the tire pressure gauge, and the tire pressure gauge can be used continuously for a long period of time.

It is a lineblock diagram showing the tire pressure gauge concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is tire sectional drawing at the time of installing the tire pressure gauge concerning the embodiment of the present invention in a tire. It is an example of the block diagram of the electric power generation element used for the tire pressure gauge which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the block diagram of the electric power generation element used for the tire pressure gauge which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, although the embodiment of the tire pressure gauge of the present invention is described using a drawing, the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 1 shows a tire pressure gauge 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tire pressure gauge 10 can be widely applied to a vehicle driven by a tire such as an automobile or a motorcycle.

  The tire pressure gauge 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes, for example, a main body 11, a power generation element 12a, a power generation element 12b, a charging circuit 21, a storage battery 22, a pneumatic sensor 23, a temperature sensor 24, an abnormality determination unit 25, and a wireless transmitter 26. It can comprise.

  The main body 11 includes a charging circuit 21, a storage battery 22, an air pressure sensor 23, a temperature sensor 24, an abnormality determination unit 25, and a wireless transmitter 26. The air pressure sensor 23 and the temperature sensor 24 have a structure in which the sensor portion is exposed to the outside of the main body 11 in order to measure the air pressure and temperature in the tire, respectively. In the specification of the present application, the inside of the tire means a space surrounded by the tire and the rim.

  Since the electronic device as described above is built in the main body 11, it is preferable that the electronic device is configured not to fail or deteriorate due to heat in the tire. Therefore, it is preferable that the main body 11 is composed of a heat shield member. The kind of heat shield member is not particularly limited, and a known member can be used.

  The power generation element 12a and / or the power generation element 12b (hereinafter referred to as the power generation element 12a / b) used in the present invention is a power generation element that can generate power by receiving thermal energy, and substantially covers the outer surface of the main body 11. Can be installed. The installation mode of the power generation element 12a / b is not particularly limited as long as it does not cover the sensor portions of the air pressure sensor 23 and the temperature sensor 24.

  In the main body 11 of the tire pressure gauge 10 of this embodiment, the aspect which installs the power generation element 12a in the position which becomes the other side of the installation surface 14, and installs the power generation element 12b in the position which becomes the installation surface 14 side is shown. .

  The power generation element 12a / b may be installed on either the outer surface or the inner surface of the main body 11. When the power generation element 12a / b is installed on the outer surface of the main body 11, since the heat energy given to the power generation element 12a / b is not blocked by the main body 11, the power generation amount in the power generation element 12a / b is improved. When the power generation element 12 a / b is installed on the inner surface of the main body 11, it is not necessary to provide a hole in the main body 11 for passing the wiring connecting the power generation element 12 a / b and the charging circuit 21, and all the wiring is accommodated in the main body 11. be able to.

  As heat energy used for power generation by the power generation element 12a / b, heat generated by friction between a tire and a road surface during traveling of the vehicle, heat transmitted from a traveling vehicle via a rim, or the like is used. Therefore, the tire pressure gauge 10 is configured to function by continuously supplying thermal energy for generating power in the power generation element while the vehicle is running.

  The power generation element 12a / b used in the present invention can generate power by receiving thermal energy, but the amount of power generation varies depending on the amount of thermal energy obtained. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the charging circuit 21 in order to supply constant power to the storage battery 22.

  As the charging circuit 21, a DC / DC converter or the like can be used.

  The storage battery 22 stores the electric power transformed in the charging circuit 21. The electric power stored in the storage battery 22 is supplied to the air pressure sensor 23, the temperature sensor 24, the abnormality determination unit 25, and the wireless transmitter 26 as necessary.

  When the tire pressure gauge 10 is used for the first time, the storage battery 22 is preferably charged with a certain amount of power, and the power consumption of the storage battery 22 is supplemented with the power generated by the power generation element 12a / b. It is preferable to use the embodiment.

  The air pressure sensor 23 measures the air pressure in the tire. Based on the measured air pressure in the tire, the air pressure sensor 23 calculates air pressure information and outputs it to the abnormality determination unit 25.

  The method for measuring the air pressure in the tire is not particularly limited, and a known method such as a strain gauge resistance method, a semiconductor piezoresistance method, a capacitance method, or a silicon resonant method can be used.

