JP4043114B2 - Portable tire information measurement management device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable tire information measurement management device for measuring physical data of tires and managing the data for each tire. More specifically, the present invention simply inputs tire identification data and physical data. In addition, the present invention relates to a portable tire information measurement management apparatus that can manage both in association with each other.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when managing tire information for vehicles such as trucks and buses, physical data such as tread groove depth, tire air pressure, and tread hardness are measured, and the measurement results are input to a computer for each tire. I have to.
[0003]
As a device for managing such tire information, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-6348 discloses a tread groove depth data read by a sensor to a computer, and in addition to tire air pressure and tread hardness, a tread groove at the previous detection time. There has been proposed a tire inspection data recording / calculating device in which data such as depth can be input from a keyboard.
[0004]
On the other hand, the measured physical data needs to be recorded corresponding to each tire, but in the conventional method, it is performed with a management ledger-like thing called a tire card. In addition, as described above, in recent years, with the spread of computers, there is a tendency to digitize the management ledger. Regardless of which method is used, it is necessary to identify the individual tires first, so make a mark that relies on visual inspection, such as making a stamp on the sidewall of the tire or attaching a barcode label or colored rubber. Has been granted.
[0005]
A serious drawback of these identification marks is that tires cannot be identified if they are damaged for some reason or become dirty with mud or the like. Even if individual tires can be identified, it is necessary to write down the physical data associated with the identification data once and input it to a tire management computer. In some cases, however, there is a possibility that the collected data may be input by mistake.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a portable tire information measurement and management device that allows tire identification data and physical data to be input easily and managed in association with each other.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a portable tire information measurement and management device of the present invention includes a transponder scanner that reads identification data from a transponder attached to a tire, and at least one sensor that measures physical data of the tire from the outside of the tire. Are connected to a small computer via a data converter and a multiplexer, and the identification data and the physical data are managed in association with each other.
[0008]
By connecting the transponder scanner and at least one sensor to the small computer in this way, tire identification data and physical data can be easily input to the small computer. Can be managed in association with each other.
[0009]
In the present invention, if the transponder scanner, the sensor, the small computer, the data converter, and the multiplexer are configured to be stored together in a carrying case, it is convenient to carry. Further, as physical data of the tire, at least one of groove depth, internal pressure, surface hardness, and surface temperature may be selected as necessary.
[0010]
The transponder scanner is preferably configured so that physical data measured by a sensor can be written to a transponder attached to a tire. Thus, by providing the data writing function to the transponder scanner, not only identification data but also physical data can be recorded on the tire transponder. Further, it is preferable to provide means for correcting the output from the sensor in the small computer. When such a correction means is provided in a small computer, the sensor output can be adjusted and calibrated by the small computer.
[0011]
Further, the vehicle data is read from the transponder attached to the vehicle by the transponder scanner, the tire arrangement is specified based on the vehicle data, and the attachment position to the vehicle in the tire arrangement is the tire identification data and physical data. It is preferable to manage them in association. In this way, by managing the tire mounting position in association with the tire identification data and physical data, it is possible to perform detailed data analysis in consideration of uneven wear or the like caused by the mounting position on the vehicle.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 illustrates a portable tire information measurement management device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram thereof.
[0013]
In the figure, a box-shaped carrying case 1 is configured such that a storage portion 1a and a lid portion 1b can be opened and closed via a hinge (not shown), and is closed by a pair of left and right buckles 1c and 1c. Inside the portable case 1, a small computer 2, a multiplexer 3 with a data converter, various sensors 4, a transponder scanner 5, a large numeric keypad 6, and a power supply unit (battery) 7 are accommodated.
[0014]
The small computer 2 incorporates an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) and a memory, and displays the input from the attached keyboard 2a, the multiplexer 3 with a data converter, the large numeric keypad 6, the calculation result, and the like on the display 2b. The small computer 2 includes means for correcting the output from the sensor 4 supplied via the multiplexer 3 with a data converter, and can adjust and calibrate the sensor output.
[0015]
As the sensor output correction means in the small computer 2, for example, the output from the sensor 4 is displayed on the display 2b, software is set so that the output value can be calibrated by operating the keyboard 2a, or the output from the sensor 4 Software can be set so that can be displayed by multiplying the adjustment value. The small computer 2 has a communication function or an external terminal, and can extract various data from the host computer 8 as necessary.
