JPH05286413A - Vehicle tire abnormality detection/alarm device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To give a precise and quick alarm to a user or a superintendent of a vehicle such as an automobile by detecting a vibration or a sound due to an external shock to a tire of the vehicle. CONSTITUTION:A vehicle tire abnormality detection/alarm device comprises a detection element 11 for detecting vibration or sound due to an external shock to a tire and a transmitter 13 for transmitting the detection contents in the detection element 11 as a signal of a specified frequency to receiver owned by a user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle tire abnormality detection / informing device for detecting an abnormal sound in a tire of a vehicle and notifying a user or an administrator of the same with a predetermined frequency signal. The tires of a parked vehicle usually do not produce any particular sound or vibration. If any sound or vibration that is not known to the vehicle user or the driver occurs in such a state, it can be regarded as a sign that an abnormality such as mischief or theft occurs. If the vehicle user or the driver can be promptly and accurately notified of the sign of the occurrence of such an abnormality, it can contribute to the prevention of anomalies such as mischief and theft.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 4, for detecting an abnormality in a vehicle tire, two photoelectric detecting elements 2 are mounted on the tire house 1 side of the vehicle body so as not to be seen from the outside. Then, the detection signal is amplified and an alarm is generated. In such an optical detecting means, the detection ranges of both are matched with each other in the vicinity of the ground contact surface of the tire as indicated by the broken line. In this case, the detectable area is affected by the detection capability of the photoelectric detection element 1, and a malfunction usually occurs due to an event change outside the tire, for example, a movement of a foot of a pedestrian walking near the tire or a vehicle or other object moving close to the tire. There was a defect that it was likely to occur. In particular, when it is mounted inside the tire house, the detectable area tends to spread outside the tire surface, so that the error is often large. This type of detection device has a high detection sensitivity, and if frequent malfunctions occur, the influence of corresponding actions such as work interruption and express movement to the vehicle position during that period is often serious, and eventually it is not used. On the contrary, if the detection sensitivity is low and the original abnormality is a detection omission, it is completely useless. Therefore, it has been difficult to adopt the optical detection means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the drawbacks of the prior art, and provides a vehicle tire abnormality detection / informing device capable of reliably and promptly detecting and informing an abnormality that is applied to a tire without causing malfunction. The task is to do.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a detection element for detecting vibration or sound due to an external impact applied to a tire, and a receiver carried by the user as a signal of a predetermined frequency based on the detection content of the detection element. A transmission unit for transmitting to
It is solved by a vehicle tire abnormality detection / informing device having. In this case, since the transmission unit is also attached to the rotating unit, the operating power source is the battery power source. It is convenient to configure the battery to be turned on and off when the power supply for driving the vehicle is turned off, that is, the vehicle is stopped. In addition, when the abnormal sound or abnormal vibration detection element and the transmitting unit are mounted on the rotating unit, the output of the transmitting unit is also limited to some extent. Especially, in order to save energy of the operating power source, the transmission output must be reduced. Under such conditions, it is more convenient to provide a relay transmitter on the vehicle side and to transmit a signal of a predetermined output having a predetermined frequency.

In the vehicle tire abnormality detection / informing device according to the present invention, the vibration or sound applied to the tire itself is directly detected by the detection element attached to the rear surface of the tire, and when the detection signal is above a predetermined level, an abnormality is detected. It is determined that there is a predetermined frequency for the receiver owned by the vehicle user,
Send the output in a predetermined format. The vehicle user or vehicle manager who directly or indirectly receives this transmission output can take the corresponding action. The receiver is, for example,
The personal brain can have the same structure as a pager. Further, in the case of abnormality detection when managing a large number of vehicles in a parking lot or the like, it is possible to use a collective receiver provided in a manager's room. In any case, it suffices to be able to accurately grasp the situation corresponding to the condition in which the signal can be generated, and its form, mode, etc. are arbitrary. The transmission output in this case can usually be a radio wave, but when transmitting to a relay transmitter mounted on the vehicle, infrared rays or a laser can also be used. Further, since a battery is used as an operating power source for the transmitter, means for preventing the battery from being consumed is required. For example, it is possible to employ a configuration in which the device can be operated only when both the engine stop of the vehicle and the door lock are applicable. Of course, if the operation switch is provided, it can be selectively operated by the operation of the vehicle user or the administrator.

