Air pressure estimation device

Abstract

To provide technology for accurately estimating tire pressure. [Solution] An air pressure estimation device comprising: a first storage compartment for storing at least one of the wheels of a bicycle; a projection provided on the bottom surface of the first storage compartment; a first measuring unit provided on the projection for measuring the pressure of the tire of one of the wheels; and an estimation unit for estimating the air pressure of the tire based on the measured pressure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed technology relates to an air pressure estimation device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a bicycle tire, a tire air pressure determination device that measures the distance of the tire's ground contact surface and determines the excess or deficiency of the tire's air pressure has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the tire air pressure determination device described in Patent Document 1 may not have sufficient accuracy in measurements related to the tire's air pressure. Also, when measuring the tire's air pressure, the burden of preparations such as installing the tire air pressure determination device was large. Therefore, at present, there is still room for improvement in the measurement of the tire's air pressure.

[0005] Therefore, one of the objectives of the disclosed technology is to provide a technology for appropriately estimating the air pressure of a tire.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The air pressure estimation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first storage unit that stores at least one of the wheels of a bicycle, a protrusion provided on the bottom surface of the first storage unit, a first measurement unit provided on the protrusion that measures the pressure of the tire of one wheel, and an estimation unit that estimates the air pressure of the tire based on the measured pressure. The gist is that it is provided with these.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the disclosed technology, it is possible to provide a technique for appropriately estimating tire pressure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a bicycle parking area according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the pneumatic pressure estimation device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the functional block configuration of the pneumatic pressure estimation device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the estimated result database according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of an air pressure estimation device according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows another example of the pneumatic pressure estimation device according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows another example of the pneumatic pressure estimation device according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows another example of the pneumatic pressure estimation device according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows another example of the pneumatic pressure estimation device according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the disclosed technology will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, components denoted by the same reference numerals have the same or similar configuration.

[0010] <Bicycle parking area 1> The following describes the bicycle parking area 1 in the disclosed technology. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the bicycle parking area 1 according to this embodiment. The bicycle parking area 1 consists of one or more air pressure estimation devices. The air pressure estimation device 10 can accommodate a bicycle 20.

[0011] In this embodiment, the bicycle 20 may be at least one of the following: a rental bicycle, a shared bicycle, a rental bicycle, and a community bicycle. Alternatively, the bicycle 20 may be, for example, a general electric-assist bicycle. Furthermore, a two-wheeled vehicle (e.g., a motorcycle) may be included instead of, or in addition to, the bicycle 20. Multiple bicycles 20 may be included, but they are not essential components for forming the bicycle parking area 1.

[0012] Furthermore, the bicycle parking area 1 may be provided at multiple locations, and users may rent or return bicycles 20 at the bicycle parking area 1. The tire pressure estimation device may be a bicycle parking device, cycle port, rental port, etc. The bicycle parking area 1 may be an unmanned bicycle parking area. Users may use bicycles in an unmanned bicycle parking area according to a prescribed procedure.

[0013] In the example shown in Figure 1, the bicycle parking area 1 consists of three air pressure estimation devices (e.g., bicycle parking device), comprising air pressure estimation device 10A, air pressure estimation device 10B, and air pressure estimation device 10C. If it is not necessary to distinguish between air pressure estimation devices 10A, 10B, and 10C, they may each be referred to as air pressure estimation device 10. The number of air pressure estimation devices 10 provided in the bicycle parking area 1 is not limited.

[0014] <Air pressure estimation device 10> The air pressure estimation device 10 is composed of, for example, a computer and a measuring unit (e.g., a pressure sensor). The air pressure estimation device 10 is a device that performs some of the functions of the processing provided by the bicycle parking area 1, such as estimating the air pressure of the tires based on the measured pressure.

[0015] <Hardware Configuration> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the air pressure estimation device 10 according to the present embodiment. The air pressure estimation device 10 includes, for example, a processor 11 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a memory (for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory)), a storage device 12 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and / or an SSD (Solid State Drive), an input device 13 that receives an input operation, and an output device 14 that outputs information.

[0016] The input device 13 is, for example, a sensor or the like. The output device 14 is, for example, a display, a speaker, or the like. The input device 13 is, for example, a pressure sensor, and may measure the pressure of a tire of one wheel. Further, the output device 14 is, for example, a display, and may display the air pressure of the tire estimated based on the measured pressure.

[0017] Note that the above-described hardware configuration is merely an example. In the air pressure estimation device 10, some of the hardware described in FIG. 2 may be omitted, or the air pressure estimation device 10 may include hardware not described in FIG. 2. Also, the hardware shown in FIG. 2 may be constituted by one or a plurality of devices. Further, when the air pressure estimation device 10 is constituted by a plurality of devices, each device may include at least a part of these hardware.