  The temperature sensor 24 measures the temperature inside the tire. Based on the measured temperature in the tire, the temperature sensor 24 calculates temperature information and outputs the temperature information to the abnormality determination unit 25.

  The method for measuring the temperature in the tire is not particularly limited, and a known method such as a resistance temperature detector, a thermocouple, an infrared thermometer, an IC temperature sensor, or a thermistor can be used.

  Since the air pressure in the tire changes depending on the temperature in the tire, it is preferable to perform an abnormality determination on the air pressure in the tire by converting the measured air pressure into an air pressure at a predetermined temperature.

  The abnormality determination unit 25 performs pressure conversion as described above based on the air pressure information input from the air pressure sensor 23 and the temperature information input from the temperature sensor 24, and the converted pressure is a preset air pressure threshold value. By determining whether or not this is the case, an abnormality in the air pressure in the tire is detected. Abnormality information related to the detected abnormal air pressure is output to the wireless transmitter 26.

  In addition, it is good also as an aspect which the abnormality determination part 25 detects the abnormality of the air pressure in a tire based only on the air pressure information input from the air pressure sensor 23, without providing the temperature sensor 24.

  Further, without providing the abnormality determination unit 25, the air pressure information and / or temperature information may be output to the wireless transmitter 26 so that the driver or the like recognizes the air pressure information and / or temperature information.

  Since the power generation element 12a / b used in the present invention changes the power generation amount according to the temperature in the tire, a power generation amount sensor is provided instead of the temperature sensor 24, and the power generation amount measured by the power generation amount sensor, Based on the power generation performance, the temperature in the tire can also be calculated backward. An abnormality in the tire air pressure can be detected from the temperature information in the tire calculated in this way and the air pressure information calculated by the air pressure sensor 23.

  Moreover, it is good also as an aspect which provides the threshold about the measured temperature in a tire, and warns abnormality also when measured temperature becomes more than a threshold value. Similarly, a threshold value is set for the power generation amount in the power generation element, and when the power generation amount exceeds the threshold value, it is assumed that the temperature in the tire is equal to or higher than the threshold value, and an abnormality warning may be provided. Good.

  The wireless transmitter 26 wirelessly transmits the abnormality information input from the abnormality determination unit 25 as a warning signal. When the driver or the like recognizes the warning signal transmitted wirelessly, an abnormality in tire air pressure is recognized.

  Examples of the transmission destination of the warning signal include a mode in which the warning signal is transmitted to a car navigation system mounted on the vehicle, a smartphone of the driver, or the like in order to make the driver recognize an abnormality in the tire pressure. Further, in order to make a third person other than the driver recognize the abnormality of the tire pressure, there is a mode in which a warning signal is transmitted to the management center of the vehicle management company.

  The warning signal transmission operation in the wireless transmitter 26 is executed continuously as necessary or intermittently at predetermined intervals (for example, about once every several minutes to several hours). can do. That is, the tire pressure monitoring mode can be arbitrarily set to a continuous monitoring mode or an intermittent monitoring mode.

  By continuously executing the warning signal transmission operation, it is possible to continuously monitor the change state of the tire pressure. Also, if the warning signal transmission operation is executed every predetermined time, the power consumption required for the transmission operation can be suppressed and the power consumption of the storage battery can be reduced compared to the case where the transmission operation is executed continuously. Can do.

  In addition to the above, as a method of reducing the power consumption of the storage battery, data such as air pressure information and / or temperature information or warning signal is not actively transmitted by wireless transmission, but passively by RF-ID or the like. The method of taking out from is mentioned. In this case, in place of the wireless transmitter 26, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory is provided, and once the data is stored in the non-volatile memory, the non-volatile memory is accessed from the outside by radio waves and the data is extracted. Will be able to.

  FIG. 2 shows a tire cross-sectional view when the tire pressure gauge according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed in a tire. The tire cross-sectional view in FIG. 2 includes a tire pressure gauge 30, a tire 40, and a rim 50.

  The tire pressure gauge 30 includes a power generation element on the outer surface or inner surface of the main body. The tire pressure gauge 30 functions when the power generation element receives heat energy to generate power and the power is supplied to the tire pressure gauge 30.

  The tire 40 includes a rubber layer 41, an inner liner 42, a carcass 43, a bead wire 44, and a belt 45. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, each part of the tire 40 can be divided into four parts, that is, a bead part 51, a sidewall part 52, a shoulder part 53, and a tread part 54 from the rim 50 side.

