JP2008195147A - Tire burst warning device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To emit warning to following vehicles and therearound when the speed of a vehicle enters a critical region of tire burst. <P>SOLUTION: A main control device 10 predicts the burst of a tire from tire information, tire pneumatic pressure, and vehicle speed by a traveling speed monitoring control part 13. When the speed enters the critical region, the control device emits warning therearound by controlling a flasher drive device 17, and decelerates the vehicle 3 to a safe speed range by a braking device 4. Since the possibility of avoiding the risk is enhanced for both the vehicle 3 and the vehicles therearound, the control device can provide a safe and comfortable driving to the driver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a tire burst warning device, and more particularly to a tire burst warning device that warns the surroundings (outside the vehicle) of the danger of a tire burst of a vehicle.

As a prior art, there has been proposed a system that warns a driver of an abnormality in tire air pressure when a tire pressure reduction or overpressure is detected (see Patent Documents 1, 2, 3, etc.).

In addition, as a prior art, a travel speed control means is proposed that not only informs the tire pressure abnormality but also adjusts the tire air pressure in accordance with road conditions and the travel state of the vehicle to control the travel speed. (Refer to patent document 4 etc.).

Further, as a conventional technique, there is a technique for managing tire characteristic information in an integrated manner and accurately detecting an abnormality in tire air pressure using a tire air pressure detecting device or the like (see Patent Document 5).
JP 2003-72330 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-81339 JP 7-81340 A JP 2005-119533 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-22602

However, the above-described prior art is for alarming or warning the driver, and for controlling the running of the vehicle in which an abnormality in tire air pressure is detected, and does not inform the surrounding vehicles (outside the vehicle) of the situation. There was a problem. When the preceding vehicle causes a tire burst, the most dangerous vehicle is the surrounding vehicle such as the following vehicle, and the surrounding vehicle should be informed of the danger of the tire burst of the preceding vehicle.

In view of the above-described points, an object of the present invention is to provide a tire burst warning device that detects an abnormality in a tire pressure of a vehicle and warns the surroundings (outside of the vehicle) that there is a risk of tire burst. It is to provide.

Another object of the present invention is to detect an abnormality in the tire pressure of the vehicle and warn the surroundings (outside of the vehicle) that there is a risk of tire burst, and the tire pressure can be replenished by the navigation system. An object of the present invention is to provide a tire burst warning device that displays a location or a location where the vehicle can be safely stopped.

The tire burst warning device according to claim 1 is a tire information storage unit that stores tire information of each tire of a vehicle, a tire air pressure detection unit that detects a tire air pressure of each tire of the vehicle, and a traveling speed of the vehicle. Vehicle speed detection means for detecting, tire information stored in the tire information storage means, tire air pressure detected by the tire air pressure detection means, and tire burst on the vehicle based on the running speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means Tire burst judging means for judging whether or not there is a danger of the vehicle, and a flasher drive for driving the flasher when the tire burst judging means judges that the vehicle is at risk of tire burst and warning the surroundings And a control means. According to the tire burst warning device according to claim 1, since the warning of the tire burst caused by the abnormality of the tire pressure is warned to the surroundings, there is a high possibility that the danger can be avoided in both the own vehicle and the surrounding vehicle, It becomes possible to provide the driver with safer and more comfortable driving.

A tire burst warning device according to a second aspect is the tire burst warning device according to the first aspect, further comprising screen display instruction control means for instructing display on a screen of the navigation system, and the tire burst determination means to the vehicle. When it is determined that there is a risk of tire burst, a warning is displayed on the screen of the navigation system. According to the tire burst warning device of the second aspect, when there is a risk of tire burst in the vehicle, the flasher is driven to warn of the risk of tire burst around the vehicle and the vehicle is in danger of tire burst. Since warnings are also displayed on the navigation system screen, the surrounding vehicles including the following vehicle can know in advance the danger of tire burst of the preceding vehicle, and the driver can connect the navigation system with a safe tire pressure. It is possible to provide route guidance to places where replenishment is possible and route guidance to places where parking is possible.

