WO2007145148A1

WO2007145148A1 - Tire information acquiring system

Info

Publication number: WO2007145148A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/061664
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masanobu Toyofuku; Takao Kokubu
Original assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
Priority date: 2006-06-14
Filing date: 2007-06-08
Publication date: 2007-12-21
Also published as: JP2007331522A

Abstract

The individual wheels (4) of a vehicle (6) are equipped with sensor modules (3) (SM1 to SM6). Two antennas (1a and 1b), which are so arranged in parallel with the running direction of the vehicle as are spaced by the distance of a half rotation of the wheels, are individually disposed on the two sides of a road to be passed by the vehicle (6). When the vehicle (6) passes at a low speed between the antennas (1a, 1b) disposed on one side of the road and the antennas (1a, 1b) disposed on the other side of the road, the measured data of the quantities of tire states sent in radio signals from the sensor modules (3) (SM1 to SM6) is received by the antennas (1a, 1b) on the two sides.

Description

Specification

Tire information acquisition system

Technical field

The present invention relates to a tire information acquisition system that acquires tire information such as tire internal pressure and tire internal temperature.

Background art

[0002] Conventionally, as a method for checking whether or not the air pressure (internal pressure) filled in a pneumatic tire for automobiles is normal, a method of directly measuring the internal pressure with an air pressure measuring device (tire pressure gauge) has been widely used. Yes.

[0003] Further, in recent years, a sensor module for measuring a tire state quantity such as a tire internal pressure and a tire internal temperature is attached to the inside of the tire, and measurement data transmitted by wireless communication from the sensor module is received on the receiving module on the vehicle body side. It is proposed that a vehicle be equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (Tire Pressure Monitoring System, hereinafter referred to as TPMS) that is configured to send the received data to a vehicle operation management center that manages multiple vehicles. (For example, Patent Document 1). There are also handy tire pressure readers using wireless communications.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-104103

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] However, in the method of directly measuring the internal pressure with an air pressure measuring instrument (tire pressure gauge), the internal pressure of the tire is removed by removing the valve cap of the tire and guiding the air in the tire to the pressure gauge. Since the measurement was being performed, troubles could occur due to reading errors in the measured values and errors in recording in the data table as well as requiring a lot of measurement man-hours and time. There was also dirt due to work.

[0005] In addition, the on-board tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is a tire with constant internal pressure, temperature, etc., because there are few fluctuations in the running state in a bus traveling on a fixed route with a relatively short distance at medium and low speeds. It is not suitable because the need to measure the state quantity is low and the vehicle cost is high It was

[0006] In addition, a handy tire internal pressure reader using wireless communication is unsuitable for reading the tire internal pressure of buses and other vehicles that are frequently inspected because the reading operation is manual. It was.

[0007] In addition, use a vehicle-mounted tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) or a handy tire pressure reader using wireless communication to get tire information from vehicles such as buses and trucks with rear wheels. If the frequency channel for receiving is the same

There was a problem that the radio waves transmitted from the inner ring and outer ring sensor modules interfered and tire information could not be obtained.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the man-hours and time required to acquire tire information such as tire internal pressure and tire internal temperature. It is possible to provide a tire information acquisition system capable of acquiring tire information from each tire even when the rear wheel is a multi-wheel vehicle. .

Means for solving the problem

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a tire information acquisition system of the present invention is provided on each side of a sensor module that is attached to a wheel mounted on a vehicle and measures a tire state quantity, and a passage through which the vehicle passes. The first antenna group and the second antenna group including two antennas arranged in parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle and at a predetermined distance from each other, wherein the vehicle is connected to the first antenna group. The first and second antenna groups receive the measurement data of the tire state quantity sent by radio signals from the sensor module by passing through the second antenna group at a low speed. And

[0010] The vehicle is preferably a vehicle in which the rear wheel is a double wheel composed of an inner wheel and an outer wheel, and the vehicle width is substantially constant. The predetermined distance is preferably set when the rear wheel rotates. It is preferable that the sensor module position is a distance that is within the reception range of one of the two antennas, and the sensor module position of the outer ring is within the reception range of the other antenna.