  The rim 50 constitutes a part of the wheel and is usually made of a metal such as aluminum. By installing the tire pressure gauge 30 equipped with the power generation element in the space surrounded by the rim 50 and the tire 40, there is no need to charge or replace the storage battery for causing the tire pressure gauge 30 to function. The tire pressure gauge 30 can be used continuously.

  As heat energy used for power generation of the power generation element installed in the tire pressure gauge 30, heat generated by friction between the tire and the road surface during traveling of the vehicle, heat transmitted from the traveling vehicle via the rim, or the like can be used.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the tire pressure gauge 30 is installed on the rim 50. The method of installing the tire pressure gauge 30 on the rim 50 is not particularly limited. For example, the tire pressure gauge 30 provided with a screw-shaped shaft portion and the rim 50 provided with a screw receiving hole are screwed and installed. The method etc. are mentioned.

  Alternatively, the tire pressure gauge 30 may be bonded to the rim 50 with an adhesive member. When the tire pressure gauge 30 is bonded to the rim 50 with an adhesive member, it is preferable to use an adhesive member with high heat resistance.

  In addition, it is also possible to fix the tire pressure gauge 30 to the rim 50 by providing the tire pressure gauge 30 with a substantially annular band and attaching the substantially annular band along the circumferential direction of the rim 50. In this case, the substantially annular band is preferably elastic.

  When the tube structure covers the inner surface of the tire including the surface of the rim 50 instead of the inner liner 42 as in the tube type tire, the tire air pressure is applied to the tube portion of the tire covering the surface of the rim 50. It is good also as an aspect which installs the total 30. FIG. In this case, it is necessary to install the tire pressure gauge 30 in the tube portion when manufacturing the tube type tire.

  In addition, the installation place of the tire pressure gauge 30 of this invention is not limited to the surface of the rim | limb 50, For example, it is good also as an aspect installed in the inner surface of the tire 40. FIG. When the tire pressure gauge 30 is installed on the inner surface of the tire 40, it is preferably installed on the bead part 51 or the tread part 54.

  The bead portion 51 is a portion having a ring-shaped reinforcing portion in which an annular bead wire 44 made of steel is bundled and the bundled bead wire 44 is covered with rubber, and serves to fix the tire 40 to the rim 50. doing. Further, in the bead portion 51, a carcass 43 formed in a layered manner by laminating cords covered with rubber to form the skeleton of the tire 40 is formed in a double manner. For the reasons described above, the bead portion 51 has a structure that is difficult to be deformed, and thus is suitable as an installation location of the tire pressure gauge 30.

  The tread portion 54 is a portion where the tire 40 is in contact with the road surface, and the rubber layer 41 is thick. Further, the tread portion 54 is provided with a belt 45 in order to strongly tighten the carcass 43 and increase the rigidity of the tread portion 54. For the above reasons, the tread portion 54 has a structure that is not easily deformed, and thus is suitable as a place for installing the tire pressure gauge 30.

  Also, if the air pressure in the tire 40 changes, such as a run-flat tire, the tire pressure gauge 30 is attached to the sidewall portion 52, the shoulder portion 53, etc. if the shape of the tire 40 is not greatly deformed. May be installed.

  The tire pressure gauge 30 in the present embodiment may be incorporated in advance in the rubber of the tire 40 or may be integrated in advance with the rim 50 of the wheel.

  As a power generation element used in the tire pressure gauge 30 of the present invention, for example, if a temperature difference power generation element that generates power by a temperature difference is used, a mechanism for cooling the temperature difference power generation element is required to provide the temperature difference. Therefore, it is not realistic.

  The power generation element used in the present invention is a power generation element that generates power by receiving thermal energy. However, even a power generation element that generates power by receiving thermal energy, In many cases, a high temperature of 100 ° C. or higher was required, so that it was not possible to generate power using a heat source in the tire and supply power to the tire pressure gauge 30. Therefore, the tire pressure gauge 30 of the present invention can be realized by a power generation element having the following configuration.

