Tire condition detection device

Abstract

To make it possible that tires of various sizes of vehicles can appropriately pass above a sensor part while suppressing increase in a size of the sensor part.SOLUTION: A tire condition detection device 10, which detects a condition of a tire mounted on a vehicle 12 passing above, has: a base part 14 installed on a road surface 20; a sensor part 16 which is so installed on the base part 14 as to extend in a width direction of the vehicle 12; and a light source 18 which is provided on the base part 14, and radiates light 50, which becomes a mark of a travel position of the vehicle 12 in the width direction with respect to the sensor part 16, toward the vehicle 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire condition detection device. [Background technology]

[0002] A magnetic drive-over system is disclosed in which a vehicle is driven and the tread thickness and groove depth are measured as the tire passes over a sensor (see US Pat. No. 5,333,635). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-551685 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] By the way, Japanese transport companies often operate trucks and buses of various sizes. Even in the case of passenger cars, there are small vehicles such as minicars and large vehicles such as vans.

[0005] However, in order to use the drive-over type tire condition detection device correctly, the left and right tires must pass over both the left and right sensors, respectively, making it difficult to accommodate vehicles of various widths due to the sensor width. Specifically, there are restrictions on the vehicles that can be accommodated and the driver's skill is required. In particular, for small vehicles, the distance between the left and right tires is small, making it difficult to make the tires pass over the left and right sensors correctly. In order to accommodate vehicles of various sizes, it is possible to increase the size of the left and right sensors, but this would lead to increased costs and the transportation and installation of the device could be a heavy burden.

[0006] The present invention aims to enable vehicle tires of various sizes to pass over the sensor unit appropriately while suppressing an increase in the size of the sensor unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The tire condition detection device of the first aspect is a tire condition detection device that detects the condition of tires fitted to a vehicle passing overhead, and has a base installed on the road surface, a sensor unit installed on the base and extending in the width direction of the vehicle, and a light source provided on the base that irradiates light towards the vehicle as a marker for the vehicle's traveling position in the width direction relative to the sensor unit.

[0008] In this tire condition detection device, a light source provided in the base emits light toward the vehicle, which serves as a marker for the vehicle's traveling position in the width direction relative to the sensor unit. The driver of the vehicle can adjust the vehicle's traveling position using the emitted light as a marker, thereby correctly guiding the vehicle's traveling position regardless of the size of the vehicle. This makes it possible to ensure that the vehicle's tires pass appropriately over the sensor unit while suppressing an increase in the size of the sensor unit.

[0009] In a second aspect, in the tire condition detection device of the first aspect, the sensor unit includes a first sensor unit that detects a tire mounted on one side of the vehicle in the width direction, and a second sensor unit that detects a tire mounted on the other side, which are arranged at a distance from each other in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0010] In this tire condition detection device, the first sensor portion and the second sensor portion are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, making it possible to reduce the possibility of erroneous detection.

[0011] A third aspect is a tire condition detection device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the light source is arranged between the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0012] In this tire condition detection device, the light source is disposed between the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit in the width direction of the vehicle, so that the light can be easily directed toward the center of the vehicle and the tire can be prevented from passing over the light source.

[0013] In a fourth aspect, in the tire condition detection device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the light source is disposed within a region in which the sensor unit is disposed in a width direction of the vehicle.

[0014] In this tire condition detection device, the light source is disposed within the region in the vehicle width direction in which the sensor unit is disposed, so that light can be easily emitted from the light source toward the front of the driver's seat of the vehicle.

[0015] In a fifth aspect, in the tire condition detection device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the light sources are arranged at a plurality of locations in a width direction of the vehicle.

[0016] In this tire condition detection device, the light sources are arranged at multiple locations in the width direction of the vehicle, so that the light irradiation position can be changed according to the vehicle size.

[0017] A sixth aspect is a tire condition detection device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the light source is movable in a width direction of the vehicle.

[0018] In this tire condition detection device, the light source is movable in the width direction of the vehicle, so the light irradiation position can be changed according to the vehicle size.

[0019] A seventh aspect is a tire condition detection device relating to any one of the first to sixth aspects, which is provided with a vehicle detection unit that acquires information of the vehicle approaching the sensor unit, and the light source irradiates light based on the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle detection unit.