[0018] <Functional block configuration> (Air pressure estimation device 10) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional block configuration of the air pressure estimation device 10 according to the present embodiment. The air pressure estimation device 10 includes a storage unit 100 and a control unit 110. The control unit 110 includes an estimation unit 111. The control unit 110 may further include a pressure control unit 112.

[0019] The memory unit 100 can be implemented using the memory device 12 provided in the pneumatic pressure estimation device 10. The control unit 110 can be implemented by the processor 11 of the pneumatic pressure estimation device 10 executing a program stored in the memory device 12.

[0020] Furthermore, the program may be stored in a storage medium. The storage medium on which the program is stored may be a computer-readable, non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory storage medium is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory).

[0021] The storage unit 100 stores the data necessary for the pneumatic pressure estimation device 10 to perform information processing. The storage unit 100 includes, for example, an estimation result DB 100a. It is possible to add data items to the DB as needed.

[0022] Figure 4 shows an example of the estimation result DB100a according to this embodiment. The estimation result DB100a manages information regarding the estimated tire pressure. The estimation result DB100a may store, for example, an estimation result ID, a tire pressure estimation device ID, and estimation result information in association with each other.

[0023] The estimation result ID is information that identifies information related to the estimation result. The air pressure estimation device ID is information that identifies the air pressure estimation device that performed the estimation. The estimation result information includes information about the estimated tire pressure. The estimation result information may, for example, store pressure information related to the measured tire pressure and the estimated tire pressure based on the measured pressure in association with each other.

[0024] Figure 5 shows an example of the air pressure estimation device 10 in this embodiment. The air pressure estimation device 10 shown in Figure 5 includes a first storage compartment 31 that houses at least one of the wheels of a bicycle 20 (e.g., the rear wheel). A projection 32 is provided on the bottom surface of the first storage compartment 31.

[0025] The projection 32 includes a first measuring unit 33 for measuring the tire pressure of one wheel of the bicycle 20. The first measuring unit 33 may be, for example, a pressure sensor. If the first measuring unit 33 is a pressure sensor, the size of the pressure sensor is preferably about 3 square centimeters. This allows for accurate measurement of the tire pressure of one wheel and improves the accuracy of air pressure estimation.

[0026] Furthermore, if the first measuring unit 33 is a pressure sensor, the force sensor may detect the pressure applied to the tire and output a signal corresponding to the pressure. The type of pressure sensor is not limited, but for example, a resistive film type in which the resistance changes according to the pressure may be used.

[0027] The first measuring unit 33 measures the pressure of the wheel's tire. For example, when a user parks the bicycle 20 in a designated spot in the parking area 1 and stores at least one of the bicycle 20's wheels in the first storage unit 31, the first measuring unit 33 may measure the pressure of the wheel's tire.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 5, the first storage section 31 is described as storing the rear wheel of the bicycle 20, but it is not limited to this, and the first storage section 31 may also store the front wheel. Furthermore, a pressure application section 34 may be located near the first measuring section 33. The pressure application section 34 will be described later.

[0029] Returning to Figure 3, let's continue the explanation. The estimation unit 111 estimates the tire pressure based on the measured pressure. The estimation unit 111 may also estimate the tire pressure based on the tire pressure of the wheel measured by the first measuring unit 33, for example.

[0030] Through the above process, the air pressure estimation device 10 can appropriately estimate the tire pressure by measuring the pressure of one wheel's tire. Furthermore, by simplifying the process of estimating the air pressure, the air pressure estimation device 10 can estimate the tire pressure more quickly compared to, for example, measuring the tire pressure using an air pressure gauge manually connected to the tire valve.

[0031] The pressure control unit 112 controls a predetermined pressure applied to the tire. The pressure control unit 112 may, for example, control the pressure application unit 34 of the air pressure estimation device 10 and use the pressure application unit 34 to apply a predetermined pressure to the tire in a direction opposite to the protrusion 32. The first measuring unit 33 may measure the pressure of the tire when the tire has been subjected to a predetermined pressure from the pressure control unit 112. The first measuring unit 33 may apply a constant pressure so that the pressure application unit 34 presses the tire against the first measuring unit 33 and measure the pressure when the tire is indented.

[0032] Alternatively, the pressure control unit 112 may, for example, control the pressure application unit 34 and use the pressure application unit 34 to apply a predetermined pressure to the tire, thereby fixing the rear wheel and locking the bicycle.

[0033] Figure 6 shows another example of the air pressure estimation device 10 in this embodiment. Figure 6 shows an example in which the air pressure estimation device 10 applies a predetermined pressure to the tire 21 in the direction opposite to the projection 32 using the pressure application unit 34. The pressure application unit 34 is positioned within a range in which it can apply a predetermined pressure to the location where the first measuring unit 33 is located. As a result, the first measuring unit 33 can appropriately measure the pressure of the tire 21 when the tire 21 has been subjected to a predetermined pressure from the pressure control unit 112.

[0034] Figure 7 shows another example of the air pressure estimation device 10 in this embodiment. Figure 7 shows an example of the first measuring unit 33 measuring the tire pressure when a predetermined pressure 21 is applied to the tire, as viewed from the side.

