Tire temperature management device, program, and tire temperature management method

Abstract

To provide a tire temperature management device, a program, and a tire temperature management method that prevent a large-sized tire including an OR tire from being damaged.SOLUTION: A tire temperature management device (10) includes: an acquisition part (131) that acquires input data including an operation start schedule date of a vehicle equipped with a tire, a use temperature being a temperature at the time of normal use of the tire, and information on easiness to be warmed of the tire; and a calculation part (132) that calculates a value for controlling heating of the tire including at least a heating start date such that the temperature of the tire is a target temperature defined on the basis of the use temperature at the operation start schedule date, by using the input data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tire temperature management device, a program, and a tire temperature management method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known heating mechanisms for warming tires of passenger cars, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system for warming tires in a short time to reduce rolling resistance in order to improve fuel economy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-007470 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Large tires for industrial and construction vehicles, including OR (Off the Road) tires, are known. Such large tires are prone to damage when a large load is applied while the tire temperature is low. For this reason, a mechanism capable of heating large tires is needed. However, large tires have a larger time constant (thermal time constant) than tires for passenger cars and the like, and it takes a long time to warm up to a target temperature (for example, more than half a day). The technology of Patent Document 1 heats tires in a short time by supplying current to a coil for induction heating. Therefore, using the technology of Patent Document 1 to heat large tires consumes a large amount of power, resulting in a significant environmental impact.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a tire temperature management device, program, and tire temperature management method that prevent damage to large tires, including OR tires. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A tire temperature management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an acquisition unit that acquires input data including a scheduled date and time when a vehicle equipped with the tire will start operating, a usage temperature of the tire during normal use, and information on how easily the tire warms up; and a calculation unit that uses the input data to calculate a value for controlling the heating of the tire, including at least the heating start date and time, so that the temperature of the tire will be a target temperature determined based on the usage temperature at the scheduled operation start date and time. This configuration can prevent damage to large tires, including OR tires.

[0007] (2) As one embodiment of the present disclosure, in (1), The calculation unit calculates the value so as to minimize the energy required to heat the tire. This configuration allows the heating time required to bring the tire temperature up to the target temperature to be selected from the perspective of the energy required, thereby reducing the environmental impact.

[0008] (3) As an embodiment of the present disclosure, in (1) or (2), The heating mechanism for heating the tire is a hot water circulation type or a heat exchanger type. This configuration can reduce the environmental impact compared to conventional techniques such as those using induction heating.

[0009] (4) As an embodiment of the present disclosure, in any one of (1) to (3), The tire has an outer diameter of 49 inches or greater. This configuration makes it possible to prevent damage to large tires, particularly those used on industrial vehicles and construction vehicles.

[0010] (5) As an embodiment of the present disclosure, in any one of (1) to (4), The temperature used is 60°C to 80°C. This configuration can prevent damage to large tires, especially those used for outdoor work.

[0011] (6) A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: Tire temperature control device, Acquiring input data including a scheduled date and time when a vehicle equipped with the tire will start operating, a usage temperature of the tire during normal use, and information on how easily the tire warms up; Using the input data, the computer executes the calculation of a value for controlling the heating of the tire, including at least the heating start date and time, so that the temperature of the tire will be a target temperature determined based on the usage temperature at the scheduled operation start date and time. This configuration can prevent damage to large tires, including OR tires.

[0012] (7) A tire temperature management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A tire temperature management method executed by a tire temperature management device, The tire temperature management device includes: Acquiring input data including a scheduled date and time when a vehicle equipped with the tire will start operating, a usage temperature of the tire during normal use, and information on how easily the tire warms up; Using the input data, a value for controlling heating of the tire, including at least a heating start date and time, is calculated so that the temperature of the tire will be a target temperature determined based on the usage temperature at the scheduled operation start date and time. This configuration can prevent damage to large tires, including OR tires. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a tire temperature management device, a program, and a tire temperature management method that prevent damage to large tires, including OR tires. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a tire temperature management system including a tire temperature management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is another diagram showing an example of the configuration of the tire temperature management system of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an example of a flowchart illustrating the processing of a tire temperature management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining values ​​for controlling tire heating. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A tire temperature management device 10 (see FIG. 1), a program, and a tire temperature management method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of identical or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0016] Figures 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an example of the configuration of a tire temperature management system. The tire temperature management system includes a tire temperature management device 10. Figure 1 is a block diagram including an example of the internal configuration of the tire temperature management device 10 and an example of the configuration of devices included in the heating mechanism. Figure 2 shows the overall configuration of the tire temperature management system.

