Rim device

Abstract

To provide a rim device that can show a state of tire pneumatic pressure.SOLUTION: The rim device comprises: a rim main body 31 that can be mounted on a wheel shaft and can be mounted with a sensor unit of a tire pneumatic pressure sensor; electric power generating means 4, mounted on the rim main body 31, which is driven by the rim main body 31 to generate electric power; and tire pneumatic pressure display means that is driven by electric power generated by the electric power generating means 4 and is mounted on the rim main body 31. The tire pneumatic pressure display means has a wireless communication module that can wirelessly receive a tire pneumatic pressure numerical value signal transmitted by an information processing unit of the tire pneumatic pressure sensor, a light-emitting module that can control a light-emitting mode, a control module 83 that controls the light-emitting module on the basis of change of the received tire pneumatic pressure numerical value signal, and a power storage battery module that stores electric power generated by the electric power generating means 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rim, and more particularly to a rim device used for wheels of two-wheeled or four-wheeled automobiles. [Background technology]

[0002] The wheels of two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles are filled with air between the rim and the tire. If the air pressure (hereafter referred to as tire air pressure) is insufficient, the tire will bend excessively, increasing rolling resistance and adversely affecting fuel efficiency. In addition, if air pressure management is neglected, a puncture may be noticed late, which may impair driving stability.

[0003] Therefore, the installation of a tire pressure detection device is recommended to monitor and manage tire pressure. Currently, the tire pressure detection device generally used has a sensor located on the wheel rim, and an information processing unit that analyzes the detection signal received from the sensor and displays it in an easy-to-understand manner is located on the panel side.

[0004] However, since the above-mentioned conventional tire pressure detection device does not have any means for displaying the detection results other than on the panel side, it is not possible to know the tire pressure at a glance.

[0005] Moreover, Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional rim with a display device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Taiwan Utility Model Registration No. M534118 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rim device that can indicate the status of tire air pressure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a rim device to which a sensor unit of a tire pressure sensor is attached, the tire pressure sensor including an information processing unit capable of wirelessly transmitting a tire pressure numerical signal and a sensor unit, the rim device being adapted to be attached to a wheel shaft of a vehicle, the sensor unit being capable of wirelessly transmitting a tire pressure numerical signal, a rim body that can be attached to the wheel shaft and to which a sensor unit of the tire pressure sensor can be attached; A power generating means is attached to the rim body and is driven by the rim body to generate power; a tire pressure display means attached to the rim body, The tire pressure display means includes: a wireless communication module capable of wirelessly receiving the tire pressure numerical signal transmitted by the information processing unit of the tire pressure sensor; a light-emitting module capable of controlling a light-emitting mode; a control module that is signal-connected to the wireless communication module and the light-emitting module, and controls the light-emitting module to change a light-emitting mode according to a change in the tire pressure numerical signal received by the wireless communication module; A rim device is provided, which is characterized by having a storage battery module electrically connected to the power generation means, the wireless communication module, the light-emitting module, and the control module so as to store electricity generated by the power generation means and provide electricity for operation to the wireless communication module, the light-emitting module, and the control module. Effect of the Invention

[0009] With the above configuration, the rim device of the present invention provides a power generation means and a tire pressure display means, so that the tire pressure can be displayed by the tire pressure display means while the vehicle is traveling, and the tire pressure display means can emit light in a ring shape as the rim device rotates, providing an excellent visual effect. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an embodiment of a rim device of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the rim device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the rim device of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the rim device of the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the rim device of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Figures 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a rim device 200 of the present invention, and by mounting a tire (not shown) to this rim device 200, a wheel suitable for mounting on a wheel shaft (not shown) of a vehicle can be formed.

[0012] In addition, the rim device 200 is configured to be capable of mounting a sensor unit 901 of a tire pressure sensor 900. The sensor unit 901 detects the tire pressure, which is the air pressure inside the tire, and can wirelessly transmit a tire pressure signal to an information processing unit 902 (see FIG. 3) that is included in the tire pressure sensor 900 and disposed on the vehicle, and the information processing unit 902 analyzes the tire pressure signal received from the sensor unit 901 and wirelessly transmits a corresponding tire pressure numerical signal.

[0013] The rim device 200 comprises a rim body 31 that can be fixed to the wheel shaft of a vehicle, a power generation means 4 arranged in the center of the rim body 31, a tire pressure display means 8 attached to the rim body 31 and electrically connected to the power generation means 4, a power generation section cover 32 attached to the rim body 31 so as to cover the power generation means 4 from the outside, and a plurality of transparent covers 33 arranged at intervals from each other on the side of the rim body 31 so as to surround the center of the rim body 31.

[0014] A tire and a sensor unit 901 of a tire pressure sensor 900 can be attached to the rim body 31, and a plurality of storage spaces 310 are formed on the side of the rim body 31 away from the central axis 40 and arranged so as to open to the outside, and the transparent cover 33 is attached to each storage space 310 so as to shield the storage space 310.

[0015] The power generating section cover 32 is attached to the center between the transparent covers 33 on the above-mentioned side surface of the rim body 31 and shields the power generating means 4 .