[0020] In this tire condition detection device, the light source emits light based on vehicle information acquired by the vehicle detection unit, so it can detect the approach of a vehicle and begin emitting light, or change the way light is emitted depending on the type of vehicle.

[0021] In an eighth aspect, in the tire condition detection device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the irradiation angle of light with respect to the road surface as viewed from a side in the traveling direction of the vehicle is changeable.

[0022] In this tire condition detection device, the light irradiation angle can be changed, so that the light irradiation position, particularly the irradiation position in the vertical direction of the vehicle, can be changed according to the vehicle size. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the sensor unit while allowing vehicle tires of various sizes to pass appropriately over the sensor unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a tire condition detection device according to an embodiment is used; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a sensor unit and a tire placed on the sensor unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a tire condition detection device according to Modification 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a tire condition detection device according to Modification 2. [Diagram 5] 1 is a front view showing a state in which light is irradiated toward the center in the width direction of the vehicle as viewed from inside the vehicle cabin. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which light is irradiated in front of the driver's seat as viewed from inside the vehicle cabin. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are the same or similar components. Note that duplicated explanations and reference numerals in the embodiments described below may be omitted. In addition, all of the drawings used in the following description are schematic, and the dimensional relationship of each element, the ratio of each element, etc. shown in the drawings do not necessarily match the actual ones. In addition, the dimensional relationship of each element, the ratio of each element, etc. between multiple drawings do not necessarily match. In the drawings, the direction of the arrow F indicates the traveling direction of the vehicle 12, and the arrow W indicates the width direction of the vehicle.

[0026] In FIG. 1, the tire condition detection device 10 of this embodiment is a tire condition detection device that detects the condition of tires mounted on a vehicle 12 passing overhead, and has a base 14, a sensor unit 16, and a light source 18.

[0027] The base 14 is an elastic body such as rubber that is installed on the road surface 20, and extends, for example, in the width direction of the vehicle. The front and rear directions of the sensor unit 16 in the vehicle travel direction are each defined as a base 14, and the portion where the vehicle 12 climbs up and the portion where the vehicle 12 climbs down are also defined as bases 14. The sensor unit 16 is installed on the base 14 and extends in the width direction of the vehicle 12.

[0028] The sensor unit 16 includes a first sensor unit 21 that detects a tire mounted on one side in the width direction of the vehicle 12 and a second sensor unit 22 that detects a tire mounted on the other side, which are arranged apart in the width direction of the vehicle 12. A spacer 26, which is an example of a base, is provided between the first sensor unit 21 and the second sensor unit 22. The width of the spacer 26 in the vehicle travel direction is, for example, the same as the width of the base 14. In this case, the base 14, the first sensor unit 21, the second sensor unit 22, and the spacer 26 are installed, for example, in an integrated band or plate shape.

[0029] If the separation distance between the first sensor unit 21 and the second sensor unit 22 is L, L is, for example, 740 mm or less. This is in consideration of the case where the distance between the left and right tires 24 on a truck with a load capacity of 2 t is 740 mm. The separation distance L may also be, for example, 480 mm. When the truck passes through the center of the tire condition detection device 10, the edge of the tire 24 closest to the center passes through a position 370 mm from the center. When the separation distance L is 480 mm, a deviation from the center of up to 480 / 2+50=290 mm, that is, 370-290=80 mm, is allowed. With a deviation within this range, all the tires 24 can pass over the first sensor unit 21 and the second sensor unit 22 appropriately.

[0030] The separation distance L may be, for example, 1,000 mm or less. This is in consideration of the case where the distance between the left and right tires 24 of a light vehicle is 1,000 mm. The separation distance L may also be, for example, 600 mm. When the light vehicle passes through the center of the tire condition detection device 10, the edge of the tire 24 closest to the center passes through a position 500 mm from the center. When the separation distance L is 600 mm, a deviation from the center of up to 600 / 2+50=350 mm, that is, 500-350=150 mm, is allowed. With a deviation within this range, all of the tires 24 can pass appropriately above the first sensor unit 21 and the second sensor unit 22.

[0031] 2, the sensor section 16 is a drive-over type magnetic sensor system used to measure the thickness of the rubber in the tread 30 outside the steel belt 28 of the tire 24. This thickness may include both the tread 30 and the thin layer of rubber between the bottom of the groove and the steel belt 28, and this thickness may be used to determine the groove depth D.