[0017] The tire temperature management device 10 according to this embodiment manages the temperature of a tire 30 mounted on a vehicle 20. Managing the temperature of the tire 30 involves heating (warming) the tire 30 to a target temperature using a warmer 51, a heating mechanism, by the scheduled start date and time of operation of the vehicle 20 equipped with the tire 30. The scheduled start date and time of operation of the vehicle 20 is the future date and time when the vehicle 20 is scheduled to next start operation (perform work). The inventors of this invention have studied damage to large tires 30, including OR tires, and have confirmed that when a high load is applied to the tire 30 while the tire 30 is cold, internal strain increases, increasing the likelihood of damage. Therefore, warming the tire 30 before the vehicle 20 equipped with the tire 30 starts operating (before the tire 30 is subjected to work loads) helps prevent damage. Details of the tire temperature management system are described below. In this embodiment, large tires 30, including OR tires, are targeted for temperature management. This embodiment targets tires 30 with an outer diameter of 49 inches or more, particularly those used on industrial or construction vehicles. That is, in this embodiment, a method for preventing damage to large tires 30, particularly for industrial vehicles and construction vehicles, is described. The vehicle 20 is an industrial vehicle or a construction vehicle equipped with the tire 30. In this embodiment, the vehicle 20 is described as being a mining vehicle equipped with an OR tire.

[0018] The tire temperature management device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a memory unit 12, and a control unit 13. The control unit 13 includes an acquisition unit 131, a calculation unit 132, and an output unit 133. The tire temperature management device 10 may be configured, for example, as a computer in its hardware configuration. The computer may be a server computer or a portable computer such as a laptop or tablet. Details of the components of the tire temperature management device 10 will be described later. In this embodiment, the tire temperature management device 10 is a computer that is installed in a location away from the work site (mine) of the vehicle 20 and is capable of communicating with the heating control device 50 of the heating mechanism. Here, the tire temperature management device 10 may not be a single device, but may be configured as multiple devices that are located in multiple locations and are capable of sending and receiving data between them via a network 40. In other words, multiple devices connected via the network 40 may function as a whole as the tire temperature management device 10 shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, for example, the tire temperature management device 10 may be configured as a single computer in its hardware configuration, or may be configured as multiple computers connected via the network 40. When the system is configured with multiple computers, the storage unit 12 may be a shared memory that can be accessed by each computer.

[0019] The tire temperature management device 10 may constitute a tire temperature management system together with a heating control device 50 connected via a network 40. The network 40 may be, for example, the Internet. Furthermore, the network 40 may be configured to include, for example, a local area network (LAN) in part. Here, the heating control device 50 is a device that directly controls a warmer 51 that transfers heat to the tire 30 to warm it, including starting and stopping heating, and may be, for example, a laptop, smartphone, or tablet terminal, but is not limited to these. The heating control device 50 acquires values ​​for controlling heating of the tire 30 that are output by an output unit 133, which will be described later. Furthermore, the heating control device 50 may function as a display unit that displays information related to the heating of the tire 30 based on the acquired values.

[0020] The tire temperature management system may also be configured to include a storage device 90 (cloud-based storage device 90) on the network 40 as viewed from the tire temperature management device 10 and the heating control device 50. In this embodiment, the storage device 90 includes a database that stores a work schedule (including the scheduled start date and time of operation of the vehicle 20) in a mine for the vehicle 20 equipped with the tire 30. The database also stores information on the operating temperature of the tire 30, which is the temperature of the tire 30 during normal use, after linking the tire 30 to the vehicle 20. In this embodiment, the normal use of the tire 30 refers to when the vehicle 20 is working in a mine. The operating temperature is the internal temperature of the tire 30, and may be, for example, 60°C to 80°C, which is a typical temperature for a large tire 30 used for outdoor work. The operating temperature may be defined as a temperature range, as in this specific example, or as a representative temperature included in the temperature range. The database also stores information on how easily the tire 30 warms up, after linking the tire 30 to the vehicle 20. The information on the ease of warming up of the tire 30 is not limited as long as it indicates the relationship between the heating conditions (such as heating time) and the temperature (internal temperature) of the tire 30. In this embodiment, a time constant (thermal time constant) is used. Here, the information on the tire 30's operating temperature and ease of warming up (the time constant in this embodiment) may be determined based on experimental data or performance data. Performance data is past measurement values ​​accumulated in a database. For example, before the tire temperature management device 10 executes the processing of the tire temperature management method, the heating control device 50 may calculate the tire 30's operating temperature and time constant based on the experimental data or performance data and store the calculated operating temperature and time constant in the storage device 90. Furthermore, the experimental data or performance data may include time-series information on the measured air temperature and the tire 30 temperature. The heating control device 50 may calculate the tire 30's operating temperature and time constant using a known heat transfer equation or machine learning method based on time-series changes in the tire 30 temperature and environmental conditions including the air temperature.