  The power generating element 6 used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it has a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor between the positive electrode 1 and the negative electrode 5, as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. Between the positive electrode 1 and the negative electrode 5, it may further have a ferroelectric or may not have a ferroelectric.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the power generating element 6 has a structure in which a positive electrode 1, a p-type semiconductor layer 2, a ferroelectric layer 3, an n-type semiconductor layer 4, and a negative electrode 5 are arranged in that order. It has a form. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the p-type semiconductor layer 2, the ferroelectric layer 3, and the n-type semiconductor layer 4 may have a heterojunction structure mixed to increase the contact interface. Such a power generation element 6 is a new power generation element different from the conventional power generation element, and causes a power generation phenomenon that generates a high current. In particular, it can be realized by raising the temperature from room temperature (for example, 25 ° C.) in a thermostatic bath.

  The positive electrode 1 and the negative electrode 5 are conductive materials, and a material having a work function equal to or higher than that of the negative electrode 5 is used. It is desirable that the work function of the positive electrode 1 is higher than that of the negative electrode 5. Examples of the positive electrode 1 include copper, copper alloy, stainless steel such as SUS430, tin-plated copper, silver, platinum, and gold. Examples of these materials may be determined in consideration of a work function. The positive electrode materials listed are not limited. The negative electrode 5 may be a material different from that of the positive electrode 1. For example, a metal material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy such as Mg-Al, a conductive oxide material such as indium tin oxide (ITO), or the like. These materials can be determined in consideration of the work function, and are not limited to the listed negative electrode materials.

  The shapes of the positive electrode 1 and the negative electrode 5 are not particularly limited, and can be processed into a shape corresponding to the shape of the power generation element 6. For example, when the power generation element 6 is a planar arrangement type power generation element 6, the positive electrode 1 and the negative electrode 5 are opposed to each other with the p-type semiconductor layer 2, the ferroelectric layer 3, and the n-type semiconductor layer 4 interposed therebetween. Can be arranged and configured. In addition, the planar arrangement type power generation element 6 has a positive electrode 1 and a negative electrode 5 sequentially connected in series to form a series arrangement type power generation element composite, or a positive electrode 1 and a negative electrode 5 are sequentially connected in parallel to form a parallel arrangement type. Or a power generating element composite. The power generation element 6 may be a dry battery type power generation element, in which case the center may be a negative electrode rod and the periphery may be a positive electrode tube.

The p-type semiconductor layer 2 is composed of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) -poly (styrenesulfonic acid), poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) -poly (vinylsulfonic acid), polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene. , Poly (p-phenylene), polyfluorene, poly (p-phenylene vinylene), polythienylene vinylene, graphene, CuAlO ₂ , CuGaO ₂ , and LiNiO ₂ are preferable. If hole conduction is observed, it is not limited to the listed p-type semiconductor materials.

  The thickness of the p-type semiconductor layer 2 varies depending on the method of manufacturing the power generating element 6 and is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of, for example, 10 μm or more and 1000 μm or less. Note that the boundary of the p-type semiconductor layer 2 in the power generation element 6 may be clearly divided as shown in FIG. 3 as long as the p-type semiconductor characteristics are exhibited, or as shown in FIG. The semiconductor layer 2 may have a heterojunction structure in which both the ferroelectric layer 3 and the n-type semiconductor layer 4 are mixed to increase the contact interface. Therefore, the above thickness range can also be expressed as a thickness within a range where the p-type semiconductor layer 2 functions.

  Ferroelectric layer 3 is composed of barium titanate, lead zirconate titanate, lead titanate, lead zirconate, bismuth lanthanum titanate, cadmium titanate, lithium niobate, lithium tantalate, bismuth ferrite, and lithium-doped zinc oxide. It is preferable that any particle | grains chosen from these are included. If ferroelectricity is observed, the ferroelectric material is not limited to the listed ferroelectric materials. As the ferroelectric layer 3, one type of material may be used alone, or two or more types may be used. This ferroelectric layer 3 is a layer having ferroelectricity, and generates electric power because it has ferroelectricity. When the ferroelectric layer 3 further has n-type semiconductivity, electrons (carriers) are used. ) Is easy to move, and is extremely desirable as a component of the power generation element.

  The shape and particle size of the ferroelectric particles are not particularly limited, but the overall shape may be a spherical shape, a substantially spherical shape, an elliptical shape, or a substantially elliptical shape, and the surface may be smooth or uneven. The average particle size of the ferroelectric particles can be selected from various sizes within a range where there is no problem in terms of availability and device fabrication, but the larger the average particle size, the higher the dielectric constant. Can be used. Further, there is an advantage that the surface area can be controlled by setting the average particle size of the ferroelectric particles to a desired value. The average particle diameter of the ferroelectric particles can be measured by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at the raw material stage, and can be measured by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) even after the ferroelectric layer 3 is formed. it can.

