JP6716347B2 - Trigger device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a trigger device.

A tire condition monitoring device provided in a vehicle having a plurality of wheels is described in Patent Document 1, for example. The tire condition monitoring device described in Patent Document 1 includes a tire condition detecting device mounted on a wheel and a receiver.

The tire condition detecting device includes a condition detecting unit that detects a condition of the tire, and a transmitting unit that transmits a data signal including information indicating the tire condition detected by the condition detecting unit. Unique identification information is set in the tire state detection device.

JP, 2014-91434, A

By the way, when it is desired to acquire the identification information of the tire condition detection device, the trigger device is brought close to the tire condition detection device and the identification information acquisition signal is transmitted. At this time, a tire condition detection device different from the target for which the identification information is desired to be acquired, that is, a tire condition detection device different from the tire condition detection device that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal may also receive the identification information acquisition signal. .. Then, a data signal including the identification information is transmitted in response from a device other than the tire condition detecting device that wants to acquire the identification information.

An object of the present invention is to provide a trigger device that can identify the identification information of the tire condition detection device that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal.

The trigger device for solving the above problem is attached to each of a plurality of wheels provided in the vehicle, and when receiving an identification information acquisition signal, a data signal having information indicating the reception intensity of the identification information acquisition signal together with the identification information. To the tire condition detecting device that transmits the response, a trigger device that can transmit the identification information acquisition signal, a transmission unit that transmits the identification information acquisition signal, a reception unit that receives the data signal, and a response. When a plurality of the transmitted data signals are received, the data signal having the information indicating the strongest reception strength is specified, and the identification information included in the data signal is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal. The tire state detection device includes identification information and a control unit that specifies the identification information.

The tire condition detecting device is attached to each of a plurality of wheels of the vehicle. When it is desired to acquire the identification information of the tire condition detection device, the trigger device is brought close to the tire condition detection device that is the target (the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal) for which the identification information is desired to be transmitted, and the identification information acquisition signal is transmitted. The identification information acquisition signal is attenuated as the distance to reach the tire condition detection device increases. For this reason, when a plurality of tire condition detection devices receive the identification information acquisition signal, the tire condition detection device that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal has the highest reception intensity. The tire condition detecting device responds by transmitting a data signal having identification information and information indicating reception intensity. Therefore, the control unit of the trigger device can specify the identification information included in the data signal having the information indicating the strongest reception intensity as the identification information of the tire state detection device that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal. ..

Regarding the trigger device, the control unit specifies the identification information of the tire condition detection device that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal, and specifies the identification information to change the mode of the tire condition detection device. The requested mode change signal may be transmitted.

According to this, since it is possible to specify the identification information and transmit the mode change signal, it is possible to suppress an unintended change of the mode of the tire state detection device.
Regarding the trigger device, the information indicating the reception strength is a reception strength value, and the control unit includes the data signal having the largest reception strength value when a plurality of the response-transmitted data signals are received. The identification information provided may be identified as the identification information of the tire state detection device that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal.

According to this, the data signal includes the value of the reception intensity. Since the value (dBm) of the reception strength increases as the reception strength increases, the identification information included in the data signal having the highest reception strength value is specified as the tire state detection device that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal. can do.

Regarding the trigger device, the transmission unit transmits the data signal to the tire condition detection device that makes the timing of response transmission of the data signal earlier as the reception intensity is stronger, and the control unit transmits the response. When a plurality of the data signals are received, the identification information included in the earliest received data signal may be specified as the identification information of the tire state detection device that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal.

The tire state detection device transmits a response signal earlier as the reception strength is higher. Therefore, the identification information included in the data signal received earliest by the receiving unit can be specified as the tire state detection device that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal.

According to the present invention, it is possible to specify the identification information of the tire state detection device that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal.

The schematic diagram of a tire condition monitoring device and a trigger device. The schematic block diagram of a transmitter and a trigger device. FIG. FIG. 8 is an operation diagram of a modified trigger device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the trigger device will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the tire condition monitoring device 20 includes a transmitter 21 attached to each of the four wheels 11 of the vehicle 10 and a receiver 40 installed in the vehicle body of the vehicle 10. Each wheel 11 includes a wheel 12 and a tire 13 mounted on the wheel 12. Further, the transmitter 21 performs various processes according to the trigger signal transmitted from the trigger device 50.