[0021] In this embodiment, the heating mechanism includes a heating control device 50 and a warmer 51. The tire temperature management system may be configured to include a heating mechanism (heating control device 50 and warmer 51). The warmer 51 is attached to cover the tire 30 mounted on the vehicle 20 and generates heat under the control of the heating control device 50 to warm the tire 30. In this embodiment, the warmer 51 heats the tire 30 not by heating using an electric current but by passing a heat medium through the tire 30 using the heat of the heat medium. The heat medium may be water, or a liquid or gas other than water. In other words, the heating mechanism for heating the tire 30 is a hot water circulation type that circulates hot water to transfer heat to the tire 30, or a heat exchanger type that transfers heat to the tire 30 using a heat exchanger. Compared to conventional technologies using induction heating, this system can reduce environmental impact. Furthermore, the warmer 51 is not limited to a specific configuration, but may be configured to include an insulating material and a heat source used in automobile racing, etc. In automobile races and the like, in order to improve the grip of the tire 30, it is necessary to warm up the tire 30 as quickly as possible without considering the amount of energy. In contrast, the heating mechanism in this embodiment is designed for large tires 30, and since conventional methods would consume a large amount of energy, calculations are performed to minimize energy, as described below. Furthermore, for example, the heating control device 50 controls the warmer 51 to pass a heat medium when the time reaches a heating start date and time, which will be described later. Here, for example, before the tire temperature management device 10 executes the processing of the tire temperature management method, the heating control device 50 may store information regarding the specifications of the heating mechanism in the storage device 90. The information regarding the specifications of the heating mechanism may include, for example, the settable temperature range of the heat medium, the power consumption (amount of energy) depending on whether or not the heat medium is heated, and the like.

[0022] The components of the tire temperature management device 10 will be described in detail below. The communication unit 11 is configured to include one or more communication modules connected to the network 40. The communication unit 11 may include a communication module compatible with mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) and 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 11 may include a communication module compatible with a wired or wireless LAN standard, for example.

[0023] The storage unit 12 is one or more memories. The memory may be, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like, but is not limited to these, and may be any memory. The storage unit 12 is, for example, built into the tire temperature management device 10, but may also be configured to be accessed from outside by the tire temperature management device 10 via any interface.

[0024] The storage unit 12 stores various data used in various calculations performed by the control unit 13. The storage unit 12 may also store results and intermediate data of various calculations performed by the control unit 13.

[0025] In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 may temporarily store various information obtained from the database of the storage device 90 on the cloud via the communication unit 11.

[0026] The control unit 13 is one or more processors. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these and may be any processor. The control unit 13 controls the overall operation of the tire temperature management device 10.

[0027] Here, the tire temperature management device 10 may have the following software configuration: One or more programs used to control the operation of the tire temperature management device 10 are stored in the memory unit 12. When the program stored in the memory unit 12 is read by the processor of the control unit 13, it causes the control unit 13 to function as an acquisition unit 131, a calculation unit 132, and an output unit 133.

[0028] The acquisition unit 131 acquires input data including the scheduled start date and time of operation of the vehicle 20 equipped with the tire 30, the usage temperature of the tire 30 during normal usage, and information on how easily the tire 30 warms up (time constant in this embodiment). The acquisition unit 131 may acquire information on the usage environment of the tire 30 (e.g., temperature and weather information) via the network 40. The acquisition unit 131 may further acquire information on the tire 30 required for calculation by the calculation unit 132 (e.g., size such as outer diameter, volume, weight, etc.).

