Tire condition monitoring system and tire condition monitoring method

Abstract

To provide a system and a method for monitoring a tire status that can determine whether the pressure within the tire has fallen or not with improved accuracy.SOLUTION: A tire status monitoring system according to the present invention comprises an acquisition device and a control device. The acquisition device repeatedly acquires the pressure and temperature within a tire. On the basis of the ratio between the pressure and the temperature acquired during a first period, the control device calculates a representative value of the ratio in the first period, and compares the representative value with the ratio between the pressure and the temperature acquired during a second period subsequent to the first period so as to determine whether the pressure within the tire has fallen or not.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire condition monitoring system and a tire condition monitoring method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a tire condition monitoring system that monitors the condition of a tire based on information acquired by a sensor installed in the tire. In the system, a technology is known that improves the accuracy of determining a pressure drop inside the tire by utilizing the temperature inside the tire. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tire pressure monitoring system that detects a pressure drop inside the tire based on an air pressure threshold value set for each temperature inside the tire. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-254018 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional technologies, for example, depending on the installation position of the sensor in the tire, it may not be possible to accurately obtain the temperature inside the tire. As a result, even if the temperature inside the tire is used, it may not be possible to properly determine a pressure drop inside the tire.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a tire condition monitoring system and a tire condition monitoring method that can improve the accuracy of determining whether or not a pressure drop has occurred inside a tire. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The tire condition monitoring system according to the present invention includes an acquisition device and a control device, the acquisition device repeatedly acquiring the pressure and temperature inside the tire, and the control device calculating a representative value of the ratio in a first period based on the ratio between the pressure and the temperature acquired in the first period, and comparing the ratio between the pressure and the temperature acquired in a second period after the first period with the representative value to determine whether the pressure inside the tire has decreased. With this configuration, the control device can improve the accuracy of determining a pressure drop inside the tire using the temperature inside the tire, even if the acquisition device cannot accurately acquire the temperature inside the tire.

[0007] In the tire condition monitoring system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device sets the smallest pressure to temperature ratio among the pressure and temperature ratios acquired during the first period as the representative value. With this configuration, when the temperature acquired by the acquisition device is lower than the actual temperature inside the tire, it is possible to further improve the accuracy of determining a pressure drop inside the tire using the temperature inside the tire.

[0008] In the tire condition monitoring system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device sets as the representative value a statistical value based on values ​​of the ratio of pressure to temperature, from the smallest value to a predetermined range, among the ratios of pressure to temperature acquired during the first period. With this configuration, when the temperature acquired by the acquisition device is lower than the actual temperature inside the tire, the accuracy of determining a pressure drop inside the tire using the temperature inside the tire is unlikely to decrease.

[0009] In the tire condition monitoring system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device sets as the representative value a statistical value based on a predetermined range of values, not including the smallest value, in ascending order of the ratio of pressure to temperature, among the ratios of pressure and temperature acquired during the first period. With this configuration, when the temperature acquired by the acquisition device is lower than the actual temperature inside the tire, the accuracy of determining a pressure drop inside the tire using the temperature inside the tire is less likely to decrease.

[0010] In the tire condition monitoring system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device sets the pressure-to-temperature ratio at the lowest temperature among the pressure-to-temperature ratios acquired during the first period as the representative value. With this configuration, when the temperature acquired by the acquisition device is lower than the actual temperature inside the tire, it is possible to prevent a decrease in accuracy of determining a pressure drop inside the tire using the temperature inside the tire by a simple method.

[0011] In the tire condition monitoring system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device determines whether the pressure inside the tire has decreased when the number of the pressures and temperatures acquired during the first period is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the control device from erroneously determining that the pressure inside the tire has decreased.

[0012] In the tire condition monitoring system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device determines whether the pressure inside the tire has decreased when the degree of dispersion of the acquisition times of the pressure and temperature acquired during the first period is greater than a predetermined threshold. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the control device from erroneously determining that the pressure inside the tire has decreased.

[0013] In the tire condition monitoring system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device determines whether the pressure inside the tire has decreased when there is a predetermined time difference between the oldest and newest acquisition times of the pressure and temperature acquired during the first period. With this configuration, it is possible to easily prevent the control device from erroneously determining that the pressure inside the tire has decreased.

[0014] In the tire condition monitoring system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device calculates the representative value based on the ratio of the pressure to temperature acquired during the first period where the temperature does not exceed a predetermined temperature. With this configuration, the accuracy of determining the pressure drop inside the tire using the temperature inside the tire is unlikely to decrease.