  The ferroelectric layer 3 is composed of ferroelectric particles, but may contain other inorganic substances having ferroelectricity as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. In addition, other inorganic substances having conductivity and n-type semiconductivity may be included as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

  The n-type semiconductor layer 4 is made of any particle selected from tin oxide, antimony-doped tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, gallium-doped zinc oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, niobium-doped strontium titanate, and calcium oxide-doped zirconium oxide. It is preferable to include. In addition, if electronic conduction is observed, it is not limited to the n-type semiconductor material listed. These particles are n-type semiconductor particles, and one kind may be used alone, or two or more kinds may be used.

  The particle shape and particle size of the n-type semiconductor particles are not particularly limited, but the overall shape may be a spherical shape, a substantially spherical shape, an elliptical shape, or a substantially elliptical shape, and the surface may be smooth or uneven. . The average particle size of the n-type semiconductor particles can be selected from various sizes within a range where there is no problem in terms of availability and device fabrication, but the larger the average particle size, the higher the conductivity, which is preferable. Can be used. Moreover, there is an advantage that the surface area can be controlled by setting the average particle size of the n-type semiconductor particles to a desired value. The average particle size of the n-type semiconductor particles can be measured by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at the raw material stage, and can be measured by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) even after the n-type semiconductor layer 4 is formed. it can.

  The n-type semiconductor layer 4 is composed of n-type semiconductor particles, but may contain other inorganic substances that can be n-type as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

  The resistance of the n-type semiconductor layer 4 is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of, for example, about 2Ω or more and 7Ω or less. By making the resistance of the n-type semiconductor layer 4 in such a range, there is an advantage that the internal impedance is lowered and the current can be easily taken out. The resistance of the n-type semiconductor layer 4 can be measured by an LCR high tester. When the resistance of the n-type semiconductor layer 4 is less than 2 kΩ, more specifically, for example, when the resistance is less than 1 kΩ or less than 100 kΩ, the conductive p-type semiconductor layer 2 provided on the n-type semiconductor layer 4 is an n-type semiconductor. It may enter the layer 4 and become short-circuited, and may not operate as a power generation element.

  The power generating element 6 can be manufactured by various methods as long as it has the above-described configuration. A power generating element 6 shown in FIG. 3 has a structure in which a positive electrode 1, a p-type semiconductor layer 2, a ferroelectric layer 3, an n-type semiconductor layer 4, and a negative electrode 5 are arranged in that order. The power generating element 6 shown in 4 has a heterojunction structure in which a positive electrode 1 and a negative electrode 5 are mixed with a p-type semiconductor layer 2, a ferroelectric layer 3, and an n-type semiconductor layer 4.

  Although the production of the power generating element 6 is not particularly limited, the n-type semiconductor layer 4, the ferroelectric layer 3, and the p-type semiconductor layer 2 are sequentially formed on the positive electrode 1. The p-type semiconductor layer 2 can be formed by dropping or coating a p-type semiconducting polymer, for example. The ferroelectric layer 3 and the n-type semiconductor layer 4 can be formed by, for example, pressure molding each particle.

  The power generating element members thus manufactured can be connected so as to have a planar series structure or a parallel structure. When a power generation element complex is configured by connecting power generation element members in series, the positive electrode 1 and the negative electrode 5 of adjacent power generation element members can be connected by caulking, pressure welding, brazing, or the like to form a series structure. Further, when a power generating element composite is configured by connecting power generating element members in parallel, the positive electrode 1 and the negative electrode 5 of the power generating element member are connected to the long extending electrode by caulking, pressure welding, brazing, etc., respectively, to form a parallel structure. can do.

  Such a power generation element composite can be produced in a one-dimensional (series arrangement) or two-dimensional (parallel arrangement) by connecting a plurality of power generation element members, but is laminated in the thickness direction and is three-dimensional. A three-dimensional structure can also be obtained.