The tire burst warning device according to claim 3 is the tire burst warning device according to claim 2, wherein the navigation system searches for a replenishable portion of the tire pressure existing in the course of the planned travel route, and the replenishment that has been searched for is performed. The location is displayed as a map on the display unit. According to the tire burst warning device of the third aspect, when there is a risk of tire burst in the vehicle, the flasher is driven to warn of the risk of tire burst around the vehicle, and the vehicle is in danger of tire burst. Since warnings are also displayed on the navigation system screen, surrounding vehicles including the following vehicle can know in advance the risk of tire burst of the preceding vehicle, and the vehicle is connected to the navigation system to ensure safe tire pressure. The route can be guided to a replenishable location.

The tire burst warning device according to claim 4 is the tire burst warning device according to claim 2, wherein the navigation system searches for a stoppable location existing in the middle of the planned travel route and displays the searched stoppable location. A map is displayed on the part. According to the tire burst warning device of the fourth aspect, when the vehicle cannot continuously travel at the safe region speed, the flasher is driven to warn of the risk of the tire burst around the vehicle, and the vehicle has the risk of the tire burst. A warning message is also displayed on the navigation system screen so that surrounding vehicles including the following vehicle can know the danger of tire burst of the preceding vehicle in advance, and the vehicle can be stopped safely in conjunction with the navigation system. It is possible to guide the route to the places where you can stop.

The tire burst warning device according to claim 5 is the tire burst warning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tire air pressure detected by the tire air pressure detecting means is outside a predetermined specified value range. Tire pressure determining means for determining whether or not the tire air pressure determining means alerts the driver to that effect using an alarm device of the vehicle when it is determined that the tire air pressure is outside a predetermined specified value range. It is characterized by doing. According to the tire burst warning device according to claim 5, when it is determined that the tire air pressure is out of the predetermined specified value range, the vehicle warning device is used to warn the driver accordingly. The tire burst can be avoided in advance by correcting the air pressure of the tire or changing the tire before the tire burst.

A tire burst warning device according to a sixth aspect is the tire burst warning device according to the fifth aspect, further comprising a braking device for braking the vehicle, wherein the tire air pressure determining means is configured so that the tire air pressure is outside a predetermined specified value range. When it is determined that there is a vehicle, the vehicle is braked using the braking device so that the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a safe region speed. According to the tire burst warning device of the sixth aspect, since the vehicle is braked so that the tire pressure is less than the safety region speed when it is determined that the tire air pressure is outside the predetermined specified value range, Can automatically avoid the dangers.

The objective of issuing a warning to the surroundings when the vehicle is in danger zone speed of tire burst has been achieved by driving the flasher.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the tire burst warning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The tire burst warning device according to the first embodiment includes a tire air pressure sensor (corresponding to a tire air pressure detecting means of the present invention) 2 mounted on a tire 1 of a vehicle 3, a braking device 4 mounted on the vehicle 3, and a vehicle 3. Various sensors 6 such as a steering angle sensor and a vehicle speed sensor mounted on the vehicle, an input / output interface (I / F) 5 connected thereto, a main controller 10 connected to the input / output I / F 5, and the vehicle 3. The alarm device 16 and the flasher drive device 17 of the vehicle 3 constitute the main part. In FIG. 1, the input / output I / F 5, the main control device 10, the alarm device 16, and the flasher driving device 17 are illustrated outside the vehicle 3. Needless to say, the vehicle 3 is equipped.

The tire air pressure sensor 2 is attached to each tire 1 of the vehicle 3, and the air pressure of each tire 1 detected by the tire air pressure sensor 2 is transmitted to the main controller 10 via the input / output I / F 5. The tire pressure sensor 2 may be a so-called TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System).

The braking device 4 brakes the vehicle 3 based on a braking signal transmitted from the main control device 10 via the input / output I / F 5.