[0016]
The sensor 4 includes a depth gauge 4a for measuring the tire groove depth, a pressure sensor 4b for measuring the tire air pressure, a JIS hardness meter 4c for measuring the hardness of the tire tread, a tire surface temperature or measurement environment. A thermometer 4d for measuring the temperature is provided. The configurations of the depth gauge 4a, pressure sensor 4b, JIS hardness meter 4c, and thermometer 4d are not particularly limited, and various types of sensors can be used. In the present invention, at least one type of sensor may be used, and sensors other than the depth gauge 4a, the pressure sensor 4b, the JIS hardness meter 4c, and the thermometer 4d may be used.
[0017]
The transponder scanner 5 is configured to read identification data or vehicle data recorded on the transponder from a transponder attached to a tire or a transponder attached to a vehicle. The transponder scanner 5 also has a function of writing physical data measured by the sensor 4 to a transponder attached to a tire.
[0018]
The transponder is a passive device and does not have an electrical energy source itself, but instead uses an interrogation signal emitted from an external energy source as an electrical energy source to transmit predetermined data. It is like that. As the transponder, there are a read-only type in which data in the memory cannot be rewritten and a read-write type in which data in the memory can be read and written.
[0019]
The multiplexer 3 with a data converter includes a plurality of input terminals and one output terminal, and a depth gauge 4a, a pressure sensor 4b, a JIS hardness meter 4c, a thermometer 4d, a transponder scanner 5, and a large-size connected to the input terminals. The output data of the numeric keypad 6 is digitally converted, and the digital data is serially transferred to the small computer 2 connected to the output terminal. The data converter and the multiplexer may be configured separately from each other, or may be incorporated in a part of the small computer 2 or the sensor 4.
[0020]
The power supply unit 7 is connected to the small computer 2 and the multiplexer 3 with a data converter, and supplies power to these devices. The power supply unit 7 is configured to be rechargeable via an AC / DC converter 9. The AC / DC converter 9 may be built in the carrying case 1 or may be separated from the carrying case 1.
[0021]
According to the portable tire information measurement and management apparatus configured as described above, the identification data is read from the transponder mounted on the tire using the transponder scanner 5 and is read as digital data into the small computer 2. Using a depth gauge 4a, a pressure sensor 4b, a JIS hardness meter 4c, and a thermometer 4d, the physical data of the tire is measured and taken as digital data into the small computer 2, and the tire identification data and physical data are Can be managed in association with each other. By directly inputting tire information to the small computer 2 in this way, it is possible to easily perform highly accurate information management without performing manual data entry operations.
[0022]
In the above apparatus, since the small computer 2 is the base for data management, it is possible to add necessary data from the keyboard 2a or the large numeric keypad 6 or delete unnecessary data. As functions of the small computer 2, it is possible to select an operation mode, record work date / time, record measurement environment, record target vehicle, record tire findings, generate a data file, perform data communication, and the like. In this way, data at the time of tire inspection can be directly input through a personal computer, and since it is not necessary to write these data on paper, paperlessness can be promoted in tire information management.
[0023]
The physical data of the tire measured as described above can be stored in a storage device in the small computer 2 and can be written on the transponder attached to the tire using the transponder scanner 5 on the spot. is there. In this way, the tire-side transponder is configured to be able to write data, and by providing the transponder scanner 5 with a data writing function, not only identification data but also physical data can be recorded on the transponder attached to the tire. . In this case, since the tire itself has a history, even if the small computer 2 does not store the tire data, the tire management can be performed based on the data read from the transponder.
[0024]
In addition, when performing detailed data analysis considering uneven wear or the like due to the mounting position of the tire on the vehicle, the transponder is mounted on the vehicle, and the vehicle data is read from the transponder mounted on the vehicle by the transponder scanner 5. The tire arrangement may be specified based on the vehicle data, and the mounting position of the tire on the vehicle in the arrangement may be managed in association with the tire identification data and physical data. In this case, the mounting position of the tire on the vehicle can be easily input based on the vehicle data.
[0025]
Next, a specific working mode using the portable tire information measurement management device of the present invention will be described. In addition, when managing a tire using the said apparatus, it is necessary to download required data to a computer previously. Necessary data includes vehicle user ID, wheel arrangement information, tire position information, tire user ID, number of tire grooves, and the like.