[0029] The calculation unit 132 uses the input data to calculate values ​​for controlling the heating of the tire 30, including at least the heating start date and time, so that the temperature of the tire 30 will be the target temperature at the scheduled operation start date and time. Here, the target temperature is determined based on the operating temperature. For example, if the operating temperature is 60°C to 80°C (determined as a temperature range), the target temperature may be set to 60°C, which is the lower limit of the operating temperature. For example, if the operating temperature is 60°C to 80°C, the target temperature may be set to 70°C, which is the median of the operating temperature. For example, if the operating temperature is 70°C (determined as one representative temperature), the target temperature may be set to 70°C, which is the same as the operating temperature. Specific examples of values ​​for controlling the heating of the tire 30 will be described later.

[0030] The output unit 133 outputs the calculation results by the calculation unit 132 to the heating control device 50 or the like. For example, the heating control device 50 may automatically control the warmer 51 (such as starting and stopping heating of the tire 30) based on the calculation results acquired from the output unit 133. Also, for example, an operator operating the heating control device 50 may check the calculation results acquired from the output unit 133 and displayed on the heating control device 50, and manually control the warmer 51 based on the calculation results.

[0031] The tire temperature management device 10 according to this embodiment may execute the following processing of the tire temperature management method. FIG. 3 is an example of a flowchart showing the processing of the tire temperature management method according to this embodiment. The tire 30 to be temperature managed is mounted on a vehicle 20 that is not currently being worked on and is placed in a waiting area until the next work. A heating mechanism is also placed in the waiting area.

[0032] First, the acquisition unit 131 acquires input data (step S1). The input data includes a scheduled operation start date and time of the vehicle 20 equipped with the tire 30, an operating temperature that is the temperature of the tire 30 during normal use, and a time constant that is information on how easily the tire 30 warms up. In the example of Fig. 3, the input data also includes information on the specifications of the heating mechanism. In the example of Fig. 3, the input data also includes information on the temperature.

[0033] The calculation unit 132 uses the input data to calculate a value for controlling the heating (warming) of the tire 30 so that the temperature of the tire 30 will be the target temperature at the scheduled start date and time of operation of the vehicle 20 (step S2). As described above, the target temperature is determined based on the operating temperature. As an example, when the operating temperature is 60°C to 80°C, the target temperature is set to 60°C. The value for controlling the heating of the tire 30 includes at least the heating start date and time. In the example of FIG. 3, the value for controlling the heating of the tire 30 also includes the heating time for heating the heat medium from the heating start date and time.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating values ​​for controlling heating of the tire 30. In step S2, the calculation unit 132 first determines the scheduled operation start date and time of the vehicle 20 and the target temperature based on the input data. The calculation unit 132 calculates the combination of the heating start date and time and the heating time from a calculation formula for the temperature change of the tire 30 that uses a time constant. Here, the calculation formula for the temperature change of the tire 30 that uses a time constant may be a known formula represented by, for example, a differential equation. In the example of FIG. 4, the calculation unit 132 calculates, as one calculation result, a heating pattern in which the temperature of the tire 30 is changed to C1 for a heating time of T1 from the heating start date and time (for example, half a day before the scheduled operation start date and time). In addition, in the example of FIG. 4, the calculation unit 132 calculates, as another calculation result, a heating pattern in which the temperature of the tire 30 is changed to C2 by continuing heating for T2 from the heating start date and time (for example, half a day before the scheduled operation start date and time) until the scheduled operation start date and time. 4, the calculation unit 132 may calculate a plurality of combinations of values ​​(in other words, a plurality of heating patterns) for controlling heating of the tire 30. Here, when the temperature of the heat medium is adjustable in the heating mechanism, the calculation unit 132 may further include the temperature (heating temperature) to be set by heating the heat medium.

[0035] 3 again, the calculation unit 132 selects one combination from among multiple combinations of values ​​for controlling the heating of the tire 30 so as to minimize energy (step S3). In the example of FIG. 4, the first heating pattern (C1) has a shorter heating time (T1), and therefore requires less energy to heat the tire 30 than the second heating pattern (C2). Therefore, the calculation unit 132 selects the heating start date and time and heating time (T1) corresponding to the first heating pattern (C1). This process allows the heating time required to raise the temperature of the tire 30 to a target temperature to be selected from the perspective of the required energy, thereby reducing the environmental impact.