The various sensors 6 transmit the detected steering angle and vehicle speed to the main controller 10 via the input / output I / F 5.

The main control device 10 is composed of a well-known ECU (Electric Control Unit), a tire air pressure storage unit (corresponding to tire information storage means of the present invention) 11, and a tire air pressure determination unit (tire pressure determination means of the present invention). ) 12, a traveling speed monitoring control unit (corresponding to tire burst determination means of the present invention) 13, and a flasher drive control unit (corresponding to flasher drive control means of the present invention) 14.

The warning device 16 warns the driver by voice or the like when there is a risk of tire burst.

The flasher driving device 17 issues a warning to the surroundings by flashing and driving flashers (not shown) provided on the front, rear, left and right of the vehicle 13 when there is a risk of tire burst.

The tire air pressure storage unit 11 has a function of storing the air pressure of each tire 1 detected by the tire air pressure sensor 2. In addition, the tire pressure storage unit 11 includes reference data serving as a criterion for determining whether there is a risk of tire burst in the tire pressure determination unit 12. This reference data is a function of at least tire information (information on tire characteristics, such as model, tire width, flatness, rim diameter, used travel distance, etc.), tire air pressure, and travel speed of the vehicle 3 (vehicle speed). It is determined that there is a risk of tire burst even if the tire pressure is higher as the traveling speed is higher. It is assumed that the tire information is appropriately managed by a tire information management system (not shown) (see Patent Document 5, etc.). The risk of tire burst may be determined based on tire information, tire air pressure, travel speed, and steering angle using the reference data as a function of the steering angle.

The tire air pressure determination unit 12 has a function of determining whether or not the tire air pressure stored in the tire air pressure storage unit 11 is outside a predetermined specified value range. As will be described later, in the first embodiment, when an abnormality outside the predetermined specified value range is detected, the alarm device 16 informs the driver that the air pressure is to be replenished by voice or a monitor display. I am trying to warn you.

The traveling speed monitoring control unit 13 determines whether the vehicle speed is high and there is a risk of tire burst according to the tire air pressure, and a warning device 16 gives a voice warning to the driver to that effect, and the flasher driving device 17 A warning to that effect is given by flashing light around. In addition, the traveling speed monitoring control unit 13 transmits a braking signal to the braking device 4 via the input / output I / F 5 to brake the vehicle 3.

The flasher drive control unit 14 controls the drive of the flasher drive device 17.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the main controller 10.

Next, the operation of the tire burst warning device according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the main controller 10 acquires the tire air pressure detected by the tire air pressure sensor 2 (S101 in FIG. 2). The tire pressure is detected and acquired for each tire 1, and the acquired tire pressure is stored in the tire pressure storage unit 11.

Next, main controller 10 determines (level determination) whether tire air pressure is outside a predetermined specified value range by tire air pressure determination unit 12 (S102 in FIG. 2). For example, the tire air pressure determination unit 12 determines that the pressure is outside the predetermined specified value range if the low pressure state is −25% with respect to the standard air pressure (100% of the ideal air pressure of the mounted tire).

If the tire air pressure is within a prescribed range (S102: No in FIG. 2), main controller 10 returns control to step S101 and repeats steps S101 to S103.

If the tire air pressure is equal to or lower than a predetermined specified value (S102: Yes in FIG. 2), the main controller 10 uses the alarm device 16 to issue a warning / alarm that prompts the driver to correct the air pressure to the tire 1 ( (S104 in FIG. 2). For example, the voice warning by the alarm device 16 is “please replenish the air pressure because the tire pressure has decreased”, “decrease the running speed because the tire pressure has decreased”, etc. is there. That is, when the tire air pressure of the tire 1 decreases, the contact area between the tire 1 and the road surface increases (the coefficient of friction is also large), so a road (such as an expressway) However, if the vehicle travels on a road capable of traveling at a high speed with the tire 1 having a reduced tire air pressure, the tire 1 may be wavy and the steering wheel may not be operated. Further, when the tire air pressure of the tire 1 is in an overpressure state, the friction between the tire 1 and the road surface may cause the air in the tire 1 to expand and promote a tire burst phenomenon. For this reason, when the tire air pressure determination unit 12 determines that the tire air pressure is outside the predetermined specified value range, the alarm device 16 issues a voice warning that prompts the driver to correct the air pressure to the tire 1. .