[0015] In the tire condition monitoring system according to the present invention, the predetermined temperature is preferably 80 degrees C. With this configuration, in a typical tire, the accuracy of determining a pressure drop inside the tire using the temperature inside the tire is less likely to decrease, thereby improving the versatility of the tire condition monitoring system.

[0016] In the tire condition monitoring system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control device determines that the pressure inside the tire has decreased when the ratio of the pressure to the temperature acquired during the second period falls outside the range based on the representative value multiple times. With this configuration, it becomes difficult for the control device to erroneously determine that the pressure inside the tire has decreased.

[0017] The tire condition monitoring method of the present invention includes repeatedly acquiring pressure and temperature inside the tire, calculating a representative value of the ratio during a first period based on the ratio of the pressure and temperature acquired during the first period, and comparing the ratio of the pressure and temperature acquired during a second period after the first period with the representative value to determine whether the pressure inside the tire has decreased. According to this configuration, even if the temperature inside the tire cannot be obtained accurately, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining a pressure drop inside the tire using the temperature inside the tire. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tire condition monitoring system and a tire condition monitoring method that can improve the accuracy of determining whether or not a pressure drop has occurred inside a tire. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a tire condition monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an acquisition device included in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the acquisition device. [Figure 4] 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control device included in FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device. [Figure 6] 4 is an example of a scatter plot of internal tire temperature and pressure acquired during a first period of time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0021] (Tire condition monitoring system configuration) An overview of a tire condition monitoring system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a tire condition monitoring system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tire condition monitoring system 1 includes an acquisition device 2 and a control device 3.

[0022] The tire condition monitoring system 1 is used to monitor the condition of tires 5 of a vehicle 4. In this embodiment, the condition of the tires 5 includes the pressure inside the tires 5. However, the condition of the tires 5 is not limited to the pressure inside the tires 5, and may also include the temperature of the tires 5, or the presence or absence of damage or distortion.

[0023] The vehicle 4 is, for example, an automobile such as a passenger car, a truck, a bus, a motorcycle, etc. However, the vehicle 4 is not limited to an automobile, and may be any vehicle 4 having tires 5.

[0024] The tire 5 is, for example, a pneumatic tire. In this case, the tire 5 is mounted on a rim 6A of a wheel 6 and filled with air to a specified internal pressure. However, the tire 5 may be filled with any fluid, including a gas such as nitrogen, a liquid or a gel-like substance, or the like, to the specified internal pressure, without being limited to air.

[0025] The acquisition device 2 is installed at a position where it can acquire the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5. In this embodiment, the acquisition device 2 is installed on the rim 6A of the wheel 6 of the vehicle 4. For example, when the tire 5 is mounted on the rim 6A of the wheel 6, the acquisition device 2 is fixed to the wheel radial outer side of the rim 6A of the wheel 6 by a belt or the like so as to face the internal space of the tire 5. In this specification, the wheel radial direction is referred to as a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wheel 6. The side closer to the rotation axis of the wheel 6 along the wheel radial direction is referred to as the "wheel radial inner side", and the side farther from the rotation axis of the wheel 6 along the wheel radial direction is referred to as the "wheel radial outer side".

[0026] The acquisition device 2 repeatedly acquires the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5 and transmits them wirelessly. The acquisition device 2 may operate in a plurality of operation modes. For example, the plurality of operation modes include a normal mode in which the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5 are repeatedly transmitted in a situation in which the state of the tire 5 is likely to change, such as while the vehicle 4 is traveling, and a power saving mode in which the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5 are transmitted at longer time intervals than in the normal mode in a situation in which the state of the tire 5 is unlikely to change, such as while the vehicle 4 is stopped. By changing the operation mode of the acquisition device 2, the time interval at which the acquisition device 2 acquires and transmits the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5 can be changed.

[0027] The control device 3 is installed in a vehicle body 4A of the vehicle 4. The control device 3 may be any computer installed in the vehicle 4, such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle 4, a car navigation system, or the like.

[0028] The control device 3 receives the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5 transmitted from the acquisition device 2, and determines whether the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased based on the ratio of the received pressure and temperature inside the tire 5.

[0029] Specifically, the fact that the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5 follow the Boyle-Charles equation is utilized in determining whether or not the pressure inside the tire 5 has dropped. The Boyle-Charles equation is expressed by the following equation (1). PV=kT Equation (1) Where: P: Absolute pressure (gauge pressure + 100 kPa), V: volume, k: constant, T: Absolute temperature (Celsius + 273°C) It is.