[0036] The output unit 133 outputs the calculation result by the calculation unit 132 to the heating control device 50 (step S4). Here, the calculation result may also be output to, for example, the storage device 90 and stored in a database. The heating control device 50 or an operator operating the heating control device 50 controls the warmer 51 to heat the tire 30 for the heating time calculated from the calculated heating start date and time. Also, for example, the operator may measure the temperature of the tire 30 and output the measurement value to the tire temperature management device 10 via the heating control device 50. The calculation unit 132 may correct, for example, the heating time based on the difference between the heating pattern in the calculation and the measurement value. Then, the output unit 133 may output the corrected heating time to the heating control device 50.

[0037] As described above, the tire temperature management device 10, program, and tire temperature management method according to the present embodiment are configured as described above to heat large tires 30, such as OR tires, to a target temperature in accordance with the scheduled start date and time of operation of the vehicle 20. This prevents the tire 30 from being subjected to a high load when it is in a low temperature state, thereby preventing damage to the tire 30. Furthermore, the tire temperature management device 10, program, and tire temperature management method according to the present embodiment can be used with a hot water circulation type or heat exchanger type heating mechanism, and can reduce the environmental impact compared to conventional techniques such as those that use induction heating.

[0038] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art would easily be able to make various modifications or alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one. The embodiments of the present disclosure can also be realized as a storage medium on which a program executed by a processor included in an apparatus is recorded. It should be understood that these are also included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the tire temperature management system shown in FIG. 1 includes the tire temperature management device 10 and the heating control device 50 as separate devices. However, the tire temperature management device 10 and the heating control device 50 can be configured as an integrated device. That is, the heating control device 50 may include a communication unit 11, a memory unit 12, and a control unit 13 (an acquisition unit 131, a calculation unit 132, and an output unit 133) and execute the processing of the tire temperature management method described above. Here, the heating control device 50 is located at or near the work site (mine) of the vehicle 20. Therefore, when the heating control device 50 has the functions of the tire temperature management device 10, it is possible to manage the temperature of the tire 30 only at the work site (without using a management service provided via the network 40). Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) led by the United Nations

[0040] The SDGs have been proposed to realize a sustainable society. One embodiment of the present disclosure is believed to be a technology that can contribute to "No. 9 Build resilient infrastructure for industry, innovation and other areas." [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 10 Tire temperature control device 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 20 vehicles 30 tires 40 Network 50 Heating control device 51 Warmer 90 Storage device 131 Acquisition Department 132 Calculation Unit 133 Output section

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires input data including a scheduled date and time when a vehicle equipped with the tire will start operating, a usage temperature of the tire during normal use, and information on how easily the tire warms up; a calculation unit that uses the input data to calculate a value for controlling heating of the tire, including at least a heating start date and time, so that the temperature of the tire will be a target temperature determined based on the usage temperature at the scheduled operation start date and time.

2. The tire temperature management device according to claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit calculates the value so as to minimize energy required to heat the tire.

3. 3. The tire temperature management device according to claim 1, wherein the heating mechanism for heating the tire is a hot water circulation type or a heat exchanger type.

4. 3. The tire temperature management device according to claim 1, wherein the tire has an outer diameter of 49 inches or more.

5. 3. The tire temperature management device according to claim 1, wherein the operating temperature is 60°C to 80°C.

6. Tire temperature control device, Acquiring input data including a scheduled date and time when a vehicle equipped with the tire will start operating, a usage temperature of the tire during normal use, and information on how easily the tire warms up; and calculating, using the input data, a value for controlling heating of the tire, including at least a heating start date and time, so that the temperature of the tire will be a target temperature determined based on the usage temperature at the scheduled operation start date and time.

7. A tire temperature management method executed by a tire temperature management device, The tire temperature management device includes: Acquiring input data including a scheduled date and time when a vehicle equipped with the tire will start operating, a usage temperature of the tire during normal use, and information on how easily the tire warms up; using the input data to calculate a value for controlling heating of the tire, including at least a heating start date and time, so that the temperature of the tire will be a target temperature determined based on the usage temperature at the scheduled operation start date and time.

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