Next, the main controller 10 acquires vehicle speed information and the like from various sensors 6 such as a steering angle sensor and a vehicle speed sensor (S105 in FIG. 2), and the traveling speed monitoring control unit 13 based on the tire pressure, the vehicle speed, and the like. It is determined whether there is a risk of tire burst (S106 in FIG. 2). Specifically, the travel speed monitoring control unit 13 calculates tire burst prediction from tire information (information on tire characteristics, such as model, tire width, flatness, rim diameter, used travel distance, etc.), tire air pressure, vehicle speed, and the like. Then, it is determined whether or not the danger zone has been entered. For example, if the low pressure state is -50% with respect to the standard air pressure (the ideal air pressure of the mounted tire is 100%), it is determined that there is a risk of tire burst (speed limitation is necessary). As for the vehicle speed, the deformation state of the tire diameter can be determined from the wheel speed transmitted from the ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) system (determining the speed difference between the four-wheel slipper and the four-wheel slipper). Whether it is due to a change or a change due to the steering angle can be determined from the comprehensive information of the tire pressure and the steering angle). For example, if a change occurs in the tire diameter of a certain wheel, the target tire 1 changes in the wheel speed (number of rotations) compared to the other tires 1.

If there is no danger of tire burst (S106 of FIG. 2), main controller 10 ends the process.

If there is a risk of tire burst (S106 in FIG. 2: Yes), the main control device 10 drives the flasher drive device 17 by the flasher drive control unit 14, starts flashing of the flasher, and the vehicle 3 is tire burst. A warning is given to the surroundings that there is a risk of the occurrence (S107 in FIG. 2). Thereby, surrounding peripheral vehicles can know the danger of tire burst of the vehicle 3. In particular, the following vehicle can detect that the preceding vehicle is in danger of tire burst or is in a sudden deceleration control state, and can take measures such as reducing the speed, increasing the distance between vehicles, changing the driving lane, etc. In addition, it is possible to avoid danger when the vehicle ahead is tire burst.

Next, main controller 10 informs the driver of the start of vehicle speed limitation using alarm device 16 (S108 in FIG. 2). For example, the alarm device 16 gives a voice notification such as “The tire pressure is reduced, so the vehicle speed is limited to 90 km or less, which is the safe area speed”.

Subsequently, the main control device 10 drives the braking device 4 via the input / output I / F 5 by the traveling speed monitoring control unit 13 to reduce the vehicle speed to a safe region speed (for example, 90 km or less) (see FIG. 2). S109), the process is terminated.

According to the first embodiment, the tire air pressure sensor 2 detects the tire air pressure of the vehicle 3 and the various sensors 6 detect the vehicle speed and the like, and the tire burst is detected based on the tire information, the tire air pressure, the vehicle speed, and the like. Judgment is made on whether there is a danger, and if there is a risk of tire burst, the flasher is driven to warn of the danger of tire burst around, so the surrounding vehicle including the following vehicle will be tire burst of the preceding vehicle Can be known in advance, and can be avoided by taking appropriate measures.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the tire burst warning device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The tire burst warning device according to the second embodiment is configured by adding a navigation system 20 and a meter system 24 to the tire burst warning device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Further, the tire burst warning device according to the second embodiment includes a screen display instruction control unit (corresponding to a screen display instruction control means of the present invention) 15 in the main control device 10 in order to control the navigation system 20 and the meter system 24. Is added and configured.