  In addition, a power generation element for a dry cell type may be used, in which case, n-type semiconductor particles or ferroelectric particles are put into a bottomed cathode tube, and p-type semiconducting polymer material is dropped or applied. Can be repeated to form them in layers. The negative electrode rod is inserted into the center of the positive electrode tube before or after the formation of the layered structure of the n-type semiconductor layer 4, the ferroelectric layer 3, and the p-type semiconductor layer 2 so as not to contact the positive electrode tube. do it.

  In the power generation element used in the present invention, for example, the positive electrode 1 is a flat copper member having a thickness of 0.2 mm, a length of 10 mm, and a width of 10 mm, and the negative electrode 5 is a flat plate having a thickness of 0.2 mm, a length of 10 mm, and a width of 10 mm. A shaped aluminum member can be obtained. An n-type semiconductor layer 4 having a thickness of 2 mm made of lithium niobate particles is formed on the negative electrode 5, and a liquid p-type semiconducting polymer is formed on the ferroelectric n-type semiconductor layer 4. A certain poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) -poly (styrenesulfonate)) is dropped, the p-type semiconductor layer 2 is provided on the n-type semiconductor layer 4, and the negative electrode 5 is placed thereon to form the power generation element 6. Can be produced. As described above, the power generating element 6 having an interelectrode resistance of 25 kΩ can be obtained.

  When the performance of the power generation element 6 is evaluated while the power generation element 6 is placed in a constant temperature bath, a load resistance of 10Ω is connected, and the temperature in the constant temperature layer is changed, the results shown in Table 1 and Table 2 can be obtained. .

  As a power generation element used in the present invention, a power generation element that can generate a power generation phenomenon that generates a high current, and can generate power even when the temperature is raised from room temperature (for example, 25 ° C.) in a thermostatic bath. Can be used.

  A power generation element includes a tire pressure gauge as a bulk type in which a powder obtained by mixing a p-type semiconductor, a ferroelectric material, and an n-type semiconductor is laminated and sealed with a positive electrode plate such as copper and a negative electrode plate such as aluminum. Can be installed. In addition, as a film-type aspect in which a p-type semiconductor, a ferroelectric material, and an n-type semiconductor are mixed to form a paste, laminated and sealed with a positive electrode plate such as copper and a negative electrode plate such as aluminum, It can also be installed on a tire pressure gauge.

  A bulk type or film type power generation element as described above may be used by connecting several millimeters square in series or in parallel, or by using several square centimeters connected in series or in parallel. . In addition, since the power generating element used in the present invention can be formed into an arbitrary shape, the surface of the base material on which the power generating element is installed does not have to be flat, and may be curved or have irregularities. There may be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Positive electrode 2 P-type semiconductor layer 3 Ferroelectric layer 4 N-type semiconductor layer 5 Negative electrode 6 Power generation element 10 Tire pressure gauge 11 Main body 12a Power generation element 12b Power generation element 14 Installation surface 21 Charging circuit 22 Storage battery 23 Pneumatic sensor 24 Temperature sensor 25 Abnormal Judgment part 26 Radio transmitter 30 Tire pressure gauge 40 Tire 41 Rubber layer 42 Inner liner 43 Carcass 44 Bead wire 45 Belt 50 Rim 51 Bead part 52 Side wall part 53 Shoulder part 54 Tread part

Claims (9)

A tire pressure gauge that measures the air pressure in a tire and functions with electric power from a power generation element that receives heat energy to generate power. A storage battery for storing the electric power generated in the power generation element;
The tire pressure gauge according to claim 1, which functions with electric power from a storage battery. It has a temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the tire,
The tire pressure gauge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an abnormality in air pressure in the tire is detected from temperature information calculated by the temperature sensor and air pressure information calculated by the air pressure sensor. It has a power generation amount sensor that measures the amount of power generation in the power generation element,
The tire pressure gauge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an abnormality in air pressure in the tire is detected from the power generation amount information calculated by the power generation amount sensor and the air pressure information calculated by the air pressure sensor. The tire pressure gauge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a wireless transmitter that transmits abnormality information relating to an abnormality in air pressure as a warning signal. The tire pressure gauge according to claim 5, wherein the warning signal transmission operation by the wireless communication device is executed continuously or every predetermined time. The tire pressure gauge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the power generation element is installed in the tire. The tire pressure gauge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the power generation element has a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The wheel which installed the tire pressure gauge in any one of Claims 1-8 in the rim | limb.

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