First, the transmitter 21 will be described.
The transmitter 21 is attached to the wheel 11 so as to be arranged in the internal space of the tire 13. The transmitter 21 as a tire state detection device detects the state of the corresponding tire 13 (for example, tire air pressure or tire internal temperature), and wirelessly transmits a data signal including information on the detected tire 13 to the receiver 40. .. The tire condition monitoring device 20 is a device that monitors the condition of the tire 13 by receiving the data signal transmitted from the transmitter 21 at the receiver 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transmitter 21 includes a pressure sensor 22, a temperature sensor 23, an acceleration sensor 24, a transmitter control unit 25, a transmission circuit 26, a reception circuit 27, a transmission antenna 28, a reception antenna 29, and a battery. 30 is provided. The battery 30 serves as a power source of the transmitter 21.

The pressure sensor 22 detects the air pressure of the corresponding tire 13. The pressure sensor 22 outputs the detection result to the transmitter controller 25. The temperature sensor 23 detects the temperature inside the corresponding tire 13. The temperature sensor 23 outputs the detection result to the transmitter control unit 25. The acceleration sensor 24 detects the acceleration acting on itself by rotating together with the wheel 11. The acceleration sensor 24 outputs the detection result to the transmitter control unit 25.

The transmitter control unit 25 includes a microcomputer including a CPU 25a and a storage unit 25b (RAM, ROM, etc.). An ID code, which is identification information unique to each transmitter 21, is registered in the storage unit 25b. Further, the storage unit 25b stores a plurality of modes. Examples of the mode include various modes such as a mode in which the data signal transmission interval is different, a mode in which the protocol for transmitting the data signal is different, a mode in which the transmission of the data signal is stopped, and the like. The transmitter control unit 25 performs control according to the selected mode. In this embodiment, the mode in which the data signal is transmitted at predetermined intervals (for example, several tens of seconds) is selected.

The transmitter control unit 25 acquires the detection results detected by the pressure sensor 22, the temperature sensor 23, and the acceleration sensor 24 at predetermined intervals (for example, every several seconds to several tens of seconds). The transmitter control unit 25 generates data including a tire state (for example, tire air pressure or tire internal temperature) and an ID code based on the detection result. The transmitter control unit 25 outputs the generated data to the transmission circuit 26. The transmission circuit 26 modulates the data from the transmitter control unit 25 to generate a data signal (RF signal), and transmits the data signal (RF signal) from the transmission antenna 28.

The receiving circuit 27 receives the trigger signal transmitted from the trigger device 50 via the receiving antenna 29. The reception circuit 27 includes a measurement circuit 27a that measures the reception strength (RSSI: Received Signal Strength Indication) of the received trigger signal.

The receiving circuit 27 demodulates the trigger signal and outputs it to the transmitter controller 25. The trigger signal includes an identification information acquisition signal requesting transmission of the ID code and a mode change signal requesting change of the mode of the transmitter 21. Upon receiving the identification information acquisition signal, the transmitter control unit 25 causes the transmission circuit 26 to respond and transmit a data signal including information indicating the ID code and information indicating the value of the reception intensity measured by the measurement circuit 27a. Further, when the transmitter control unit 25 receives the mode change signal, the transmitter control unit 25 performs control according to the mode requested by the mode change signal. That is, the mode of the transmitter 21 is changed.

Next, the receiver 40 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the receiver 40 includes a receiver control unit 41, a receiver reception circuit 42, and a reception antenna 43. An alarm device 44 is connected to the receiver control unit 41. The receiver control unit 41 includes a microcomputer including a receiver CPU 41a and a receiver storage unit 41b (ROM, RAM, etc.). The receiver storage unit 41b stores a program for controlling the operation of the receiver 40 and a protocol. The receiver reception circuit 42 demodulates the data signal received from each transmitter 21 via the reception antenna 43, and outputs the demodulated data signal to the receiver control unit 41.

The receiver control unit 41 grasps the state of the tire 13 (for example, tire air pressure or tire internal temperature) based on the data signal from the receiver reception circuit 42. When an abnormality occurs in the tire 13, the receiver control unit 41 gives an alarm with an alarm (an alarm) 44. As the alarm device 44, for example, a device that notifies the abnormality by lighting or blinking light, or a device that notifies the abnormality by sound is used.

Next, the trigger device 50 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the trigger device 50 requests the transmitter 21 to transmit a data signal including a tire condition and an ID code, and changes the mode (for example, transmission interval) of the transmitter 21. It is used to

The trigger device 50 includes a plurality of operation units 51, a trigger device transmission circuit 52, a trigger device reception circuit 53, a display unit 54, a trigger device control unit 55, a trigger device transmission antenna 56, and a trigger device reception antenna. 57 is provided. Each operation unit 51 is operated by the user. The plurality of operation units (switches) 51 include an operation unit 51 that requests the transmitter 21 to change the mode, and an operation unit 51 that requests the transmitter 21 to transmit an ID code (identification information).