[0032] In the sensor unit 16, magnets 32A and 32B, which are, for example, permanent magnets or electromagnets, are attached to a non-magnetic frame 36 vertically with the same polarity facing upward. A sensor 34, which is, for example, a Hall effect sensor, which is a magnetic sensor, is disposed on, for example, the upper surface of the non-magnetic frame 36. A non-magnetic plate 38 is provided further above the non-magnetic frame 36. The non-magnetic plate 38 is, for example, a plate made of aluminum, Delrin, or the like, and protects or separates the sensor 34 and the magnets 32A and 32B with the non-magnetic frame 36 from the tire 24. As shown in the figure, all the N poles may face upward toward the non-magnetic plate 38, or all the S poles may face upward toward the non-magnetic plate 38. Any number of magnets may be disposed around a vertical axis passing through the sensor 34. At least one or more sensors 34 are provided in the first sensor unit 21 and the second sensor unit 22, and a plurality of sensors may be provided in each of them. The sensor 34 is not limited to a magnetic sensor, and may be a capacitance sensor, an optical sensor, or the like.

[0033] The light source 18 is provided on the base 14 and is, for example, a laser light source that emits directional light, which irradiates light 50 toward the vehicle 12 and serves as a marker for the traveling position of the vehicle 12 in the width direction relative to the sensor unit 16. The shape of the irradiated light 50 may be a dot or may be, for example, a line extending vertically like a spirit level.

[0034] In this embodiment, the light source 18 is disposed between the first sensor unit 21 and the second sensor unit 22 in the width direction of the vehicle 12, for example, in the spacer 26. The position of the light source 18 may be the center position of the spacer 26 in the width direction of the vehicle, or may be a position shifted from the center.

[0035] The light 50 may be directed to the center of the width of the front windshield 12A of the vehicle 12, the front of the driver's seat 12B in the front windshield 12A (FIG. 6), a side mirror (not shown), etc. The irradiation angle θ (elevation angle) of the light 50 with respect to the road surface as viewed from the side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 12 may be constant or may be changeable depending on the vehicle type. Also, the irradiation direction of the light 50 when viewed in a plan view may be changeable.

[0036] The tire condition detection device 10 may include a vehicle detection unit 40 that acquires information on the vehicle 12 approaching the sensor unit 16. The vehicle detection unit 40 may be a camera that reads the license plate 42 of the vehicle 12, or may be a reader that reads information such as an RFID tag 44 installed on the vehicle 12 to identify the vehicle type. When the tire condition detection device 10 includes the tire condition detection device 10, the light source 18 may irradiate the light 50 based on the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle detection unit 40. For example, the light source 18 may start irradiating the light 50 upon detecting the approach of the vehicle 12, and end the irradiation after the vehicle 12 has passed. In addition, the irradiation angle θ and the irradiation position of the light 50 may be controlled according to the outer dimensions of the vehicle 12, the position of the driver's seat 12B, the position of the mirror, and the like.

[0037] (Variation 1) The light source 18 may be arranged as in this modified example. In this modified example, as shown in Fig. 3, the light source 18 is arranged in an area in the width direction of the vehicle 12, in which the sensor unit 16 is arranged in the base 14. The light source 18 is also arranged at a plurality of locations in the width direction of the vehicle 12. Furthermore, the light source 18 may be additionally arranged on the spacer 26, as in Fig. 2. The light source 18 may also be separate from the base 14.

[0038] (Variation 2) The light source 18 may be arranged as in this modified example. As shown in Fig. 4, in this modified example, the light source 18 is movable in the width direction of the vehicle 12. A guide hole 46 is provided in the base 14. The light source 18 is movable in the width direction of the vehicle along the guide hole 46 by a drive unit (not shown).

[0039] (action) This embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described below. In FIG. 1, in the tire condition detection device 10 according to this embodiment, a light source 18 provided on a base 14 irradiates a light 50 toward the vehicle 12, which serves as a mark for the traveling position of the vehicle 12 in the width direction relative to the sensor unit 16. The driver of the vehicle 12 adjusts the traveling position of the vehicle 12 using the irradiated light 50 as a mark, so that the vehicle traveling position can be correctly guided regardless of the size of the vehicle 12. By knowing that the light 50 is irradiated to the center of the vehicle 12 or being informed each time, the driver can adjust the traveling position of the vehicle so that the position of the light 50 and the center of the vehicle 12 are aligned. A mark may be attached to a specific position of the vehicle 12, and the light 50 may be aligned with the mark.