[0030] In the Boyle-Charles equation, if it is assumed that the volume of the fluid inside the tire 5 is constant, it can be considered that the ratio between the pressure and the temperature inside the tire 5 is constant. Under this assumption, the control device 3 determines whether the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased based on the ratio between the pressure and the temperature inside the tire 5.

[0031] 1 are merely an example, and may be arbitrarily determined depending on their applications, etc. For example, the tire condition monitoring system 1 may include a plurality of acquisition devices 2 according to the number of tires 5 provided on the vehicle 4.

[0032] Next, the acquisition device 2 and the control device 3 of the tire condition monitoring system 1 will be described in detail.

[0033] (Configuration of Acquisition Device) The configuration of the acquisition device 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram that shows a schematic configuration of the acquisition device 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the acquisition device 2 includes a pressure sensor 21, a temperature sensor 22, a communication unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25. The pressure sensor 21, the temperature sensor 22, the communication unit 23, the storage unit 24, and the control unit 25 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via wire or wirelessly.

[0034] The pressure sensor 21 acquires the pressure inside the tire 5. When the tire 5 is a pneumatic tire, the pressure sensor 21 acquires the air pressure in the air chamber of the tire 5.

[0035] The temperature sensor 22 acquires the temperature inside the tire 5. When the tire 5 is a pneumatic tire, the temperature sensor 22 acquires the temperature inside the air chamber of the tire 5.

[0036] The communication unit 23 includes one or more wireless communication modules. The wireless communication module is, for example, a communication module compatible with a communication standard such as wireless LAN (local area network) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). This allows the acquisition device 2 to wirelessly communicate with the control device 3 and the like via the communication unit 23. The communication unit 23 may include a wired communication module such as a wired LAN communication module in addition to the wireless communication module.

[0037] The storage unit 24 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like. The storage unit 24 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 24 stores any information used in the operation of the acquisition device 2. For example, the storage unit 24 may store a system program, an application program, embedded software, or the like.

[0038] The control unit 25 includes one or more processors. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The control unit 25 is not limited to a processor, and may include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuits may be, for example, a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0039] The control unit 25 controls components such as the pressure sensor 21, the temperature sensor 22, the communication unit 23, and the storage unit 24 in order to realize the above-mentioned functions of the acquisition device 2. Furthermore, the control unit 25 has a timekeeping function such as an RTC (real-time clock) or a timer in order to acquire the time when a process is performed as a function of the acquisition device 2, or to perform a process at a predetermined time interval.

[0040] With reference to Fig. 3, the operation of the acquisition device 2, which is realized by the control unit 25 controlling each function of the acquisition device 2, will be described. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the acquisition device 2. This operation corresponds to a method in a tire condition monitoring method that is realized using the acquisition device 2. The control unit 25 starts this process, for example, when the power of the acquisition device 2 is turned on, or when a control command to start this process is received from the control device 3.

[0041] In step S101, the control unit 25 acquires the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5.

[0042] Specifically, the control unit 25 acquires the pressure inside the tire 5 by the pressure sensor 21. The control unit 25 acquires the temperature inside the tire 5 by the temperature sensor 22. The control unit 25 may store the acquired pressure and temperature inside the tire 5 in the storage unit 24 in association with the acquisition time of the pressure and temperature.

[0043] In step S102, the control unit 25 transmits the acquired pressure and temperature inside the tire 5.

[0044] Specifically, the control unit 25 controls the communication unit 23 to transmit the acquired data including the acquired pressure and temperature inside the tire 5. The acquired data may include, in addition to the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5, the time at which the pressure and temperature were acquired.

[0045] In step S103, the control unit 25 determines whether or not to continue this process.

[0046] For example, the control unit 25 can determine whether to continue this process based on whether the power supply of the acquisition device 2 has been turned off or whether a control command to end this process has been received from the control device 3. If the control unit 25 determines to continue this process (Yes in step S103), it repeats this process from step S101 at a predetermined time interval. The predetermined time interval is, for example, a 5-minute interval or a 10-minute interval. The predetermined time interval may be changed depending on the operation mode of the acquisition device 2 described above. For example, the control unit 25 may determine the operation mode of the acquisition device 2 based on the control command received from the control device 3, and repeat this process at a time interval depending on the operation mode.