[0016] Detailed explanations of the specific configurations of the rim body 31, the generator cover 32, and the transparent covers 33 are omitted since they are not the point of the present invention. Naturally, they can have shapes and configurations other than those shown in the drawings.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the power generation means 4 includes a rotor module 5 fixed to the rim body 31 so as to rotate together with the rim body 31 and electrically connected to a tire pressure display means 8, a stator module 6 attached to the rotor module 5 so as to be rotatable relative to the rotor module 5 about the central axis 40 of the wheel shaft of the vehicle to which the rim device 200 is attached, and a weight 7 fixed to the stator module 6 so that its center of gravity is located below the stator module 6, so that the stator module 6 rotates relative to the rotor module 5 when the rotor module 5 rotates together with the rim body 31.

[0018] The rotor module 5 has a holding frame 51 and a plurality of coil units 52 fixed in the holding frame 51. The holding frame 51 is fixed to the rim body 31 so as to be coaxially rotatable with the rim body 31 about the central axis 40 as a rotation axis, and has a mounting part 511 in which an opening 512 opening toward the side is formed, and a side cover 513 attached to the mounting part 511 so as to cover the opening 512. The mounting part 511, together with the side cover 513, defines an axial space 510 in which each coil unit 52 is housed. Each coil unit 52 is fixed to the mounting part 511 so as to surround the central axis 40.

[0019] The stator module 6 is configured to have an axial rod portion 61 that passes through the holding frame 51 to be rotatable relative to the mounting portion 511 and the side cover 513, and a plurality of magnets 62 that are fixed to the axial rod portion 61 and spaced apart from each other around the central axis 40 so as to be located within the axial space 510. The weight 7 passes through the side cover 513 of the axial rod portion 61 and is fixed to the mounting end portion 611 exposed to the outside of the holding frame 51.

[0020] 1 and 5, the tire pressure display means 8 comprises a wireless communication module 81 capable of receiving a tire pressure numerical signal wirelessly transmitted from the information processing unit 902 of the tire pressure sensor 900, a plurality of light emitting modules 82, a control module 83 signally connected to the wireless communication module 81 and each of the light emitting modules 82, and a storage battery module 84 electrically connected to the rotor module 5. In this embodiment, the wireless communication module 81 is integrated onto one circuit board together with the control module 83, and is disposed in a space shielded by the power generation unit cover 32 of the rim body 31.

[0021] Each light-emitting module 82 is accommodated in a corresponding accommodation space 310 and is covered by a corresponding transparent cover 33. Each light-emitting module 82 can emit light in response to the control of the control module 83, and the light emitted from the light-emitting module 82 can be seen from outside the transparent cover 33.

[0022] The control module 83 is signal-connected to the wireless communication module 81 and each light-emitting module 82, and controls the light-emitting module 82 to change the light-emitting mode according to the change in the tire pressure numerical signal from the wireless communication module 81.

[0023] Specifically, the control module 83 controls the brightness, color, and frequency of light emitted by each light-emitting module 82 by changing the light-emitting mode in response to changes in the tire air pressure values.

[0024] The storage battery module 84 is electrically connected to the power generation means 4, the wireless communication module 81, the light-emitting module 82, and the control module 83 so as to store electricity generated by the power generation means 4 and provide electricity for operation to the wireless communication module 81, the light-emitting module 82, and the control module 83. By having the storage battery module 84, the present invention can provide electricity for operation to the wireless communication module 81, the light-emitting module 82, and the control module 83 even when the vehicle is in an idle state where it is not running.

[0025] In this way, since each light-emitting module 82 is accommodated in a respective accommodation space 310 away from the central axis 40, when the wheel rotates, the light emitted by each light-emitting module 82 appears in a ring shape.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, with the above configuration, when the rotor module 5 rotates together with the rim body 31 of the wheel running relative to the ground while the vehicle is running, the rotor module 5 becomes a rotor that rotates together with the rim body 31, and the weight 7 fixed to the stator module 6 always hangs down due to its own weight so that the center of gravity is located below the stator module 6, and the stator module 6 becomes a stator that does not rotate relative to the ground, and the power generation means 4 can generate electricity by electromagnetic induction between each coil unit 52 of the rotor module 5, which rotates relative to the ground, and each magnet 62 of the stator module 6, which does not rotate relative to the ground.

[0027] The electricity generated by the rotor module 5 is stored in the storage battery module 84 of the tire pressure display means 8, and when the vehicle is started, the tire pressure signal transmitted by the sensor unit 901 (see Figures 1 and 3) of the tire pressure sensor 900 is received and analyzed by the information processing unit 902, and transmits the corresponding tire pressure value. The wireless communication module 81 receives the tire pressure numerical signal wirelessly transmitted from the information processing unit 902, and the control module 83 controls the brightness, color and frequency of the light emitted by the light-emitting module 82 according to changes in the tire pressure numerical signal received by the wireless communication module 81 by changing the light-emitting mode, thereby not only indicating the tire pressure, but also creating an excellent visual effect.