Since the navigation system 20 is already known, its details are omitted, but a GPS receiver 21 that calculates the current position of the vehicle 3 through communication with a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite, a liquid crystal display, and the like. Connected to a display unit 22 and a voice utterance unit 23 such as a speaker, and has a function of managing a scheduled travel route based on a map database (not shown). That is, the navigation system 20 creates a planned travel route by the vehicle 3 based on the current position and map data of the vehicle 3 calculated by the GPS receiver 21 and input operation from the driver, etc. Is displayed on the display unit 22, and a route guidance is provided by voice output from the voice uttering unit 23. In particular, in the second embodiment, the voice system 23 provides a voice warning that the tire pressure is corrected by the voice utterance unit 23 based on the presence of an expressway, a straight road, a curve, etc. existing on the planned travel route by the navigation system 20. I have.

The meter system 24 is provided on an instrument panel (not shown) of the vehicle 3 and includes various display units 25 such as a vehicle speed meter and a fuel meter.

The screen display instruction control unit 15 has a function of instructing display on the display unit 22 of the navigation system 20 and the display unit 25 of the meter system 24.

The other parts that are not particularly mentioned are configured in the same manner as the corresponding parts of the tire burst warning device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and therefore detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the main controller 10.

Next, operation | movement of the tire burst warning apparatus based on Example 2 comprised in this way is demonstrated, referring FIG.

In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the processing from step S101 to S105 is exactly the same as in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

After acquiring the vehicle speed information and the like (S105 in FIG. 4), the main controller 10 determines whether there is a risk of tire burst by the traveling speed monitoring controller 13 (S106 in FIG. 4). The current position of the vehicle 3 is acquired and not only based on tire information, tire pressure and vehicle speed (and steering angle), but also whether the vehicle 3 is traveling on a highway or a general road Considering the difference, it is judged whether there is a risk of tire burst. Specifically, the travel speed monitoring control unit 13 determines the tire information (information on tire characteristics, such as model, tire width, flatness, rim diameter, used travel distance, etc.), tire air pressure, vehicle speed, and the like from the current position of the vehicle 3. Calculate tire burst predictions to determine if you have entered a hazardous area. For example, when driving at high speed on a highway or the like, compared to driving at a low speed on a general road or the like, even if the tire pressure is higher, the maneuverability is reduced due to the waving of the tire 1 and the risk of tire bursting. Judge that there is.

When there is no danger of tire burst (S106: No in FIG. 4), main controller 10 shifts control to step S112.

When there is a risk of tire burst (S106: No in FIG. 4), main controller 10 executes steps S107 to S109. Note that the processing in steps S107 to S109 is exactly the same as that in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

After decelerating to the safe area speed (S109 in FIG. 4), the main control apparatus 10 acquires the current position of the vehicle 3 from the navigation system 20 (S110 in FIG. 4). It is determined whether or not (S111 in FIG. 4). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the vehicle 3 can be continuously driven at a safe region speed in consideration of a difference such as whether the vehicle 3 is traveling on a highway or a general road.

If there is no risk of tire burst (S106 in FIG. 4), or if it is possible to continue running at a safe region speed (S111: Yes in FIG. 4), the main controller 10 uses the navigation system 20 to Are searched for (S112 in FIG. 4), route guidance to the locations where tire air pressure can be supplied is performed (S113 in FIG. 4), and the process ends. Possible locations for replenishment include, for example, gas stations, highway parking areas and service areas, car shops that exist outside the highway, and the like. Specifically, the navigation system 20 searches for gas stations, highway parking areas / service areas, car shops outside the highway, etc. that are in the middle of the planned travel route, and this search results in the gas stations, highways. Judgment whether or not the location of a car shop, etc. existing outside the highway parking area / service area, and the location of a gas station, highway parking area / service area, car shop, etc. outside the highway Is acquired, the display unit 22 of the navigation system 20 displays a map of the locations of gas stations, highway parking areas and service areas, car shops outside the highway, and the like. At the same time, a voice warning may be given by the voice utterance unit 23. Examples of the voice warning include “please replenish tire air at a gas station” and “there is a gas station ahead of XX km. Check the tire condition”.