[0047] However, the predetermined time interval is not limited to the above example, and may be determined arbitrarily. For example, the predetermined time interval may be determined according to a determination cycle in which the control device 3 determines whether or not the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased, as will be described in detail later. For example, in determining a slow leak, which is a long-term pressure decrease inside the tire 5, the determination cycle may be lengthened, and the predetermined time interval may be lengthened accordingly. For example, when the determination cycle is one month, the predetermined time interval may be set to six hours. This reduces the power consumption of the acquisition device 2, while allowing a sufficient number of samples of data, 100 or more, to be acquired in each determination cycle.

[0048] When it is determined not to continue this process (step S103-No), the control unit 25 ends this process.

[0049] (Control device configuration) The configuration of the control device 3 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram that shows a schematic configuration of the control device 3. As shown in Fig. 4, the control device 3 includes a communication unit 31, a notification unit 32, a storage unit 33, and a control unit 34. The communication unit 31, the notification unit 32, the storage unit 33, and the control unit 34 are connected to each other via wire or wirelessly so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0050] The communication unit 31 includes one or more wireless communication modules. The wireless communication module is, for example, a communication module compatible with a communication standard such as wireless LAN or Bluetooth. This allows the control device 3 to wirelessly communicate with the acquisition device 2 and the like via the communication unit 31. The communication unit 31 may include a wired communication module such as a wired LAN communication module in addition to the wireless communication module.

[0051] The notification unit 32 notifies information by an image, a sound, a vibration, etc. The notification unit 32 may include, for example, a display, a speaker, a vibrator, etc.

[0052] The storage unit 33 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like. The storage unit 33 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 33 stores any information used in the operation of the control device 3. For example, the storage unit 33 may store a system program, an application program, embedded software, or the like.

[0053] The control unit 34 includes one or more processors. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The control unit 34 is not limited to a processor, and may include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuit may be, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC.

[0054] The control unit 34 controls components such as the communication unit 31, the notification unit 32, and the storage unit 33 in order to realize the above-mentioned functions of the control device 3. Furthermore, the control unit 34 has, as a function of the control device 3, a time measurement function such as an RTC (real-time clock) or a timer in order to acquire the time when a process is performed or to perform a process at a predetermined time interval.

[0055] The operation of the control device 3, which is realized by controlling each function of the control device 3 by the control unit 34, will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device 3. This operation corresponds to a method realized by using the control device 3 in the tire condition monitoring method.

[0056] The control unit 34 repeats this operation for each predetermined determination cycle to determine whether or not the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased. In the description of this operation, the control unit 34 will be described as determining whether or not the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased in a second period (current determination cycle) that follows a first period (past determination cycle) after the first period ends, using information acquired in the first period. The lengths of the first period and the second period are, for example, one month. In addition, the first period and the second period may be consecutive in time, or may be discrete in time.

[0057] In step S201, the control unit 34 receives the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5.

[0058] Specifically, the control unit 34 receives the acquired data including the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5 from the acquisition device 2 via the communication unit 31. If the acquired data includes the acquisition time of the pressure and temperature, the control unit 34 stores the pressure, temperature, and acquisition time in the storage unit 33 as one of the acquired data acquired in the second period. On the other hand, if the acquired data does not include the acquisition time, the control unit 34 may set the time when the acquired data is received as the acquisition time, and store the pressure, temperature, and acquisition time in the storage unit 33 as one of the acquired data acquired in the second period.

[0059] In step S202, the control unit 34 calculates a representative value of the ratio during the first period, based on the ratio between the pressure and the temperature inside the tire 5 acquired during the first period.

[0060] Specifically, the control unit 34 calculates the ratio of pressure to temperature contained in the multiple pieces of acquired data acquired during the first period. In this embodiment, the ratio of pressure to temperature is the ratio of pressure to temperature, and is expressed by the following formula (2). R PT =P / T formula (2) Where: R PT : pressure to temperature ratio (ratio of pressure to temperature), P: Absolute pressure (gauge pressure + 100 kPa), T: Absolute temperature (Celsius + 273°C) It is.

[0061] The control unit 34 calculates a representative value of the ratio for the first period based on the calculated ratio of pressure to temperature acquired during the first period. An example of a scatter diagram of the temperature and pressure inside the tire 5 acquired during the first period is shown in FIG. 6. For example, the control unit 34 determines the value with the smallest ratio of pressure to temperature among the ratios of pressure to temperature acquired during the first period as the representative value of the ratio for the first period. The value with the smallest ratio of pressure to temperature is R PT In Fig. 6, the line with the smallest slope (R PT is shown). The slope of this line is taken as the representative value of the ratio in the first period. Calculating the representative value in this manner is effective in a situation where the temperature acquired by the acquisition device 2 is lower than the actual temperature inside the tire 5 due to the influence of the installation position of the acquisition device 2, such as when the acquisition device 2 is installed on the rim 6A of the wheel 6 that is cooled by contact with the outside air while the vehicle 4 is running.