The operation unit 51 is connected to a trigger device control unit 55 as a control unit. The trigger device control unit 55 generates data according to the operation of the operation unit 51. This data includes data corresponding to the operation unit 51. The data generated by the control unit 55 for the trigger device includes, for example, data requesting the transmitter 21 to change the mode and data requesting transmission of the ID code. The trigger device transmission circuit 52 as a transmission unit transmits a trigger signal (LF signal) obtained by modulating data from the trigger device transmission antenna 56. Examples of the trigger signal include a mode change signal including data requesting a mode change, and an identification information acquisition signal including data requesting transmission of an ID code.

The trigger device reception circuit 53 as a reception unit receives the data signal (RF signal) transmitted from the transmitter 21 via the trigger device reception antenna 57. The trigger device reception circuit 53 demodulates the data signal and outputs it to the trigger device control unit 55.

Next, the control performed by the trigger device controller 55 will be described together with the operation of the trigger device 50.
When changing the mode of the transmitter 21, first, the trigger device 50 is brought close to the transmitter 21 that is the target (transmission target) of which the mode is to be changed.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the operation unit 51 corresponding to the mode change is operated, the trigger device control unit 55 first transmits an identification information acquisition signal as a trigger signal. Upon receiving the identification information acquisition signal, the transmitter 21 responds by transmitting a data signal including information indicating the ID code. When the number of data signals transmitted in response to the identification information acquisition signal is one, the trigger device control unit 55 sets the ID code included in the data signal to the ID of the transmitter 21 that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal. Specify as a code.

The identification information acquisition signal may be received by a transmitter 21 different from the transmitter 21 that is the transmission target. Then, the data signal including the information indicating the ID code is transmitted in response from the transmitter 21 different from the transmitter 21 that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal. In the present embodiment, the data signals are transmitted in response from the two transmitters 21.

The identification information acquisition signal is attenuated as the distance to the transmitter 21 increases. Therefore, the reception intensity of the identification information acquisition signal received by the transmitter 21, which is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal, is stronger than the reception intensity of the identification information acquisition signal received by another transmitter 21. The data signal transmitted from the transmitter 21 contains the value (dBm) of the reception intensity together with the ID code. When a plurality of data signals are received, the trigger device control unit 55 identifies the data signal including the highest reception intensity value, and the ID code included in this data signal is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal. It is specified as the ID code of the transmitter 21.

Next, the trigger device control unit 55 transmits a mode change signal. The mode change signal includes the ID code of the transmitter 21 that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal, and the mode of the transmitter 21 having the designated ID code is changed.

Upon receiving the mode change signal, the transmitter 21 changes the mode and transmits a trigger response to the reception of the trigger signal. As a result, the mode of the transmitter 21 is changed.

When the operation unit 51 that requests the transmitter 21 to transmit the ID code (identification information) is operated, the trigger device control unit 55 first transmits the identification information acquisition signal. Then, after the ID code of the transmitter 21 that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal is specified, the ID code is displayed on the display unit 54.

Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the transmitter 21 receives the identification information acquisition signal from the trigger device 50, the transmitter 21 responds by transmitting the data signal including the ID code and the information indicating the reception intensity. Upon receiving the response transmission from the transmitter 21, the trigger device control unit 55 identifies the ID code of the transmitter 21 having the highest reception intensity from the information indicating the reception intensity included in the data signal. Then, this ID code is determined as the ID code of the transmitter 21 that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal. Therefore, even when the identification information acquisition signal is received by the plurality of transmitters 21 and a response is transmitted from the plurality of transmitters 21, the ID code of the transmitter 21 to which the identification information acquisition signal is transmitted is specified. can do.

(2) When changing the mode of the transmitter 21, the specified ID code is designated to change the mode of the transmitter 21. If the mode change signal is transmitted without specifying the ID code, the mode change signal may be received by a transmitter other than the transmitter 21 that is the transmission target of the mode change signal. For example, when another vehicle is parked near the vehicle according to the embodiment, the mode of the transmitter included in the vehicle may be changed. By transmitting the mode change signal by designating the ID code, the mode of the transmitter 21 that is not intended to be changed is suppressed.

(3) When the operation unit 51 corresponding to the mode change is operated, the trigger device control unit 55 transmits the identification information acquisition signal. Then, after obtaining the ID code, the mode change signal is transmitted by designating the ID code. When the mode of the transmitter 21 is changed, if the ID code is specified by manually inputting the ID code, it is necessary to manually input the ID code, which is troublesome. As in the present embodiment, by transmitting the identification information acquisition signal and specifying the ID code before transmitting the mode change signal, the mode of the transmitter 21 can be changed without manually inputting the ID code. it can.