[0011] Further, the tire state quantity received by the first and second antenna groups is within a reference range. It is preferable to determine whether or not the force is present and display the determination result on a display device disposed obliquely forward of the vehicle. Preferably, the tire state quantity force S is the tire internal pressure and / or the tire internal temperature.

The invention's effect

[0012] In the tire information acquisition system of the present invention, measurement, recording, and management of tire information such as tire internal pressure are fully automated, so the manpower and time for acquiring tire information can be greatly reduced. it can. In addition, since only the sensor module is attached to the wheel, the vehicle cost can be reduced as compared with a case where a vehicle-mounted tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is provided. Furthermore, even if the rear wheel is a multi-wheeled vehicle, it is possible to acquire tire information from each tire without causing radio wave interference.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic layout diagram showing a configuration of a tire information acquisition system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state when measurement data from a tire is actually read by a measurement data reading device (gate reader).

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the sensor module is attached to a wheel.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the outer shape of the sensor module.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a mounting position of a tire valve for a rear wheel.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the position of the tire valve on the rear wheel and the position of the antenna of the transmitting / receiving device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the central controller.

Explanation of symbols

[0014] 1 Transceiver

la, lb, 3a antenna

3 Sensor module

4 wheel

5 Central control unit

6 Vehicle

7 8 Tire management device (computer)

9 Measurement data reader (gate reader)

11 tires

12 Tire valve

13 Wheel rim

15 Sensor module body

16 Rim attachment

20, 21 Reception area

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic layout diagram showing the configuration of the tire information acquisition system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the tire information acquisition system is attached to each wheel 4 of a vehicle 6 in which the rear wheel is a double wheel composed of an inner wheel and an outer wheel, and the tire state such as the tire inner pressure and / or the tire inner temperature of the wheel 4 is shown. Tire condition such as tire pressure and / or tire temperature sent by radio signal from antenna module 3a of sensor module 3 (SM1 to SM6) and sensor module 3 (SM1, SM3, SM4) Tire condition such as tire pressure and Z or tire temperature sent by radio signal from antenna 3a of transmitter / receiver 1 (RM1, RM2) and sensor module 3 (SM2, SM5, SM6) Transmitter / receiver 1 (RM3, RM4) that acquires the measurement data of the quantity and when the approach of the vehicle 6 is detected, the transmitter / receiver 1 (RM1 to RM4) is instructed to acquire data from the sensor module 3, and the transmitter / receiver 1 (RM : ~ ~ RM 4 The central control device 5 that collects the pressure and temperature data acquired in step (1) to determine whether the tire pressure and temperature are within the reference range, and the central control device 5 that is installed diagonally in front of the vehicle 6 It consists of a display 7 for displaying the judgment results in, and a tire management device 8 for managing the acquired pressure and temperature data for each vehicle number.

The transmission / reception device 1 (RM1) and the transmission / reception device 1 (RM3) each include an antenna lb, and the transmission / reception device 1 (RM2) and the transmission / reception device 1 (RM4) each include an antenna la. The antenna la and antenna lb on the transmitter / receiver 1 (RM1, RM2) side and the antenna la and antenna lb on the transmitter / receiver 1 (RM1, RM2) side pass through the vehicle 6 with a substantially constant vehicle width. On both sides of the aisle, parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle, it is arranged at a substantially constant distance from the vehicle 6, and the spacing force of the two antennas When the rear wheel rotates, the sensor module position of the inner ring is 2 The two antennas are arranged such that they are within the reception range of one antenna and the sensor module position of the outer ring is within the reception range of the other antenna.

The transmission / reception device 1 (RM1, RM2), the transmission / reception device 1 (RM3, RM4) and the central control device 5 constitute a measurement data reading device (gate reader) 9. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which measurement data from a tire is actually read by a measurement data reading device (gate reader). The measurement data reader (gate reader) 9 is a vehicle 6 such as a bus or a truck whose width is almost constant. The transmitter / receiver 1 (RM1, RM2) and transmitter / receiver 1 of the measurement data reader 9 installed in a gate shape. Tire information can be acquired simply by passing between (RM3, RM4) at low speed.