[0062] However, the method of calculating the representative value of the ratio in the first period is not limited to the above-mentioned method. For example, the control unit 34 may set a statistical value based on the ratio of pressure to temperature from the smallest value to a predetermined range among the ratios of pressure and temperature acquired in the first period as the representative value of the ratio in the first period. The statistical value is a value calculated by a statistical method, for example, an average value, a median value, or a mode value. The predetermined range may be, for example, 10% of the total number of acquired data in the first period. More preferably, the predetermined range is 5% of the total number of acquired data in the first period. By calculating the representative value in this manner, even if the temperature acquired by the acquisition device 2 includes an extreme value, the accuracy of determining the pressure drop inside the tire 5 using the temperature inside the tire 5 is less likely to decrease.

[0063] Furthermore, the control unit 34 may set a statistical value based on a value in a predetermined range not including the smallest value in ascending order of the ratio of pressure to temperature among the ratios of pressure and temperature acquired in the first period as a representative value of the ratio in the first period. The predetermined range not including the smallest value may be, for example, a range of 5% to 20% of the total number of acquired data in ascending order of the ratio of pressure to temperature. Specifically, when the total number of acquired data is 100, the representative value of the ratio in the first period is calculated using the values ​​from the 5th to the 20th smallest ratio of pressure to temperature. More preferably, the predetermined range not including the smallest value is a range of 5% to 10% of the total number of acquired data in ascending order of the ratio of pressure to temperature. In this way, by excluding the smallest value when calculating the representative value, even if the temperature acquired by the acquisition device 2 includes an extreme value, the accuracy of determining the pressure drop inside the tire 5 using the temperature inside the tire 5 is less likely to decrease.

[0064] Moreover, the control unit 34 may calculate a representative value of the ratio in the first period using only the ratios of the pressure and temperature acquired in the first period that satisfy a predetermined condition. As an example, the control unit 34 may calculate a representative value of the ratio in the first period based on the ratio of the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5 acquired in the first period that does not exceed a predetermined temperature. This makes it difficult to reduce the accuracy of the determination of the pressure drop inside the tire 5 using the temperature inside the tire 5 even if the temperature acquired by the acquisition device 2 includes an abnormal value due to a malfunction of the temperature sensor 22 or the like. The predetermined temperature may be an upper limit value of the expected temperature reached by the tire 5. The predetermined temperature is, for example, 80 degrees Celsius. This makes it difficult to reduce the accuracy of the determination of the pressure drop inside the tire 5 using the temperature inside the tire 5 in a general tire 5 whose temperature inside the tire 5 does not exceed 80 degrees Celsius while the vehicle 4 is running, and improves the versatility of the tire condition monitoring system 1. On the other hand, in the case where the temperature inside the tire 5 is expected to exceed 80 degrees Celsius, such as in the case of a racing tire, a predetermined temperature dedicated to that tire 5 may be set.

[0065] As another example, the control unit 34 may set the pressure-to-temperature ratio at the lowest temperature among the pressure-to-temperature ratios inside the tire 5 acquired during the first period as a representative value of the ratios during the first period. The state in which the temperature inside the tire 5 is at its lowest can be regarded as a state in which the temperature inside the tire 5 is approximately equal to the temperature of the outside air, such as a state in which the vehicle 4 has stopped and time has passed. In other words, the state in which the temperature inside the tire 5 is at its lowest can be regarded as a state in which the temperature acquired by the acquisition device 2 is not easily affected by the outside air. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of determining the pressure drop inside the tire 5 using the temperature inside the tire 5 by using a simple method in a case in which the temperature acquired by the acquisition device 2 is lower than the actual temperature inside the tire 5.

[0066] Referring again to FIG. 5, in step S203, the control unit 34 compares the ratio of the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5 obtained in a second period (current judgment cycle) after the first period with a representative value of the ratio in the first period, and determines whether the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased.

[0067] Specifically, the control unit 34 calculates the ratio between the pressure and the temperature inside the tire 5 received in step S201. The control unit 34 stores the calculated ratio in the storage unit 33 as one of the ratios between the pressure and the temperature inside the tire 5 in the second time period. The control unit 34 determines that the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased when the calculated ratio falls outside a range set based on the representative value of the ratio in the first time period. In this embodiment, the control unit 34 determines that the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased when the acquired ratio is lower than the representative value of the ratio in the first time period.