[0035] The first measuring unit 33 may measure the pressure of the tire 21 when the pressure control unit 112 applies a predetermined pressure to the tire 21 using the pressure application unit 34, as shown in Figure 7. The pressure control unit 112 may also apply a constant pressure to the tire 21 in the direction opposite to the projection 32 and measure the pressure when the tire 21 is indented on the first measuring unit 33 in state A1.

[0036] The estimation unit 111 may, for example, estimate the tire air pressure [kPa] using the tire pressure measured by the first measuring unit 33 (e.g., a pressure value [Ω] indicating the tire resistance pressure) according to the following equation (1). Here, A and B are predetermined values ​​set for each model of the bicycle 20 being measured.

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[0037] Through the above process, the air pressure estimation device 10 can more accurately estimate the tire pressure by measuring the tire pressure (e.g., the tire's counter-pressure) when the tire is subjected to a predetermined pressure from the pressure control unit.

[0038] Figure 8 shows another example of the air pressure estimation device 10 in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the air pressure estimation device 10 may include a second storage section 41 for storing the other wheel (e.g., the front wheel) of the bicycle 20. A second measuring section 42 for measuring the contact area of ​​the tire of the other wheel may be located on the bottom surface of the second storage section 41.

[0039] Figure 9 shows another example of the air pressure estimation device 10 in this embodiment. Figure 9 shows an example of the second measuring unit 42 measuring the contact area of ​​the tire 22, as viewed from the side.

[0040] The second measuring unit 42 may be a pressure sensor that measures the contact area A2 of the tire 22. The second measuring unit 42 may be a pressure sensor that covers the entire contact area A2. The tire contact area may be the area where the tire, which is flattened by the weight of the bicycle, touches the ground. Note that when the weight of the bicycle 20 is constant, there is a certain correlation between the contact area and the pressure applied to the contact area.

[0041] The estimation unit 111 may estimate the air pressure of the tire 22 of the other wheel based on the contact area measured by the second measuring unit 42. Although the second storage unit 41 is described as storing the front wheel, it is not limited to this, and for example, it may also store the rear wheel.

[0042] The estimation unit 111 may, for example, estimate the air pressure [kPa] of the tire 22 using the contact area of ​​the tire 22 measured by the second measurement unit 42 (e.g., the pressure value [Ω] indicating the contact pressure of the tire 22) by the following equation (2). Here, C, D, and E are predetermined values ​​set for each model of the bicycle 20 being measured.

number

[0043] Through the above process, the tire pressure estimation device 10 can appropriately estimate the tire pressure based on the contact area by measuring the contact area of ​​the tire.

[0044] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments or examples are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. The present invention can be modified or improved without departing from its spirit, and equivalents thereof are also included. Furthermore, the present invention can form various disclosures by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments or examples. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments. Moreover, components may be appropriately combined in different embodiments.

[0045] For example, the first measuring unit 33 may be a strain sensor. The strain sensor detects the strain of the tire and may output a signal corresponding to the tire strain. The strain sensor may consist of, for example, a piezoelectric element and be configured to generate a voltage corresponding to minute changes such as compression or extension (strain) of the element attached to the tire. The estimation unit 111 may also estimate and calculate the tire pressure based on the amount of strain measured by the strain sensor. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1... Bicycle parking area, 10... Air pressure estimation device, 11... Processor, 12... Memory device, 13... Input device, 14... Output device, 20... Bicycle, 31... First storage unit, 32... Protrusion, 33... First measurement unit, 34... Pressure application unit, 41... Second storage unit, 42... Second measurement unit, 100... Memory unit, 110... Control unit, 111... Estimation unit, 112... Pressure control unit

Claims

1. A first storage compartment for storing at least one of the bicycle wheels, A projection provided on the bottom surface of the first storage compartment, A first measuring unit is provided on the projection and measures the pressure of the tire of one of the wheels stored in the first storage unit, An estimation unit that estimates the tire pressure based on the measured pressure, A pneumatic pressure estimation device equipped with the following features.

2. A first storage compartment for storing at least one of the wheels of a bicycle, A projection provided on the bottom surface of the first storage compartment, The projection is provided with a first measuring unit for measuring the tire pressure of one of the wheels, An estimation unit that estimates the tire pressure based on the measured pressure, The system comprises a pressure control unit that applies a predetermined pressure to the tire in a direction opposite to the protrusion, The first measuring unit measures the pressure of the tire when the tire is subjected to a predetermined pressure from the pressure control unit. Air pressure estimation device.

3. A second storage compartment for storing the other wheel of the aforementioned bicycle, The bottom surface of the second storage compartment further includes a second measuring unit for measuring the contact area of ​​the tire of the other wheel, The estimation unit estimates the air pressure of the tire of the other wheel based on the contact area. The air pressure estimation device according to claim 1.

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