In addition, a measurement data reading device (gate reader) 9 is provided with a vehicle detection sensor (not shown) that detects the approach of the vehicle 6. For example, an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor is used as the vehicle detection sensor, and light is transmitted / received between the transmission / reception device 1 (RM1, RM2) and the transmission / reception device 1 (RM3, RM4). The presence of the vehicle 6 may be detected when the vehicle is cut off.

[0019] When the central control device 5 provided in the measurement data reading device 9 receives a signal notifying the approach of the vehicle 6 from the vehicle detection sensor, all the sensor modules 3 ( (SM1 to SM6) are instructed to acquire data, and each sensor module 3 is sent a data signal including pressure and temperature measurement data, etc., and the measurement data sent from each sensor module 3 is sent to ) To get through. In addition, it automatically determines whether all tire pressures are within the standard range, and displays the tire status as a signal on the indicator 7 installed diagonally forward of the driver. For example, if the indicator 7 is green, the internal pressure of all tires is normal, if it is yellow, the internal pressure of any tire is reduced, and if it is red, the internal pressure of any tire is low. Represents a significant decrease. If the indicator 7 is red, the driver can immediately know that one of the tires is not pneumatic. The measured pressure is a tire management device that is a computer (Not shown) and automatically managed for each car number.

In addition, as shown in the wheel cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the sensor module 3 is attached to the wheel rim 13 integrally with a cylindrical tire valve 12 for injecting air into the tire 11. ing. The sensor module 3 can be installed by baking onto the inner surface of the tire so that it will not be isolated or broken even if the running tire deforms under load. It can also be held in the tire inner space by a separate means.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the outer shape of the sensor module 3. The sensor module 3 is a sensor module main body 15 equipped with a detecting means for detecting tire internal pressure, a transmitter for transmitting and receiving a measurement data reading device (gate reader), and a control means for controlling these, a rim attachment It is composed of a portion 16 and is attached to the wheel rim 13 integrally with the tire valve 12. As the detecting means, in addition to the tire internal pressure, a means for detecting the tire internal temperature can be included.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the mounting position of the rear wheel tire valve. The tire valve integrated with the sensor module is placed on the outer and inner wheels of the rear wheel, which is a double wheel, at positions that are symmetric about the rotation axis of the wheel (position rotated 180 degrees). ing. Here, the tire valve position of the inner ring is assumed to be A, and the tire valve position of the outer ring is assumed to be B.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the position of the tire valve on the rear wheel and the position of the antenna of the transmission / reception device. As described above, the antenna la and the antenna lb have an antenna interval of when the rear wheel rotates, the inner ring sensor module position is within the reception range of one of the two antennas, and the outer ring sensor module position is It is arranged so that the distance is within the reception range of the other antenna. Now, when wheel 4 is in the position shown in Fig. 6 (1), tire valve positions A and B are outside the receiving area 20 of antenna la. Sensor module force, we can't receive measurement data. When wheel 4 rotates 1/4 turn and reaches the position shown in Fig. 6 (2), tire valve position B is a force that is outside the range of receiving area 20 of antenna la.Tire valve position A is received by antenna la. Since it is within the range of area 20, the transmitter / receiver is Only receive measurement data. Furthermore, when the wheel 4 rotates 1/4 turn and reaches the position shown in Fig. 6 (3), the positions A and B of the tire valve are outside the receiving area 21 of the antenna lb. The sensor module force of both the inner ring and the inner ring cannot receive measurement data. Furthermore, when wheel 4 rotates 1/4 turn and reaches the position shown in Fig. 6 (4), tire valve position A is a force that is outside the receiving area 21 of antenna lb.Tire valve position B is antenna lb. Therefore, the transmission / reception device can receive measurement data only from the sensor module of the outer ring.

[0024] In this way, only one of the radio waves transmitted from the sensor module (tire valve) of the inner ring and the outer ring reaches the antenna la and the antenna lb, respectively, so that the radio waves do not cause interference. Therefore, the transmission / reception device can acquire tire information from each tire.