[0068] The control unit 34 may determine that the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased when the ratio between the pressure and the temperature inside the tire 5 acquired in the second time period falls outside the range based on the representative value of the ratio in the first time period multiple times. This makes it difficult for the control unit 34 to erroneously determine that the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased.

[0069] The control unit 34 may determine whether the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased only when a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, the control unit 34 may determine whether the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased when the number of pressures and temperatures inside the tire 5 acquired during the first period is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. The predetermined number is, for example, 100. This allows the control unit 34 to prevent erroneous determination that the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased by using a representative value of the ratio during the first period that is calculated without being based on acquired data of a sufficient number of samples.

[0070] Alternatively, the control unit 34 may determine whether the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased when the degree of dispersion of the acquisition times of the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5 acquired in the first period is greater than a predetermined threshold. In this way, the control unit 34 can prevent erroneous determination that the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased by using a representative value of the ratio in the first period calculated based on biased acquisition data. Specifically, the control unit 34 determines whether the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased when there is a predetermined time difference between the oldest acquisition time and the newest acquisition time among the acquisition times of the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5 acquired in the first period. The predetermined time difference is, for example, half or more of the length of the determination cycle. However, the degree of dispersion of the acquisition times is not limited to the above specific example, and may be a value calculated by a statistical method such as the variance or standard deviation of the acquisition times.

[0071] When it is determined in step S203 that the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased (step S203-Yes), in step S204, the control unit 34 notifies the fact that the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased via the notification unit 32. For example, the control unit 34 causes a display to display the fact that the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased. This enables the user of the vehicle 4 to replace or maintain the tire 5.

[0072] When it is determined in step S203 that the pressure inside the tire 5 has not decreased, or when it is not determined whether the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased (step S203-No), the control unit 34 executes the process of step S205. The control unit 34 may notify the fact that the pressure inside the tire 5 has not decreased via the notification unit 32.

[0073] In step S205, the control unit 34 determines whether or not to continue this process.

[0074] Specifically, the control unit 34 determines whether to continue this process based on whether the current time has passed the end time of the current determination cycle. If the current time has not passed the end time of the current determination cycle, the control unit 34 determines to continue this process (step S205-Yes) and repeats the process from step S101.

[0075] On the other hand, if the current time has passed the end time of the current determination cycle, the control unit 34 determines to end this process (step S205-No) and ends this process. After ending this process, the control unit 34 may start this process in a new determination cycle.

[0076] As described above, the tire condition monitoring system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the acquisition device 2 and the control device 3. The acquisition device 2 repeatedly acquires the pressure and temperature inside the tire 5, and the control device 3 calculates a representative value of the ratio in a first period based on the ratio of the pressure and temperature acquired in the first period, and compares the ratio of the pressure and temperature acquired in a second period after the first period with the representative value to determine whether the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased. With this configuration, the control device 3 can improve the accuracy of determining whether the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased using the temperature inside the tire 5, even if the acquisition device 2 cannot accurately acquire the temperature inside the tire 5 due to the influence of the installation position of the acquisition device 2 on the tire 5 or wheel 6, etc.

[0077] In the tire condition monitoring system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device 3 preferably sets the smallest pressure to temperature ratio among the pressure and temperature ratios acquired during the first period as the representative value. With this configuration, in cases where the acquisition device 2 is installed on the rim 6A of the wheel 6, and the temperature acquired by the acquisition device 2 is lower than the actual temperature inside the tire 5 due to the influence of the installation position of the acquisition device 2, it is possible to further improve the accuracy of determining a pressure drop inside the tire 5 using the temperature inside the tire 5.

[0078] In the tire condition monitoring system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device 3 preferably sets, as the representative value, a statistical value based on values ​​of the ratio of pressure to temperature, from the smallest value up to a predetermined range, among the ratios of pressure to temperature acquired during the first period. With this configuration, in a case where the temperature acquired by the acquisition device 2 is lower than the actual temperature inside the tire 5, even if the temperature acquired by the acquisition device 2 includes an extreme value, the accuracy of determining the pressure drop inside the tire 5 using the temperature inside the tire 5 is unlikely to decrease.