(4) There is known a transmitter that measures the reception intensity of the trigger signal when changing the mode of the transmitter 21 and changes the mode when the measured reception intensity is included in the range. By doing so, it is possible to suppress unintended changes in the transmitter mode. However, the output of the trigger device differs depending on the manufacturer. Therefore, when a trigger device with a strong output is used, the modes of a plurality of transmitters may be changed.

On the other hand, the trigger device 50 of the present embodiment specifies the ID code from the relative strength of the reception intensity of the identification information acquisition signal at the transmitter 21, and changes the mode by designating this ID code. There is. Even if the output of the trigger device 50 is different, if the distance from the trigger device 50 to the transmitter 21 is different, the relative strength of the reception intensity occurs. Therefore, it is possible to change only the mode of the transmitter 21 that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal.

The embodiment may be modified as follows.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the trigger device control unit 55 receives a plurality of data signals, the trigger device control unit 55 may specify the strength of the reception intensity from the order of reception. Specifically, as the transmitter 21, a transmitter that shortens the time until a response is transmitted in proportion to the reception strength of the trigger signal may be used. In this case, the stronger the reception strength, the earlier the response transmission. The transmitter 21, which is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal, has the strongest reception intensity, and therefore the earliest response transmission is performed. Therefore, when the plurality of data signals are received, the trigger device control unit 55 specifies the ID code included in the earliest received data signal as the transmitter 21 that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal.

Further, as the transmitter 21, one that lengthens the time until a response is transmitted in proportion to the reception intensity of the trigger signal may be used. In this case, when the plurality of data signals are received, the trigger device control unit 55 specifies the ID code included in the latest received data signal as the transmitter 21 that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal. That is, the “information indicating the reception strength” is not limited to data indicating the value of the reception strength, and may be in any form as long as the relative strength of the reception strength can be expressed using the data signal. ..

The trigger device 50 may include at least one of the operation unit 51 that requests the mode change and the operation unit 51 that requests the transmission of the identification information.
In the embodiment, by operating the operation unit 51 corresponding to the mode change, both the process of identifying the ID code by the identification information acquisition signal and the process of changing the mode by the mode change signal are performed. It is not limited to this. Only the mode change signal may be transmitted when the operation section 51 corresponding to the mode change is operated. In this case, the ID code is specified by operating the operation unit 51 corresponding to the acquisition of the ID code before operating the operation unit 51 corresponding to the mode change.

The trigger device 50 may use a display in which the ID code and the reception intensity are associated with each other when the plurality of data signals are transmitted. In this case, the user may operate the trigger device 50 to determine that the ID code displayed on the display unit is the ID code of the transmitter 21 to which the identification information acquisition signal is transmitted.

The measuring circuit for measuring the reception strength may be provided in the transmitter control unit 25.
The transmitter 21 may be one that transmits a response at random timing when a trigger signal is received.

12... Wheel, 13... Tire, 21... Transmitter (tire condition detection device), 50... Trigger device, 52... Trigger device transmission circuit (transmission unit), 53... Trigger device reception circuit (reception unit), 55... Control unit for trigger device (control unit).

Claims (3)

To a tire condition detecting device mounted on each of a plurality of wheels provided on a vehicle, and when receiving an identification information acquisition signal, response-transmits a data signal having information indicating the reception intensity of the identification information acquisition signal together with the identification information. On the other hand, a trigger device capable of transmitting the identification information acquisition signal,
A transmitter for transmitting the identification information acquisition signal,
A receiver for receiving the data signal,
When a plurality of the data signals transmitted in response are received, the data signal having the information indicating the strongest reception intensity is specified, and the identification information included in the data signal is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal. A control unit for specifying the identification information of the tire condition detection device,
An operation unit connected to the control unit ,
When the operation unit is operated , the control unit transmits the identification information acquisition signal, and when the identification information of the tire condition detection device that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal is specified, the identification information is displayed. A trigger device for transmitting a mode change signal requesting a change of a mode of the tire condition detection device specified. The information indicating the reception strength is a value of the reception strength,
When the control unit receives a plurality of the response-transmitted data signals, the tire state detection device which is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal is identification information included in the data signal having the largest reception intensity value. The trigger device according to claim 1, which is specified as the identification information of the trigger device. With respect to the tire condition detection device that accelerates the timing of response transmission of the data signal as the reception strength is stronger, the transmission unit transmits the data signal,
When the control unit receives a plurality of response-transmitted data signals, the identification information included in the earliest received data signal is specified as the identification information of the tire condition detection device that is the transmission target of the identification information acquisition signal. The trigger device according to claim 1 .

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