[0026]
(1) Vehicle selection The vehicle selection mode is designated on the initial screen of the computer, the vehicle ID (vehicle data) is read from the transponder attached to the vehicle by the scanner, and the vehicle user ID is automatically read from the memory based on the vehicle ID. Read and display automatically. After confirming the ID, it is confirmed and the process proceeds to the next screen.
[0027]
(2) Determine the temperature measured by the temperature sensor according to the instructions on the measurement environment input screen, and further input or select the weather, measurement location, measurer, etc. using the keyboard or numeric keypad. After completing the input, confirm this and move to the next screen.
[0028]
(3) In accordance with the instruction on the input screen of the vehicle odometer, the travel distance data of the vehicle odometer is input from the numeric keypad.
[0029]
(4) Selection of survey tire position Based on the vehicle user ID, the position of the tire to be surveyed is selected from the tire arrangement displayed on the screen, and the next screen is displayed.
[0030]
(5) Checking tires Based on the vehicle user ID and tire position information, the tire user ID is read from the memory and displayed, and the tire ID (identification data) is read from the transponder attached to the tire by the scanner, and the two are compared. . If they are different, the tire user ID is reset, and if they match, confirmation is made and the next screen is displayed.
[0031]
(6) In accordance with instructions on the tire data input screen, input data items are selected from tire pressure, tread groove depth, tread rubber hardness, tire findings, and the like. For the tire pressure, a pressure sensor is used to input measured values before and after adjustment. For the tread groove depth, use the depth gauge to enter the measured value for each groove. The tread rubber hardness is input using a JIS hardness meter and the measurement temperature at that time is also input. As tire findings, the position of wear, the form of wear, the degree of wear, the degree of trauma, and comments are entered in text. After inputting the above various data, confirm this and move to the next screen.
[0032]
(7) Check the input data displayed on the input data confirmation screen, and if there is a problem, perform sensor input again or correct on the screen. If there is no problem, the input data is confirmed and the operation is terminated as it is, or when another tire is measured, the position selection screen is displayed again.
[0033]
The tire identification data and physical data can be easily input and managed by associating them with the above operations (1) to (7), and the mounting position of the tire on the vehicle can be determined based on the vehicle data. It can be associated and managed at the same time. The above (1) to (7) are the operation methods when the vehicle selection mode is designated as the operation mode, but it is also possible to manage the data of a single tire regardless of the vehicle.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the portable tire information measurement management device of the present invention, the transponder scanner that reads the identification data from the transponder attached to the tire, and at least one sensor that measures the physical data of the tire from the outside of the tire Are connected to a small computer via a data converter and a multiplexer, so that tire identification data and physical data can be easily input and managed in association with each other.
[0035]
In addition, the physical data of the tire measured by the sensor can be stored in a storage device in a small computer, and can be written to a transponder attached to the tire using a transponder scanner on the spot. The tire itself can have a history.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a portable tire information measurement management device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing an opened state thereof.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a portable tire information measurement management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carrying case 2 Small computer 3 Multiplexer with data converter 4 Sensor 4a Depth gauge 4b Pressure sensor 4c JIS hardness meter 4d Thermometer 5 Transponder scanner 6 Large numeric keypad

Claims (6)

A transponder scanner that reads identification data from a transponder attached to a tire and at least one sensor that measures physical data of the tire from the outside of the tire is connected to a small computer via a data converter and a multiplexer, and the identification data And a portable tire information measurement management device that manages the physical data in association with each other. The portable tire information measurement management device according to claim 1, wherein the transponder scanner, sensor, small computer, data converter, and multiplexer are housed in a portable case. The portable tire information measurement management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the physical data of the tire is at least one selected from groove depth, internal pressure, surface hardness, and surface temperature. The portable tire information measurement management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transponder scanner is configured to be able to write physical data measured by the sensor to a transponder attached to a tire. The portable device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein means for correcting the output from the sensor are provided in the small computer, and adjustment and calibration of the sensor output can be performed by the small computer. Tire information measurement management device. Vehicle data is read from a transponder attached to a vehicle by the transponder scanner, a tire arrangement is specified based on the vehicle data, and an attachment position to the vehicle in the tire arrangement is associated with identification data and physical data of the tire. The portable tire information measurement management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the portable tire information measurement management apparatus is managed.

Images