[0079] In the tire condition monitoring system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device 3 preferably sets, as the representative value, a statistical value based on a predetermined range of values ​​not including the smallest value in ascending order of the ratio of pressure to temperature among the ratios of pressure to temperature acquired during the first period. With this configuration, in a case where the temperature acquired by the acquisition device 2 is lower than the actual temperature inside the tire 5, even if the temperature acquired by the acquisition device 2 includes an extreme value, the accuracy of determining a pressure drop inside the tire 5 using the temperature inside the tire 5 is unlikely to decrease.

[0080] In the tire condition monitoring system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device 3 preferably sets the pressure-to-temperature ratio at the lowest temperature among the pressure-to-temperature ratios acquired in the first period as a representative value. With this configuration, when the temperature acquired by the acquisition device 2 is lower than the actual temperature inside the tire 5, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of determining a pressure drop inside the tire 5 using the temperature inside the tire 5 by a simple method.

[0081] In the tire condition monitoring system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the control device 3 determines whether or not the pressure inside the tire 5 has dropped when the number of pressures and temperatures acquired during the first period is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. With this configuration, the control device 3 can prevent erroneous determination that the pressure inside the tire 5 has dropped by using a representative value of the ratio during the first period that is calculated without being based on a sufficient number of samples of acquired data.

[0082] In the tire condition monitoring system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device 3 preferably determines whether the pressure inside the tire 5 has dropped when the degree of dispersion of the acquisition times of the pressure and temperature acquired in the first period is greater than a predetermined threshold. With this configuration, the control device 3 can prevent erroneous determination that the pressure inside the tire 5 has dropped by using a representative value of the ratio in the first period calculated based on biased acquired data.

[0083] In the tire condition monitoring system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device 3 preferably determines whether or not the pressure inside the tire 5 has dropped when there is a predetermined time difference between the oldest and newest acquisition times of the pressure and temperature acquired during the first period. With this configuration, the control device 3 can easily prevent the use of a representative value of the ratio during the first period calculated based on biased acquired data to determine whether or not the pressure inside the tire 5 has dropped.

[0084] In the tire condition monitoring system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device 3 preferably calculates the representative value based on a ratio of the pressure to temperature acquired in the first period where the temperature does not exceed a predetermined temperature. With this configuration, even if the temperature acquired by the acquisition device 2 includes an abnormal value, the accuracy of determining the pressure drop inside the tire 5 using the temperature inside the tire 5 is unlikely to decrease.

[0085] In a tire condition monitoring system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined temperature is preferably 80 degrees Celsius. With this configuration, in a typical tire 5 in which the temperature inside the tire 5 does not exceed 80 degrees Celsius while the vehicle 4 is traveling, the accuracy of determining a pressure drop inside the tire 5 using the temperature inside the tire 5 is less likely to decrease, and the versatility of the tire condition monitoring system 1 can be improved.

[0086] In the tire condition monitoring system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the control device 3 determines that the pressure inside the tire 5 has dropped when the ratio of the pressure and temperature acquired in the second time period falls outside the range based on the representative value multiple times. With this configuration, it becomes difficult for the control device 3 to erroneously determine that the pressure inside the tire 5 has dropped.

[0087] A tire condition monitoring method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes repeatedly acquiring the pressure and temperature inside a tire 5, calculating a representative value of the ratio in a first period based on the ratio of the pressure and temperature acquired in the first period, and comparing the ratio of the pressure and temperature acquired in a second period after the first period with the representative value to determine whether the pressure inside the tire 5 has dropped. With this configuration, even if the temperature inside the tire 5 cannot be acquired accurately, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining whether the pressure inside the tire 5 has dropped by using the temperature inside the tire 5.

[0088] Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and corrections based on the present invention. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and corrections are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the configurations or functions, etc. included in each embodiment or each example can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent. In addition, the configurations or functions, etc. included in each embodiment can be used in combination with other embodiments or other examples, and multiple configurations or functions, etc. can be combined into one, divided, or partially omitted.

[0089] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, all or part of the functions or processes described as the functions of the acquisition device 2 or the functions of the control device 3 can be realized by a program. The program can be recorded in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The program is distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium such as a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) on which the program is recorded. Alternatively, the program can be distributed by storing the program in the storage of a specified server and transferring the program from the specified server to another computer. The program may be provided as a program product.

[0090] The processor of the acquisition device 2 or the control device 3 temporarily stores in memory, for example, a program recorded on a portable recording medium or a program transferred from a specified server. The processor then reads the program stored in the memory and executes processing in accordance with the read program. Programs include information used for processing by the processor that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to the processor but has the property of defining the processor's processing falls under "something equivalent to a program."