The present invention will be disclosed below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a vehicle tire abnormality detection / informing device according to the present invention. Detection element 11
Is a detection element suitable for detecting sound or vibration, and can be, for example, a small microphone or a vibration pickup element. The output detected by the detection element 11 is
It is transmitted to the transmission unit 13 via the lead wire 12. The transmitter 13 operates by using a built-in battery as a power source, and detects the detection element 1
When the input from 1 is a signal above the level comparable to the anomaly to be detected, the output of the predetermined frequency is transmitted. The signal level comparison circuit, the signal amplification circuit, the transmission output circuit, and the like can be configured using known circuit elements. The transmitting unit 13 may have a built-in clocking mechanism or counting mechanism so that the output form can be changed or the output intensity can be changed according to the passage of time or the number of detections. The transmission output is transmitted via the antenna 14 and activates the receiver of a vehicle user or an administrator in the vicinity to notify the presence of abnormality in the tire. The receiver may have various configurations, but it is convenient to use a pager-shaped or wristwatch-shaped portable receiver, for example. The notification can be an audible alarm by an electronic buzzer, or can be a method of generating mechanical vibration and transmitting it to the user. In particular, the transmission of mechanical vibrations is less likely to bother others during conversations and meetings,
It is desirable depending on the application. 2 (a) and 2 (b),
FIG. 1 is a front view and a vertical sectional view showing an example of a state in which an abnormality detection / informing device for a vehicle tire according to the present invention is attached. The detection element 11 is directly attached to the vehicle body side surface of the vehicle tire T. It is necessary to take into consideration the ability to withstand the rotational force during running and the situation to run on rough roads. The transmitter 13 connected by the lead wire 12 can be attached to a rim or a drum. In this case as well, it is necessary to mount it surely so as to withstand severe conditions. In addition, since the transmission unit 13 cannot be ignored in terms of mass in many cases, the balancer 15 is attached at a position facing the rim or the drum. Transmitter 13
Is radiated from the antenna 14 into the air. As a communication medium for the receiver in this case, for example, 135M
Although electromagnetic waves of Hz can be used, various media can be used as long as they do not violate various laws and regulations and do not disturb the surroundings. For applications such as theft prevention,
It may be one that produces a loud sound. The detection unit 1
It is also possible to integrate 1, the transmitter 13, the antenna 14, etc., and provide a suction mechanism for the tire so that the suction mechanism is sucked to the side surface of the tire on the vehicle body side each time it is used. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which a vehicle tire abnormality detection / informing device according to the present invention is attached to a tire of a passenger car as an example of a vehicle. The detection element 11 and the transmission unit 13 are attached to the back side of the tire and cannot be sensed from the outside. Under such a condition, an external shock is applied to the tire, for example, writing with chalk used to warn a parking violation, abnormal noise when opening the door illegally, etc. are detected and the fact is reported to the receiver owned by the user. Notify me. The user who has received this notification can take necessary measures for the emergency movement of the vehicle and the prevention of theft.
A small and long-life battery such as a lithium battery is suitable for the power supply of the transmission unit 13, but it is convenient to configure it so that it is automatically turned on under the condition that it needs to be used, in order to avoid waste. For example, it can be configured to be turned off while the engine start key is being inserted, and to be automatically turned on when the key is removed and the user leaves the vehicle for a long time. With such a configuration, the vehicle can be disabled when parked in a regular parking lot or in a safe situation such as a stop on the premises. Since it is desirable that the transmission unit 13 be formed as small as possible, there is a demand for downsizing the built-in circuit element, the power supply, and the like. Therefore,
The transmission output is also limited, and it is not always possible to obtain an arbitrary reach distance. In such a case, the transmission unit 13 can be downsized, generate only a very weak output, and a relay transmitter mounted on the vehicle side can be configured to obtain an arbitrary frequency and an arbitrary output. According to such a configuration, the tire-side transmitter 13 may generate an arbitrary output signal in an arbitrary signal format according to the signal from the detection element 11. The relay transmitter mounted on the vehicle may be configured to generate a signal of a predetermined format and an arbitrary output. With such a configuration, the relay transmitter is likely to use the power supply of the vehicle and has few dimensional restrictions, so that the signal format, the reach distance, etc. can be arbitrarily selected. Even when the above device is used, malfunctions such as interference can be avoided. Further, the signal transmission mode from the detection element 11 and the transmitter 13 mounted on the tire side to the relay transmitter can be arbitrarily selected. Therefore, it is considered that the unit parts such as the detecting element 11 and the transmitting unit 13 attached to the rotating unit are damaged due to obstacles,
It is also possible to make it as cheap as possible and to handle it as a consumable item.

According to the abnormality detection / informing device for a vehicle tire according to the present invention, not only a small abnormality applied to the tire, for example, an impact as a sign of mischief or theft, but also an impact sound at the time of writing by chalk on the tire or Vibration can be detected and reported. The vehicle user or vehicle manager who receives the notification of the detection signal can immediately perform necessary treatment, for example, ensuring vehicle monitoring, or moving to a necessary and safe place. Therefore, damage such as mischief or theft can be prevented or minimized, the parking position can be moved quickly, and safe and appropriate vehicle management can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a vehicle tire abnormality detection / informing device according to the present invention.

2 (a) and 2 (b) are a plan view and a vertical cross-sectional view showing how a vehicle tire abnormality detection / informing device according to the present invention is attached to a tire.

3A and 3B are a plan view and a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a vehicle tire abnormality detection / informing device according to the present invention is attached to a tire of a passenger car.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a photoelectric tire abnormality detection / informing device for a vehicle tire according to a conventional technique is attached to the tire.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 detector 13 transmitter

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A detection element for detecting vibration or sound due to an external impact applied to a tire, and a transmission section for transmitting the detection content of the detection element as a signal of a predetermined frequency to a receiver owned by a user. A vehicle tire abnormality detection / informing device, comprising: 2. The power supply of the transmission unit is automatically turned on when a condition including other arbitrary conditions is satisfied when the power supply for traveling the vehicle is off. The vehicle tire abnormality detection notification device described. 3. The vehicle tire according to claim 1, further comprising a relay transmitter that relays and amplifies a signal oscillated by the transmitter and retransmits the signal to a remote place. Abnormality detection notification device.