[0028] In addition, in this embodiment, the receiving space 310 in which each light emitting module 82 is arranged is covered by the transparent cover 33, but it is also possible to leave the transparent cover 33 undone and expose each light emitting module 82.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tire pressure display means 8 has a plurality of light-emitting modules 82, but the present invention can be implemented with only one light-emitting module 82.

[0030] To sum up, the rim device 200 of the present invention provides the power generation means 4 and the tire pressure display means 8, and thus the tire pressure can be displayed on the tire pressure display means 8 while the vehicle is running, and the tire pressure display means 8 can emit light in a ring shape by rotating the rim device 200, creating a brilliant visual effect. Therefore, the object of the present application can be reliably achieved.

[0031] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 200 Rim Device 31 Rim body 310 Storage Space 32 Generator cover 33 Transparent cover 4. Means of power generation 40 Center axis 5 Rotor Module 51 Retaining frame 510 Axial space 511 Mounting part 512 Aperture 513 Side cover 52 Coil unit 6 Stator Module 61 Shaft rod 611 Mounting end 62 Magnet 7. Weight 8. Tire pressure display means 81 Wireless communication module 82 Light Emitting Module 83 Control Module 84 Battery Module 900 Tire Pressure Sensor 901 Sensor unit 902 Information Processing Unit

Claims

1. A rim device to which a sensor unit of a tire pressure sensor is attached, the tire pressure sensor including an information processing unit and a sensor unit capable of wirelessly receiving a tire pressure numerical signal, the rim device being adapted to be attached to a wheel shaft of a vehicle, a rim body that can be attached to the wheel shaft and to which a sensor unit of the tire pressure sensor can be attached; A power generating means is attached to the rim body and is driven by the rim body to generate power; a tire pressure display means electrically connected to the power generating means so as to be driven by electricity generated by the power generating means and attached to the rim body; The tire pressure display means is a wireless communication module capable of wirelessly receiving the tire pressure numerical signal transmitted by the information processing unit of the tire pressure sensor; a light-emitting module capable of controlling a light-emitting mode; a control module that is signal-connected to the wireless communication module and the light-emitting module, and controls the light-emitting module to change a light-emitting mode according to a change in the tire pressure numerical signal received by the wireless communication module; a storage battery module electrically connected to the power generation means, the wireless communication module, the light emitting module, and the control module so as to store electricity generated by the power generation means and provide electricity for operation of the wireless communication module, the light emitting module, and the control module; A rim device comprising:

2. The power generating means is a rotor module fixed to the rim body so as to rotate therewith and electrically connected to the tire pressure indicating means; a stator module attached to the rotor module so as to be rotatable relative to the rotor module about a central axis of a wheel shaft of a vehicle to which the rim device is attached; a weight fixed to the stator module such that a center of gravity is located below the stator module so that the stator module rotates relative to the rotor module when the rotor module rotates together with the rim body; When the rotor module rotates in conjunction with the rim body, The rim device according to claim 1 , wherein power is generated by electromagnetic induction due to relative rotation of the rotor module with the stator module.

3. The rotor module includes a hollow holding frame fixed to the rim body so as to be coaxially rotatable with the rim body about the central axis line as a rotation axis; a plurality of coil units disposed inside the holding frame so as to surround the central axis, The stator module includes: a shaft rod portion attached to the holding frame so as to be rotatable about the central axis line as a rotation axis relative to the holding frame; The rim device described in claim 2, further comprising magnets arranged on the axial rod portion so as to be spaced apart from each other around the central axis, thereby causing the coil unit arranged on the holding frame to generate electricity through electromagnetic induction when the axial rod portion rotates relative to the holding frame.

4. The retaining frame has a mounting portion fixed to the rim body and having an opening that opens toward a side surface of the rim body, and a side cover attached to the mounting portion so as to cover the opening of the mounting portion and surrounding an axial space together with the mounting portion inside the mounting portion, The rim device according to claim 3 , wherein the coil unit is disposed within the axial space, and the axial rod portion of the stator module is inserted through the retaining frame so as to be rotatable relative to the mounting portion and the side cover.

5. The rim device according to claim 4 , wherein the shaft rod portion of the stator module has an attachment end portion that passes through the side cover and is exposed to the outside of the holding frame, and the weight is fixed to the attachment end portion.

6. The rim device according to claim 1 , wherein the control module controls the brightness of the light emitted by the light emitting module in response to a change in the air pressure value of the tire.

7. The rim device according to claim 1 , wherein the control module controls the color of light emitted by the light emitting module in response to a change in the air pressure value of the tire.

8. The rim device according to claim 1 , wherein the control module controls a frequency at which the light emitting module emits light in response to a change in the tire air pressure value.

9. The rim device according to claim 1 , further comprising a generator cover attached to the rim body so as to shield the power generating means.

10. The rim body is formed to have a plurality of storage spaces that open outward on a side surface of the rim body, The tire pressure display means includes a plurality of the light-emitting modules, Each of the light emitting modules is configured to be accommodated in each of the accommodation spaces, The rim device according to claim 1 , further comprising a transparent cover attached to each of the storage spaces for shielding the storage spaces.

Images