[0091] Alternatively, in the above-described embodiment, all or part of the functions or processes described as functions or processes of the control device 3 may be realized as functions or processes of the acquisition device 2. In such a case, a program describing the functions or processes of the control device 3 according to the embodiment may be stored in a memory or the like provided in the acquisition device 2, and the program may be read and executed by a processor or the like of the acquisition device 2. Similarly, all or part of the functions or processes described as functions or processes of the acquisition device 2 may be realized as functions or processes of the control device 3.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, the acquisition device 2 is described as being installed on the rim 6A of the wheel 6 of the vehicle 4, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the acquisition device 2 may be installed at any position of the tire 5 or wheel 6 of the vehicle 4, such as inside the tire 5 or on the valve of the tire 5.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the control device 3 is described as being installed on the vehicle body 4A of the vehicle 4, but is not limited thereto. For example, the control device 3 may be installed on the tire 5 or wheel 6 of the vehicle 4, similar to the acquisition device 2. Alternatively, the control device 3 may be installed outside the vehicle 4, and the functions or processing of the control device 3 may be provided to the user as a service such as SaaS (Software as a Service). In such a case, instead of notifying the user of the decrease in pressure inside the tire 5 via the notification unit 32, the control device 3 may communicate with a computer such as a smartphone owned by the user via the communication unit 31, and notify the user of the decrease in pressure inside the tire 5 via the computer.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the ratio of pressure to temperature has been described as the ratio of pressure to temperature, but is not limited thereto. The ratio of pressure to temperature may be the ratio of temperature to pressure, and may be expressed by the following formula (3). R TP =T / P Equation (3) Where: R TP : pressure to temperature ratio (ratio of temperature to pressure), P: Absolute pressure (gauge pressure + 100 kPa), T: Absolute temperature (Celsius + 273°C) It is. In such a case, the smallest value for the ratio of pressure to temperature in the above embodiment is R TP For example, the control unit 34 of the control device 3 may calculate the ratio R TP is the ratio R in the first period TP If the pressure is higher than the representative value, it may be determined that the pressure inside the tire 5 has decreased. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1: tire condition monitoring system, 2: acquisition device, 21: pressure sensor, 22: temperature sensor, 23: communication unit, 24: memory unit, 25: control unit, 3: control device, 31: communication unit, 32: notification unit, 33: memory unit, 34: control unit, 4: vehicle, 4A: vehicle body, 5: tire, 6: wheel, 6A: rim

Claims

1. A tire condition monitoring system comprising an acquisition device and a control device, The acquisition device repeatedly acquires pressure and temperature inside the tire, The control device includes: calculating a representative value of the ratio during a first period based on the ratio between the pressure and the temperature acquired during the first period; comparing a ratio of the pressure and the temperature acquired during a second period that is later than the first period with the representative value to determine whether the pressure inside the tire has decreased; A tire condition monitoring system, wherein the control device sets the ratio of the pressure to the temperature at the lowest temperature among the ratios of the pressure to the temperature obtained during the first period as the representative value.

2. 2. The tire condition monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the control device determines whether or not the pressure inside the tire has decreased when the number of the pressures and temperatures acquired during the first period is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

3. 3. The tire condition monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the control device determines whether the pressure inside the tire has decreased when a degree of dispersion of the acquisition times of the pressure and temperature acquired during the first period is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

4. 4. The tire condition monitoring system of claim 3, wherein the control device determines whether the pressure inside the tire has decreased when there is a predetermined time difference between the oldest and newest acquisition times of the pressure and temperature acquired during the first period.

5. 5. The tire condition monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the control device calculates the representative value based on a ratio of the pressure to the temperature acquired during the first period, the ratio being such that the temperature does not exceed a predetermined temperature.

6. 6. The tire condition monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the predetermined temperature is 80 degrees Celsius.

7. 7. The tire condition monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the control device determines that the pressure inside the tire has decreased when the ratio of the pressure and the temperature acquired during the second period falls outside the range based on the representative value multiple times.

8. A tire condition monitoring method, comprising: Repeatedly acquiring pressure and temperature inside the tire; calculating a representative value of the ratio during a first time period based on the ratio between the pressure and the temperature acquired during the first time period; and comparing a ratio of the pressure and the temperature acquired during a second period that is later than the first period with the representative value to determine whether or not the pressure inside the tire has decreased; The tire condition monitoring method further includes determining, as the representative value, a ratio of the pressure to the temperature at a lowest temperature among the ratios of the pressure to the temperature acquired during the first period.

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