In steps S112 and S113, if the vehicle 3 is a vehicle that can automatically replenish tire air pressure (for example, see “Tire air pressure control system” in JP-A-2006-218985), the tire air pressure is automatically replenished. To end the process.

On the other hand, if it is not possible to continue traveling at the safe region speed (S111: No in FIG. 4), main controller 10 searches for a stoppable location using navigation system 20 (S114 in FIG. 4), and goes to the stoppable location. Is routed (S115 in FIG. 4), and the process is terminated. For example, a petrol station, a highway parking area / service area, a general road parking lot, and the like can be searched for as places where the vehicle can be stopped.

According to the second embodiment, when there is a risk of tire burst in the vehicle 3, the flasher is driven to warn of the danger of tire burst around the vehicle, and the navigation system 20 indicates that there is a risk of tire burst in the vehicle 3. However, since warnings have been provided, surrounding vehicles including pedestrians and pedestrians can know in advance the danger of tire burst of the preceding vehicle, and the vehicle can be replenished with safe tire pressure by linking with the navigation system 20 It is possible to provide route guidance to places and route guidance to places where parking is possible.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to them, and the knowledge of those skilled in the art can be used without departing from the spirit of the claims. Various modifications based on this are possible.

The functional block diagram which shows the structure of the tire burst warning apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of the tire burst warning device according to the first embodiment. The functional block diagram which shows the structure of the tire burst warning apparatus which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. 7 is a flowchart showing processing of the tire burst warning device according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 tire 2 tire pressure sensor (tire pressure detection means)
3 Vehicle 4 Braking device 5 Input / output I / F
10 Main Controller 11 Tire Pressure Storage Unit (Tire Information Storage Unit)
12 Tire pressure determining unit (tire pressure determining means)
13 Traveling speed monitoring control unit (tire burst judgment means)
14 Flasher drive control unit (flasher drive control means)
15 Screen display instruction control unit (screen display instruction control means)
16 Alarm device 17 Flasher drive device 20 Navigation system 21 GPS receiver 22 Display unit 23 Voice utterance unit 24 Meter system 25 Display unit

Claims (6)

Tire information storage means for storing tire information of each tire of the vehicle;
Tire pressure detecting means for detecting tire pressure of each tire of the vehicle;
Vehicle speed detection means for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle;
Based on the tire information stored in the tire information storage means, the tire air pressure detected by the tire air pressure detecting means, and the running speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means, it is determined whether the vehicle has a risk of tire burst. Tire burst judging means for judging,
Flasher drive control means for driving the flasher when the tire burst determination means determines that there is a risk of tire burst in the vehicle and alerting the surroundings to that effect,
A tire burst warning device comprising: Screen display instruction control means for instructing display on the screen of the navigation system, and when the tire burst determination means determines that the vehicle is at risk of tire burst, warns the navigation system screen to that effect The tire burst warning device according to claim 1 to display. 3. The tire burst warning device according to claim 2, wherein the navigation system searches for a place where the tire air pressure that can be supplied in the middle of the planned travel route can be supplied, and displays the searched supply available place on a display unit. 3. The tire burst warning device according to claim 2, wherein the navigation system searches for a stoppable portion existing in the middle of the planned travel route, and displays the searched stoppable portion on a display unit on a map. Tire pressure determining means for determining whether or not the tire pressure detected by the tire pressure detecting means is outside a predetermined specified value range, wherein the tire pressure determining means is outside the predetermined specified value range. The tire burst warning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a warning is given to the driver using a warning device of the vehicle when it is determined. A braking device for braking the vehicle, wherein the tire air pressure determining means uses the braking device to reduce the vehicle speed to be equal to or less than a safe region speed when the tire air pressure is determined to be out of a predetermined specified value range. The tire burst warning device according to claim 5, wherein braking is applied to the tire.

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