[0025] Even if the wheel is not a double wheel but a single wheel, the wheel can be rotated by arranging the two antennas parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle and at a predetermined distance. Since it is within the reception range of either one of the antennas, tire information can be reliably acquired.

[0026] Further, whether or not the sensor module position is within the reception range of the antenna is related to the rotational position of the wheel. Therefore, the distance between the antenna la and the antenna lb is a vehicle that passes through the measurement data reading device (gate reader). Depending on the wheel diameter, change as appropriate.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the central controller. When the central control device 5 receives a signal notifying the approach of the vehicle 6 from the vehicle detection sensor provided in the measurement data reading device (gate reader) 9 (step 11), all of them are transmitted via the transmission / reception device 1 (RM1 to RM4). The sensor modules 3 (SM1 to SM6) are instructed to acquire data (step 1 2), and each sensor module 3 is sent a data signal including pressure and temperature measurement data. The measured data is acquired via the transmitter / receiver 1 (RM:! To RM 4) (step 13). Furthermore, the central control unit 5 determines whether or not all acquired measurement data are within the reference range (step 14), and displays the determination result on the display 7 installed diagonally forward of the driver. The measurement data is transmitted to the tire management device 8 (step 15). The central controller 5 is stored in the CPU, memory and memory. It consists of programs.

[0028] It should be noted that the present invention assigns an identification ID to each sensor module and sets the correspondence between the identification ID and the wheel mounting position in the central control device 5 beforehand, so that the transmission / reception device 1 ( When acquiring tire measurement data with RM1 to RM4), tire information can be acquired by distinguishing the inner and outer wheels of the rear wheel by acquiring the sensor module identification ID. It is also possible to display the timer information for each wheel mounting position on the display unit 7.

[0029] It is also possible to attach a measurement data reading device (gate reader) to an existing car wash machine.

[0030] In the tire information acquisition system of the present invention, the measurement, recording, and management of tire information such as tire internal pressure, which has been performed manually, are fully automated, greatly reducing the man-hours and time for acquiring tire information. Can be reduced. In addition, since only the sensor module is attached to the wheel, the vehicle cost can be reduced compared to the case where an on-board tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is provided. Further, since the management data is directly recorded on the tire management device (computer), paperless can be realized. In addition, the driver does not generate any new work for pressure management. Also, if tire information can be acquired by distinguishing between inner and outer wheels, the maintenance staff can prepare for identifying the wheels that need to be filled in advance by simply moving the vehicle to the maintenance garage. Work burden can be reduced. Furthermore, the installation cost can be reduced if a measurement data reader (gate reader) is attached to an existing car wash machine. In addition, since the pressure check can be changed from a 30-40 day check to a daily check, it is possible to cope with a reduction in fuel consumption due to insufficient air pressure, a lack of air pressure during operation, and puncture troubles.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A sensor module that is attached to a wheel mounted on a vehicle and measures a tire state quantity, and is provided on both sides of a passage through which the vehicle passes, and is parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle and has a predetermined interval. A first and a second antenna group consisting of two antennas arranged at a distance,

When the vehicle passes between the first antenna group and the second antenna group at a low speed, the tire state quantity measurement data sent from the sensor module as a wireless signal is transmitted to the first antenna group and the second antenna group. A tire information acquisition system, wherein the tire information is received by the first and second antenna groups.

2. The tire information acquisition system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a vehicle in which a rear wheel is a double wheel including an inner wheel and an outer wheel, and a vehicle width is substantially constant.

[3] The predetermined distance is such that when the rear wheel rotates, the sensor module position of the inner ring is within the reception range of one of the two antennas, and the sensor module position of the outer ring is received by the other antenna. The tire information acquisition system according to claim 2, wherein the distance is within a range.

[4] It is determined whether or not the tire state quantity received by the first and second antenna groups is within a reference range, and the determination result is displayed on an indicator disposed obliquely forward of the vehicle. The tire information acquisition system according to claim 1, wherein

[5] The tire information acquisition system according to [1], wherein the tire state quantity force is S tire internal pressure and Z or tire internal temperature.