[0040] When the irradiation position of the light 50 is constant, the position of the irradiated light 50 moves down on the windshield 12A as the vehicle 12 moves. In order to keep the position of the light 50 constant even as the vehicle 12 moves, the irradiation angle θ of the light 50 may be gradually increased.

[0041] When the first sensor unit 21 and the second sensor unit 22 are spaced apart in the width direction of the vehicle 12, the possibility of erroneous detection can be reduced. In addition, compared to when the sensor unit 16 is all integrated, the device can be easily transported and installed.

[0042] 1, the light source 18 irradiates the light 50 based on the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle detection unit 40, so that it is possible to start irradiating the light 50 by detecting the approach of the vehicle 12, or to change the way in which the light 50 is irradiated depending on the type of the vehicle 12. For example, it is possible to change the irradiation position of the light 50 in the width direction of the vehicle, to change the irradiation angle θ of the light 50, or to change the irradiation shape of the light 50.

[0043] When the light source 18 is disposed between the first sensor unit 21 and the second sensor unit 22 in the width direction of the vehicle 12 as shown in Fig. 1, the light 50 is easily irradiated toward the center of the vehicle 12 as shown in Fig. 5. In addition, it is possible to prevent the tire 24 from passing over the light source 18.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, when the light source 18 is arranged in the region where the sensor unit 16 is arranged in the width direction of the vehicle 12, the light source 18 can easily irradiate the light 50 toward the front of the driver's seat 12B of the vehicle 12. Furthermore, when the light source 18 is arranged at multiple locations in the width direction of the vehicle 12, the irradiation position of the light 50 can be changed according to the vehicle size. The multiple light sources 18 may be made to emit light simultaneously. Furthermore, the colors of the multiple light sources 18 may be made different from each other. As shown in FIG. 4, even when the light source 18 is movable in the width direction of the vehicle 12, the irradiation position of the light 50 can be changed according to the vehicle size.

[0045] If the irradiation angle (elevation angle) of the light 50 is changeable, the irradiation position of the light 50, particularly the irradiation position in the vertical direction of the vehicle, can be changed according to the size of the vehicle.

[0046] In this manner, according to this embodiment, the traveling position of the vehicle 12 can be determined by the light 50, so that tires 24 of vehicles 12 of various sizes can pass appropriately over the sensor unit 16 while suppressing an increase in the size of the sensor unit 16.

[0047] [Other embodiments] An example of an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0048] In the drawings, the vehicle 12 is depicted as a truck, but the type of vehicle 12 is not limited to this and may be a light vehicle, a passenger car, a bus, a special vehicle, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10... tire condition detection device, 12... vehicle, 14... base, 16... sensor unit, 18... light source, 20... road surface, 21... first sensor unit, 22... second sensor unit, 24... tire, 40... vehicle detection unit, 50... light

Claims

1. A tire condition detection device that detects the condition of tires mounted on a vehicle passing above, A base portion installed on the road surface; A sensor unit is installed on the base portion and extends in a width direction of the vehicle; a light source provided on the base and configured to irradiate light toward the vehicle, the light serving as a marker for a traveling position of the vehicle in a width direction relative to the sensor unit; A tire condition detection device having the following.

2. 2. The tire condition detection device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor units include a first sensor unit that detects a tire mounted on one side of the vehicle in a width direction, and a second sensor unit that detects a tire mounted on the other side, and are arranged apart in the width direction of the vehicle.

3. The tire condition detection device according to claim 2 , wherein the light source is disposed between the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit in a width direction of the vehicle.

4. The tire condition detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is disposed within an area in a width direction of the vehicle in which the sensor unit is disposed.

5. The tire condition detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the light sources are arranged at a plurality of positions in a width direction of the vehicle.

6. 2. The tire condition detection device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is movable in a width direction of the vehicle.

7. a vehicle detection unit that acquires information about the vehicle approaching the sensor unit; The tire condition detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the light source emits light based on the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle detection unit.

8. 8. The tire condition detection device according to claim 1, wherein an irradiation angle of light with respect to the road surface as viewed from a side in the traveling direction of the vehicle is changeable.

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